Basque burnt cheesecakes are having a moment in the culinary world and there’s a good reason for that - their caramelised toppings, creamy texture, and melt-in-your-mouth filling are irresistible. That’s where Coconut & Moo Moo come in.
This Wicklow-based cheesecake business was founded by Summer Black and her husband Simon, who turned their lockdown-fueled hobby into an award-winning business with the help of Square.
From Side Hustle to Success Story
Summer and Simon were inspired to start their cheesecake business after receiving rave reviews from friends and neighbours. Growing up in Thailand, where dessert was a traditional part of meals, the couple was on a mission to find the perfect dessert after moving to Ireland. Summer, who was working full-time in tech, started baking as a way to cure her homesickness and boredom during lockdown. With cheesecake being a popular dessert worldwide, she wanted to perfect the Basque burnt cheesecake recipe.
“Cheesecake is a universal food language for many people,” says Summer. “A lot of people can relate to it and have their own variations.”
Getting Set Up with Square Online
The couple decided to take their baking to the next level and converted their kitchen into a HSE-registered gluten-free kitchen. They started selling their cheesecakes through collections, deliveries, and stockists all over Dublin with a previous online ordering system. But when that provider became too expensive and didn’t fully meet their needs, they turned to Square Online.
“Square Online looks good, has more options for modifications, and I love the online and offline integration,” explains Summer. “We have much more power and autonomy with Square and can easily make any updates we need.”
Improving the Product and Keeping Customers Coming Back
Coconut & Moo Moo are always working on improving their product through customer feedback and tastings. They make sure their cheesecakes are always of the highest quality and offer them for free if they’re not up to standards. To give themselves a competitive edge, their cheesecakes are gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly, allowing even more people to enjoy their gourmet treats. They also now offer a sugar free keto/diabetic-friendly variation which is naturally sweetened with Monk Fruit and Inulin.
Looking Ahead
Summer and Simon are excited to continue to grow their business, are in the process of building out their new kitchen in Bray, and plan to sell their cheesecakes to a wider audience in Ireland. They’re also looking into different product lines, including coconut cream-based ice cream.
You can check out their mouth-watering cheesecakes on their website or Instagram, and enjoy delivery within Dublin or you can opt for collection from one of their collection points in town or market stalls such as UCD on Thursdays, Killruddery on Saturdays or Dún Laoghaire on Sundays. And if you’re feeling indulgent, microwave for 15 seconds for extra gooey deliciousness!
Planning to start a bakery business in Ireland? Our guide provides tips for creating a thorough business plan. Use Square to handle the challenges and benefits of owning a baking business, whether from home or elsewhere. Square can help you sell anywhere.