BUSY childminder Karen Rudd has always enjoyed baking and often, after a day of being on the go non-stop running after toddlers, she would escape to her kitchen to unwind.

And more often than not Karen, 40, would opt for a cheesecake as her family loved them.

As lockdown dragged on, Karen found she was spending more and more time creating cheesecakes for her family and friends and neighbours in Dalry.

One night her husband said to her that she should start selling them.

“It was during lockdown and I was used to being a busy childminder,” said Karen.

“Many of the children I watch were being kept at home so I found I had a lot of free time.

“I decided to give it a go and set up a wee Facebook page and I couldn’t believe the response, people were ordering cake after cake.”

As Cheesecakes and Treats by Karen began to grow this star baker found it hard to keep up with demand for her caramel cheesecake and Rolo cheesecake.

People then began asking her to make other cakes and now one of her most popular treats is school dinner cake, a sponge covered in icing and sprinkled with hundreds and thousands.

Karen went on: “People love the school dinner cake, it must bring back happy memories.

“I’m now baking brownies, tray bakes and with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, more and more people seem to be gifting their loved one a sweet treat instead of flowers this year.”

Karen still can’t believe that her hobby has led to her making a great side business venture.

She said: “If it hadn’t been for lockdown I would never have started this. It’s a good way of making some extra money and doing something that I find therapeutic.”