The Coffee Cake Lady: TasteFul Stories and More

Francelia James — Bio

Francelia’s first experience as a chef came at the young age of twelve.

One day, she went into the kitchen hoping to surprise her mother by starting dinner. She noticed meat thawing in the kitchen sink and decided to take action. Francelia carefully washed it.

The entrée that evening was spaghetti—and the meat was ground beef! That early kitchen adventure became the beginning of a much bigger story.

Many years later, another pivotal moment came when Francelia took the initiative to select ingredients for a crumb cake that members of her church had grown to love. This time, when she got it wrong—it turned out to be just right.

When the ingredients she purchased were combined, voilà! Schoolyard Coffee Cake was created.

Francelia’s company, Cinnamon Brown Sugga, debuted the buttery cinnamon cake at the Taste of Soul in Los Angeles, California. The introduction was so successful that, in less than three months, Schoolyard Coffee Cake could be purchased at more than thirty locations of one of the world’s best-known convenience-store chains, 7-Eleven.

Eventually, the tide turned and led Francelia to Phoenix, Arizona. It was while living in the desert that her hands began producing desserts in abundance. She perfected traditional confections while also developing original recipes.

Sweet Butter Rum. Ruby Red Velvet. Triple Chocolate. Heads-Up 7-Up. Mother’s German Chocolate Cake.

Cakes became her specialty.

After transitioning to Texas in 2016, Francelia teamed up with her sister, Velda, and ShuggaMamas was born.

Together, these sisters began blazing a trail throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area, serving desserts that can best be described as “soul delicious.”

Francelia says she is especially excited about the latest addition to their dessert menu.

In her words:

 

“God has blessed me once again, giving me aces back to back. If people thought the Coffee Cake was delicious, just wait until they sink their teeth into Ridiculous Krunch!”

From a twelve-year-old girl trying to surprise her mother with dinner to creating desserts enjoyed by customers across the country, Francelia James has turned her love of baking into a story of creativity, family, faith, and entrepreneurship.