A restaurant chef preparing a dish

Scorno's Italian Bakery

Family-owned and operated local Italian bakery in Des Moines.

Homemade Italian Bread, Love Drops, Love Bars, Biscotti, Italian Wanda’s, and more!

Chef preparing fresh pasta with a pasta machine

Meet Lisa Vacco-Karnes...

The Heart of Scorno’s Italian Bakery

Lisa is more than our head baker — she’s the heart and soul of Scornovacca’s Italian Bakery. With a deep love for family, food, and tradition, Lisa brings unmatched passion, creativity, and warmth to everything she does.


She’s a proud mother, devoted grandmother, and a cornerstone of both the bakery and our entire brand. Lisa’s commitment to Scornovacca’s runs just as deep as her commitment to her family. She does whatever it takes — whether it’s jumping in to solve a challenge, perfecting a pastry, or helping bring a family gathering to life. Her loyalty and work ethic are second to none.


Lisa blends generations of family recipes with her own fearless culinary creativity. She welcomes any baking challenge with enthusiasm and always delivers something exceptional. At the same time, her playful spirit and love for hosting make her the kind of person who makes everyone feel at home — and makes every day a little more special.


Scornovacca’s wouldn’t be what it is without Lisa. She’s the steady hand, the joyful laugh, and the driving force behind so many of our beloved treats. One bite, and you’ll taste the love she pours into every single creation.

Colorful frosted sugar cookies on a black plate

Scorno's Love Drops

During the early 1900s, at the height of Italian immigration, many families brought their cherished culinary traditions to America. One such treasure was the classic Italian love knot cookie - often served at weddings to symbolize family, tradition, and the sweet unity of tying the “knot.”


Inspired by this heritage, our family has been baking tender, almond-kissed cookies for generations. But the magic truly happened when Lisa stepped into the kitchen. With her creative spirit and deep love for family recipes, she took baking to a whole new level. Her version of the classic cookie quickly became a family favorite—softer, more delicate, and just sweet enough to earn a name as special as the love they represent… Love Drops!


Hand-crafted with care and made with the same warmth and passion that’s defined our family for generations, Love Drops are a beautiful spin on tradition - just like Lisa  intended.

Colorful pink and white Italian carnival cookies on a black plate

Italian Wanda's

During the early 1900s, many Italian families brought cherished culinary traditions to America. One of those was the beloved bow tie cookie - also known as wanda, guanti (meaning gloves”), or even angel wings.


These light, flaky fried pastries have long been a symbol of love, family, and celebration. Inspired by this tradition, our family has been making these tender, golden treats for generations - topped with a delicate drizzle of almond icing for a signature twist. Whether you call them wandas or guanti, one thing is certain - they’re timeless. Hand-crafted with love, just as your Nonna did.

Freshly baked Italian focaccia bread on parchment paper

Homemade Breads

The aroma from our bakery — it brings us all back. Lisa's one of a kind, Italian Vienna Bread features a crisp, golden crust and a light, airy center perfect for soaking up that farm-fresh, softened butter waiting on the counter. Pure nostalgia. Mangia!

Delicious Italian cannoli with chocolate chips

Cannoli's

Traditional cannoli shells filled with our sweet creamy filling and topped with chocolate chips. Date night anyone?

Lunchtime Just Got Better: Toasted Sandwiches at Scorno’s!

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