Meet Anna Maria Liberto of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Maria Liberto.

Hi Anna Maria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I first started, baking was simply a creative outlet and a way to bring joy to people through celebrations. Over time, that passion evolved into something much bigger. What began with making cakes for family and friends slowly turned into a business built on creativity, craftsmanship, and meaningful connections with clients.

Professionally, I have worked for over 15 years as a criminal defense paralegal, and I still continue in that role part-time today while also running my cake business. Balancing both worlds has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. My legal career taught me discipline, attention to detail, problem-solving, and how to stay calm under pressure—skills that have translated directly into entrepreneurship and cake artistry.

Today, I am the owner and cake artist behind Aroma Desserts in the Atlanta area, where I specialize in structural custom cakes and edible art. I create cakes that go beyond dessert—they become part of the celebration itself. From gravity-defying designs and moving elements to luxury finishes and signature flavors, my goal is to create experiences that are as unforgettable visually as they are in flavor.

Along the way, I’ve had opportunities to teach classes, collaborate with talented artists and brands, be featured in publications, and connect with an incredible community of clients and students. What I’m most proud of, though, is building something that allows me to combine creativity, engineering, and storytelling while still maintaining another professional career. My journey has shown me that sometimes you don’t have to choose one passion—you can create space for both.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I think that’s what has made the journey so meaningful.

One of my biggest challenges has been balancing two demanding careers at the same time. I continue to work part-time as a criminal defense paralegal while building and growing Aroma Desserts. Cake artistry, especially structural and custom work, is incredibly time-intensive and physically demanding, so learning how to manage time, set boundaries, and avoid burnout has been one of my greatest lessons.

Another challenge has been building a business in a highly competitive industry while educating clients about the value behind custom edible art. Many people see a cake as just dessert, but what they don’t always see are the hours of design, engineering, structure, decorating, deliveries, and problem-solving behind each piece.

There have also been moments of uncertainty—investing in classes, equipment, traveling to continue learning, taking creative risks, and putting my work out there publicly. Entrepreneurship can feel lonely at times because there’s no guaranteed roadmap.

But every challenge has helped shape who I am today. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and confidence in my craft. Looking back, I realize growth rarely happens in the comfortable moments—it happens when you keep showing up even when things are difficult. And seeing clients trust me with their most meaningful celebrations makes every challenge worth it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the owner and cake artist behind Aroma Desserts, an Atlanta-area cake studio specializing in structural custom cakes, edible art, and immersive cake experiences. I design and create cakes for celebrations of all kinds, but my specialty is transforming cake into something unexpected—pieces that become part of the event décor and leave guests asking, “Wait… that’s cake?”

I’m especially known for creating highly detailed sculpted and gravity-defying cakes, incorporating structure, movement, and artistic finishes while never compromising flavor. Some of my signature work includes cakes with internal supports, floating elements, motion features, luxury textures, and custom hand-crafted details. Flavor is equally important to me, and over the years one of my most requested combinations has become our signature Orange with Dulce de Leche.

In addition to creating cakes, I also teach cake decorating and structural cake classes, sharing techniques and helping others build confidence and skills in sugar artistry.

What I’m most proud of is building a business that combines art, engineering, and hospitality while maintaining authenticity to my vision. I’m proud that clients come back year after year and trust me with their family milestones—birthdays, weddings, quinceañeras, graduations, and moments that become lifelong memories.

What sets me apart is that I don’t see cake as just a product—I see it as an experience. My background has taught me to approach every project with precision and problem-solving, while my artistic side pushes me to create something emotionally memorable. I want every client to feel that their cake was designed specifically for them, and every student to leave believing they’re capable of creating something extraordinary.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Follow your dreams, listen to your heart, and trust yourself. Everything is possible with discipline, strength, and determination. When you believe in yourself, love who you are, and follow your instincts, success will follow. Never be afraid to go after what truly makes you happy, because when you genuinely enjoy and love what you do, anything becomes possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.AromaDesserts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aromadesserts.usa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C2vqY5YUi/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-liberto-20534636
• Twitter: https://x.com/aromadesserts
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aromadesserts4890
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/cnoZH7RRzF
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aromadesserts.usa