Rukhsar’s Story

Rukhsar Azizi is the founder of Yar Bakery, a specialty bakery in Iowa City, dedicated to crafting traditional Afghan sweets and cookies with a purpose as sweet as her creations: helping strangers become friends. The name “Yar,” which means friend in Dari and Pashto, reflects Rukhsar’s belief in the power of food to connect people. Each box of treats is a warm welcome for new neighbors and a bridge between cultures in her adopted hometown.

Rukhsar and her husband, Hamayoon, moved to Iowa City in June 2022 after the fall of the Afghan government, leaving behind a country they loved and a community they deeply cherished. As young parents to three children under the age of four, they were embraced by a Sponsor Circle, a group of Iowa City friends who volunteered to help them settle into their new life. The support of this circle—helping them find housing, secure employment, and navigate the complexities of resettlement—inspired Rukhsar to give back through her passion for baking.

In Afghanistan, Rukhsar was known for her culinary talents, frequently preparing meals for gatherings of 75 to 100 people. For her, cooking was an act of love and creativity. She would experiment with new recipes and share them with family and friends. Upon arriving in the U.S., she found joy in cooking for her Sponsor Circle and other new friends, blending hospitality and tradition.

Yar Bakery is the culmination of Rukhsar’s journey—a celebration of her heritage and her dream to create connections in her community, one sweet box at a time.