Sugar Land resident Sumana Nutalapati first came into the Teacake Factory in Missouri City in 2012 as a customer, hosting a cupcake-decorating birthday party for her daughter’s eighth birthday. Later that evening, however, she and her husband, Prasad, decided to become part owners. “[The owner] talked about how she was traveling back and forth from [her other location in] East Texas and how she’s not able to handle the business, and she’s looking for someone local to help her out,” Nutalapati said. “Before I realized it, we’re jumping with both feet in.” The Teacake Factory sells an assortment of goods, including puff pastries, cupcakes, cookies, and macaroons. But its signature item is its teacakes, a sugary confection that resembles a muffin top. Teacakes were mostly made on Southern plantations, staying primarily within African-American communities, Nutalapati said. “[Some people] have tears in their eyes when they come in the store and say, ‘Oh, I haven’t had a teacake since I was a child,’” she said. “They’ll literally cry … it’s such an emotional thing for them.” Starting when she was 11 years old, Nutalapati's mother taught her how to bake cakes. She said it was always fascinating to her how she could mold the shape of the dough and experiment with ingredients. In addition, her husband always dreamed of owning a cafe, so the decision to take over the Missouri City Teacake Factory made sense, she said. The Teacake Factory also offers custom cakes to customers for birthday celebrations, weddings, and other events. Nutalapati spends hours with customers who have specific requests in what she calls “cake consultations.” The baking process could take 24-48 hours, and the whole staff is involved, she said. Additionally, the Teacake Factory also offers gluten-free, eggless, sugar-free and dairy-free options for those with dietary restrictions. Depending on a customer’s allergies, staff members will look at different options to substitute ingredients. “Everybody has the right to eat dessert,” Nutalapati said.

Teacake Factory

2887 Dulles Ave., Missouri City 281-565-0966 www.teacakefactory.com Hours: Mon.-Wed.: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thu.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun.: Noon-6 p.m.