Sprinkling Magic at Tootsie Bluffins Bakery

A sweet journey through the bakery's creative confections

By Hanna Lee-Kleb | June 1, 2024

Tootsie Bluffins Bakery is more than just a place to satisfy your sweet tooth—it’s a testament to family, creativity, and the boundless joy of baking. Founded by twin sisters Amber Kilgore and Yarrow Young, the bakery’s story is as delightful as its treats.

Yarrow and Amber’s passion for baking began in their youth, nurtured by their grandmother, a master seamstress and home baker known for her whimsical creations.

“We baked in the kitchen with her a lot,” Yarrow says. “She always made us fun cakes when we were little—dinosaur cakes and Barbie cakes, always the coolest stuff.”

Yarrow and Amber are members of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and their grandmother, Harriet Kishigo Booth, was very active with the tribe, even testifying before Congress when the tribe was seeking federal recognition. She performed with a women’s drum and song group, served on an education commission, crafted traditional regalia for her family and friends, and studied the Odawa language.

Today, their grandmother’s influence continues to shine through in both the basic techniques used throughout their baking, as well as the variety of flavor options at Tootsie Bluffins.

“While we don’t use her exact recipes, we draw inspiration from her flavor profiles,” Amber tells us. “She was obsessed with key lime, and our key lime cupcakes and cake pops are some of our most popular.”

Their grandmother wasn’t the only strong woman in the twins’ family. Although she wasn’t a baker, the girls’ mother was also an entrepreneur. “Our mom was also an integral part of our inspiration,” Yarrow says. “We come from a long line of female leaders who inspire us to pursue our dreams.”

From Farmers Markets to a Flourishing Bakery

It was a twist of fate—both sisters being diagnosed with celiac disease—that truly propelled their baking journey.

“We started baking a lot because the gluten-free substitutes available on the market were not enjoyable,” Amber explains. “The recipe that started it all for us was our carrot cake recipe.”

The pandemic presented an opportunity. “We both had young kids, and we wanted to come up with careers that would allow us to spend more time with them,” says Amber. “So we started doing farmers markets on the weekends while working full-time.”

Yarrow and Amber actually started out in 2020 selling Christmas stockings and crafts. The name for the bakery emerged during this period.

“Our brother, who has a traumatic brain injury, kind of speaks in rhymes and riddles, and he came up with the name ‘Tootsie Bluffins’ for our stockings,” recalls Yarrow.

Once the pair were established on the market circuit, they transitioned to offering their baked goods—starting with cupcakes. “Cupcakes seemed like a good fit,” Yarrow says. “We wanted to spread cheer throughout the year.”

Their journey wasn't without challenges. “We worked 60 to 70 hours a week, balancing markets, catering, and our day jobs,” Amber says. “It was exhausting, especially with both of us pregnant with our second children.”

Their gluten-free options sold out quickly and eventually, they were able to fully transition out of their 9-5 jobs and run the bakery full time. “We saw the demand, and we knew we could make it work,” says Yarrow. “Now, we’re primarily focused on weddings and catering, with a loyal following at the Harbor Springs Farmers Market.”

A World of Delicious Creations

Accommodating various dietary needs is a priority for Tootsie Bluffins Bakery. While not a certified allergy-restricted kitchen, their firsthand experience with celiac disease ensures a deep understanding of gluten-free baking. At the farmers market, all products are gluten-free, with options for dairy-free and vegan treats.

Their menu also extends beyond traditional cakes and cupcakes to include an array of options. They offer cake pops, cookies, mini crumbles, custard cups, chocolate-covered strawberries, coffee cake, and more.

“We have something for every craving. I’d say the only thing we don’t do are pies,” Yarrow says. “Our primary focus is definitely the cakes and cupcakes. We offer everything from small six-inch wedding cupcakes to towering five-tier cakes.”

Their approach to baking is a testament to their creative spirits, drawing inspiration from a myriad of sources, from Pinterest to late-night cake decorating videos.

“We just really like to layer things on,” Yarrow explains, likening their process to a form of culinary scrapbooking. “It’s about starting with a broad objective, getting our colors together, and then just layering on all the different elements that seem right.”

“We both really love the most eclectic things that we can get and put our own twist on,” adds Amber. “Right now we love doing geodes and different textures.”

When it comes to personal favorites, both sisters have their go-tos. Yarrow’s is a key lime cupcake with raspberry filling, while Amber finds joy in crafting intricate layered trifles. Reflecting on their most impressive creation to date, both sisters recall a monumental cake from last summer.

“It was a five-tier behemoth fondant-covered white cake with custom lace stenciling to match the bride’s dress,” recalls Amber.

“It was almost a 300-serving cake, and every detail had to be meticulously crafted,” adds Yarrow.

No matter how big or small the project, at the heart of everything Yarrow and Amber do lies a desire to bring joy. “We’re just trying to sprinkle some magic on everybody else,” Yarrow concludes.

Contact Tootsie Bluffins at tootsiebluffins.com; (231) 838-5119

Beyond Baking: Rain & Revelry Events

Yarrow and Amber’s passion for creativity extends beyond the bakery; they are also the co-founders and masterminds behind Rain & Revelry Events, a fantasy-inspired event company dedicated to bringing magical experiences to their community.

“We come from a long line of nerds,” Yarrow says with a chuckle, reminiscing about their childhood filled with adventures in Middle Earth and beyond. “When The Lord of the Rings movies came out, our house was insane,” she adds, describing the family’s fervent devotion to all things Tolkien.

“We remain big fans of fantasy authors and book series so we wanted to bring a little bit of magic to Michigan,” Amber says.

Rain & Revelry has two upcoming events: the Dragon Gauntlet this August at Boyne Mountain Resorts and the already-sold-out Starfall Ball in July 2025 at Castle Farms in Charlevoix. The sisters have planned activities such as a fantasy-themed scavenger hunt and a lavish bookish ball.

“We’re pulling out all the stops,” Yarrow says with a grin. “It’s going to be an experience unlike any other.”

Find more information about Rain & Revelry Events at rainandrevelryevents.com.