About Us | Bluebells Cakery

bluebells cakery

The Story Behind Bluebells Cakery - From home kitchen and market stall to sought-after boutique bakery

Bluebells Cakery has a story as sweet as its cakes. Karla Goodwin’s love of baking started at an early age. It wasn’t until she was living and working in London that her fascination with piping bags and pastel buttercreams turned into a dream of one day owning a cupcake bakery. Driven by her passion, Karla quit her job to become a junior baker at London’s famed Primrose Bakery.

After several years of perfecting her craft, she returned home to New Zealand, bringing with her the skills and inspiration she had gathered abroad. And that’s when Bluebells was born. Armed with her palette knives and Primrose Bakery training, Karla began her journey in her parents’ kitchen.

She started selling her cakes to family and friends, then secured a stall at Auckland’s boutique French market, La Cigale. Named after her favourite English flower, Bluebells quickly outgrew her parents' kitchen, leading Karla to rent space in a community centre kitchen where she spent weekdays baking orders, prepping for the weekend market, and perfecting new recipes. 

“At Bluebells Cakery, we believe in the magic of moments. Our cakes and sweet treats are more than just desserts; they are handcrafted works of art designed to make your special occasions even sweeter.”

Our Sweet Start

In 2012, Bluebells moved into its own kitchen space in Hillsborough. Much to Karla’s surprise, people soon began knocking on the door, eager to buy the cupcakes and other baked goods they had heard so much about. Just as she had been captivated by the cake-shop windows in London, people were now enchanted by her creations.  

Today, Bluebells Cakery has blossomed into one of Auckland’s most popular boutique cake shops. With 45 staff spread across three locations across the city —Kingsland, Commercial Bay & the Domestic Airport — and a thriving online store, Bluebells continues to delight customers with its beautifully crafted cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.  

Each creation is a testament to Karla’s dedication to quality, creativity, and a touch of vintage charm.