Most people cannot imagine baking desserts without flour, but Sheila Olauson decided to take on that challenge by becoming the first and only flourless baker in the United States.

The company, called Bizzy Lizzy, includes products that range from cupcakes, muffins, cookies, brownies, bars, granolas and different types of mixes, pretty much anything that can be found in a bakery today, Olauson said.

The idea for the products first came when Olauson’s son would not eat breakfast in the morning. It was difficult finding something that he wanted to eat but also had a nutritional balance until she came up with a cookie, nutritious enough for breakfast. This new, healthier cookie became the original item from Bizzy Lizzy.

“It is pretty much just a basic cookie,” Olauson said. “We have peanut butter, Michigan cherries, and chocolate and we use high quality ingredients.”

The name of the all-new flourless bakery came from Olauson’s daughter, Elizabeth. Her daughter wrote a story when she was 7 years old called “Elizabeth’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies.” Olauson describes Lizzy as a busy girl who is always running around, hence the name for the bakery. 

Bizzy Lizzy originally started out in Michigan but has since expanded to Brookings. One reason why Olauson brought her product here was because she has family here. In Brookings, the products can be found in Hy-Vee and Choco Latte, Olauson said.

“Along with Bizzy Lizzy products in Brookings, we also have products in Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska,” Olauson said. “I just want people to know that flourless is delicious and easy to do.”

All of the cupcakes start with a chocolate bottom then are topped with a different kind of frosting, ranging from berry, peanut butter, or buttercream frosting, said Donna Behrend, owner of Choco Latte. Behrend has worked with Bizzy Lizzy products for almost three-and-a-half years.

The cupcakes have become more popular within the past three months and it has been hard to keep up with the demand, Behrend said. Sometimes customers come in specifically asking for a Bizzy Lizzy cupcake, even though Choco Latte does not advertise them anywhere.

“I wanted something that went well with a cup of coffee,” Behrend said. “She [Olauson] has a really nice product.” 

Bizzy Lizzy offers gluten-free oat products, including oatmeal. Not all of their products are gluten-free. 

According to Hy-Vee dietitian Kayla Aman, stopping by the health market in HyVee to pick up some Bizzy Lizzy products will not disappoint. There is a large selection of products to choose from, such as bread and muffins mixes, three types of granola, pizza crust, brownies, and cookies.

Their products are our number one seller in the health market,” Aman said.

The Bizzy Lizzy mixes have instructions on the back of the packages, making them more user-friendly. Olauson’s phone number is featured on the back of the product just in case customers need to contact her. According to Aman, there is great customer service through Bizzy Lizzy.

“We even have cooking classes with Olauson here at HyVee,” Aman said. “It’s free and informational to the public so anyone can come and join.”