Nahia’s Cakes: Celebrating Hispanic Baking in Lebanon Valley Mall

Nahia’s Cakes by Frany is a family-owned bakery opened by Stephanie Auiles and Oscar Varela at Lebanon Valley Mall. They offer a range of Hispanic-style baked goods and customized cakes, fueled by Auiles’ passion for baking and support from her husband. The couple aims to expand their menu to include diverse baked goods from various cultures, while actively engaging with the local community through social media.

In November 2017, Stephanie Auiles and her husband, Oscar Varela, relocated to the Lebanon area following Hurricane Maria. Encouraged by a friend, they sought opportunities in employment and settled in Lebanon County. After residing here for nearly eight years, Auiles developed a passion for baking, leading her to sell baked goods to friends and promote her creations on Facebook.

On March 1, Auiles, with her family, inaugurated Nahia’s Cakes by Frany at the Lebanon Valley Mall. This family-run bakery specializes in customized cakes, Hispanic-style baked goods, and refreshing beverages such as coffees and piña coladas. Varela highlights the variety offered, noting, “Everybody has different taste buds, everybody likes different things. We have different varieties like carrot cakes, quesitos, cookie and brownies. I really just recommend people come in and try a little bit of everything.”

To enhance her culinary skills, Auiles undertook training in Lebanon and began selling samples of traditional Hispanic cakes to her acquaintances, thereby expanding her customer base through referrals and social media. The bakery is named in honor of Auiles’ unborn daughter from 2015. Auiles takes pride in crafting personalized birthday cakes, cookies, and quesitos—traditional Puerto Rican puff pastries filled with cream cheese.

The bakery’s appeal is supplemented by the vibrant photography of Auiles’ baked goods shared on social media, enticing community members to visit and experience the treats firsthand. Auiles expressed gratitude towards her supportive husband, stating, “I’m very thankful with the team that I have here working, especially my husband.”

Before the bakery venture, Varela worked as a trailer mechanic and in the Walmart warehouse. However, he possesses prior experience in the culinary field, having worked in his aunt’s bakery in Puerto Rico during his youth. He commented on his enjoyment of the bakery, stating, “I enjoy being in this bakery because it’s something I get to do next to my wife, I’m still learning things and we get to grow together and this business as well.”

Auiles cherishes making personalized cookies and brownies, along with a unique Hispanic-style ice cream flavored with passion fruit, which they plan to introduce to their offerings as the weather warms. Furthermore, the owners aim to diversify their menu by incorporating baked goods from various cultures beyond Hispanic cuisine, complementing their existing customized cake selections.

Nahia’s Cakes by Frany embodies a fusion of Hispanic heritage and vibrant community spirit in Lebanon Valley Mall. Founded by Stephanie Auiles and Oscar Varela, the bakery not only showcases unique Hispanic-style baked goods but also emphasizes personalization and customer engagement through social media. With plans for expansion, they aim to introduce a broader range of baked offerings while maintaining their community roots. This entrepreneurial journey reflects dedication and a collaborative family effort towards success in the local culinary landscape.

Original Source: www.ldnews.com