The story below was published in The Vicksburg Post in May 2019. De’Jonae, now 10, will host a ribbon-cutting event June 26 for Dee’s Baby Cakes at the Vicksburg Mall, Suite 46.

The event, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

From 3 to 6 p.m. on that day, parents are invited to bring their children and their child’s report cards. Students named to A and A/B honor rolls will receive a free ‘Baby Cake.’

 

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Eggs, flour and just the right amount of sugar go into the confections De’Jonae Curtis whips up.

And to make the cakes and cupcakes she sells through her business even sweeter, she is giving part of the proceeds to both the Vicksburg Animal Shelter and the Vicksburg Warren Humane Society.

“I love animals, and when I see these commercials of dogs walking on one paw with casts on, I just really cry sometimes. Because it’s like I don’t want dogs to be abused like that, so that’s why I want to give the animal shelters some money,” De’Jonae said.

At just 9 years old, De’Jonae started her own business, Dee’s Babycakes, this year and so far she has made more than 100 cakes and cupcakes.

Cooking since she was 7, De’Jonae’s mother, Rebecca, said her daughter watches all the episodes of Cupcake Wars and Kids Baking Championships, even recording them when she is not available to catch the shows when they air.

De’Jonae said she has even tried making a recipe that was demonstrated on one of the shows.

“It was kind of like an apple pie thing,” she said, but added she has not tried marketing them through her business.

For now, she is concentrating on cupcakes and pound cakes.

“I started out making pound cakes because I and my dad love pound cake,” De’Jonae said.

And from there she expanded into cupcakes, even creating her own specialty icings.

“I can’t give you the recipes,” she said, “but flavors include Lemon 7 Up icing, strawberry shortcake icing and vanilla buttercream icing.”

In addition to selling her cakes and cupcakes through her Facebook page during the Easter weekend, Rebecca said, her daughter partnered with the Vicksburg Mall and the manager to set up shop outside of her business, Real Deal Taxes, LLC.

“She also talked her brother into putting on our Easter bunny costume for the kids,” Rebecca said, “And everyone loved her cakes and everyone loved the bunny.”

Some folks even gave a donation to have their picture made with the Easter Bunny, she said.

“I was very proud of them both,” Rebecca said.

While De’Jonae did get some help from her 13-year-old brother when selling her baked goods, there are times, she said, when she likes to cook as a way to escape from him as well as her 16-year-old brother.

“I can’t deal with them all the time and it helps me get in my zone,” she said.

De’Jonae said she also likes cooking because it allows her to try new things.

“Plus kids love sweets,” she said.

Personal favorites of De’Jonae’s are Lemon 7 Up pound cake and lemon butter cupcakes, she said.

As a third grade home-schooled student, Rebecca said, she takes advantage of De’Jonae’s love of cooking and incorporates it into her studies.

Not only is learning about measurement a way to teach math, while doing a cooking demonstration for this reporter, after cracking the eggs, De’Jonae explained how you need to wash your hands in order not to get sick from salmonella.

For those interested in ordering cakes or cupcakes from De’Jonae and having some of the proceeds go towards the animal shelters, be sure and visit Dee’s Babycakes on Facebook.