For Kira Provenzano, baking is her “love language.”
And a love of baking nurtured as a little girl baking by her mom’s side and a happy daydream of having her own business led Provenzano to fulfill her life’s dream.
“One of my earliest memories is stirring chocolate ganache on the stove as my mom hovered over me. I learned that I could make someone’s day better by baking them something sweet. The rest is history,” said Provenzano, owner of Sweet Daydreams, a mobile Cookie Cart business.
Kira Provenzano is owner of Sweet Daydreams, a mobile Cookie Cart business that travels around Connecticut. (Contributed)
“My mom passed away when I was in college so baking became my love language and it’s helped me carry on her memory,” Provenzano said. “I’m really proud of myself for taking the leap to pursue a true calling – a passion project. Baking allows me to spend time perfecting something I make with my hands and create a dessert someone appreciates and enjoys. Having the ability to make someone’s day brighter with something I baked – that’s what it’s always been for me.”
The Cookie Cart, a first in the Tri-State area, is located in Bethel but serves all of Connecticut.
It’s a traveling cart, complete with a pink and white umbrella.
“I’ve been looking for the perfect brick and mortar location for some time, and while that’s still being worked on, I wanted to continue the business and bake for as many people as possible,” said Provenzano, who came up with the idea of a mobile cookie option one day while walking her dog.
“Let’s just say my dog and I hit our step-count goal that day and the Cookie Cart idea became a reality.”
Provenzano is a self-taught baker. “I first learned from my mother who was a baker, but I taught myself more intricate techniques,” said Provenzano who attended a six-week pastry course where she learned advanced fundamentals.
Currently, her menu offers eight cookie selections, all freshly made to order on-site with attention to detail and high-quality ingredients imported from Europe.
Her Brown Butter Sea Salt Chip is a top-seller.
“I brown the butter so it gives a nutty depth of flavor to the cookie, with both semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate from Switzerland and flakes of sea salt from Iceland,” she said.
Her favorite is the rich, salty and sweet Toffee Pretzel Chip, featuring a brown butter cookie base with homemade toffee and pretzels with semi-sweet chocolate. In addition, she makes two seasonal flavors.
“They’re fun to create. For summer, I made a Strawberry Shortcake Cookie with fresh strawberries, white chocolate, and cookie crumble. For fall, I have Caramel Apple Cider and Pumpkin Cinnamon Maple, and for the holidays I’m introducing a classic White Chocolate Peppermint and Eggnog Snickerdoodle,” she said.
Kira Provenzano is owner of Sweet Daydreams, a mobile Cookie Cart business that travels around Connecticut. (Contributed)
The Cookie Cart offers two packages that include the cart rental, two-hour service with server, a menu board, napkins, and choice of cookies. The packages are customizable.
“The exciting part is that it can be a unique and exciting addition to any sort of gathering and/or party. We’ve had the Cookie Cart at corporate lunches, golf outings, a private summer house soiree, a fantasy football party, and end of summer pool party,” said Provenzano, who is booking weddings and bridal showers for 2026.
A customer, Trip B. from Bethel, said she was intrigued upon seeing Provenzano’s Facebook post.
“I thought, ‘what a great idea, so unique, and such a fun offering to have at a party.’ I had a private party for friends and neighbors and I’ve already booked the Cookie Cart for a party next year,” she said. “As soon as I spoke to Kira on the phone, you could tell the passion and love she has for her baking and for providing the best product to her customers. I always try to support small businesses, especially women-owned.”
She said she appreciated Provenzano’s flexibility and easy, low-stress ordering process.
“I was hoping I’d have a few cookies leftover for myself, and they all went. Her cookies are to-die for, and the resounding ‘best cookies I’ve ever had’ from all my guests! I really liked the flavors she was offering on her menu. They were different yet still suited all taste preferences. I was really impressed with the amount of detail Kira provided in going over set up details down to her menu and providing napkins and even a menu board.
“Every detail was thought of, so it made booking the Cookie Cart extremely easy and a no-brainer. The Cookie Cart became an attraction for my guests.”
Provenzano initially established Sweet Daydreams in 2011 in New Jersey as a cupcake catering business for real estate brokers/agents, private parties, and events.
“Back then my slogan was, ‘Just like Mom’s.’ That idea rings true today. For me, food holds a memory, so I want my baked goods and desserts to transport whomever is enjoying them to a thought, or a place, or even a mood,” she said.
The business name is a nod to herself as a small child. “I’ve always been a very imaginative and creative person, and I was always daydreaming about sweets as a little girl. I still daydream about them now,” she said.
Kira Provenzano is owner of Sweet Daydreams, a mobile Cookie Cart business that travels around Connecticut. (Contributed)
For the business, Provenzano worked with Dayenah Studio, a Paris-based brand design studio.
“We had several meetings to discuss turning myself into the ‘figurine’ for the bakery,” said Provenzano whose caricature is on the side of the cart.
“There are many personal touches to my branding suite that makes me cherish it. For example, the shade of red in my color wheel comes from the same color code of my mom’s infamous red nail polish that she was known for wearing. By adding personal elements to my branding not only helps me lean into how I began baking in the first place but also makes Sweet Daydreams a unique brand and 100 % me.”
Provenzano sought out Bar-a-la-Cart in Milford to help design and hand-build her signature cart.
“I was impressed with the service and attention to detail that Annie, the owner, and her team provided. They went above and beyond to create the most perfect cart, custom designed to how I wanted my cookies displayed and to be most efficient while out and about. They were a joy to work with.”
Kira Provenzano is owner of Sweet Daydreams, a mobile Cookie Cart business that travels around Connecticut. (Contributed)
Provenzano is proud of all she’s accomplished.
“I was touched by a comment I received from a customer last week – ‘this is the best chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever had.’ It’s what bakers want to hear. It made my day for someone to enjoy my cookies, smile, and have it be a moment of happiness and bliss,” she said. “I built this business from the very beginning, and it’s exactly what I’ve always wanted to do ever since I was a little girl. I want to bring people joy, provide an exciting experience, and spread memories. At the end of my life, I can truly say I gave it a shot – and it succeeded,” she said.
