Amidst the tranquil town of Arlington, Nebraska, lies a kitchen that radiates warmth, not just from the oven but from the love language of its owner, Debbie Hansen. Mamma Bakes, her home-based bakery, serves as a culinary bridge linking cherished family traditions, shared joy, and the heart of the community.
Debbie shares her poignant philosophy, saying, “All in all, it’s my love language.” Indeed, each loaf, roll, or cake from her kitchen carries the unique imprints of her affection, generational traditions, and the delight of shared culinary creations.
On the subject of her business’s profound impact, she reveals, “I’ve had the opportunity to donate my cinnamon rolls and baked goods to a few good causes and have had wonderful results.” The delight her goodies bring extends far beyond her own home and into the homes of those who savor them, with one particular family ritual adding a playful element to this dynamic. “My son-in-laws, when they first came into the family, would take my dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls and hide them all over the house so that when they went home, they had some to take with them. It became a great joke,” she chuckles.
In her kitchen, past and present blend harmoniously, as cherished family traditions find new life in her hands and those of her children. “My Babi, my father’s mother, taught my mother how to make kolaches and cinnamon rolls, and my mother, in return, taught me at a very young age to bake,” she recalls. Not stopping at this, she adds, “I’ve taught all five of my children to cook and to bake, but my son is a really great baker and I have a daughter who can make bread dough too.”
Mamma Bakes operates under Nebraska’s Cottage Food Industry laws, a decision Debbie appreciates for its simplicity and alignment with her business values. “I also have the freedom to share my joy of baking and cooking. It keeps me grounded… I also like being at home, and it keeps all my costs low. It provides affordable and a fair price for all of my customers,” she explains.
Asked about the possibility of becoming a commercial kitchen, she stands firm, “It doesn’t ruin the quality if I was to become a larger entity. This way, I can maintain a consistent product.” She expresses the joy she finds in this arrangement, especially after her parents passed away and she found herself with more time to dedicate to her passion. “After I took care of my parents and they are both gone now, I have more time to enjoy my passion,” she shares.
The story of Debbie Hansen and Mamma Bakes offers an invaluable insight into the power of nurturing family traditions, sharing joy through a love language, and the intrinsic value of connecting with a community. Her kitchen in Arlington not only produces delicious baked goods but also weaves together the threads of love, memory, and community.
As Debbie Hansen perfectly sums up, “It’s my love language,” and what a delightful language it is.
And, as sweet as Debbie’s story is, what, you ask are her Cinnamon Rolls like? Are they any good? Without any hesitation, we can report they are a solid FIVE STARS. And, we do mean SOLID. Easily the best cinnamon rolls we ever had.
THE BEST.
I have also personally had Debbie’s cinnamon rolls – and, I can also say that they deserve five stars!!!! We also ordered a delicious brownie cake that did not disappoint. Another thing worth having is the strawberry pie. It was delicious!!
Meilssa Inget, Blair, Nebraska
Call Debbie at (402) 679-3992 and order yours today.
