WHAT WE DO
WE SPECIALISE in German gingerbread biscuits also known as Lebkuchen. These biscuits have a firm cake-like texture with a rich all-round spice flavour, creating a moreishly delicious biscuit. Handcrafted from our secret family recipe that has been handed down through generations.
Our Core Range sells throughout the year. In addition, we also provide stunning ranges of themed biscuits that are available seasonally. Our interactive DIY Kits are a firm favourite for the whole family. They truly encapsulate the essence of our brand.
Beautifully packaged, our gingerbread biscuits make an ideal gift or indulgent treat. Young or old – our biscuits have no age restriction, there is something for everyone!
OUR INGREDIENTS
WE ONLY USE high quality ingredients to make our gingerbread. Free-range eggs from happy chickens and real butter are the foundation of great tasting gingerbread. No preservatives are added during the dough making and baking process. Our biscuits are processed in small batches, making sure that each one has just the right consistency, flavour and texture. All our products are handmade, individually crafted just for you.
The attention to detail is our love made visible to you.
OUR MOTTO
WE BELIEVE that our biscuits should not only taste good but that they should also speak to your heart. We don’t bake biscuits for the sake of baking biscuits. We aim to put a smile on your face when you see and for your mouth to water when you taste our product, transporting you back to happy moments and carefree days. We want to create a lasting memory and experience.
We bake more than just biscuits, we bake happiness!
OUR STORY
The story of a graphic designer turned cookie creator.
BAKING HAPPINESS runs deep in our veins. This specific recipe for our Lebkuchen was handed down from my grandmother to my mother and then to me. My gran started baking little bags of biscuits to spread festive cheer amongst boarding school kids in 1963.
For me it all started in my mother’s kitchen when I was just a little girl…mixing, rolling, decorating and of course licking the bowl. I am not sure if it was my sweet tooth or the magic of baking that got me hooked but either way it was the start of my journey into the magical world of baking. Much of my baking knowledge and passion for the craft I attribute to my mom. It was during this time that the seed of one day making a business out of gingerbread was planted.
I started my career as a graphic designer (2006). Being passionate about visual communication and creative problem solving, I spent 10 years in the industry. This stood me in good stead, learning all I could about design, marketing and branding. Little did I know how much I would rely on this skill when I started my company.
It all started very small baking for markets (2008) during the festive season and as demand for the product grew, so did my business. I loved seeing people react to the products, almost always eliciting a smile. This is really what kept me motivated while working a full-time job and a start-up on the side. It is also the reason for our tag line Baking Happiness since 1963.
October 2014 saw the launch of the brand Harck & Heart. In 2016 I decided to take the plunge and to pursue my dream full time. I now have the pleasure of combining both my passions: baking and design, the perfect combo. We moved into our own premises in January 2017. It is challenging but rewarding at the same time, a constant learning curve.
OUR TEAM
WE ARE VERY PROUD to have grown from being a one (wo)man show to creating permanent jobs for five young talented bakers, decorators and dough makers. All of our current employees have been trained from scratch. They have grown enormously with no previous knowledge or work experience within the trade. They are truly excelling at what they do. We look forward to honing their skills, broadening their knowledge and growing with them. During our busy season we also employ additional, temporary hands to meet the high demand. This is a great way to spot talent and those with potential will have a chance to become a part of our team.