Anika Chen’s love for baking started as a creative outlet during college and quickly turned into a passion.
While studying online during the pandemic, Chen began spending more time in the kitchen, practicing baking. She started by recreating recipes from TikTok and began baking her own signature cookies.
She said she found baking to be very therapeutic. And with her background in biomedical science in school, she was drawn to the precision, testing and creativity that went into baking.
After sharing her cookies with family and friends, Chen felt encouraged by how much they enjoyed them. In 2025, after attending a business conference with her sister, Chen began praying about the possibility of stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. After months of brainstorming, Bare Batch Cookies officially launched in August 2025.
Bare Batch Cookies are baked with all natural and organic ingredients. She said that using real, recognizable ingredients is very important to her. Her cookies are made without artificial preservatives, and she uses high-quality, intentional ingredients so customers can feel confident about what they are eating.
Chen’s signature cookies come in scrumptious flavors including Classic Chocolate Chip, Coconut Dulce, Gluten Free Mocha Fudge, Gluten Free Peanut Butter and Rustic Oatmeal Raisin with seasonal flavors rotating throughout the year. Her bestseller, Raspberry Crumble, is inspired by her mom’s famous raspberry crumble. The cookie features a buttery shortbread filled with raspberry preserves and a delicious crumble that crisps on top.
When asked what she likes best about what she does, Chen said that her baking business allows room for creativity and trying new things. She enjoys talking and connecting with customers.
Her cookies are available through her online store, at local markets including the Ponte Vedra Friday Market, select pop-ups and Linda Jean Cafe and Cream in St. Johns.
Bare Batch Cookies is built on the idea that a cookie can be indulgent, unique and made with ingredients people trust. To learn more and place an order, go to https://www.barebatchcookies.com.
