12-Year-Old Baking Prodigy Wows Community with Sweet Creations

Quick Smiles:

• 12-year-old Braxton Harst becomes a self-taught baking sensation.
• His cakes, inspired by YouTube tutorials, are now community favorites.
• Betty Crocker supports his budding baking journey with supplies.

Meet Braxton Harst, a young baking prodigy from Toledo, Ohio, who has taken the art of cake-making to new heights—all thanks to YouTube. At just 12 years old, Braxton discovered his passion for baking, and without any formal training, he began recreating recipes he found online.

Braxton’s journey started with a simple request for a cake mix, which led to a whirlwind of baking adventures.

“He just started seeing things online he wanted to make and kept asking—and I was, like, ‘Sure, go for it!’” shared his mother, Lisa Harst.

His creations, ranging from birthday cakes to graduation masterpieces, have become a hit in his community, with prices ranging from $30 to $100 each.

Braxton’s ultimate goal is to attend a baking camp in New York City this summer, and his entrepreneurial spirit is paving the way.

“He’s doing such an excellent job,” said Lisa Harst. “I’m so proud of him.”

Braxton’s dedication to his craft is evident in the early morning sounds of a mixer in the kitchen.

“One Saturday morning I woke up to the sound of the mixer and he was in the kitchen saying ‘I saw a recipe on YouTube Shorts and just wanted to try it!’”

The result? A stunning rainbow cake that left him in awe, and soon after, a successful YouTube post showcasing his talent.

The kitchen has become Braxton’s sanctuary.

“He says the kitchen is his happy place,” Lisa shared.

His impressive cakes have caught the attention of Betty Crocker, who has generously sent him baking supplies, further fueling his passion.

Braxton is now a local celebrity, with plans to decorate a cake live on air soon.

With dreams of attending culinary school and owning his own bakery, Braxton’s future in the baking world looks promising.

“We cook a lot in our house, so there’s pride in making good food,” said his mom. “But I don’t think I’d ever baked a real cake before Braxton.”

His mom has even had to reorganize their kitchen to accommodate his growing collection of baking tools.

In a recent video, Braxton decorated a cake for a local mom celebrating her daughter’s college graduation, using pink and gold to match the daughter’s favorite colors.

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