If you search for common sayings on the internet that involve “cookie”, this one always comes up: I’d give you a cookie, but I ate it.” While I enjoy the humor of the statement, it actually rings quite true for me and my love of cookies.

The current segment of Pointing About Town finds The Marquis visiting SweetImpressions. And, by the way, he also loves his cookies! I seriously wonder who doesn’t, whether human or canine!

Several years ago during the Pandemic, I started IWON, a women’s professional idea network, through Illuminate. The program was over lunchtime and I prided myself on working with small businesses in the Western New York region to provide lunch and dessert. Through this endeavor, I came upon a Cookie Baker out of Newark, NY. Newark is outside of the City of Rochester. And, it is home, in my opinion, to one of the most spectacular cookie makers I have been privileged to know and consume their cookies!

I always say you only have one first impression to make a good impression. Well, making it with SweetImpressions certainly takes that statement to a new level!

SweetImpressions is a women owned firm founded by Andrea Hampton. She specializes in Springerle, and other European holiday cookies. The cookie ingredients are sourced locally as well as internationally to preserve their authenticity. Eggs come from a women owned hatchery in nearby Williamson, NY and flour from Italy, custard powder from England, and brown sugar and chocolate from Belgium. Speaking from much experience, eating any one of her cookies makes you feel like royalty! So, the source of the ingredients should not come as a surprise as they are meticulously chosen.

SweetImpressions began as a hobby in early 2019. All of her cookies are formed using molds that leave a “sweet impression” on each one. However, during COVID, Andrea’s career in the Aerospace Industry was cut short. In October 2020, she decided to take this opportunity and turn her hobby into her career and she has never looked back!

Today, plans include the search for commercial space and turning her DBA into an LLC, something we will discuss in a future Making A Point Blog. Seeking commercial real estate and formalizing your business into a legal structure with limited risk is reflective of a company on the rise and in growth mode. And, if you have ever tasted her cookies, you understand why!

Currently, SweetImpressions operates under a NYS Home Processing permit. Expanding into commercial space will allow her to increase her offerings under the NYS Agriculture Department food regulations. Teaching cookie lessons is also a part of her recent business expansion and formal commercial space would allow for her to continue to share her talent with others. In the few years we have worked with SweetImpressions, the growth trajectory has been impressive to watch and we look forward to the next milestones she achieves!

While Andrea completes her Certificate in Cornell University’s FoodSpark Program, she continues to bake a variety of offerings, which can be found at her website, https://sweetimpressions.biz. My favorite is the Lemon Springerle ,along with Milk Chocolate Shortbread and Key Lime White Chocolate. Just writing these words makes me want to place another order!

All of my cookie orders, and there have been many, were shipped within one day. They are packaged such that they have never broken, and they almost always look too beautiful to eat! I say almost, as invariably they are eaten, despite the coloring, the intricate molds, the magnificence of the artwork. It is a cookie, after all.

She has started offering painted ornaments from the molds and I took advantage of this new offering for Easter. And, of course, placed an order for a Fleur de Lis painted with the family crest colors of the House of Lafayette.

Andrea can also be found at many festivals around town. Perhaps you may have seen SweetImpressions peddling cookies at The Purple Painted Lady Festival (Macedon, NY) in 2021 and 2022, The Granger Homestead Festival of Trees (Canandaigua, NY) in 2021, Corn Hill Arts Festival (Rochester, NY) in 2022, Spencerport German Fest in 2022, Fairport Oktoberfest in 2022, The Granger Homestead Christkindl Market (Canandaigua, NY) in 2022, Holidays in the Hamlet (Mendon, NY) in 2021 and 2022, Genesee Village Country Museum Holiday Market (Mumford, NY) in 2021 and 2022, Birdhouse Brewing (Honeoye, NY) in 2021 and 2022 and Bristol Fall Festival (Bristol, NY) in 2021 and 2022. What you didn't see was the time and energy invested into each of these events or experience the severe changes in weather, everything from scorching sun to torrential downpours to tornado force winds causing the tent to launch itself like a kite into a tree! Ah, the many experiences of a Solepreneur!

Support an amazing women owned business here in the Western New York area, order some truly delicious and decadent cookies, and transport yourself to the 17th Century, where Springerle was created in Swabia, now the southwestern portion of Germany. This region is but a short drive from where The Marquis was born in northern Netherlands. When my love for my dog coincides with my love of the cookie, you know this must be something special!

SweetImpressions awaits your order. Make sure you mention The Marquis sent you!