About Us
Our Story — and Our Love of Cheesecake
And I Like It™ crafts irresistibly good, single-serve cheesecakes and candied keto pecans—right here in Texas.
Made with real ingredients and no sugar added, our treats are gluten-free, low-carb, and full of flavor you can feel good about. Whether you’re cutting sugar or just craving something better, we make it easy to treat yourself well.
Sugar & Gluten are Addictive
Ericka, the founder of And I Like It™, grew up in Texas before joining the U.S. Navy. She served for 10 years as a Gunner’s Mate, deploying around the world until health complications forced her to medically retire.
One of the biggest factors behind her declining health? A severe gluten sensitivity and a deep addiction to sugar. The result was painful joint inflammation, gut issues, muscle cramps that kept her up at night, brain fog, and significant weight gain.
For two years, the military tried to treat her symptoms with traditional methods—but they never addressed the root cause. In 2014, Ericka returned to Texas and committed to changing her eating habits. But it wasn’t easy. Most of the gluten-free and sugar-free foods she tried tasted awful. And that’s when she knew—if she wanted something better, she’d have to make it herself.
Healthy Alternatives to Sugar
When Ericka began searching for healthier sugar alternatives, she quickly realized how difficult it was to find ingredients that were truly clean, chemical-free, and safe. With the guidance of her sister—a biochemist—Ericka learned the science behind how ingredients interact and what to avoid.
Then, she got to work.
Ericka spent months experimenting and testing combinations of all-natural, low glycemic ingredients, determined to create a sweetener that tasted amazing and didn’t trigger the unpleasant side effects common with other sugar substitutes. Many early trials left her with severe allergic reactions, caused by sugar alcohols processed with harsh chemicals.
“I didn’t want a sugar substitute that just worked—I wanted one that felt good to eat.”— Ericka, Founder of And I Like It™
Eventually, her persistence paid off. The result was FirstRate™—a clean-label sweetener that measures like sugar, tastes great, and doesn’t cause any of the usual issues.
Once you try it, you’ll understand why we say: “And I Like It!”
The Health Crisis That Inspired a Change
In 2019, Texas ranked among the top 10 states for obesity, with 34.8% of adults considered obese. Today, more than 70% of Texans are either overweight or obese, and over 12% are living with diabetes. And much of it ties back to what’s in our food—sugar is hidden in everything, even bread.
According to research, sugar can be up to eight times more addictive than cocaine, and food manufacturers take full advantage of that. Texans who want to break free from sugar addiction are often left with bland, artificial options—or none at all.
That’s exactly what Ericka experienced. Her own health crisis, combined with these growing statistics, drove her to create real solutions that taste good and support long-term health—not just for herself, but for others searching for something better.
Not All Sweeteners Are Equal!
Most sugar substitutes on store shelves are made with cheap ingredients, artificial fillers, or harsh chemicals. That’s what Ericka discovered firsthand. She was reacting to sugar alcohols that weren’t fermented—breaking out in skin bumps, developing gut issues, and feeling miserable after just a few bites.
That’s why And I Like It™ does things differently. Ericka sources high-purity stevia and low glycemic polyols (sugar alcohols) from U.S. companies that use a natural fermentation process—not chemicals—to extract and refine their ingredients.
Fermentation matters. It makes foods cleaner, easier to digest, and more gut-friendly. The result is a better-tasting sweetener—without the side effects.
“Better ingredients, better process, better outcome.”
Fermentation matters. It makes foods cleaner, easier to digest, and more gut-friendly. The result is a better-tasting sweetener—without the side effects.
Why Are We Different
At And I Like It™, we don’t cut corners—especially when it comes to your health. Our sweetener, FirstRate™, is clean, gut-friendly, and made from real, plant-based ingredients. It has no fillers, no artificial sweeteners, and no weird aftertaste—just a smooth, natural sweetness you’ll actually enjoy.
Most “sugar-free” treats are loaded with cheap sugar alcohols like maltitol, which can cause digestive issues. We’ll never use those. Why? Because our founder, Ericka, experienced firsthand how harsh those ingredients can be—and set out to create something better.
From our no sugar added mini cheesecakes made with grass-fed collagen to our clean-label sweeteners and kid-approved treats, we’re committed to using high-quality ingredients that taste as good as they make you feel.
Even our cheesecake crust sets us apart. Made from a certified gluten-free blend with real almond pieces, it’s buttery, moist, and has a light crunch that feels more like shortbread than “health food.” Unlike brands that skip the crust to claim they’re gluten-free, we kept the flavor—and made it better.
