The LFS Origin Story

Hi, I'm Alyssa, the baker and hands behind Lilacs From Scratch, a cottage bakery in Leesburg, Virginia.

I've been baking since I was young. There was definitely a learning curve in those early years (ask me about the time I set a pizza box on fire), but I always loved it. As life got busier, baking took a backseat until I moved to Virginia. Something about starting fresh in a new place brought me back to the kitchen, and I realized this wasn't just a hobby. It was something I truly love and, I discovered, something I'm genuinely good at.

Lilacs From Scratch actually began as a dream to open a refill and bulk store. I wanted to do my part for the environment, and while I always knew baking would play a role, I never imagined it would become the heart of the business. That original dream is still part of the larger picture, but I'm so grateful that today, Lilacs From Scratch is about sharing something I love: real, from-scratch baked goods, with my community.

I specialize in sourdough, and I mean really specialize. I love everything about it: the patience, the process, the science of hydration and fermentation, and the creativity of experimenting with different inclusions and flavors. Sourdough is one of those crafts where there's always more to learn, and that's exactly what keeps me in the kitchen.

The Story Behind the Name

The name "Lilacs From Scratch" has a little history. A friend used to call me Lil'ac, a play on my initials, AC. At a difficult time in my life, I started an Instagram account as a small, anonymous way to share pieces of myself, and the handle lil'ac from scratch was born. When I started my business and it came time to choose a name, Lilacs From Scratch just fit. I had a business name before I even had the business. LFS is a huge part of my journey of starting over, starting from scratch, and that's exactly what the name represents.

Thanks for being here. Whether you're a sourdough lover or just stopping by for a cookie, I'm so glad to be baking for you.

I am so excited for all that is to come!

Alyssa