Long Island Woman Launches Gluten-Free 'Bliss Pastries' Shop

DIX HILLS, NY — What began as a mother baking for her daughter has blossomed into an entrepreneurial venture.

Stacy Malinow, a Dix Hills woman, owns Bliss Pastries, a gluten-free shop that sells online and wholesale.

"We make addictively delicious chocolate chip cookies and brownies that happen to be gluten and nut-free," Malinow told Patch.

People can buy chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and "chocolate chipper cookie pies" on the Bliss Pastries website. Cookies start at $3, brownies at $4.25, and the cookie pies depend on the size. Malinow plans to add muffins to the Bliss Pastries repertoire.

Malinow began baking gluten-free after her daughter was diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2005. Celiac disease causes an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

"She was very young and wanted desserts just like her friends were having, but gluten-free desserts did not taste good," Malinow said. "I did not need to avoid gluten, so I knew what desserts with gluten tasted like and I was determined to develop recipes that were gluten-free but tasted the same as those desserts that did have gluten. After many people complimented me on the desserts, said they tasted like 'regular' desserts and suggested I sell them, I finally started Bliss Pastries LLC during the pandemic when I had more free time."

Malinow launched her company in February 2021.

"I decided on the name because Bliss is the feeling the company looks to share when people realize not all gluten-free desserts need to taste that way," Malinow said. "You don't need to be gluten-free to love our desserts."

Bliss Pastries was voted the Best Gluten-Free Menu in the 2022 Bethpage Best of Long Island Awards.

In addition to online sales, Bliss Pastries goods can also be purchased at TasteNY at the Long Island Welcome Center in Dix Hills; Lota Veco in East Northport; Main Street Board Game Cafe in Huntington; Azaleas in Rockville Center; Goldberg's in West Hampton; Jardin Cafe in Patchogue; and Friedman's in Herald Square NYC.

Malinow said her biggest obstacle has been continuing to grow Bliss Pastries as a sole entrepreneur who works a full-time job.

"Our sales are expected to double this year but I still strive for more growth," she said.

Malinow currently bakes out of the Stony Brook University Incubator at Calverton and does not have plans to open a brick-and-mortar store.

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