Baked by Melissa Founder Melissa Ben-Ishay’s Morning Routine Is Straight Mom Goals

Melissa Ben-Ishay is a mom, baker, businesswoman, and New York Times-bestselling author. If you’re unfamiliar with her name, you probably know about her sweet treat business—Baked by Melissa. Her signature mini cupcakes can be devoured in one bite, with dozens of delicious flavors to choose from.

Here, the 40-year-old walks us through her favorite way to start the day in her Manhattan apartment before she heads to the bakery to brainstorm her next delectable idea.

She’s up bright and early with a lineup of beverages

“My alarm goes off at 4 a.m. I drink some water, and then I drink cold brew that I’ve already left in my bedroom because I don’t want to wake anyone up. The cold brew is Chameleon, usually…Then I drink my salt and lemon water. I love the morning. I choose to wake up at 4 in the morning and genuinely look forward to when my alarm goes off because it’s my time.”

• Chameleon canned cold brew ($12.49, Amazon)

Then it’s off to the bathroom to brush her teeth

“I brush my teeth, but without turning on my electric toothbrush because I don’t want to wake anyone up in the morning. It’s an Oral-B electric toothbrush and my teeth have never felt so clean. It’s like going to the dentist every day.”

• Oral-B electric toothbrush ($70, Amazon)

Every day starts with a good sweat with good friends

“I meet my neighbor in the staircase at 4:38 a.m. and we meet up with our two best friends to work out. Some mornings we go to Solidcore for a 5 a.m. class. We also do a HIIT class…and then the trainer from our HIIT class trains us two mornings a week.

As long as I’m dripping sweat I’m happy. The workout is why we do it, but the time with friends is a second win that fills my cup to the brim before anyone’s eyes are open in my house.”

After a workout, she does her post-sweat skincare routine

“I come home, I shower, I use Q-tips, and then I use face serum. Right now I’m using Osea Malibu serum and it’s so refreshing. Then I use Skinfix moisturizer.”

• Q-tips ($3.28, Walmart)

• Osea Malibu hyaluronic sea serum ($88, Amazon)

• Skinfix triple lipid-peptide cream ($54, Amazon) 

Then it’s time to get her kids ready for school

“I go into the living room in my towel and start to get my kids ready for school and pack lunches. This morning my daughter wanted mac and cheese in a thermos. It’s not the most nutritious, so I made sure to give her a GoGo Squeez Apple Apple pouch in her lunchbox.”

Ben-Isahy has an ongoing partnership with GoGo squeeZ Apple Apple, a fruit pouch designed to be enjoyed even when you’re on-the-go.

“They’re made from 100 percent fruit and each pouch is a half serving of fruit with no added sugar, so it just feels like I’m doing something right. Then I go and get dressed, finish getting my kids ready, and we’re out the door by 8:05 a.m.”

• GoGo squeeZ Apple Apple ($11.29, Amazon)

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.