Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
“I’m super blessed that when I moved to Dayton, Brian Johnson and James Burton (owners of the Pizza Bandit) took me under their wing,” Bergsten said. “I love their dream and it’s nice that they are able to reciprocate that.”
Bergsten, a 2015 Clinton-Massie High School graduate who moved to Dayton about four years ago, started working at The Pizza Bandit as a second job when she was pursuing a career in the cannabis industry.
When The Pizza Bandit started offering brunch on Saturdays and Sundays in September 2024, Bergsten began making biscuits and cinnamon rolls for them. Since then, she has started offering chocolate chip cookies and a unique item called, “Gem Cakes.”
“Making something that’s cool and different has always been my goal,” Bergsten said. “When I was in culinary school, I made a chocolate bowl with a balloon and some... cooking spray. You dip it in chocolate. You can put it in the fridge a little bit to help set it up, but you have to temper the chocolate... and then you can pop the balloon and it just leaves the bowl.”
“Ever since I did that I’ve been kind of obsessed with a chocolate idea in one way or another,” Bergsten said.
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
Gem Cakes feature a hard Ghirardelli chocolate shell that resembles a gem and are filled with layers of cake and buttercream icing. Current flavors include chocolate salted caramel and chocolate covered strawberry.
Both cakes feature a chocolate ganache buttercream. The chocolate cake used in the chocolate salted caramel gem is soaked in a hot, salted caramel sauce before it’s layered. The other chocolate cake is soaked in a house made strawberry puree with fresh slices of strawberries added to the layers.
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
“This is what I’m trying first,” Bergsten said. “I think it’s a fun alternative to cupcakes. I think they’re about the same density and size. They’re a little bit easier (to eat) because you can take them apart.”
The Gem Cakes pay homage to the Gem City.
“I’m really excited to be a part of the community that Dayton is,” Bergsten said. “I see everyone working together and I want to be apart of that. I want to help make Dayton better.”
Bergsten is currently working with the health department to officially operate under Bae’s Bakery. She is currently baking under The Pizza Bandit to test out new items. In the future, she plans to offer five different flavors of Gem Cakes, in addition to cookie sandwiches.
“I’ve always been able to make people things to eat — treats, sweets and things like that. To really do it in a professional manner and see it come to fruition is truly a treat in itself,” Bergsten said.
MORE DETAILS
The Pizza Bandit is open for regular service 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It’s open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for brunch.
In the future, Bae’s Bakery will be offering pre-orders for customers to buy her products. For more information and updates, visit the bakery’s Facebook or Instagram (@baesbakerydayton) pages.
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