Meet Molli Dowd | Gingerbread architect and founder of Edible Estates

We had the good fortune of connecting with Molli Dowd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Molli, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I literally come from a family of builders and bakers! With a background in architecture, set design, clothing and landscape design, as well as a passion for baking with the family, all of my interests and expertise came together to create a business baking custom gingerbread houses and teaching workshops.

Initially baking gingerbread houses only for family, my daughter at 5 years old ,suggested we gift our traditional build to the neighbors that had just lost their father in NYC 9/11,, and the idea was born to make gingerbread houses into an incredible gift experience.
Later that same year, during the instruction of a children’s workshop, I realized it was the adult parents, in particular the mothers, who appreciated and recognized the elevated standards of quality and meticulous attention to detail, that is now a signature of my business, Consequently, this discerning audience paved the way for the inception of the now infamous local event known as a “Gin & Gingerbread” party.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At Edible Estates we create edible art. Our packaging has the quote printed on it…..”we deliver happiness one gingerbread house at a time”. And that pretty much says it all! We are in the business of making people happy.

Our unique combination of elevated design and quality in a very specialized niche sets us apart from any other bakery.
I am most excited about the opening of our retail brick n mortar in NJ (coming in 2024) that will incorporate an immersive baking and decorating experience for our customers. A place for all ages to come a learn, create, bake and decorate. A creative artistic bakery and studio cafe.

I started as an architect major in college atASU got an MFA from NYU in theater arts, worked in theater, film and the fashion industry in NYC. Set aside my career to have my children and move to the suburbs, while finishing a degree for landscape design at NYBG. Once my children were older, i became a freelance designer and high school volleyball coach while having my bakery passion as a side hustle. It wasn’t until my children were older teenagers that i set out to make my side hustle a full time business. Juggling family and career has been difficult and a start and stop process for me for years. I will always put family first and consider myself to always be in a state of personal development and growth. The example i set for my daughters for my own Individuality as a loving mother and modern female and entrepreneur , will be my legacy.

Important lessons i have learned along the way..
*i need to always trust my instincts even in the face of fear
* in order to be truly happy i need live my own life’s journey, mistakes and all, one that is true to me and not the product of someone else’s vision for me.
* realize what i can control and focus on that, and let go of the things out of my control

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
wow….this is a big question as NYC is my backyard!

Visiting New York City and surrounding area:
At any time of year there is amazing entertainment and professional sports teams playing from Broadway musicals to the US Open tennis to Giants/Jets game or Mets/Yankees.

Walk the High Line in NYC , a unique raised beautifully landscaped promenade with exceptional views of the hudson and city, walk the entire length starting at the Whitney museum/Standard Hotel all the way to the ‘Vessel’ at 34th street, (lots of great restaurants at the Hudson yards) and tour The Edge…a magnificent glass wall and glass floor observation deck on the 100th floor…yikes!

A must see is the Refik Anadol exhibit at the MOMA
Classic eats can be had at Waverly Inn in greenwich village, or Gramercy tavern in Flatiron but the new hot spots are
at the south street seaport at Jean-Georges Tin building , where you can experience everything from coffee to flowers and fresh fish and sushi…it has innovative retail shopping and great open kitchen restaurant concepts.
New York Botanical Gardens in the bronx is an amazing outdoor adventure for adults and children.

I am an outdoor enthusiast so I would recommend taking a one hour trip east to National Park land on Fire Island to visit not only an amazing beach but the Lighthouse and Sunken Forest at Sailors Haven.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family , of course, deserves high praise for not only encouraging my creativity but being fully supportive of me following my passion. My grandfather , a custom home builder in the 50’s and a magnificent baker in my mother and curious and artistic siblings, set the stage for that,. And my children, (now grown up) not only helped build and create alongside me, but put up with a holiday invasion of gingerbread year round!

Website: www.EdibleEstates.com

Instagram: @EdibleEstates

Linkedin: Molli Dowd

Twitter: @EdibleEstates

Facebook: Edible Estates

Other: tik tok: @edible.estates