Father’s Day is quickly approaching. It’s this Sunday, June 16. Have you made plans to do something to celebrate the man you call dad? Dads are such special people in our lives. They make us laugh, encourage us to be a bit more fearless and take a few more risks than mom, and teach us...
When you come downstairs in the morning and see a pastry box full of doughnuts from the local bakery sitting in the middle of the table, it just sets the day up to be a good one. I remember as a kid often getting doughnuts on Saturday morning and it was such a special treat. No cereal or toast...
We live in the land of the free because of the brave and while I’m grateful for their service, I often do not pause enough to reflect on the immense sacrifice our brave men and women in the military have made for us. This Memorial Day I’m going to do just that: take time to remember...
The school year is winding down and most students are focused on one thing: summer vacation. But before we celebrate the end of the school year let’s take a moment to thank those who truly make a difference day in and day out - the teachers. Just as we get tired of the routine, so do...
The sound of "Pomp and Circumstance" will be filling auditoriums, gyms, theaters and schools everywhere. The calendar has flipped to May, which means school will soon be out for the summer and graduates will be entering the world. Whether you have a student making a major...
Asking questions is one of the best ways to learn something. Sometimes we ask questions to learn more about a particular topic or a particular person. Questions are an easy way to gain insight into how things work, what makes people tick and why things are they way they are. Personally, I’m a big...
Easter is less than one week away. We say it often, I know, but where is the time going? It feels like we were just sharing the story of Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. If the holiday feels like it snuck up on you, there’s no need to panic. Most of us have a lot going on. So while we want to...
Dare we say it - spring has sprung! Well, at least that’s what the calendar tells us anyway. With warmer weather and longer days, we’re all ready to get out and about. For some of you, that might include a road trip for a weekend getaway or spring break travels. There’s nothing quite like...
Do you ever feel like the hardest part of making dinner is actually coming up with an idea? Do you have intentions to plan your menu each week but you never actually get around to doing it? Do you ever forget to pull the meat out of the freezer in the morning but suddenly remember as you’re...
March Madness has officially begun! Selection Sunday was yesterday, meaning brackets have been drawn up and we’re just waiting to fill them out. There’s a buzz in the air as the action is set to begin tomorrow right here in our city! The Road to the Final Four begins right here in Dayton...
Ash Wednesday kicks off the Lenten season this week. Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter. It is a time of preparation and reflection before the celebration of Easter. The 40 days of Lent replicate Jesus’ sacrifice and withdraw into the desert for 40 days. Many Christians believe Lent is...
Coffee - that delicious liquid substance that gets most of us going each morning. It’s the beverage many of us drink morning, noon, and for some, night. Coffee is a drink that is delicious when shared with a friend and a side of good conversation. It’s great when you can sip the hot beverage...
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. Have you thought about how you might celebrate it? I feel there are two types of people when it comes to Valentine’s Day: those who love it and enjoy the day devoted to love and those who despise it and say it’s nothing more than a “Hallmark...
Super Bowl LIII kicks off in four short days. The New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for the big game. Are you getting ready, too? While the Super Bowl may be about football, we know a lot of people care about the commercials and of course, the food! With a few...
Life is beautiful and messy and hard. Life is funny and creative and amazing and sad and wonderful. This past year I’ve realized how quickly life can change. We lose loved ones. Dear friends get sick. Our children grow up and sometimes have to move away. There are disappointments, heart breaks,...
Love it or hate it, winter has arrived and the ground is covered with snow. Sometimes the snow can be a pain, making travel difficult. Other times, it’s a welcome sight, forcing us to slow down, stay inside and enjoy a break mandated by Mother Nature. I don’t know about you, but there’s...
Happy New Year! We are already two weeks into 2019. Have you made your resolutions yet? Have you broken yours yet? Or are you still thinking about what you hope to accomplish in the coming months? I’m not doing a resolution this year. Why you wonder? Well, sometimes resolutions can seem...
I know we say it often, but I can’t believe the end of the year is days away. It just doesn’t seem possible that it’s time to bid farewell to 2018 and welcome a new year. These 12 months went by incredibly quickly. As December draws to a close, it offers a chance for reflection on the past...
We are just one week away from Christmas! Most likely you’ve been busy making your lists and checking them twice and perhaps you’ve realized you haven’t baked anything yet. Don’t worry - there’s still time to make those Christmas cookies! As we’ve mentioned before, food makes a...
The most wonderful time of the year has arrived. The holidays are a fun, festive time but can also be stressful with so much on everyone’s to-do list. If you’re in charge of shopping and gift giving in your house, but you’re running out of ideas, let us help! Food is a fabulous gift and...
We’ve all heard the saying “you learn something new everyday,” and we believe this is absolutely true. Whether you discover a new fact, pick up a new skill or gain new knowledge about a friend or family member, we really do learn new things on a daily, perhaps even hourly. When you stop to...
