Business

“La Casa Di Dolce” Brings Authentic Italian Baked Goods to Rockland County

Published

10 months ago

September 6, 2025

Bringing a Taste of Italy to Rockland County:

When Jaclyn Ryan-Henry relocated from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn to Rockland County, she brought with her more than just personal belongings. She carried the treasured recipes, memories, and traditions passed down from her Italian grandmother — her Nonna — who was born and raised in the town of Cantalupo, Italy.

By day, Ryan-Henry serves as a dedicated Director and clinician in a local healthcare facility. But outside of her professional life, she has channeled her lifelong passion for baking into her growing small business, The Home Kitchen of La Casa Di Dolce.

After struggling to find authentic Italian cookies and pastries in her new hometown, Ryan-Henry recognized a void in the local market. Drawing from years of experience in the kitchen — and the heartfelt influence of her Nonna — she began recreating traditional Italian baked goods, bringing comfort and cultural richness to the Rockland County community.

Reviving Tradition Through Baking

At La Casa Di Dolce, Ryan-Henry bakes an extensive variety of Italian classics, including:

Cuccidati (Italian fig cookies)
Biscotti di casa (traditional Italian dunking cookies)
Crostata (Italian baked tart)
Struffoli (Italian honey ball cookies)
Bow ties (Chiacchiere)
Seven-layer cookies and cakes
Seven-layer donuts

Her offerings also extend to American and Irish favorites, including crumb cake, cupcakes, sugar cookies, cake pops, cake jars, and fully customized layer cakes and dessert trays for special occasions.

Each item is made fresh in her home kitchen, with recipes that have been passed down through generations. “Baking with my Nonna was just an ordinary day in our household,” Ryan-Henry says. “She always had something in the oven, and always made enough to feed whoever walked through the door. That sense of warmth and generosity inspires everything I do.”

From Family Tradition to Community Impact

What began as a personal and family-centered tradition has blossomed into a local business rooted in cultural pride and culinary authenticity. Ryan-Henry has long shared her baked goods with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors — often gifting her creations during holidays and community events. The enthusiastic response encouraged her to formalize her passion into a licensed home processor business.

Her mission is simple: to bring a piece of Italy into every home, one cookie at a time.

A Local Business with Heart

The Home Kitchen of La Casa Di Dolce is more than just a bakery. It’s a tribute to family, heritage, and the enduring power of tradition. Ryan-Henry encourages customers to reach out with custom requests. “If there’s something you’re looking for and don’t see it listed, just ask,” she says. “Everything I bake is inspired by love, tradition, and the joy of sharing.”

As her Nonna always said: “Mangiare” — Eat.

The holidays are around the corner be sure to place an order early or to inquire about available baked goods, contact:

Jaclyn Ryan-Henry
Home Processor
Phone: 718-207-9180
Email: lacasadidolce19@gmail.com

Business

Down to Earth Living Shares Expert Tips for Growing Healthy Roses in the Hudson Valley

Published

3 weeks ago

June 20, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Roses may have a reputation for being difficult to grow, but gardening experts at Down to Earth Living say many modern varieties are easier to maintain and more disease-resistant than ever.

For healthy blooms, roses should be planted in areas that receive at least six hours of direct sunlight and have well-drained soil. Consistent deep watering, regular fertilization during the growing season, and seasonal pruning can help promote vigorous growth and continuous flowering.

Gardeners should also watch for common issues such as aphids, spider mites, black spot, and powdery mildew. Proper spacing between plants and watering at the base can help reduce disease, particularly during the humid summers common in the Hudson Valley.

In addition to growing roses, experts recommend adding pollinator-friendly plants such as bee balm, cardinal flower, honeysuckle, lantana, and salvia to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.

“With sunlight, water, nutrients, and care, roses provide months of color and fragrance,” said Stuart Leventhal, owner of Down to Earth Living. “Pairing them with hummingbird-friendly flowers creates a vibrant garden with continuous blooms and thriving wildlife.”

Business

La Casa Di Dolce Owner Brings Viral Seven-Layer Pignoli Cookie Exclusively to Rockland County

Published

1 month ago

June 2, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

For La Casa Di Dolce owner Jaclyn Ryan-Henry, baking is more than a business—it is a way of preserving family traditions and sharing her Italian heritage with the Rockland County community.

Drawing inspiration from her upbringing in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Ryan-Henry has built a loyal following through authentic Italian baked goods crafted from recipes passed down through generations, including treasured family recipes from her Nonna.

Operating from her home bakery, La Casa Di Dolce offers a wide variety of traditional Italian specialties, including Cuccidati (Italian fig cookies), biscotti di casa, crostata, struffoli, bow tie cookies, seven-layer cookies, and seven-layer cakes. Customers can also choose from an assortment of modern dessert favorites, including cupcakes, cake pops, crumb cakes, sugar cookies, cake jars, and custom-designed layer cakes.

In addition to individual orders, Ryan-Henry provides catering services, party trays, and mobile dessert bars complete with dessert table setup and décor for weddings, birthdays, showers, and other special events.

One of the bakery’s most sought-after creations is its signature viral seven-layer pignoli cookie, a unique dessert that combines the flavors of traditional seven-layer cookies and pignoli cookies into one indulgent treat. The oversized cookie features a jam-filled center, almond-rich dough, pine nuts, and a chocolate-dipped finish.

Ryan-Henry is believed to be the first baker in the Tappan area to offer the seven-layer pignoli cookie as a permanent menu item, helping the specialty dessert gain popularity among local customers and Italian pastry enthusiasts.

Due to high demand, customers are encouraged to place orders in advance, particularly for specialty and signature items.

By blending old-world recipes with modern entrepreneurship, Ryan-Henry continues to provide authentic Italian baked goods while creating a gathering place for celebrations, family traditions, and community connections throughout Rockland County.

Contact

Jaclyn Ryan-Henry

Home Processor

Tel: 718.207.9180

Text: 718.207.9180

Email:Lacasadidolce19@gmail.com