Every great bakery begins with a little bit of love — and a lot of butter.

For Dee “Dia” Crenshaw, baking has always been more than a hobby; it’s a language of love, a form of storytelling, and the heartbeat of every holiday, celebration, and Sunday supper. For years, friends and family gathered around her table to savor her legendary Christmas pound cakes and sweet treats that had a way of turning ordinary days into special occasions.

After a successful career with the State of Ohio, Dia decided to follow the dream everyone said she was destined for. In 2024, she officially launched Cakes & Bakes — a Black-owned, woman-owned, family-run bakery built on heritage, heart, and a lifelong passion for creating joy through food.

From Kitchen to Community

What started as one woman’s love of baking has grown into a community favorite. Each recipe is crafted with clean, high-quality ingredients and a pinch of nostalgia. You’ll taste the difference in every bite — from the buttery crumb of a Southern Butter Pecan Pound Cake to the rich swirl of a Bourbon Brown Sugar glaze or the perfect crunch of a Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Cakes & Bakes isn’t just about desserts; it’s about the connections they inspire. Whether it’s a family celebration, a quiet coffee break, or a just-because treat, Dia believes that baked goods have the power to make moments sweeter — literally and figuratively.