Ring in the Lunar New year with us - orders over $30 will receive 2 matcha ganache rugelach thru january.

Welcome to Little Twist Bakery!

Hi, I'm Autumn ^-^

I’m the founder of Little Twist Bakery, a nonprofit cottage bakery in Austin, Texas. Before the flour and apron, I wore scrubs and loupes as a cardiac surgery physician assistant for nearly 10 years. These days, I’m a full-time mom to my twin boys, Ari and Hudson, yet my life still revolves around three things: good food, family, and finding ways to give back.

As the daughter of immigrants, I grew up in my family’s Chinese restaurant, where I learned that food is so much more than just a meal — it’s love, it’s connection, and sometimes it’s even the best way to say, “I’m sorry.” Those early experiences sparked my passion for food and shaped my belief in its unique power to bring people together.

Perhaps it was my formative years of answering the restaurant phone with “How may I help you?” Or maybe, as Anne Lamott says, help is the sunny side of control. Whatever the reason, serving others has always been part of who I am. Whether I was organizing community service projects in Chicago or working as a healthcare provider in NYC and TX, I’ve always sought meaningful ways to make a difference.

Now, with Little Twist Bakery, I get to blend my love of baking with my commitment to giving back. By donating proceeds to local charities, I see baking as my way of spreading joy and supporting my community, one rugelach at a time.

Little Twist Bakery founder with family
Little Twist Bakery founder with family
little twist bakery founder eating on a bench in NYC
little twist bakery founder eating on a bench in NYC

Why Rugelach?

I discovered my love for rugelach during my time in New York City, where my husband introduced me to some of the best Jewish bakeries he'd go to growing up. These flaky, tender cookies - adorable in size, rich in flavor, and steeped in history - are the perfect little indulgence.

After moving to Austin, I started baking rugelach for family and friends, putting my own spin on the classic by incorporating Asian flavors like ube, matcha, and pandan. These subtle yet complex and not-too-sweet fillings strike the ideal balance with the buttery, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie. It’s been a ton of fun sharing these treats with my modern village, and I’m excited to bring a taste of tradition, with a little twist, to the Austin community!

Why Little Twist Bakery?

At Little Twist Bakery, every batch is baked with care and purpose. By blending the timeless tradition of Jewish rugelach with Asian-inspired flavors, I strive to create something truly memorable. Whether you’re a rugelach fan like me or trying it for the first time, my goal is to brighten your day with something delicious and delightful.

Our mission goes beyond baking — we aim to operate sustainably and embrace baking as a form of activism. Every purchase supports a greater cause, with proceeds donated to local charities to positively impact in our community. In Chinese culture, we don’t say, “I love you.” Instead, we ask, “Have you eaten yet?”

Frequently asked questions

What is a rugelach?

Pronounced ROO-guh-lah, this bite-sized Eastern European Jewish cookie means "little twist". Imagine a cross between a shortbread cookie and a flaky croissant, then rolled and filled with a sweet spread or jam. American bakers began using cream cheese in the dough in the 1940s, giving the dough a subtle yet delicious tang. The humble rugelach is the most popular Jewish cookie in America, and April 29th is National Rugelach Day.

Are you a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?

While we do operate as a nonprofit such that net proceeds and 100% of tips are donated to our local charity of choice, we have not filed for tax-exempt status at this time. When you purchase from us, you can feel good about giving back to the community as well. Learn more about our featured nonprofit.

Where can I find you?

We are a home bakery located in Avery Ranch, Austin, Texas. We currently offer pick ups only. We do not have a storefront. Local deliveries to North Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and Hutto may be available for large orders - please reach out! We do not offer shipping at this time.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Little Twist Bakery is a cottage bakery - all of our products are made in our home kitchen, which is not allergen-free nor kosher-certified. Our products contain wheat, dairy, and nuts and may also contain traces of eggs and soy.

Do you take custom orders?

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate flavor requests outside of current menu offerings. Each flavor undergoes rigorous R&D before release. Follow us on social media the check out the BTS and vote in flavor polls!

What is a cottage bakery?