It's just not Thanksgiving unless... It almost feels like Thanksgiving has become a forgotten holiday, doesn’t it? Or is it just me? Halloween costumes and candy quickly give way to Christmas carols and decorations and turkey day seems to be pushed aside, lost in the shuffle as the seasons...
We are grateful for your service and your sacrifice We are all so very lucky to live in the land of the free, thanks to the brave men and women that put on a military uniform and protect our country every single day. Unfortunately, we can often take our servicemen and women for granted, not...
Simple ways to give thanks this season Everyone has so much going on these days. School commitments. Work obligations. Extracurriculars. Doctors appointments. Family stuff. The list goes on and on. In the busy hustle and bustle of daily life, we can be in such “go mode” that we don’t...
Being a grandparent is the best. Yes, it was awesome being a mom, but there’s something even more incredible about watching my daughters as mothers and experiencing the joy my grandchildren bring to my life. Today we celebrate grandparents everywhere with National Grandparents Day. Did...
The time has come to bid farewell to the beautiful season of summer. We can’t believe it’s here! We know we say it often, but time is flying and it’s hard to believe September is here. It’s been a good summer for us - we hope you’ve had a good one, too, and we know we’ll miss the...
By now you may have realized there’s pretty much a national day for (fill in the blank) almost every day of the week. You’ve probably heard of “National Ice Cream Day” or “National Wear Flip-Flops Day,” but what about National “Just Because Day”? We hadn’t heard of it either, but...
The start of a new school year is here. Wow, summer went fast, didn’t it? You may be excited to get back into the routine of a new year or perhaps you’re sad to say goodbye to the relaxed days of summer. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, we’ve got a few tips to help make the...
Come on over When the sun is out, we like to be outside, too. Summertime is the perfect time for hosting friends, family and neighbors for a cookout. One of the best things about dining outdoors is the relaxed vibe. There’s no need for much planning. You don’t have to serve fancy food or...
Celebrate in the Sun Summer can be a busy season with vacations, holidays, baseball games and just a lot of fun, in general. Add in a summer birthday and there’s even more on the to-do list. While it may be hard to find a free day to celebrate, summer is a great time for a birthday. With a...
Time to break out the red, white and blue! Summer is in full swing, and this week we celebrate the 4th of July. Can you believe it’s here already? Seems like we were just talking about the never-ending winter. If you’re like us, you’ll be spending this week relaxing and enjoying some time...
We enjoy being your go-to for bakery items for all of your special events, but we also know you might want to try your hand at it, too. There’s nothing quite like the smell of cookies baking in your own oven. We know it's been awhile since we've written - the busy summer season has...
I don’t know about you, but I often find myself flipping through magazines and landing on pages with perfectly photographed food, complete with recipes that I always want to try, especially when it comes to baked goods. I dog-ear the pages, but when I go back to make them and quickly scan the...
Celebrate Mom It’s hard to imagine a world without moms. From the moment we’re born, moms play a significant role in our lives, making sure we’re fed, clothed, cared for and loved. As we grow, moms go from attending to our every physical need to helping us navigate emotional needs. Moms...
A quick look at the calendar reveals we aren’t far from the end of the school year. While it may seem hard to believe summer is right around the corner, if you’re a parent with a child about to graduate, you know it’s coming and it’s coming fast. Graduation is an exciting time,...
It may not look like it outside, but Spring has officially sprung and we are just days away from Easter. If you need a pick-me-up on these dreary days, stop by our shop. Our cases are full of happy, tasty treats: bunnies, chicks and ducks. If you’re worried about what to serve for the...
It’s here! Now that Selection Sunday has come and gone, March Madness has officially begun. It’s time to fill out those brackets and make your game plan for following all the tournament action. Are you rooting for the local Wright State Raiders? Or are you following another Ohio team? With...
Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and there is no denying love is in the air. It doesn’t matter if you’re married or single, young or old, involved in a romantic relationship or not. Valentine’s Day is a day...
Happy February! There may be white snow lingering on the ground, but this month is dominated by red and pink. And the red isn’t just tied to Valentine’s Day, which is right around the corner, if you can believe it. This month is all about cherries. Yes, you read that right - February is...
The world today could use more kindness. On a grand scale would be great, but there are a lot of small gestures that can make things a little brighter in our neighborhoods, communities and small piece of this world. We can all impact someone else’s day, and it doesn’t have to be a difficult...
Santa may have come and gone, but that certainly doesn’t mean the holiday season is over. Yes, all of the Christmas items have been demoted to the clearance aisles at the store, and a lot of the pretty decor is coming down, but we believe the holiday season extends beyond Christmas day and...
One week until Christmas - wow! Does anyone else find this month has flown by? It usually goes fast, but for some reason, this year it seems like it was just the first and now here it is December 17. And if you’re anything like me, you’re making your list, checking it twice and realizing...
