Tiffanee Lee-Scott sits in front of some of her baked goods in her bakery at 147 S. Governors Ave. in downtown Dover. Business has been growing since its opening in October. (Delaware State News photo by Arshon Howard)

DOVER — Tiffanee Lee-Scott always wanted to be an architect growing up, but instead of designing buildings for a living, she now designs cakes at Tiffanee & Co Bakery in Dover.

“I always loved baking and had a background in art,” Mrs. Lee-Scott said. “I always loved to paint and draw and I just combined those two loves.”

The bakery, at 147 S. Governors Ave., specializes in custom cakes and also sells cookies and cupcakes, which are freshly baked every day.

“I’m usually here about 5 in the morning,” Mrs. Lee-Scott said. “I don’t open up until 7, as it gives me time to get everything ready.”

Mrs. Lee-Scott was a full-time phlebotomist and worked from home as a baker before opening up her business.

“My business just kept growing,” Mrs. Lee-Scott said. “I decided I wanted to do it full time and put my all into baking.”

With the help from her family members she was able to find a building that fitted her vision.

“I knew when I wanted to open up a bakery I always wanted to be downtown,” Mrs. Lee-Scott said. “I always wanted a place with a really big front window. I came across this place and seen that it was available. It used to be an antique store so we had to renovate it, but it wasn’t hard at all.

“My family members helped me fund it, as I don’t have any loans or anything like that.”

The business officially opened in October, as it has received a lot of great feedback.

“It’s been going very well,” Mrs. Lee-Scott said. “Business has been great. The weather is starting to warm up, so I’ve seen a lot of foot traffic and I think with my custom cakes there’s been a lot of word of mouth.

“I have a Facebook page and website, which I update daily. It gives people a chance to see what I can do, which has helped with attracting more customers.”

Mrs. Lee-Scott also has a specialty green champagne cupcake named after her that seems to be a fan favorite amongst customers.

“People always ask what it tastes like — I’m like you have to find out for yourself,” Mrs. Lee-Scott said. “When they taste it they usually love it. I also have a cinnamon roll cupcake that I haven’t seen anywhere else.”

Some of Mrs. Lee-Scott’s custom creations include a Lego cake, peanut butter and jelly cake and Army tank cake.

“Anything you want I can make,” Mrs. Lee-Scott said. “I think it’s just my arts side and I just envision what I want and then bake it. Then I just start carving it and watch it come to life.”

Mrs. Lee Scott said baking the cake is the longest part of the process.

“Decorating takes about one or two hours,” Mrs. Lee-Scott said. “I use icing or fondants, whatever it takes to make my vision come to life.”

Luckily Mrs. Lee-Scott said she hasn’t had any mishaps yet.

“I haven’t had a cake fall apart,” Mrs. Lee-Scoot said. “I just take my time and give myself enough time for trial and error.

“After baking I give myself four hours before it needs to be picked up just in case the cake collapses I can bake another one and keep going.”

Part of that is due to her husband Marcus, who serves as that taste tester for the business.

“I tell her everything she needs to know before-hand,” Mr. Scott said. “If I don’t like it or don’t think it tastes good then customers won’t like it either. I don’t want to set her up for failure.”

Mr. Scott said he never gets tired of it.

“I love it,” Mr. Scott said. “As soon as she makes something new I’m the first person to try it. That’s the best part about it.”

Being the only baker can sometimes be overwhelming, but that’s the sacrifice she’s willing to take.

“My husband helps out with deliveries,” Mrs. Lee-Scott said. “I’m the only baker here. I do get overwhelmed. I told myself to not take as many orders, but I just love what I do. If it requires me waking up 3 in the morning to get some orders done then that’s what I will do.”