Rose's Baked Goodies at the Farmers Market

Call her a reluctant entrepreneur. Rose Hoppe is an experienced artisan who likes to concentrate on needlepoint, aprons, fabric handbags and tablecloths.

The Malibu resident is also a long-time baker who found immense joy in baking for family and close friends. “It was really just a hobby, but my friends were relentless,” she said. “They thought my baked goods had a lot of potential.”

Tried and tested recipes

The rest is history for the mom of one who juggles motherhood, a household and her lifelong hobbies-turned-enterprise.

“I’m amazed at how much they like these,” said the owner of Rose's Home-Baked Goods, gesturing towards the neat array of home-baked goodies, mostly baked the day before.

The small loaves and muffins are delectable, moist and quite offbeat. There’s zucchini, banana, sweet potato mango and papaya. Zucchini, banana and sweet potato are staples while the availability of mango and papaya may be limited due to the season.

Then there are melt-in-your-mouth cookies, including amaretto and chocolate Viennese fingers.

The soft biscottis are crowd-drawers, including the cappuccino, pistachios, lemon, pumpkin and almond varieties.

Most of Hoppe’s recipes are tried and tested. “If I find something interesting, I’ll try it first with friends and family,” she said. “Some of them, I’ll tweak over and over, until I get the desired outcome.”

Every now and then, Hoppe will also make truffles. “It depends on the market and the demand,” said the entrepreneur who also sells her goods at the Newbury Park and Malibu farmers markets.

“I also want to incorporate more fruits into my products when they’re in season,” she said.

Hoppe tries to keep her price points affordable and attractive to a wide variety of market-goers by staying within the $2 to $12 range.

Limitless possibilities

For Thanksgiving and the December holidays, market-goers can look forward to a more extensive pie selection, more pumpkin-based delights and even turkey stuffing.

Hoppe also diversifies by doing some limited catering and offering birthday cake selections. Delivery is also available within a limited radius around Malibu, where her business is based.

She refuses to limit her products and services, as she’s slowly trying to establish her business. “Until I find my niche, the sky’s the limit,” said Hoppe.

For more information, call 310-722-1599 or email rosehoppe@yahoo.com.

The Agoura Farmers Market is open from 9 am to 2 pm every Sunday at 5835 Kanan Rd.