Hidden Gems: Meet LaRee Johnson of Elysian Fields Artisan Bakery & Dainties

Today we’d like to introduce you to LaRee Johnson.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Family-owned and descended from a long-line of bakers, Elysian Fields is a European bakery specializing in tasty treats of both classic and adventurous offerings! From timeless cupcakes, custom cakes, tarts, pastries and finger sandwiches to floral-flavored confections such as shortbread cookies, teacakes, and cakes among others, our artisan bakery location holds many delicious offerings that can only be found through its gilded doors.

We bake from scratch daily with only the best ingredients and never with additives. In addition to our Traditional offerings, our confections are also available in Vegan, Keto, and Gluten-Free varieties. We want you safe and glowing!

During your visit, we invite you to explore our dainties offerings from handcrafted beeswax candles to all-natural perfumes – courtesy of flowers from our own gardens – Victorian hard candies and butter mints to chocolate bonbons, and more.

Come visit and explore with us! Let’s find your flavor and a treat (or two) to tickle your taste buds.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No journey worth taking is ever truly smooth, and ours has certainly had its share of bumps and detours. We’ve had supply chain quests worthy of an epic journey, like tracking down custom packaging or coaxing flowers to bloom in the Arizona sun. Sometimes, our ovens have minds of their own, and our dough decides to rise with a bit too much enthusiasm.

Of course, as a small, family-run business, we’ve faced the usual hurdles: navigating regulations, managing growth, and weathering economic ups and downs.

We’ve faced everything from supply shortages to the challenges of introducing new flavors and dietary options. Some of our biggest struggles have revolved around sourcing the highest quality ingredients while keeping our offerings accessible. We bake everything from scratch, daily, and never use additives, which means we’re constantly seeking out the freshest local produce and specialty suppliers. There have been times when supply chain hiccups or seasonal shortages have necessitated some creativity – sometimes inventing new recipes with the puzzle of what’s available.

But we’ve learned with every challenge, more often than not with determined optimism, and have proven that the most memorable moments often come from overcoming it together. The journey may not have been easy, but it’s made us stronger, more creative, and more connected to our community.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We offer a number of delightful confections and services, but there are a few special offerings that we would be remiss to miss mentioning – our custom orders including cakes, dessert tables, and more, and our High Teas.

Whether a celebration of a birthday, a special soiree, or simply an event in need of particularly tasty treats, we gladly throw our hat in and offer our baking magic to craft the scrumptious sweets you need. A custom event cake, batch of cupcakes, shortbread cookies, or something else to please your guests, we are ready to craft scintillating offerings that are sure to satisfy even the most particular critic.

Our cakes are baked to order, made with the freshest ingredients, and decorated to the nines. With limitless flavor options and design tiers, our cakes are designed to captivate and delight your esteemed guests with a feast for the eyes and for the palate. Not sure what flavors to delight? We offer tastings to explore delicious options for cake, frostings, and fillings.

We would be delighted if you were to join us for a High Tea! Indeed, it is high time for some teatime spent in lovely sipping bliss, enjoying luxurious food and amazing conversation with friends and family. A high tea is an occasion to relax or to celebrate a special event with your loved ones.

Expect iconic teas, extraordinary cakes, blissful bites of patisseries, still-warm scones with complementary preserves, curds, and clotted cream, of course, and an array of freshly prepared sandwiches. So, who’s for tea?

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
We’ve always believed that a little risk is necessary to create something truly special. Whether it’s experimenting with a new flavor, launching a unique service or offering, or adapting to changing customer needs, we approach risk with curiosity and care.

Risk keeps us curious and creative. It’s not about being reckless; it’s about believing in each other, trusting our instincts, and knowing that even if things go sideways, we’ll find a way to make it delicious. Our biggest risks have often been the ones that made us pause, grin, and say, “Why not?” It’s an opportunity to surprise ourselves, and our guests, with something delightful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elysianfieldsmagic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elysianfieldsmagic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElysianFieldsMagic
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/elysian-fields-mesa
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/ElysianFieldsMagic