December is quite the season for celebrations. On Tuesday, December 12, Hanukkah begins at sundown. This is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights”, which is celebrated nightly with a menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. But what is this “festival of lights”?...
This is a busy time of year: special events, decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking, fun events, parties...the list goes on during the holidays.Oh, and all of these things are in addition to the normal life activities (cooking, cleaning, laundry) that must continue. So imagine how busy...
For many of us, we don’t have to think twice about ordering off a menu or choosing a treat from behind the bakery counter. We’re able to eat what we want, when we want, without giving it too much thought. But not everyone is so lucky. A lot of people have food allergies or sensitivities...
If your house is like mine, there’s a bowl full of Halloween candy sitting on your counter. While it’s dwindling, it’ll most likely still be around in two weeks…which is Thanksgiving! Crazy, right, that turkey day is right around the corner? Now is the time to start planning your...
Today we flipped the calendar to November. It doesn’t seem possible to be this far along into the year, but here we are. November. Sometimes it seems that Thanksgiving is a forgotten holiday, lost in the shuffle between Halloween and the mad dash before Christmas. This November, we want to be...
There’s a chill in the air, the leaves are crunching under your feet and there’s a pumpkin on almost every stoop. Halloween is right around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited about this fun holiday. Although we may not be into the tricks this time of year, we’ve certainly got you...
Isn’t this one of the best times of year? I love how colorful the earth is right now, especially in Ohio. When you look around, there’s this beautiful mix of reds, oranges, golds and browns against the backdrop of a perfectly blue sky. Add in cold air, cozy sweaters, favorite boots and warm...
Can it really be fall without pumpkins? They might be the universal sign of the season. For us here at Ashley’s Pastries, and for a lot of you, we can’t wait for fall and all the pumpkin treats that come with it. Thankfully, pumpkins are quite healthy for us - they contain potassium and...
Although it may have been a while ago, think back to when you were a freshman college student away from home for the first time. You probably experienced a lot of emotions as you adjusted to life on a college campus - excitement, anticipation, inspiration, and perhaps, maybe, some homesickness...
Happy Fall y’all! Today officially starts the season (though with these hot temperatures it feels more like summer). For many of you, fall may mean crisp air, changing leaves and warm sweaters. For us here at Ashley’s Pastries, it means apple time! Fall is the prime season for apples and...
Let Ashley’s Pastry Shop help with your birthday. Whether you’re turning 1 or 16 or 60, we believe birthdays are meant to be celebrated. And here at Ashley’s Pastries, we want to help make your day special. Whether you’re planning a party for a loved one or treating yourself on your day,...
Let's celebrate For many of us the Labor Day weekend is a chance to bid farewell to summer, to celebrate the season with family and friends at picnics and barbecues. While it may be hard to say goodbye to the relaxed vibe of the summer season, Labor Day usually signals the start of fall - crisp,...
Now that school is back in session, you may be in need for inspiration for packing those lunches! For some parents, coming up with healthy meals five days a week can be tough. For most of us, time is precious so we want things that are healthy, but easy, too. Hopefully this quick list can help...
I’m not sure how it happened, but the calendar says it’s time so it must be true. For many of us, the start of a new school year begins today. Crazy to think how fast the summer has gone! Although I will miss the lazy mornings, the long, sunny days, and the relaxed vibe of summertime, I know...
Celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day at Ashley's! I have fond memories of a child baking chocolate chip cookies with my mom in the kitchen. We’d mix butter, sugar, a little vanilla and an egg, then add in flour, baking soda and a tiny bit of salt in the large glass mixing bowl....
Celebrate your cousins on Monday, July 24. For those of us lucky enough to have cousins, we know these special people often become our first childhood friends. We celebrate birthdays and holidays and weddings and other special occasions with them. Cousins are often our first teachers, too,...
Summer is in full swing and for most of us, there’s probably a good chance we’ll be taking a road trip at some point. Whether it’s an hour down the road or a 12 hour trip down the coast, when it comes to traveling with young kids, anything over 20 minutes can feel like an eternity (or at...
Perhaps it’s the relaxed state of mind that comes with the season, but life just seems a bit sweeter in the summer. Hopefully for most of us, our schedules become less demanding, we can enjoy the longer days with more hours of sunlight, and we can spend more time with those we love, doing things...
We have a big milestone to celebrate and we want you to join us. After all, you’re an important part of this because we couldn’t have done it without you. We wouldn’t be here without you and your loyalty and support. This June (the 15th, to be exact), Ashley’s Pastries celebrates our...
You’ve got the ring. You’ve set your date. You’ve picked your colors. You’re in the midst of planning one of the greatest days of your life. Congratulations! Although it’s been a few years since I was planning my own wedding, there are certain aspects of the planning I...
