Owner of Maple Tree Bakes in Long Sutton says ‘life hasn’t been the same’ after selling Dubai chocolate bar which went viral on TikTok
An independent baker, who says life ‘hasn’t been the same’ since she started her own business, now has a list of more than 100 people waiting to buy a ‘viral’ chocolate bar.
Due to lockdown restrictions in 2020, Kascey Russell, 39, of Long Sutton, launched her bakery, Maple Tree Bakes, after she was unable to find someone willing to make her daughter a birthday cake.
The mum-of-three decided to make her own TikTok inspired cake and uploaded the pictures to her own social media page. She has since had celebrities such as Lee Latchford-Evans from pop group, Steps, reality tv star Calum Best and darts player Scott Williams taste test her bakes.
She said: “My life hasn’t been the same since – it’s all sort of grown since I posted my daughter’s TikTok themed birthday cake on my social media.
“I was making cakes for my friends and family and then moved onto bigger things such as traybakes.
“It was getting so popular that we had to make a separate commercial kitchen because my husband was coming home and didn’t know where to sit and have his tea.
“I enjoy the creative side and I would love to have my own shop because it can be quite a lonely business.”
After a viral Dubai chocolate bar rose to fame on TikTok, many influencers and video creators have re-created it at home.
Following on from the hype, Kascey decided to sell her own and has since been inundated with orders, saying: “I didn’t anticipate it to be as successful as it has been.
“I wake up everyday with messages and orders – it’s definitely keeping me busy.”
Kascey started making her version of the Dubai chocolate bar two weeks ago, and initially only bought enough ingredients to make two bars, in order to advertise them on her page.
The popular bar features crispy kataifi - a Greek pastry made from thin strands of shredded filo - with a pistachio and tahini cream and it is coated in thick milk chocolate.
Kascey now has a list of more than 100 people who are waiting to buy one of her products.
She said: “I thought I was late to the Dubai chocolate bandwagon, but it is off the scale.
“On top of my regular orders it’s keeping me very busy.
“I think people enjoy the texture of the chocolate bar as it’s creamy and crunchy. Social media has also boosted it into the limelight.
“I'm excited to see where my business is going to go, as it's getting bigger and bigger each week.”
As a result of one of her best friends and boxer, Stevi Levy, taking along samples of Maple Tree Bakes to various events, Kascey has seen several celebrities try out her sweet treats.
This has also resulted in an Instagram follow by actor Danny Dyer.
She added: “I want to say a big thank you to one of my best friends Stevi Levy, as she has done a lot for my business whilst also trying to build her own network and navigate her professional career.
“I feel incredibly lucky and forever grateful for her for making that happen.”
The chocolate bars cost £15 and can be ordered by messaging the Maple Tree Bakes Facebook page. Kascey is hoping to introduce Biscoff inspired bars as well as Kinder Bueno flavour and Caramac in the near future.
She also hosts ‘fizzle and drizzle’ events, where she teaches a group of 10 or more people how to decorate their own cakes.
Attendees can enjoy a side of prosecco and all of the ingredients are supplied.
