In a surprising twist, a baker from Texas, Haley Popp, has found herself at the center of a storm after releasing cookies featuring the face of vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.
The limited edition treats were offered at her bakery, The Hive, located in Flower Mound, which has been delighting customers since 2018.
Haley excitedly announced on Instagram, “We only have a few dozen! Order online or come see us!!”
The cookies flew off the shelves, but what followed was a wave of backlash that was both unexpected and sadly, somewhat anticipated.
Unwelcome Attention
After selling out, Popp was bombarded with hateful messages that targeted her personally and insulted her bakery.
Some messages were particularly vitriolic, with one even wishing that her bakery and “all the gay people” associated with it would burn.
This wasn’t the first time Popp faced backlash; she had previously experienced similar hostility when she released a series of cookies for LGBTQ Pride Month.
Popp firmly stands by her beliefs, stating, “This business is just an extension of who I am, and I don’t think I should have to be quiet. I’ve built this platform. Why shouldn’t I use it?”
She has also created cookies featuring the likeness of Kamala Harris, as well as those inspired by pop culture, such as the Charli XCX “Kamala is brat” phenomenon, and cheeky slogans like “When they go weird, we go Walz!”
Sticking to Her Guns
Popp, who occasionally appears on Food Network reality shows, has been told to “shut up and bake,” but she refuses to be silenced.
“I’m never posting anything fueled by hatred. I literally just post photos of cookies, and that will get me a death threat,” she shared with the Dallas Morning News.
She has faced threats in various forms, from aggressive phone calls and online harassment to letters crafted from magazine cut-outs.
Despite the negativity, Popp’s commitment to her beliefs has never harmed her business; in fact, it has only strengthened her resolve.
“You can’t make people be quiet that want to talk. I think a lot of small businesses should start being more authentically themselves. It’s no way to live to just be silenced,” she asserts.
She finds camaraderie with other small business owners who reach out to share their own experiences of harassment, saying, “We have an army of people behind us. We are not alone in this community.”
Cookies as Political Prophecy
Interestingly, the world of baked goods isn’t just about cookies; it’s also becoming a quirky way to predict election outcomes.
In Ohio, Busken Bakery in Cincinnati has built a reputation for its ability to forecast presidential race results through candidate-themed treats.
Remarkably, they’ve only missed the mark once in the last 40 years.
They offer cookies featuring both candidates and a “Cookie Party” option with a smiley face, keeping a tally to see who might come out on top in November.
So far, their sales data favors Donald Trump, who has outsold Kamala Harris cookies by a significant margin: 2,953 to 2,134.
The “Cookie Party” option has also garnered attention, with 397 cookies sold so far.
In Pennsylvania, Lochel’s Bakery in Hatboro is following suit, tracking sales of their red Trump cookies and blue Harris cookies, receiving orders from across the country.
Owner Kathleen Lochel has been actively sharing updates on social media, noting that her “political cookies are sold out for Saturday.”
As of Friday morning, the totals were stark: 5,200 Trump cookies sold compared to just 500 Harris cookies.
What Lies Ahead?
As we approach the election, it’s clear that cookies are becoming more than just sweet treats; they are also turning into a fascinating way for bakers to engage with politics and gauge public sentiment.
Whether you’re baking cookies or casting votes, it seems that everyone has a role to play in shaping the future!
Mine Crypto. Earn $GOATS while it is free! Click Here!!