Kelsie Hilton, Make or Bake Co
In gathered: Make or Bake Co’s Loaded Cookie Base
Teaching Fondant 101 at Cake Alley, Saturday 17 October, 3pm
Make or Bake Co
Kelsie is one of the originals from my cookie world. We met at a show a couple of years ago. Kelsie is generous, funny, warm and the sort of person who lights up a room, the first to help anyone with a question and always backing other people in the industry.
Make or Bake Co started with a hens party in 2018. Kelsie couldn’t find custom cookies for a friend’s hens, so she made them herself. By Kelsie’s own account that first batch wasn’t pretty, but Kelsie’s friend loved them and Kelsie was hooked. Eight years and thousands of cookies later, every Make or Bake Co order is custom, in Kelsie’s own style, from the first idea to the last cookie. Cookies were all Kelsie made for five years. In 2023, cupcakes and occasion cakes joined them, and Kelsie now bakes for corporate events as well.
Kelsie does all of this around a full-time job in marketing for a civil construction company, mostly at night. Baking is where Kelsie gets to be creative, and Kelsie’s favourite part is being part of people’s special days: weddings, engagements, birthdays, new babies.
The Doughzy mat is Kelsie’s design too. Kelsie couldn’t find an oversized baking mat that ticked every box, so she made one. It has sold out twice. The new XL Doughzy is non-stick, grips the bench so it doesn’t slide while you roll, and rolls up to fit in a drawer.
Kelsie taught fondant cookies at our 2025 Cookie Retreat, and was one of the testers who cooked recipes from gathered at home before they went to print.
Kelsie’s recipe in gathered
Kelsie’s Loaded Cookies have been favourites for years, so having the base recipe in gathered still feels slightly surreal. It’s such a good dough to work with, and the best part is what happens next. You make it yours: chocolate, nuts, lollies, whatever combination you love.
decorate with Kelsie at cake alley
If you’ve always wanted to try fondant cookies, start here. Kelsie is teaching Fondant 101 on the stage at Cake Alley on Saturday 17 October at 3pm. You’ll decorate two cookies with Kelsie and take them home. It’s $25 a place, or $45 for two, and there are only 12 places.
Cake Alley is part of the Brisbane Craft & Quilt Fair, 14 to 17 October. Use the code MELOO15 for 15% off your show ticket.
Find Kelsie: @makeorbakeco._ · makeorbakeco.com · @doughzy.mat
more from the book
Kelsie’s Loaded Cookie Base is one of the recipes in gathered, alongside recipes from the bakers, makers and growers who helped along the way.