I have known Ashley, owner of Luscious Layers, for nearly four years. We met through mutual friends, and I have to say, birthday parties are a real treat around here with the cakes we get from Ashley and her team. A month ago, I finally got into the bakery to, officially, check things out.

Ashley has been baking and decorating cakes professionally for nine years. She started working at local bakeries while attending college in Memphis, Tennessee. Even after she moved to Chicago she was always baking for friends and family. It got to the point where she was baking so much that she had to rent out spaces to work in. Eventually it was time to go “whole hog” and set up shop in Bucktown.

Luscious Layers started in 2009 with just Ashley, occasionally her husband and designer Kile, and intern-turned-right-hand-lady Laurie. Today their team has quadrupled! With this growth, we all get to enjoy the 40+ custom flavored cupcakes and pastry selections to fill a ton of sweet tables.

What I really love about Luscious Layers is their commitment to be green wherever possible. They use recycled cake boxes and all biodegradable disposables for their sweet tables. Plus, you can’t go wrong with Earl Grey Macaroons that practically melt in your mouth. So, if you haven’t been by this extremely creative AND tasty bakery yet, I urge you to stop by and say hi.