Oldham County Small Batch

09/02/2026

I’ve melted hundreds of pounds of chocolate in my Small Batch kitchen over the last five years, but I still remember the first bowl I seized by getting a single drop of water in it.

I am working on my next beginner e-guide, and this one is all about how to melt chocolate, make bark, and dip easy treats at home without the headache.

Before I finish writing the steps, I want to make sure I answer what actually trips you up in your kitchen.

Is it chocolate getting thick and grainy halfway through dipping? Getting smooth drizzle lines? Streaking once it sets, or figuring out the best way to melt without scorching the bowl?

Drop your questions and biggest frustrations in the comments below. I am taking notes on every single one as I put the pages together 👇

08/30/2026

I went to Dollar Tree to grab a few supplies for my market table this week.

Outside the door, a guy was fundraising for a local nonprofit. I reached for my wallet ready to drop in a few dollars on my way through, but when he gave his pitch, the only options were a $300 one-time donation or a $30 monthly commitment.

He didn’t have a bucket for cash or a way to take a quick $5. So I had to tell him no and walk away.

Standing outside a discount store asking people for three hundred dollars ignores where you are and who is walking past you.

Whether you’re running a nonprofit or selling pie pops at a weekend market, meet people where they are. Give them an easy entry point so they can say yes before you ask them for the big commitment.

Have you ever walked away from buying or donating just because the ask felt completely mismatched for the setting? 👇

08/27/2026

This Friday at Yew Dell Gardens 🌿

Pie pops (apple, cherry, chocolate cherry, and walnut pecan chip), chocolate dipped cookies, caramel pecan turtles, cashew clusters, caramel marshmallow pops, and caramel dipped pretzels.

Market runs 4 to 8pm with free admission to the gardens, live music, a gourmet hot dog/burger food truck, and the outdoor cafe open with food and drink specials. All vendors are in a covered area so you can shop in the shade.

Bring a tote bag, come find me, and grab something sweet before it’s gone 🍫

📍 Yew Dell Gardens, Friday 4-8pm

08/26/2026

Your support of my small business means that I can be financially giving to my local community. It’s such a pleasure being a part of this quarterly women’s giving circle, 100 Women Who Care Oldham County. We meet tomorrow evening, Thursday, August 27th in Crestwood. I would love to have you there as a guest if you’re interested in seeing what we are all about. Just send me a message. I remember when our group voted to give to Dolly’s reading program🩷. -Jennifer

Today, we honor the incredible legacy of Dolly Parton, who touched countless lives with her music, kindness, and unwavering dedication to literacy through the Imagination Library. Her passion for storytelling and education opened doors for children everywhere, inspiring dreams and fostering a love of reading. We are deeply grateful for everything she did for the world. Thank you, Dolly, for your light and love that will continue to shine brightly in our hearts.

You can learn more about Dolly's Imagination Library program in Oldham County ://kyreadyforschool.com/Links---Resources.php.

08/25/2026

The swirl pattern is one of my favorite things about working with molds.

Milk chocolate goes in first, just smeared around with a spoon in no particular pattern. Let that set up in the fridge, then dark chocolate gets poured in on top. Push the cookie down, backfill with more chocolate, chill again, and pop it out.

Every single rose comes out different and that’s the whole point.

Want to see more from the Small Batch kitchen? Be sure to FOLLOW ME for more behind-the-scenes baking content ✨

What treat should I try this swirl with next? 👇

homemadechocolate

08/22/2026

You don’t need a fully stocked kitchen to start baking from home.

I started five years ago with hot cocoa bombs and a handful of tools. No fancy equipment. No big investment. Just the basics and a lot of figuring it out as I went.

Over time I added the tools that actually made a difference, and learned which ones weren’t worth the money.

I put together a free guide called The Sweet Success Toolkit with my favorite baking tools and packaging ideas so you can build your kitchen the smart way, one piece at a time.

Comment SWEET and I’ll send it straight to your DMs 🍫

08/19/2026

This one was full circle for me 🍎

My daughter went to preschool here. I taught here while I was in the beginning phases of starting my baking business. Now I’m delivering caramel apples to surprise the teachers.

The preschool is celebrating 25 years this year. The director wanted to surprise her staff with caramel apples to kick off the school year, gold bows on the boxes to match the celebration.

While teachers were in their beginning-of-year staff meeting, I set up a rolling cart in the lobby with a pyramid of milk chocolate caramel apple boxes hidden under a gold tablecloth.

Each box got a care card so teachers know exactly how to store and enjoy them.

This is the kind of order that reminds me why I love what I do from my Small Batch kitchen.

Follow along for more of what goes on behind the scenes 🍏

08/16/2026

40 minutes of stirring. No breaks.

If you stop, a film forms at the bottom. Little brown flecks get stirred in and there’s no going back. They’re impossible to get out.

That means everything has to be prepped and ready before the first stir. “Mise en place.” It means “everything in its place.” Something culinary school drilled into me and something I still practice in my Small Batch kitchen every single batch.

Caramel apples are coming back this fall 🍎
Be sure to FOLLOW ME for more caramel apple tips.
miseenplace

08/13/2026

Caramel apple season is coming back this fall 🍎

Last year they sold out at every single pop-up. People were asking me weeks in advance when the next batch would be ready.

Occasionally, email subscribers get first dibs on pre-orders before I post anywhere else. (Please note: I do not ship.)

One email. Once a month. What I’ve been baking, where to find me at markets, and when limited items like caramel apples drop.

Comment LOOP and I’ll DM you the sign-up link ✨

Link is also in my bio.

Are you on the list yet? 👇

08/09/2026

As my youngest daughter starts her last year of elementary school this week, I remind her of this scripture. Be a good example for those around you. But….am I a good example for her? I try. I succeed some and I fail some. Today I am thankful for a loving God and am encouraged by so many youth grounded in a firm foundation. Whether you are a student or an educator, be bold in your faith. Live and work with Him in mind. I am praying for a great school year for our family and am thinking of any mamas who are saying goodbye to college kiddos. It’s never easy on our mama hearts. I have a 5th grader and one that just graduated college. Summer has been amazing, but I do like a good routine. So tell me, do you love the back-to-school time of year?