Meet Vanessa Moos! Yes, Moos (pronounced “moose”) is her last name, and that’s where the name Miss Moos Bakes comes from. Vanessa has always had a knack for baking, but it wasn’t until she had her own kitchen to experiment in that she truly channeled her skills. After countless friends became her willing guinea pigs and raved about her baked goods, they began encouraging her to sell. Vanessa took the leap, enrolling in the Building Better Business Plan course at Red Deer Polytechnic, and from that experience, Miss Moos Bakes was born in 2023.
Vanessa brings more to the table than just her love of baking—she has experience working in a professional kitchen, and holds a food handler’s certificate. She started attending local farmers’ markets on the side, and by the spring of 2024, she decided to fully dedicate herself to her business.
Vanessa’s hand is in every aspect of Miss Moos Bakes. From baking and shopping to labeling, bookkeeping, driving, and selling—she truly does it all! She attends as many markets local to Red Deer as possible, always striving to bring fresh, homemade baked goods to her customers. Her mission? To continue producing truly homemade treats, from her table to yours, even down to her all-the-way-from-scratch sourdough starter.
A sourdough starter is a mix of flour and water that’s left to ferment, allowing naturally occurring wild yeast and bacteria to grow. This mixture is used as a leavening agent in sourdough bread, giving it a distinctive tangy flavor and chewy texture. Unlike commercial yeast, sourdough starter relies on these wild microorganisms for rising and flavor development. To maintain a healthy starter, it’s regularly fed with fresh flour and water.
It may surprise you to hear that sourdough starter is not just for bread, but can be used in place of any baked good that typically requires commercial yeast.
Vanessa’s starter (Herculyeast) was started in February of 2023 and today works hard to provide enough wild yeast for all of Miss Moos yummy treats!
A sourdough starter is a mix of flour and water that’s left to ferment, allowing naturally occurring wild yeast and bacteria to grow. This mixture is used as a leavening agent in sourdough bread, giving it a distinctive tangy flavor and chewy texture. Unlike commercial yeast, sourdough starter relies on these wild microorganisms for rising and flavor development. To maintain a healthy starter, it’s regularly fed with fresh flour and water.
It may surprise you to hear that sourdough starter is not just for bread, but can be used in place of any baked good that typically requires commercial yeast.
Vanessa’s starter (Herculyeast) was started in February of 2023 and today works hard to provide enough wild yeast for all of Miss Moos yummy treats!
I do not sell my starter. I need Herculyeast as my supply to produce products, so I do not sell him. (But there is the odd time during winter markets where I offer it as a door prize!)
Sourdough is often considered healthier because its fermentation process breaks down gluten and phytic acid, making it easier to digest and improving nutrient absorption. It also has a lower glycemic index, which helps regulate blood sugar levels more effectively than other breads.
To keep sourdough bread fresh, store it in a paper bag or a bread box at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze it and toast slices directly from the freezer.
Sourdough bread can be healthier due to its fermentation process, which breaks down gluten and phytic acid, making it easier to digest and improving nutrient absorption. It also tends to have a lower glycemic index, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Also, my sourdough bread is made with just a few ingredients, and no preservatives or additives. Making it healthier for you!
You can find me around Central Alberta at various farmers markets. You can view my schedule here.
If you can’t make it in person for a market, you can order online!!
Yes, we offer exceptional catering services! Specializing in brunch events, our catering menu features a delightful selection of freshly baked biscuits, artisan sourdough bread, and a variety of mouthwatering muffins. Whether you’re hosting a corporate brunch, a wedding morning, or a cozy gathering, our baked goods are sure to impress your guests. Set up and take down is included in our fee.
Contact us today to discuss your catering needs and let us elevate your event with our delicious offerings!
I get asked this question a lot. I do not go more than an hour radius out of Red Deer. If you would like to see where you can find me you can check out my Market Schedule.
Absolutely! I have had customers rave about how good things freeze. If you are going to freeze your bread I do recommend that you slice it before you freeze it.
I currently offer two gluten-free products: granola bars and haystack cookies, which are made with gluten-free oats. I can confidently guarantee that there’s no cross-contamination with other products.
As for dairy-free options, I have one seasonal item: my dairy-free pumpkin muffins.
Unfortunately, I’m unable to make both gluten-free and dairy-free products simultaneously. The granola bars and haystacks are gluten-free but contain dairy, and the muffins are dairy-free but not gluten-free.
