“Hello, and welcome to ‘Gimme Yummy’!
I’m Marcela Arias, the baker and recipe creator behind Gimme Yummy. I share bakery-style desserts, sweet treats, and everyday recipes inspired by my bakery experience, Ecuadorian roots, travels, motherhood, and the flavors I love here in Toronto.
I hold a degree in Social Science, a diploma in Early Childhood Education, and have over 8 years of hands-on bakery experience — but before all of that, my love for food started in Ecuador.
I grew up in a kitchen where there was always something delicious on the stove or in the oven. My mom and grandma were amazing cooks, and I learned early on that food is about more than just eating — it’s love, comfort, and connection.
After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, I moved to Toronto in 2006 and found myself right back where I felt most at home — the kitchen. I spent over 8 years working in a bakery, where I baked everything from cinnamon buns and muffins to cookies, cakes, and fresh breads.
Those early mornings, in my lab coat and a hairnet tucked over my messy bun, were anything but glamorous but I loved every minute of it. That bakery hustle taught me patience, precision, and how to create recipes that actually work.
🌸 That’s me! This photo was taken during one of our trips in Ponta Delgada in the Azores. I love exploring new places, especially ones filled with good food and beautiful views. Whether I’m in my kitchen or on the road, I’m always thinking about flavors, memories, and recipes to bring back home and share.
🥖 Throwback to 2008!
Here’s a pic of me back in the bakery days, scoring ciabatta buns in my lab coat and hairnet (glamorous, I know 😄). This was taken way back in 2008 — early mornings, with rows of ciabatta resting on rice-floured boards and the smell of fresh bread in the air.
It might not look fancy, but this is where I really learned how to bake. Every bun, every cake, every tray of cinnamon buns and cookies taught me something new and I honestly loved it.
These days, I’m still baking up a storm like my Super Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake, Bakery-Style Double Chocolate Chip Muffins, and Best Bakery-Style Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. I test every recipe in my home kitchen until it’s just right, so you can bake with confidence too.
🍰 This is one of my favorite moments ever, baking my daughter’s go-to vanilla cake with her by my side.
She’s always close when I’m in the kitchen, curious, playful, and always ready to sneak a taste of the batter. 😄
She’s the reason so many of my recipes are filled with love, family tradition, and joy. Becoming a mom took everything I already loved about food and made it even more meaningful.
Along the way, I also followed another passion — working with children. I went back to school and earned my Early Childhood Education diploma from Mothercraft College here in Toronto. Now, I work as a child care educator, surrounded by tiny hands, big ideas, and snack time creativity. It’s a different kind of messy, but one I love just as much.
This was such a special moment, me and my classmates during the holidays at Mothercraft. I’ll always remember how supported and inspired I felt that day.
And of course, I can’t forget Mia, our French Bulldog. She’s always right by my side in the kitchen, hoping for crumbs and making everything just a little more joyful. 🐶
Gimme Yummy is where I bring it all together. You’ll find bakery-style desserts, sweet treats, and real-life recipes that I make at home. Some are sweet, some are savory but all are tested, loved, and meant to be shared.
Thanks so much for being here. Whether you’re new to baking or just looking for something seriously delicious, I’m so happy you’re part of the Gimme Yummy kitchen 💛
Marcela Arias
🌸 One last favorite moment, me and my daughter looking at the flowers we just picked in Versailles, France.
It’s these little everyday joys that inspire so much of what I share here.
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