Blake Lively Takes a Break from Hollywood Drama to Serve Donuts in Connecticut—Find Out Why!

Blake Lively is embracing the simple joys of life, and it was on full display when she surprised fans by working behind the counter at Rise Doughnuts in Wilton, Connecticut, on Sunday, March 30. The actress, known for her roles in Gossip Girl and A Simple Favor, has always been open about her love for baking, and this spontaneous visit to a local donut shop gave fans a unique glimpse into her “happy place.”

Lively, 37, took to Instagram to share a photo of the enormous kitchen mixer she used during her visit, writing, “Baking with genius food friends and their kitchen mixer the size of a car. This is what my happy place looks like.” The post quickly resonated with her followers, offering a candid moment of joy from the star.

A source told PEOPLE that Lively appeared to be in a particularly cheerful mood during her time at the shop. “She was in a really happy mood and said she is friends with the owner,” the source shared. While behind the counter, Lively had a friendly exchange with a father and son, and the father even pointed out to his child, “Her husband is Deadpool,” referencing Ryan Reynolds’ iconic role in the Deadpool movies.

Lively has previously expressed her passion for baking on social media, often sharing photos of her culinary creations with her fans. This playful outing at Rise Doughnuts came shortly after Reynolds, 48, shared his own baking moment featuring dog-themed cupcakes on his Instagram. Lively had seemingly crafted the cupcakes, which were decorated to look like dogs, adding to her growing reputation as a baking enthusiast. Reynolds captioned the post with a playful soundtrack, Rosemary Clooney’s “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window,” and animated dog and baking stickers.

Despite her warm and cheerful donut shop visit, Lively’s personal life has been marked by ongoing legal battles. Earlier this year, she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against director and costar Justin Baldoni, along with several others involved in the production of It Ends with Us, which premiered in August 2024. Lively accused Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, and Wayfarer Studios co-founder Steve Sarowitz of sexual harassment and said they orchestrated a smear campaign against her.

Baldoni responded with a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, alongside a lawsuit against The New York Times for its reporting on the matter. The legal dispute continues to unfold, with a trial scheduled for March 9, 2026.

In the midst of these challenges, Lively’s joyful moment at the donut shop serves as a reminder that she still finds comfort and happiness in the smaller, everyday pleasures of life. Fans continue to rally around the actress, supporting her both professionally and personally as she navigates the complexities of her career and legal battles.