Nestled in the quiet village of Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, you'll find Madi's Bakes, a charming self-service cake shed serving up an irresistible selection of homemade sweet treats every weekend.
From delicious cakes and gooey brownies to chunky stuffed cookies and creamy cheesecakes, Madi's Bakes has quickly become a favourite amongst the local community since opening its doors in May 2026.
Turning a Passion into Reality
At just 21 years old, Madi balances running her cake shed alongside a full-time 9–5 job. What started as a love for baking has grown into a thriving small business, allowing her to share her creations with the people around her.
The idea to open a cake shed actually came from her dad, who encouraged her to take the leap.
"I'm so glad I listened because it's been one of the best decisions I've made."
Operating on a self-service honesty box system, the shed offers customers the flexibility to pop by whenever they're craving something sweet. Alongside the cake shed, Madi also creates bespoke bakes for custom orders and regularly attends local markets and fairs.
Weekend Treats Worth Visiting For
Every weekend, the shelves are filled with a tempting variety of freshly baked goodies, including:
- Cakes
- Brownies
- Stuffed cookies
- Cheesecakes
- Tiramisu
- Other homemade sweet treats
Some of Madi's biggest customer favourites include her nostalgic school cake and indulgent stuffed cookies. More recently, she's added a refrigerated section stocked with chilled desserts such as cheesecakes and tiramisu, which have proven to be a huge hit.
More Than Just Baking
For Madi, the most rewarding part of running her cake shed isn't just creating delicious bakes, it's knowing they've brightened someone's day.
"The thing I love most is knowing that people choose to spend their hard-earned money on something I've made. It's such a special feeling because, in my head, I'm just a normal 21-year-old who enjoys baking, but somehow my bakes bring people happiness."
Whether it's seeing familiar faces return, reading kind messages from customers, or hearing how much someone enjoyed one of her bakes, those moments make all the hard work worthwhile.
"Knowing I've been able to make someone's day a little bit sweeter is the biggest reward."
Looking Ahead
Although Madi's Bakes has only been open since May, the support from the local community has been incredible.
With exciting new bakes always in the works and plenty more markets, fairs, and weekends of baking ahead, Madi is looking forward to continuing to grow her business and sharing even more sweet treats with customers across Essex.
We love seeing passionate bakers like Madi embracing the cake shed community, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for Madi's Bakes.
If you're ever passing through Kelvedon Hatch, be sure to stop by and treat yourself, you won't be disappointed!
