It might be only a minor exaggeration to say that Sophia Jorski has been baking since she learned to walk. It is definitely a talent she found early in life. The first time she made a cake solo—including icing and decoration—was at 9 years old.

Three years ago, instead of turning to the kind of jobs most high school-age students do to earn some summertime money, Sophia decided to try an idea that had been preheating awhile.

She opened The Summertime Cakery, a baking business based out of her family's home in the southeast Katy area. For three-months in the summer, after she wraps up her school year, she ties on her apron and bakes special order cakes and cupcakes.

"I've always enjoyed making cakes," Sophia said.

Her mother, Christina, said Sophia has always loved being in the kitchen, and especially baking. Christina, too, is in the kitchen a lot, with such a large family—there are nine children, she said.

"She probably got her interest piqued in decorating cakes because we have so many birthday cakes every year," Christina said.

A law passed by the state legislature in 2011 made this possible, Sophia said. The Texas Cottage Food law allows bakers to fire up their home ovens as long as their gross sales are under $50,000—a cap that has not yet been a problem for Sophia, she said.

"Part of the fun of doing custom cakes is that everyone wants something different," she said.

She has spread the word about her business as a member of the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce and by word of mouth—or better yet: sample-in-mouth.

The larger orders can require a little planning for the home bakery and a some logistical finagling.

"Usually I have to bake ahead and know what everyone else in my family is doing," Sophia said.

Best-seller:

A chocolate cupcake filled with bittersweet chocolate ganache. In cake form it has chocolate paste roses on top; in cupcake form there is a leaf design on top.

Also available:

Custom cakes including wedding and special birthday cakes.