Exploring Life & Business with Alexandra Vera-berkeland of Alma Baking House

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Vera-berkeland

Hi Alexandra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

From the moment I baked my first cake at age 12, a passion for creating desserts took hold of me. Over the years, I’ve honed my craft, exploring everything from savory cooking to the science of molecular gastronomy, but my true love has always been in the sweet realm. Desserts possess a unique elegance and drama—they’re the stars that shine brightest at the end of any meal. In fact, it’s often the dessert that people remember most from a multi-course experience, and that’s the joy I strive to capture in every creation.

When I married my husband and moved with him to Denver it presented me with a chance to start my own bakery. I quickly set up the business Alma Baking House but was troubled by a question. What desesrt should I focus on? For about a year I tested the Denver food market with various pastries and desserts.   Nothing seemed to resonate during this time, though there were many beautiful and delicious failures along the way.  Late on the night of January 4th, I woke my husband and declared, ‘I’m going to elevate cookies and make them the best cookies ever.’ In the weeks that followed, I created what I now call Denver Style Cookies—decadent, half-pound cookies filled with Belgian chocolate chips and a rich chocolate truffle tucked inside. These cookies quickly became a hit, ultimately becoming the signature dessert of Alma Baking House.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am a mompreneur. While starting from zero in a new town with its own food culture has been a challenge, it’s been even more difficult to do it as a new mom. Juggling baking, and marketing Alma Baking House with all the mom activities has been a struggle. That said as I look back, I laugh at the problems I’ve had and can’t imagine doing it another way.

We’ve been impressed with Alma Baking House, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Alma Baking House is a blend of my husband Matthew’s name and mine, Alexandra. In Spanish, Alma means ‘soul,’ and that’s exactly what our bakery represents—the soul of our marriage and our family’s shared passion. It’s a special project we pour our hearts into every day.

At Alma Baking House, we specialize in our signature Denver Style Cookies—generous half-pound cookies filled with rich chocolate chips and a decadent chocolate truffle inside. Our commitment to quality and creativity was recognized when we won Best Sandwich Cookie at the 2024 Denver Bake Fest on October 5th.

We’re always innovating, crafting new cookie flavors that celebrate the seasons and holidays, ensuring there’s always something fresh and exciting to enjoy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.almabakinghouse.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alma_bakinghouse/
• Facebook: Alma Baking House Facebook Page