Joelle Ingram loves baking and did it often before she started a family. She picked up her pastime again last year, though when she made a four-tiered vegan cake and 500 cookies for a niece’s wedding – and wowed the guests.

About eight months ago, she started her Southport Cookie business, making treats for Brunswick County businesses like Cafe Koa and Fizzy Jane’s restaurants.

All of our cookies are vegan, and most are also gluten free. She has a few signature flavors, like the gluten-free peanut butter and the S.S. Southport, made with four kinds of chocolate chips, caramel, pretzels and sea salt. To that, she adds some weekly specials, like a vegan carrot cake with cream cheese frosting or a cranberry orange shortbread.

Right now, she usually carries four to six different varieties at a time, but Southport Cookies does sell out of popular cookies. She’s also eager to answer questions – and give out samples.

“It’s been great. We only use high quality ingredients,” she said. “And we try to offer a welcoming experience to everyone.”