By Lori Leath Miller
Some of the sweetest moments from my wedding day began long before Scott and I said, “I do.”
As our family and friends arrived from out of town to stay in the charming cottages at The Alice, we wanted them to feel welcomed the moment they opened the door. We envisioned something warm, thoughtful and personal—a little surprise to let them know how much we appreciated them traveling to celebrate with us.
That’s when Cindy Smith-Wojdac, owner of CiCi’s Cookies & Treats, stepped in. She created charming, thoughtfully curated welcome gift boxes filled with homemade cookies and hand-selected treats that greeted our guests upon arrival, setting the tone for the warm, welcoming experience we hoped they would enjoy throughout the weekend.
It was one of those small details that made a big impression. Guests immediately commented on how special it made them feel, and more than one person asked, “Where did these amazing cookies come from?”
That question is becoming more common as Cindy’s home-based bakery continues to delight customers throughout the Emerald Coast. For Cindy, however, baking has never been just about creating something delicious (though it IS)! It has always been about creating connection.
“Why CiCi?” she asks on her website. The answer is simple. Her greatest inspiration comes from her two beloved granddaughters, who love spending time baking alongside their CiCi. Those flour-covered afternoons filled with laughter, measuring cups and sweet treats eventually inspired a business built around the very things Cindy values most: family, hospitality and bringing joy to others. “This venture is a true labor of love,” Cindy says. “For me, cookies and treats are more than just sweets; they’re a way to spread joy, comfort and connection.”
That philosophy is evident in every order she creates. Through CiCi’s Cookies & Treats, Cindy offers handcrafted cookies, brownies, cookie cakes, dessert boxes and custom gift packages designed for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, holidays, corporate gifts and everyday celebrations. Each order is carefully prepared, artfully packaged and designed to make every recipient feel a little extra special.
Our wedding was no exception. In addition to the welcome gift boxes, Cindy created a beautiful dessert display that quickly became a guest favorite. Filled with cookies, chocolate-covered treats and other sweet delights in shades that perfectly complemented our wedding colors, the table was as beautiful as it was delicious. Throughout the evening, guests gathered around it, sampling treats and returning for seconds.
In fact, I never even got one of the cookies I had specifically chosen and couldn’t wait to try. Between greeting guests, dancing and enjoying the evening, I didn’t make it to the dessert table in time. They were literally gone before the wedding ended! While I was disappointed to miss out, it was also the ultimate compliment to Cindy. The guests clearly loved them every bit as much as I thought they would. It wasn’t simply dessert. It became part of the celebration.
That’s what makes Cindy’s business unique. Whether she is preparing treats for a wedding reception, assembling welcome gifts for vacation guests or creating a special surprise for a birthday or holiday, she understands that food often becomes part of life’s most meaningful moments.
In today’s fast-paced world, where so many gifts are ordered with a click and delivered without a personal touch, Cindy’s creations feel different. Every cookie, every package and every ribbon reflects the care of someone who genuinely enjoys making others happy.
And perhaps that’s no surprise. After all, when something is made with love, people tend to notice. For Cindy, it all comes back to those moments in the kitchen with her granddaughters—the inspiration behind the business and the reason she continues to bake.
Her hope is simple: that every treat she creates brings a little warmth, happiness and sweetness into someone’s day. Based on the smiles she helped create at our wedding, I’d say she’s accomplishing exactly that.
Serving Fort Walton Beach, Destin and Niceville area
To place an order:
Bakesy: https://bakesy.shop/b/cicis-cookies-and-treats
Facebook: CiCi’s Cookies & Treats
