Owner, Sweet Love Bakery (20B Main St., Goffstown, 497-2997, sweetlovebakerynh.com)
Leah Borla is a New Hampshire native who moved home after nearly 30 years in the Seattle area. “I started baking as a stress reliever from my career in real estate asset management, which is still my ‘day job,’” she said. “After a few years of baking out of our house, my husband and I renovated the space we are in and opened the Sweet Love Bakery storefront in April 2022. It is a true family affair with all of our four kiddos involved. Our oldest is a novice baker and our second oldest utilizes her degree in PR/Marketing and Communications to stay on top of my website and social media.”
What is your must-have kitchen item?
Definitely my KitchenAid mixer. Well, mixers. I have four of them. My original mixer, which I have had for close to 30 years, and the one that belonged to my Sitto (grandmother) are my most cherished.
What would you have for your last meal?
This is a tough one. I am a huge lover of all foods. It would probably be a buffet of Italian, Middle Eastern, Thai and Mexican foods as those are my favorites. I love food with complex and exciting flavor profiles.
What is your favorite local eatery?
Another tough one because it would depend on what I am eating! Our local go-to favorites are Stark House Tavern for wings and The Village Trestle for their amazing salads and club sandwiches.
Who is a celebrity you would like to see eating your food?
Not sure. I’m not a big follower of anything celebrity-related.
What is your favorite thing on your menu?
The cranberry orange scone is my No. 1 favorite. I love the sweetness of the orange mixed with the tartness of the cranberries.
What is the biggest food trend you see in New Hampshire right now?
Doughnuts. They are everywhere. We do have them but we only serve baked doughnuts. We do not fry anything. Brother Donuts are by far the best in New Hampshire. It’s all about the doughnut, not the toppings. Their doughnut base is on point so they don’t need all the fancy toppings.
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?
Anything that contains pasta! I am a carb girl! I make my own sauce so we always have plenty.Bakeshop garlic herb bread. Willing to throw out a cliche here: It’s to die for!
Basic Scone Recipe
3 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
dash of salt
6 Tablespoons cold butter
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more as needed
Mix dry ingredients with the cold butter until the butter is mixed, resembling a sand texture. Add vanilla and cream until the mixture comes together. Do not add too much cream as you do not want a wet dough. Pat dough into a circle and cut into six equal triangles. Brush with cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
This recipe can be changed to add in berries, chocolate chips or cranberries — anything you like! You can also replace the vanilla with any extract that enhances your add-ins.