Today we’d like to introduce you to Yara Abboud.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started baking when I was 16 and still in high school. It wasn’t something I planned to turn into a business; I just loved the feeling of creating something sweet, especially when we had guests over. Baking made me feel excited and gave me a sense of purpose.
Over time, I began to realize that baking was my love language. It became how I expressed care, creativity, and joy. My family and close friends were always supportive; they loved trying my desserts and were the first to encourage me to share my baking more widely, maybe even start a channel.
When I got married and moved to Japan, baking became even more meaningful. It helped me feel grounded in a new country, and the smell of baked goods filling our home made it feel warm and familiar. Seeing my husband and my son enjoy what I made brought me so much happiness it inspired me to share that joy with others.
Our international circle of friends in Japan also became my biggest cheerleaders. They encouraged me again not just to share my recipes online but to start selling, especially my cookies. Their feedback and support gave me the confidence to take the leap.
Cookies quickly became my signature. I love how creative you can get with the different flavors, textures, and fillings. They’re small, easy to enjoy, and full of personality. You can eat one or a dozen, gift them, or keep them all to yourself. That’s what drew me in.
Later, when I moved to the U.S., I continued baking and sharing my creations online. That’s how Yara’s Oven Delights began. What started as a comforting hobby turned into my creative outlet and the sweetest part of my everyday life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a meaningful one. When I first started baking seriously, I had no formal training and didn’t know anything about turning a hobby into something others could follow or buy from. I just knew I loved it.
One of the biggest challenges came when I moved to Japan. I was starting over in a new country, away from family, learning a new language, and trying to create a sense of home. Baking became my comfort, but it also came with unexpected struggles. Ingredients were different, and some baking staples I was used to weren’t easy to find. Even the flour behaved differently, and I had to learn how to adjust recipes to get the same results.
There were also cultural differences in flavor preferences and baking styles. It took time to understand what people in Japan liked and to find a balance between my own style and what would connect with others. But in the end, those challenges helped me grow creatively and develop bakes that were truly my own.
Later, when I moved again, this time to the U.S., I had to start fresh all over again. New environment, new market, and new responsibilities. Balancing motherhood with baking, content creation, and everyday life became its own juggling act.
There were also technical learning curves filming, editing, posting, and sharing my content in a way that felt true to me. And of course, I faced moments of self-doubt. But every challenge taught me something. The support from my family, friends, and online community gave me the push I needed to keep going and reminded me why I started in the first place.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Right now, I’m not selling my baked goods, but I’ve turned my passion for baking into something I love sharing through content. I focus mainly on cookies and flavor-rich recipes that are creative, comforting, and easy to enjoy. I love experimenting with textures and combinations that bring a little surprise in every bite.
Before baking became such a big part of my life, I studied pharmacy and worked in a lab for a while. But after moving abroad and later becoming a mom, my path shifted. I realized that while science was a big part of my early academic life, baking brought me a different kind of joy, one that felt creative, personal, and deeply fulfilling.
My friends and family have always encouraged me to share my baking more publicly. I now create content on Instagram, Youtube and TikTok where I post step-by-step videos of my bakes that are simple, real, and easy to follow. Sometimes my little son joins me in the kitchen, and those moments feel extra special. I try to keep things casual and cozy, so it feels like you’re baking alongside a friend, not watching something overly perfect or complicated.
What sets me apart is the heart behind what I do. I’m not a professional baker, just someone who finds happiness in baking and sharing that happiness with others. I’m especially proud of the little community that’s started to grow around my work—people who try my recipes, ask for tips, or just follow along for the cozy vibes. For now, my goal is simple: to spread comfort and creativity, one cookie at a time.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was definitely not a calm kid. I was full of energy, always moving, always talking, and always curious. I wanted to be involved in everything happening around me, especially when it came to food or guests coming over. I got really excited when there was a reason to celebrate or cook something special, and I always wanted to help even if it meant making a mess in the kitchen.
I was also very expressive. If I liked something, I showed it. If I didn’t, you’d know. I think that honesty and passion have stayed with me, especially in the way I approach baking. I love flavors that speak loudly, bakes that make a statement, and sharing things that feel bold and joyful.
I’ve always liked the idea of creating something from scratch and making people happy with it. Even as a kid, I’d try mixing ingredients or pretending I had my own mini bakery. I remember once I baked cookies and made my math teacher try one. They were so hard he laughed and said, “I don’t think I can bite this!” That moment stuck with me not because the cookies were bad, but because it made people smile. That’s still my goal today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pinchofyumbakery.food.blog/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yarasdelights
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@yarasdelights
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@yaras.delights
Image Credits
Yara Abboud