We do this because we’ve been there—frustrated by confusing labels, bad textures, and “healthy” foods that don’t taste good. That’s why every product we make is something we’re proud to share with our families—and yours.
SUGAR-FREE SWEETENER
Ericka created and trademarked FirstRate™ to be a clean, safe, and truly enjoyable alternative to sugar.
Vegan
No Artificial Ingredients
No Fillers
Maltitol-Free
Zero Net Carbs
No Aftertaste
GMO-Free
Diabetic-Friendly
Sugar-Free
Kid-Approved
Made with high-quality, natural ingredients.
It may cost a little more, but FirstRate™ rewards you with clean, natural sweetness you can feel good about.
“It’s the sweetener that makes eating better feel easy.”
GLUTEN-FREE BAKING BLEND
Most gluten-free crusts are crumbly or flavorless. Ours? It’s rich, satisfying, and built to complement every bite of cheesecake.
- GMO Free
- Keto Friendly
- 3 Net Carbs per Serving
- Low Glycemic
- High Dietary Fiber
- Contains Grass-Fed Collagen
We make our signature cheesecake crust from a custom gluten-free blend that’s every bit as thoughtful as the filling itself. It’s buttery, slightly crunchy from real almonds, and has the soft texture of a shortbread cookie—without the carbs, gluten, or guesswork.
“Gluten-free crust that actually tastes like a treat.”
Why Cheesecakes?
Growing up, Ericka always loved cheesecake. Every year for her birthday, her mom would bake a homemade cheesecake instead of a traditional cake—candles and all.
Years later, when Ericka needed to give up sugar, she returned to that family recipe and started experimenting. She reworked it to be lower in carbs, gluten-free, and made with clean ingredients—but still rich, creamy, and satisfying. These single-serve cheesecakes became her go-to treat and helped her transition off sugar without feeling deprived.
If it worked for her, maybe it could work for others too.
In 2017, she launched her first pop-up—and quickly discovered that Texans felt the same way. They kept coming back, and word kept spreading. Now, Ericka’s on a mission to share these keto-friendly cheesecakes across America.
Customer Encouragement
Ericka is continually inspired by the stories shared from fellow Texans—and beyond—who’ve found support, comfort, and joy through And I Like It™.
One customer wrote:
“Merry Christmas!! My favorite present this year is the one I gave myself—40 fewer pounds than last year! One of my favorite holiday traditions was always my mom’s cheesecake, and I was bummed thinking I’d have to miss out this year. Luckily, @andilikeiticheesecakes is local, and I was able to pick one up. Honestly, it tasted just like regular cheesecake. It was so nice to be part of the tradition without sacrificing my health!”
Stories like these are exactly why we do what we do. At And I Like It™
Our mission is simple: Create truly tasty products that help you stay on course.
Rooted in Community, Driven by Purpose
At And I Like It™, giving back is more than a value—it’s a way of life. We proudly donate products to support local fundraisers and events hosted by organizations like Saint Michael’s Church, the Irving Community Theater Guild, and Chi Omega, all of which champion meaningful causes throughout the DFW area.
Beyond donations, we actively partner with nonprofits like VetStarts, which helps transitioning veterans through career workshops and veteran-led service projects. One of Ericka’s favorite ways to give back is by joining VetStarts in building homes for families in need—a mission close to her heart as a Navy veteran herself.
We’re proud to partner with VetStarts, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans and their loved ones build brighter futures.
With a mission of offering “Hope for Today, and a Plan for Tomorrow,” VetStarts provides career transition training, personal coaching, and a strong sense of community—at no cost to those they serve. They work with unemployed, under-employed, and self-employed veterans, as well as service members preparing to transition out of the military.
They also offer fee-based coaching, training, and veteran-led mission trips, helping create ripple effects that impact entire families and communities. Their approach is personal and powerful:
one veteran, one family, one day at a time.
Want to see the impact for yourself?
Check out Army Veteran Tori’s story and how his work with VetStarts changed his lif
Visit our Giving Back pages to support our current projects. We have been so blessed with those that have helped and we want to pay that forward
DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Check out VetStarts! We at And I Like It™ donate our time and resources to this non-profit. It also helped our founder feel camaraderie after leaving the military and a sense of purpose. The programs offered provide hope for veterans who need to serve others and feel self-worth like they did when they served in the military.
If you are a veteran, veteran spouse, or patriot that wants to give back to a needy family and work with awesome veterans, please consider VetStarts!
