The Moose is Loose employee Elainnah Lagoutaris displays a pan of holiday-themed cookies Tuesday afternoon at the popular bakery in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

The Moose is Loose employee Elainnah Lagoutaris displays a pan of holiday-themed cookies Tuesday afternoon at the popular bakery in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

The Moose is Loose brings back holiday confections

The holiday season has arrived and so have the spirited confections at The Moose Is Loose bakery in Soldotna.

For those looking for a little early Christmas spirit in sweet, sugary form, look no further than to the popular bakery shop in midtown Soldotna. The Moose Is Loose bakery has spent 17 years catering to central peninsula residents.

Since opening the shop in 2001, owners Bob and Diane Wallace have made it a tradition every Christmas season to add holiday touches to their products in a variety of ways, and that’s kept customers salivating for more.

“We’re as busy as we can manage,” said Diane Wallace. “We’re just very blessed by the business we have and the community brings the support. We’re very grateful for that.”

The holiday treats that The Moose Is Loose traditionally spruces up with a seasonal look include gingerbread men and snowman cookies, as well as rum butter balls and bourbon balls, which Wallace said are a crowd favorite.

Wallace also brings in a special recipe that her father taught her — Stollen bread, a traditional German bread loaf that is filled with a variety of candied fruits and nuts, along with a special almond filling that Wallace uses.

Wallace said she and her husband Bob have made careers in the food industry. Diane learned the business working in her father’s bakery in Poulsbo, Washington, just miles from downtown Seattle. “Sluy’s Poulsbo Bakery” is still operating, now owned by her brother Dan Sluys.

Wallace has carried the knowledge and experience gleaned from working in her father’s bakery and put it to good use by treating the greater Kenai and Soldotna communities to delicious breads, donuts and cookies.

“I think it’s the spirit of the place too,” Wallace said. “It’s very important that each person feels welcome in our business. And maintaining that positive spirit of love and Christian care for people is very important, and more important than the product you sell. We try to keep that in mind as we try to bring a little bit of sunshine and love into your life.”

The Moose Is Loose also features a seasonal line of clothing with Christmas designs and patterns, and Wallace said the more popular items include pajama wear and sweaters. Wallace said the company decided to branch out to clothing several years after opening by introducing a range of T-shirts, which sold out in a week.

“I didn’t realize how popular that would be,” she said. “It just skyrocketed from there.”

The Moose Is Loose also allows customers to enjoy their offerings in their cafe area with a free cup of coffee with the purchase of a donut, as long as they bring their own mug to use.

A variety of holiday designs adorn pajama wear hanging on the wall Tuesday afternoon at the Moose is Loose bakery in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

A variety of holiday designs adorn pajama wear hanging on the wall Tuesday afternoon at the Moose is Loose bakery in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

A pan of holiday-themed cookies sit in the window Tuesday afternoon at the Moose is Loose bakery in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

A pan of holiday-themed cookies sit in the window Tuesday afternoon at the Moose is Loose bakery in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

tease
Voznesenka School graduates 4

A commencement ceremony was held at Land’s End on Monday.

Graduates celebrate at the end of the Kenai Central High School commencement ceremony in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Fight as the generation who will stand tall’

Kenai Central High School graduates 113.

Guest speaker Donica Nash gave out candy matching each student, including this package of JOYRIDE to Gideon Pankratz, at the River City Academy graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Skyview Middle School just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
River City Academy graduates 9

The school serves students in seventh through 12th grade and has an enrollment of about 80

Nikiski graduates view their slideshow during a commencement ceremony at Nikiski/Middle High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘We need to change the world’

Nikiski Middle/High School graduates 31 on Monday.

State Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel) exits the Senate Chambers after the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, adjourns until next January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Legislature adjourns a day early in ‘smoothest ending in 20 years’ following months of budget battles

Lawmakers speed through final votes on veto override on education funding bill, budget with $1,000 PFD.

The Homer Chamber of Commerce’s float in the Fourth of July parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024, celebrates their 75th anniversary in Homer, Alaska, in the spirit of the parade’s theme, “Historical Homer.” A measure that would have increased special event fees for those looking to host gatherings in city-maintained spaces was voted down during a May 12, 2025, meeting of the Homer City Council. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Education funding boost stands as lawmakers successfully override Dunleavy veto

Three of the peninsula’s legislators voted to override the veto.

Jeff Dolifka and his children perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula’s Royce and Melba Roberts Campus in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘So proud of what we accomplished’

New Boys and Girls Clubs campus dedicated Saturday with a ribbon-cutting and donor recognition.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy vetoes 2nd bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

Most Read