From Classroom to Kitchen
Welcome to The Frosted Apple—a baking blog where education meets indulgence, and passion is always the secret ingredient.
I’m Chef Dr. Gidget, a lifelong educator turned cottage food baker. After years of teaching in the classroom, I felt a calling to take what I loved—sharing knowledge—and bring it into the kitchen. What began as a creative outlet soon grew into something more: a home-based baking business, a YouTube channel, and this blog.
The Frosted Apple was born out of my desire to pair my love for teaching with my passion for baking. This space is more than just a recipe collection—it’s a place where I share the lessons I’ve learned (and continue to learn) as a cottage food baker. Whether it’s tips for perfecting a cookie recipe, behind-the-scenes glimpses into running a home baking business, or stories about trading textbooks for stand mixers, everything here is crafted to encourage, inform, and inspire.
Beyond the flour and frosting, The Frosted Apple is also a place for storytelling. Through baking, I share heartfelt moments from the many lives I’ve lived—chapters shaped by learning, teaching, growing, reinventing, and dreaming. Every recipe comes with a piece of that journey, and every post is an invitation to reflect, connect, and create something meaningful.
My hope is simple: that you’ll find something here that sparks your curiosity, gives you confidence, and reminds you that it’s never too late to follow your passions—whether they lead you into the kitchen or down an entirely different path.
Thank you for stopping by. I’m so glad you’re here.
– Chef Dr. Gidget
Hustle, Bustle, & Heart
Meet the passionate voice behind The Frosted Apple.
Gidget Ryskamp
Founder & Pastry Chef
I grew up in the hustle and bustle of restaurants, alongside my dad . My earliest memories are flavored by life behind the scenes at The Burly Earl and Smackey’s, a couple of lively pubs; Dilly’s Deli, a hamburger joint where everything was made with heart; and Doodles, a cozy Cajun spot full of spice and soul. Though the kitchen felt like home, I chose a different path—education.
For over 20 years, I poured my energy and creativity into the classroom as a math teacher, MTSS facilitator, teacher mentor, and a university assistant professor. Although my passion for helping others learn remained constant, the pandemic brought about major life changes, and I chose a new path.
After moving to Florida, with my husband’s help, I started a new adventure: attending an online pastry school and launching a cottage food bakery. Now, as I continues to grow Jordet’s Homemade Delights, I am exploring a new creative outlet—food photography—hoping to better capture the beauty of my bakes and tell their stories visually.
Every sweet treat is a reflection of my roots in the kitchen, my years in the classroom, and my ongoing journey as a lifelong learner.