The Story of Christina Karras | From Hobby to Cookie Business
Sometimes the smallest moments leave the biggest mark. For Christina Karras, that moment came in December 2025 during a Christmas cookie competition. One winning batch later, and the home baker’s work began to take shape as Dolce by Tina. It’s a story of timing, comfort, and skill merging into a career fueled by both passion and attention to detail.
Raised in Egypt, Christina grew up surrounded by family baking traditions. Baking was more than a hobby—it offered connection, calm, and consistency. Particularly during transitions, like the months following her MBA while she waited for her next opportunity, the kitchen provided structure and focus. With her husband’s support, these daily practices evolved into a thoughtful, professional pursuit, setting the stage for what would become Dolce by Tina.
“I grew up baking with my mom,” Karras said. “She was a cake decorator, and watching her and helping was always something I loved and turned to when I just needed something familiar or supportive.”
How Dolce by Tina Found Its Identity
Instagram | dolcebytina | Dolce by Tina mastered cookie perfection through trend research and tireless recipe testing.
The early days of Dolce by Tina focused on cookies inspired by popular trends and careful testing. Online research, recipe trials, and ingredient sourcing became daily work.
Texture, flavor balance, and visual appeal guided each decision. Social media trends helped spark ideas, including a cookie inspired by the Dubai chocolate bar, which later became the competition-winning entry.
Dolce by Tina officially opened in April. Orders quickly followed, especially during the holiday season. The structure of the menu remains intentional and seasonal.
The standard offering includes:
Six core cookie flavors
One rotating flavor of the month that is tied to seasonal themes
Monthly flavors change based on the calendar. Gingerbread appears in December. A S’mores cookie marked the start of summer in June. A red velvet cheesecake cookie highlighted the Fourth of July. This approach keeps the menu fresh while staying focused.
Signature Flavors and Cultural Roots
One cookie carries special meaning: the pistachio kunafah cookie. Inspired by a traditional Egyptian dessert, this recipe blends cultural memory with modern presentation. It also reflects the cookie that started it all.
“We have a dish called Kunafah in Egypt, where I was born, that is a popular dessert in our culture,” Karras said. “The cookie was inspired by the popular Dubai chocolate bar with Kunafah.”
The current menu features:
1. Almond croissant
2. Biscoff cookie butter
3. Chocolate chip walnut
4. Cookies and cream
5. Lemon poppyseed
6. Pistachio kunafah
Each cookie is available in four- or six-ounce sizes. Many are filled, and the larger size stands out for its height and density.
Precision, Process, and a Shared Recipe
Instagram | dolcebytina | From Pistachio Kunafah to Lemon Poppyseed, Dolce by Tina offers six unique cookies.
A background in biology and business influences the baking process. Measurements matter. Each batch is prepared by hand, measured carefully, and baked with patience.
“Before I got my MBA, I majored in biology, which teaches you how to be accurate and measure precisely,” Karras said. “In baking, everything is so specific and accurate to the gram.”
While Dolce by Tina’s cookie recipes remain private, one family recipe was shared publicly: a chocolate chip banana bread passed down from her mother. It remains a staple tied closely to family history.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup neutral oil
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted or softened
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. Whisk eggs, sugars, oil, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until combined. Add bananas, then chocolate chips and nuts if using.
5. Pour into the pan and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool before removing.
Dolce by Tina reflects how a familiar skill can grow when given space and structure. From a single holiday competition to a carefully curated menu, the business continues to develop with purpose. Each cookie connects technique, culture, and seasonality, showing how thoughtful baking can turn a personal routine into meaningful work.