Baking with Farmer Brooke Gladstone

Take one look at the amazing cake creations handmade by Cabot farmer Brooke Gladstone, of Newmont Farm in Fairlee, Vermont, and you can almost taste her passion for bringing sweet treats to life. 

Though Brooke has always enjoyed cooking and baking, she’s become far more dedicated and serious about baking during the past year. “My cake baking is an acquired pandemic skill,” she says. When schools closed during the early days of the pandemic, Brooke and her husband, Will, like so many parents, had to get creative to manage it all. With parenting, farming, and homeschooling duties all competing for her time and attention, Brooke discovered baking was a way to find personal time and challenge herself. 

“I enjoy baking early in the morning when the house is quiet,” she says. “My kitchen quickly becomes filled with amazing smells and all I hear is the mixer and my audiobook.”

Brooke credits Pinterest and YouTube for some helpful cake decorating lessons, but says that most of her skills “were acquired through many fails and taste tests.”

As for what delectable treats end up in Brooke’s oven, she says that “My cake flavor combinations are all inspired by desserts my family and friends enjoy. Strawberry cheesecake, cinnamon rolls, apple pie, and chocolate peanut butter anything!” Though she mostly bakes for friends and family, Brooke has acquired a limited home bakery license and chosen a name, Cakes by Brooke, so that she can follow her inspiration wherever it takes her.

As a Cabot farmer, Brooke loves using award-winning Cabot products when she bakes because of their rich, pure flavor and consistent quality. “[Cabot] butter is smooth and makes the perfect buttercream. Throw in some Cabot Cream Cheese for the perfect frosting for a carrot cake, or my favorite Cinnamon Roll Cake. Baking with products that are made from our milk also gives me another way to share and connect with our community. Who doesn’t love cake!”

Though Brooke’s three girls know that when Mom is baking, it’s probably best to stay out of the kitchen, Brooke always bakes a little something extra for the family to enjoy. “As a mom, it is a joy to show your children to keep trying new things and have them watch you be excited when working on a project.” 

In honor of Brooke’s passion, we’re excited to share some of our most popular and scrumptious cake recipes, all featuring our farmers’ mouthwatering, award-winning products. 

Chocolate Layer Cake with Chocolate Frosting:

 

Rich and decadent chocolate perfection with the creamy flavor of Cabot Greek Yogurt.

Vermont Maple Sour Cream Coffee Cake:

 

Made with rich, pure award-winning Cabot Butter and our tangy Sour Cream.

Richardson Farm Lemon Yogurt Pound Cake

 

Tart, tangy, and oh so sweetly delicious. Serve with your favorite coffee or tea blend.

Carrot Cake:

 

Our take on an absolute classic. Carrots, pineapple, cinnamon, plus a tangy kick of Cabot Greek.

Buffalo Plaid Cake:

 

Inspired by Cabot’s iconic plaid, this luscious cake is worthy of a decadent celebration.

If you don’t have a sweet tooth, try whipping up these cheddar heart crackers:

 

We hope that Brooke’s story inspires you to take your own baking to delicious new heights. Thank you for continuing to support our farmer owned co-op, and for choosing Cabot products.