Bombshell Bakes offered at The Eagle Bistro through February

Calling all sweet-treat, fans! USI's own Dr. Brandi Hendricks, Interim Assistant Dean of Students, who was featured as a contestant on Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown, is offering a special baked good at The Eagle Bistro! 

Hendricks' business, Bombshell Bakes, will offer her award-winning "Crownies" for sale at The Eagle Bistro, now through February. "I'm so excited to be able to offer Crownies to students and employees on campus. This is kind of a full-circle moment for me. When I was a student at USI, Sodexo (The Loft) was my second job ever," says Hendricks. "So to be able to offer my treats on campus is an exciting time, and I'm forever grateful."

The Crownie is a treat created from the classic reconstruction of a Brookie (a brownie and cookie combination), she explains. "Since Bombshell Bakes is known for cookies, I decided to emphasize the cookie part first. The Crownie is the perfect cross between a cookie and a brownie—you have the shape of a cookie with the fudgy center of a brownie, yet the edges are crisp like a cookie. And the crinkle on top is an ode to brownies," Hendricks adds.

There are no big secrets to her recipes, she says, as most, if not all, are simple and use six to seven ingredients or less. "There’s just love and administration for tastes and textures," she says.

Students and employees can purchase Crownies at Eagle Bistro with their Munch Money or credit and debit cards. "I love the fact that students can use Munch Money," says Hendricks. "Sometimes I bring cookies to different events for students, and I know it's not something they can always afford, but to see the students so happy to have Bombshell and use their Munch Money makes my heart smile."

Hendricks appeared in the second season of the Holiday Baking Championship in November 2022 in the fourth episode of the series. Along with her partner, Cakes By Shea owner Fronshea Hillman, the two competed against two other pairs. In one of the baking challenges of the episode, Hendricks' Crownie creation earned the pair victory in that specific challenge.

Though the two came up short of the grand prize, the appearance brought a lot to Hendricks. "Baking life has been a roller coaster since my Food Network appearance. I'm currently trying to expand and really take Bombshell to the next level, whatever that looks like," she says.