SWEET Surprise

Dulze Pastries is a cozy tribute to owner Jessica Nava’s grandmother, who loved to bake cakes for neighbors and family members. “I truly feel like baking and cooking bonded us,” says Nava, who grew up in Lima, Peru and now lives in Palm Beach Gardens. “I implement her style of cooking and tips in my kitchen every day.” The debut of Dulze Pastries in 2019 was a happy surprise. Nava had hosted a fundraiser, selling her baked goods to help pay for her family dog’s medical needs. The fundraiser lasted a week, but Nava’s interest in baking only grew stronger and ultimately became a side hustle for the aspiring baker. “In a lot of ways, Dulze Pastries has reawakened the passion and love that I’ve always had for all things baking,” she says. The menu at Dulze incorporates traditional Peruvian alfajores, which are shortbread pastries filled with dulce de leche. Nava also prepares picture-perfect sugar cookies, cakes, and cupcakes and custom-decorates creations like floral bouquet cupcakes and cookies and cakes in requested themes. She also hosts cookie-decorating classes, teaching skills like how to work with royal icing. Classes held this month on February 4 and 11 will feature a Valentine’s Day theme. dulzepastries.company.site