SWEET AROMAS

Sweet aromas have long swirled around Kristy Treutler. “When I was a kid, my mom ran her cake bakery business from our home,” remembers Treutler. “My mom was always creating something beautiful. She would make wedding cakes and birthday cakes and cakes for all occasions.”

But while she grew up amid the sweetest of cakes and icings, the former foreign language teacher has long found herself drawn to the contentment that comes from baking bread, from sourdough to focaccia to scones. And today, it’s these varieties of breads that always seem to be baking in the Barrington home she shares with her husband and their three young children.

“When I took a break from teaching, I was seeking a creative outlet,” she offers. “I was specifically looking for something that was just for me.”

Today, that something is known as Meadow Hill Breads.

“Some people make pottery or run marathons,” she says. “I bake bread.”

Officially opened in January 2023, Meadow Hill Breads’ delicious products can now be found in the homes of countless Barrington-area residents, who are eager to provide their families with the natural goodness of fresh baked goods.

Treutler never envisioned her business would take off like it has.

“I originally just wanted to show the kids how to make some money,” she recalls with a slight laugh. “So, we wrapped up a loaf of sourdough and put a price tag on it, then we put it in a cooler and painted a sign that said ‘sourdough’ and rolled it to the end of the driveway in a little wagon, and it sold.’”

The Treutler children took the money they earned and went to the movies, but the overall experience got Treutler thinking, wondering if this were a business idea that she could pursue.

“My neighbors began to push me to get my cottage food registration,” she says of the distinction required by the state of Illinois that allows for the sale of nonperishable baked goods from home kitchens. “At the time, baking two little loaves was really my capacity. I also had eggs from my chickens, so we just made a little farm stand, and we did that for about a month before it started to get really big.”

Her business grew so quickly in its first few months of operation that Treutler invested in a bread oven from England that would allow her and the kids to bake 12 loaves at once.

“We decided to bet on ourselves,” she said. “My husband was on board because he saw how happy it made me.”

And since then, the smells coming from the Treutler house have only increased. “I just turned off the oven at 84 loafs of bread,” she explains. “My customers order online, and I sell at farmer’s markets, and I also partner up with local businesses so my customers can pick up their products there.”

Meadow Hill Breads’ products change on a weekly basis, featuring everything from classic loaves to bagel loaves to cinnamon and sugar swirl loaves. Treutler says she has also begun baking sandwich loaves, perfect for back-to-school lunches.

“I also make brown butter chocolate chip cookies and scones,” adds Treutler. “The scone flavors vary, but I have done everything from chocolate chip scones to blueberry scones to lemon poppy seed scones, and many more! On Friday mornings, I think the community is really excited to see what is on the weekly menu.”

So, how does she do it all?

“I get up at three o’clock in the morning,” Treutler laughs. “I try to have most of the baking done by nine o’clock, and then we go out and we’d have our day, and then when the little ones are napping, I’ll try to package up all the bread and then put it out.”

Treutler says she is still trying her best to find some sort of balance in her day. “I don’t want the kid’s day to revolve around mom’s baking schedule,” she admits. “I’m really just taking it day by day and finding the rhythm that works best for my family, because the goal was always to stay home, but then also have something that’s mine as a creative outlet.”

Treutler draws in a deep breath.

“Being home, waking up, making my coffee in my house while the bread bakes—that is my dream,” she reflects. “I don’t know what life has in store, and dreams can change but for now, I get to live this fairytale life of staying home while doing something creative that the community really enjoys.”

To place your order, visit hotplate.com/meadowhillbreads or visit @meadowhillbreads on Instagram.