'Baked With Purpose': OC Baker Redefines Craft Cookies

IRVINE, CA — An Orange County woman is redefining a traditional sweet treat while paying homage to craftsmanship, nostalgia and the beauty of everyday moments.

Dolce by Tina is a home-baked shop that started in a small Irvine kitchen March 2025, where founder Christina "Tina" Karras decided to channel her love for bringing people together by baking it into a delicious cookie.

The business since then has taken off, building a loyal customer base in Irvine and beyond.

"Honestly, cookies weren’t my original plan. I grew up baking banana bread, so I initially thought I’d open with cakes or loaves," Karras told Patch. "But the more I recipe-tested and had friends and family taste everything, the more cookies just made sense."

"Cookies aren’t complicated, but when done right, they’re incredibly satisfying. They’re meant to be shared, gifted, broken apart, and enjoyed slowly — and that simplicity is what makes them special."

Today, Dolce by Tina offers New York-style flavors with signature molten centers. Patrons of the cottage shop can expect decadent, fresh cookies baked in small batches with high-quality ingredients.

The cookies — which range from Biscoff Cookie Butter to Pistachio Kunafeh in flavor — are rich, flavorful, and satisfying "without being too sweet," Karras told Patch.

According to Karras, Dolce by Tina's best-selling cookie is the Biscoff Cookie Butter, which reigns as a "clear favorite" for its cookie butter center, crushed Biscoff cookies mixed into the dough and white chocolate chips.

Her current favorite, however, is the Almond Croissant cookie.

"It's buttery and soft, with a rich almond paste center, rolled in slice almonds and finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar," Karras said. "Every bite feels different and thoughtful — it's indulgent without being overly sweet, and unlike any other cookie."

Every bite feels different, Karras said, because Dolce by Tina is a small, hands-on operation that works in small batches daily.

"The cookies are not overly sweet and focus more on flavor and balance than size or novelty," Karras said. "Each recipe is tested and refined over time, and every box is made with care from start to finish. It's meant to feel more personal and homemade, just elevated."

While Karras currently operates as a cottage food baker while running Dolce by Tina out of her apartment in Irvine, she is focused on growing partnerships with local coffee shops and fine-tuning the business.

Long-term, she hopes to see Dolce by Tina become a small luxury bakery and café.

Residents can place an order for Dolce by Tina cookies by visiting the bakery's website.