You’ve just heard the amazing news that your sister or friend or cousin or daughter is going to have a baby. So exciting! As you imagine the joy of holding a new bundle, your mind also races to things to do to help shower the mom-to-be with love.There’s the fun of building a baby registry,...
We all know how important teachers are. They encourage, teach, nurture, lead, love, challenge, support, and inspire our children day in and day out for nine months of the year. While we appreciate everything they do for our children, do we really take the time to say thank you? The National...
The calendar has flipped to May (can you believe it?!), which means flowers are blooming, the days are getting longer and warmer, and summer is just around the corner. And if you have a student, it could mean that graduation is coming up...and coming up fast! Let us help! This is a big day...
You may know that Saturday, April 22, is Earth Day. You may know that it’s a day to help celebrate the Earth’s environment and raise awareness about pollution. But do you know when the first Earth Day was? Why the day was created? We thought we’d share a few fun facts with you about this...
These festive Halloween treats will get your whole family in the holiday spirit! Whether you're throwing the perfect party or looking for fun treats your little goblins will love assembling - and eating – these spooky Halloween sweets. The Friendly Frankensteins, Spider Bites and Halloween Candy...
Fall weather is a great invitation to start baking. There’s something about the cool autumn air that makes us want to get in the kitchen and just bake, bake, bake. From fall breads to baked apples and pumpkin pies, there are countless recipes for baking with our favorite autumn ingredients –...
Do you love to bake but get frustrated by the rising temperature during summer? These five tips from the pros at Ashley’s will help you beat the heat of summer baking while adjusting recipes for some hot treats to best fit the summer months. Put ice in doughs! When mixing, use 25 percent ice...
The founding fathers may not have celebrated Independence Day with BBQ and sugar cookies, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy a fantastic feast with your family! Red, white and blue screams our country’s independence. Star spangled cookies, red velvet cupcakes, and chocolate pretzels...
NOT SO PLAIN VANILLA Vanilla is an incredibly powerful ingredient that most of us use all the time. If you’re anything like us, your vanilla is one of the most used ingredients in your kitchen. Vanilla extract goes into your chocolate chip cookies, and perhaps you scrape a vanilla bean for...
Cupid Shops at Ashley’s! Love is in the air! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner we’re filling our shop with festive cookies, cakes, cupcakes and pops. With an extra dose of love…the most important ingredient of course…in all of our Valentine’s treats, you can’t go wrong!...
5 Touchdown Dessert Ideas With the Super Bowl just around the corner, it’s time to start planning your game day menu. Since most of your guests will want to eat while watching the game (and commercials, of course), make sure to have plenty of finger foods on hand. You may even want to set up a...
2018 Wedding Cake Tips If you got engaged over the holidays, you’re likely wasting no time getting down to business with planning your big day. First of all, congratulations on your engagement! You probably already have visions of save-the-dates, designer dresses, floral arrangements, color...
8 Resolutions for the Novice Baker There’s no doubt the explosion of baking shows over the last decade has inspired many of us to dust off our aprons and try our hand at baking. There’s just one problem: it always looks so much easier on TV where cupcakes never burn, cookies are always the...
Our Top 5 Favorite Holiday Desserts The holidays are a time filled with family, friends, and of course, food. For most of us, this is one of our most favorite times of year to indulge our sweet tooth. We don’t know about you, but we look forward to the holiday season all year long. There’s...
10 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Baking We’ve all been there with powdered sugar up to our eyeballs, oven timers going off, sprinkles spilling on the floor and the company knocking at the door. You started out with the best intentions to bless your family and friends with all their favorite...
7 Tips for the Perfect Pumpkin Pie Fall is one of our favorite times of year. With the colorful leaves, the crisp refreshing air, and the sights and sounds of the holidays popping up, there’s a lot to love. If you are anything like us, as soon as we turn the calendar over to November 1, we...
Connect with a Veteran With Veterans Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how you can honor a veteran in your life. It’s the service of veterans throughout our history that has ensured the freedoms we enjoy today. Veteran’s Day is a great opportunity to slow down...
5 Tricks for the Perfect Halloween Treats With Halloween quickly approaching, you’re sure to notice the grocery store aisles lined with candy and costumes. As you begin to get busy with all the festivities, don’t forget to schedule in time to make some homemade Halloween treats with your...
THE PERFECT ROLLED SUGAR COOKIES With Halloween just around the corner, it's time to fire up your oven for homemade Halloween treats. Decorated cookies are always a favorite this time of year and cute new ideas are popping up on Pinterest every day. There's only one problem,...
WELCOME to our bakery where we have been serving up fresh-baked goodness since 1982. Nothing warms our hearts like putting a smile on your face with delicious baked goods. Here we hope to share tips, tricks and trends straight from our bakery to your kitchen. We welcome your comments, feedback...