Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa DuPree.
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After 25 years of teaching health, fitness, and wellness, I reached a turning point. My passion for baking, sparked by my own struggles with gluten and dairy intolerances, grew into a mission: to create baked goods that everyone can enjoy, without compromise.
For years, I had been experimenting in my kitchen, determined to prove that gluten-free and dairy-free didn’t have to mean dry, bland, or second best. I refused to settle until I had perfected cookies, cakes, breads, and more that rivaled traditional favorites in both flavor and texture.
The real test? When even my gluten- and dairy-loving family couldn’t tell the difference, I knew I had created something special.
Leaving academia wasn’t easy, but it opened the door to something even more meaningful: Divine Dough. Today, I get to share my love of baking, showing that living with food intolerances and allergies can still be indulgent, satisfying, and downright delicious.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all! However, every challenge has been a necessary part of growth. Leaving a 25-year career in health and wellness was a huge leap of faith. I went from teaching about health and fitness to starting over in a completely different world that required learning everything from baking science to reliably produce great results to food laws to running a small business.
There were many frustrating moments, especially in the early days of recipe testing. Gluten-free and dairy-free baking is a whole different ball game. There were plenty of batches that went straight into the trash. But I like to think I am stubborn (in the best way). I kept going until the results matched my vision.
Starting a new business later in life also came with its own learning curve. Building a brand, setting up at farmers markets, managing production — all of it has challenged me in new ways. But the rewards are incredible. Seeing people light up when they realize they can enjoy some of their favorite foods again — both sweet and savory — without worry or sacrifice, makes it all worth it!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Divine Dough, I specialize in creating artisan baked goods that are both gluten-free and dairy-free, but never taste like they are.
My best sellers are artisan breads, muffins, granola, and cookies, all crafted to have the same flavor and texture you’d expect from traditional baking.
What I’m most proud of is hearing customers say things like, “I can’t believe this is gluten-free and dairy-free!” or “I haven’t had something like this in years.” Those moments remind me exactly why I started this and that is to bring back the joy of eating for people who thought they’d have to give up their favorite foods.
What sets Divine Dough apart is the blend of science and passion behind every recipe. Before I became a health and wellness educator, I worked as a microbiologist and chemist, so I approach baking like a delicious experiment! Understanding how ingredients interact and how to create the perfect texture and flavor without gluten or dairy is key. Combine that with my background in health and nutrition, and you get baked goods that taste amazing and are made with care for your body as well as your taste buds.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is perseverance. I’ve spent years experimenting, learning from failures, and refining recipes until they meet my standards for taste and texture.
Along with that, my curiosity and scientific background allows me to have precision in baking so that every product is delicious and of consistently high quality.
Above all, I’m driven by a genuine passion for creating sweet and savory baked goods that are gluten free and dairy free that everyone can enjoy without compromise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.divinedough.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divinedoughbakery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566014499776
