Everyone loves a sweet treat, especially around the holidays. It’s that time of year where nothing’s better than a soft cookie or a warm slice of cake, and Elisabeth Epperson of Elisabeth & Butter has plenty of sugar to go around.

By Kaleigh Blessard

When she first started baking in her early teens, Elisabeth Epperson instantly knew that baking was going to be her life. Over the years, she created and developed a baking business that’s garnered her a lot of attention—and it’s no wonder, with how delicious her cookies and cakes are! Elisabeth grew up in the kitchen, baking with her mom and sisters. Baking became her passion at an early age, as she taught herself to make and decorate sugar cookies and started her own baking business at 15 years old. SVM had the opportunity to ask Elisabeth a few questions about baking and how she got her start.

How do you think your time as an Auburn student helped shaped you and your baking life? Although I started my business in high school, I grew so much in my time at Auburn. That was when I realized I wanted to bake for a living and turn my business of selling decorated cookies into something bigger. I started my Instagram account and [blog], “Elisabeth and Butter,” my sophomore year of college so my family and friends could see my creations. Little did I know that Elisabeth and Butter would stick and be my forever name.

You baked a lot in your youth—when did this all start for you? I started baking with my mom and sisters at a very early age, but it wasn’t until I was 13 or 14 when I realized I loved it. I quit cheer leading just so I could bake and I began making and selling cakes. It turned into my therapy and my passion and I have done it ever since.

On your website, Elisabeth & Butter, you’ve posted all sorts of recipes. Do you have a favorite? My favorite recipe is my mother’s ‘the Best Carrot Cake.’ She learned it in college and it is very special to our family. It has layers of moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and a homemade caramel drizzle. It is out of this world!

What is your go-to treat to eat? I love anything with peanut butter. Apples with peanut butter is always my go-to!

You’ve been doing this a long time! What inspires you to keep baking? I truly have a passion for baking and I feel lost when I go a week without it. I love the entire process of it and I am constantly learning through many fails and triumphs. I want to grow my business and eventually write my own cookbook, so that constantly inspires me to keep baking.

With the holidays around the corner, is one type of baked good or dish more in demand for you? What do people crave the most this time of year? It seems like everyone is wanting decorated sugar cookies—they either want to order them or learn how to make them for Christmas.

What advice do you have for people who want to start baking and cooking on their own? Keep trying and don’t give up! So many people are intimidated by baking after they have a cake or cookie fail (been there a million times), but learn through those failures and try again. Take that recipe you’ve been wanting to try and read it over a few times so you can really understand the process. Baking definitely requires patience.

You’ve lived in the South your whole life— what do you like best about it? Southern hospitality is a real thing and I love it so much. I also love the food! SVM