Baking With Love: Nissis Cake Room Opens In West Racine - Mount Pleasant, WI Patch

RACINE, WI — West Racine just became a little sweeter with the addition of Nissi's Cake Room, 3214 Washington Ave. — a new specialty shop that features cakes, cupcakes, macaroons and some of the "best cheesecake you'll ever have."

That's according to Nidia Hernandez, 51, the chief baker as well as the heart and soul of this new shop.

Nidia's been baking for a long time, she said, ever since she was young. "It's a long story - I really love baking since I was a child," she told Patch. "I was always baking cookies, cupcakes at home and I really love baking."

Nidia Hernandez with her sons Daniel and Javier (Scott Anderson/Patch)

She started a home baking business in 2016, making cakes for weddings, birthdays, and special ceremonies of all types. In March 2019, she and her family began preparations to open a store in West Racine. With the backing of a Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation loan, Hernandez had the funds to move forward with supplies and a storefront.

Nissi's Cake Room opened Thursday, and with the help of sons Daniel and Javier and daughter Nidia, their business is a family affair — at least for now.

Hernandez said her tres leches cupcakes have a "special Hispanic touch." She also uses Swiss meringue frosting which is of note. "That kind of frosting is not too sweet, like American buttercream. It is soft and light, but creamy and not too sweet."

A sample of cupcakes from Nissi's Cake Room: tres leches, vanilla and chocolate. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

Hernandez' journey to Racine spanned more than 1,900 miles and began in Honduras.

Twelve years ago, Hernandez and husband Javier Irias made the decision to leave their home country to escape widespread amounts of gang violence. The young family made their way to Racine after Irias managed to find a job here with the help of a relative. In earlier days, Hernandez helped to run a family pharmacy and graduated from university with a degree in chemistry.

"My parents did not feel secure in that environment and the violence has only grown since we left," son Javier Irias told Patch. "They just wanted a better life for them and for us too. We will have been in the U.S. 12 years in November."

Hernandez said word has been getting around about her new storefront, and has gathered a local following for the cakes she has made during her time as a home baker.

"I always say this — we have a flavor for every craving, and our macaroons are delicious because they are made with love. They're also made from scratch."