A Texas cottage bakery is a home-based bakery where individuals bake from their own kitchens rather than a commercial facility. Following state regulations, these bakers sell homemade treats directly to consumers. I maintain an active Food Handler's certificate as required by law, available upon request. With years of experience in the operating room, I am familiar with best practices to minimize contamination and maintaining a clean and organized work environment. Kitchen surfaces and equipment are cleaned and sterilized with toddler-safe, eco-friendly solutions to ensure your safety. Learn more about Texas Cottage Food Laws here.

What are your sustainability measures?

The future is in ALL of our hands. We feel strongly about reducing our carbon footprint as a cottage bakery and work towards this goal with the following eco-friendly practices:

  • Minimizing single-use plastic

  • Composting and recycling

  • Sourcing organic ingredients

  • Eliminating food waste

  • Maximizing efficiency in baking processes

Follow us!

Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer

All food products by Little Twist Bakery are made in a home kitchen and are not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department.

Quality & Ingredients

Some flavors may only be available for pre-sale or on a seasonal basis.
Little Twist Bakery always provides professionally handcrafted treats using high quality ingredients. Ingredients may vary due to availability and/or pricing.

Availability

Submitting the order inquiry form does not reserve a spot on my calendar. Dates are only reserved when full payment is received.

Requesting a Quote

ORDER QUANTITIES
1 dozen minimum

ORDER TIMELINES
Orders require a 3 day lead time. Inquiries are answered in the order in which they were received. Forms submitted after hours will receive a response as early as the next business day. Occasionally, a response may take up to 2 business days as I have twin toddlers - thank you for your patience and understanding.

Food Allergies and Intolerances

All products are prepared, baked, and packaged in my home kitchen, which is not allergy-friendly or kosher. Although we use best practices to avoid cross contamination, there is no guarantee that the products produced will be free from potential allergens.

Those with allergies and intolerances are advised to eat at their own risk or seek out a bakery that has allergy/intolerance friendly products.

Rugelach may contain or come in contact with common allergens such as dairy, eggs, wheat, gluten, corn, soybeans, tree nuts, nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, and bananas.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Payment

Full payment is due within 24 hours from the time your invoice is received. Rugelach requests are not booked until full payment is received. For orders of 4+ dozen), a 50% deposit may be made within 24 hours of receiving your invoice. Full payment is due 2 days prior to the pickup date.

I accept the following forms of payment: Stripe, Zelle, PayPal, Apple Pay, and cash.

ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

Changes to Existing Orders

Please notify me with changes no less than 2 days prior to scheduled pick up date.

Cancellations

Please provide notice of cancellation 2 days before the pick up date for full refund.

Refunds

All sales are final, and no refunds will be given for rugelach already made. Any orders not picked up after 24 hours will be forfeited with no refund unless arrangements have been made prior.

Pick-up & Delivery

PORCH PICK-UP
Pick-up times must be arranged and scheduled. Orders must be picked up at the agreed time. Please contact me if running late. Any pick-ups past 1 hour will be rescheduled. If order hasn't been picked up within 24 hours (without prior contact/arrangement), it will be forfeited, and no refund will be given.

Note: You can designate someone to pick-up on your behalf if prior arrangements have been made.

DELIVERY
For orders over $100, delivery may be available at an additional cost.

SHIPMENT
Due to Cottage Food Law, I am not allowed to ship. All rugelach orders are for local pickup/delivery only.

Order Release & Rugelach Care

Please check your order once you receive it. Once rugelach have left my care, you assume complete responsibility. Rugelach may shift inside the packaging, so keep boxes level, support the box when carrying, and place cookies on a flat surface during transport.

TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS...
Our rugelach will stay fresh for up to 3 if kept in an airtight container.

They can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer bag. To thaw, leave rugelach at room temperature for 3-4 hours or in the fridge overnight before opening bag or container (to prevent condensation). Reheat thawed rugelach in the oven at 350F for 5-7 minutes before serving (except matcha ganache, which may melt).

More questions?

Feel free to email us below, and we will respond as soon as we can.

photo of black door shutter filled with heart murals
photo of black door shutter filled with heart murals