Press

Sift — Press Kit
Press & Media Kit

Cocktail-inspired baking for unforgettable celebrations.

Everything you need to write about Sift, in one place. No email required.

Websitesiftdessertbar.com
Instagram@siftdessertbar
Media Contacthello@siftdessertbar.com
Last UpdatedJuly 2026
Brand Overview

What is Sift?

Sift is a premium baking brand creating celebration-worthy baking experiences inspired by iconic bakery recipes. From cocktail-inspired cake kits to seasonal baking collections, Sift helps home bakers create desserts that look and taste like they came from a boutique bakery, without the boutique bakery price or wait.

Founded by Food Network Cupcake Wars champion Andrea Ballus, Sift became known for inventive flavors and celebration-worthy desserts served across six bakery locations before evolving into a nationally available baking brand. Today, Sift's collection includes favorites like Pink Champagne, Espresso Martini, and French 75, inspired by classic cocktails but containing no alcohol.

Founded
2008 · Sonoma County, CA
Founder
Andrea Ballus
Ownership
Women-owned, sole owner
Headquarters
Austin, Texas
Heritage
6 bakery locations, 15 years
Recognition
Food Network Cupcake Wars Champion, Inc. 5000
Product Line
Cocktail-inspired cake & frosting kits, alcohol-free
Price Range
$24 – $89
Where Sold
DTC (siftdessertbar.com) & wholesale via Faire
Ships
Nationwide
Made With
Women-owned co-packer, Houston, TX
Sift lifestyle shot
Founder Story

Andrea Ballus

Andrea Ballus, Founder of Sift

I opened my first Sift bakery because I believed desserts should feel like part of the celebration, not just the ending. Over the next fifteen years, Sift grew into six bakery locations, became an Inc. 5000 company, and earned national recognition after winning Food Network's Cupcake Wars.

Even after the bakeries closed, customers continued asking for their favorite Sift cakes. That inspired the next chapter: bringing those signature bakery recipes into home kitchens through thoughtfully designed baking kits. Every Sift product is developed from the same recipes and philosophy that made the original bakeries a destination for celebrations.

There's a gap between the cake mix in the grocery aisle and the $90 custom bakery cake. Sift lives in that gap: real bakery recipes, made simple enough for a Tuesday night and special enough for the moment that matters.

Fast Facts Timeline
2008
Sift opens as a bakery in Sonoma County, California.
2009
Napa, California location opens.
2011
San Francisco location opens; Sift wins Food Network's Cupcake Wars (Wedding Planner episode) and is featured in Sonoma Magazine.
2013
Named to Refinery29's Best Cupcakes list.
2015
Named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies; Andrea interviewed on Inc.com alongside Marcus Lemonis.
Mar 2024
Six bakery locations close; Andrea relocates from Sonoma County to Austin, Texas.
2025–26
Sift relaunches as a direct-to-consumer baking mix brand under XOXO Bakes LLC, with cocktail-inspired flavors and wholesale distribution through Faire.
Product Catalog

What We Make

Every Sift kit is cocktail-inspired and completely alcohol-free, made to be baked, no experience required.

Pink Champagne Cake Mix party kit
Hero Product

Pink Champagne Party Cake Kit

A raspberry cake layered with bright champagne notes and signature whipped frosting. Sift's always-available, best-selling flavor and the one most requested by longtime customers.

Retail: $24 + $4.95 shipping (free shipping on 2+ sets)
Espresso Martini Cake Mix party kit
Limited Drop

Espresso Martini Party Cake Kit

A coffee-forward cake with espresso martini flavor notes, released as a limited direct-to-consumer drop. A favorite for hosts and coffee lovers looking for something beyond the classic birthday flavor.

French 75 Lemon Cake Mix party kit
Coming Soon

French 75 Party Cake Kit

A bright, citrus-forward lemon cake inspired by the classic French 75 cocktail. Currently completing final production testing ahead of a full retail run.

Sift Flavor Club Summer Box
Seasonal

Sift Flavor Club Summer Box

A limited seasonal box featuring three flavors: Lemon, Birthday Cake, and Rainbow Sugar Whoopie Cookie. Ships with free shipping and built around Sift's ongoing tradition of surprise, limited-run flavors.

Retail: $89, free shipping
Sift Flavor Club Holiday Celebration Box
Holiday

Sift Flavor Club: Holiday Celebration Box

A limited holiday edition of the Flavor Club box, built for gifting season. Same surprise, limited-run format as the Summer Box, timed for holiday hosting and hostess gifts. Flavor lineup to be announced.

Press Coverage

Where We've Been Featured

Jan 2011
Food Network — Cupcake Wars, Wedding Planner Episode
Winner
2011
People Magazine
Jan 2011
Sonoma Magazine — Sift on Food Network
Feb 2013
Refinery29 — Best Cupcakes
May 2015
Inc.com — Inc. 5000
Honoree
Nov 2015
Inc.com — Marcus Lemonis & Andrea Ballus Interview
2011
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year — Women's Initiative (North Bay)
Award
40 Under 40, Sonoma County — North Bay Business Journal
Wedding feature: Derek Hough & Hayley Erbert (People, Brides)
Serious Eats, Napa Valley Register, American Way Magazine

Additional coverage (Bohemian, Grub Street SF, Deliciously Noted, and more) available on request. Some archived links may be outdated — current versions confirmed before sending to press.

Full press hit list and links available at hello@siftdessertbar.com.

Quote Sheet

Ready-to-Use Quotes

"I've always believed dessert should feel like part of the celebration, not just the ending."Andrea Ballus, Founder, Sift
"Our goal is to make home bakers feel like they picked up dessert from a boutique bakery."Andrea Ballus, Founder, Sift
"There's a gap between the cake mix in the grocery aisle and the ninety-dollar custom bakery cake. Sift lives in that gap."Andrea Ballus, Founder, Sift
Interview Topics

What Andrea Can Speak To

Baking trends
Holiday entertaining
Women in food entrepreneurship
Consumer packaged goods
Recipe development
Food gifting
Retail-to-CPG pivots
Building a bakery business
Reviving a beloved legacy brand
FAQ

Questions Editors Ask

Does it contain alcohol?

No. Every Sift flavor is cocktail-inspired but completely alcohol-free.

Where is it made?

Sift is produced by a women-owned co-packer in Houston, Texas.

How long does it last?

Sift mixes have a 12-month shelf life from production.

Can it ship?

Yes, Sift ships nationwide.

Where is it available?

Direct-to-consumer at siftdessertbar.com, and wholesale through Faire.

How much does it cost?

Cake mix sets start at $24. The seasonal Flavor Club box is $89 with free shipping.

Who developed the recipes?

Founder Andrea Ballus, based on recipes originally developed for Sift's bakery locations.

Are samples available for press?

Yes. Verified media requests ship within 2 business days.

Brand Assets

Downloads

Sift logo
Logo
Sift cherry icon
Cherry Icon
Sift logo (white)
Logo (White, on dark)
Sift QR code
QR Code (links to siftdessertbar.com)
Product & lifestyle photography available on request
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Get In Touch

Let's Talk

Media inquiries, sample requests, and interview scheduling all go to one place.

Email hello@siftdessertbar.com Visit siftdessertbar.com
Sift is a product of XOXO Bakes LLC. © 2026. Last updated July 2026.