Kneadle Dee Baking Co. goods made by Patricia Hoffman.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
ENFIELD — What began as a passion for baking has turned into a small business venture for Enfield resident Patricia Hoffman.
In the fall of 2023, Hoffman started Kneadle Dee Baking Co.
“I’ve always enjoyed baking, I’m definitely a better baker than a cook,” she said.
She went on to say that she did baking in 4-H growing up and spent a ton of time in the kitchen with her mother and grandmother.
“Baking has always been my forte,” she added.
Last year, Hoffman said someone mentioned sourdough bread to her, which she thought sounded like a “great challenge.”
With her own sourdough starter, a live culture of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria used to make bread rise, Hoffman began baking breads.
“Everybody loved it,” she said.
As Hoffman got into it herself, she made multiple loaves and because her family could not eat it all, she began posting the breads online to give away to people in the area.
“People were coming back [saying] ‘hey, do you have any more bread available?’ So, I just decided, ‘well, let me see what it would take to turn this into a business,’” Hoffman recalled.
After looking into the cottage licensing for the state of Connecticut and going through all the processing — including going to the town of Enfield — she now has her own business.
Hoffman is licensed by the state to bake out of her home.
She currently runs Kneadle Dee Baking Co. on the side, as she works full time at a doctor’s office during the week.
“I would love to turn it [Kneadle Dee Baking Co.] into something that I do full time,” Hoffman shared.
In addition to sourdough, Hoffman bakes cakes, cupcakes, cookies, biscuits, scones, soft pretzels, focaccia bread and more. “You pretty much name it — if I can substitute some sourdough into it, I’ll go for it.”
Every Sunday, Hoffman sells her baked goods at the Enfield Farmers Market, on the Enfield Town Green from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
She also has a baksey website which she said people can request orders through such as specialty items and can pay on there as well.
All the breads cost around $10. Hoffman noted that there are breads that have special inclusions in it like everything or cheddar jalapeno, blueberry lemon and more, which cost a little extra.
Hoffman shared that she also sells cheaper breads, like soup bowl size loaves that usually cost $8 for two.
Cookies generally cost anywhere from $1 to $3 per cookie, but there are discounts if you purchase six, 12, or more.
Hoffman offers delivery locally, however, if she traveled outside of Enfield, she said there might be a small upcharge for the distance. She noted that she is also happy to meet people locally if it is easier but does not offer pick up at her house because she wants to be kind to her neighbors.
Kneadle Dee Baking Co. can be found online at bakesy.shop/b/kneadle-dee-baking-co or by visiting its Facebook page.
