All those cakes and cookies were essential to the long life of an Alabama woman who turned 100 this week.

Nearly 100 people crowded into an Alabama nursing home Tuesday to celebrate Hildrege Swords Howard's 100th birthday, WHNT reported.

Howard was born in Georgia but spent much of her life in Albertville. The Rehab Select nursing home celebrated, along with Howard's relatives, by presenting her with a tiara and sash for her birthday bash, WHNT reported. Howard also received an autographed photograph from University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban, according to the television station.

Howard told WHNT the secret to her long life was baking many cakes and cookies for her relatives.

Howard’s niece, Becky Howard, told the television station that baking was her passion, and she was happy to be part of the milestone birthday.

“I’m just very excited because that was her desire," Becky Howard said. “That was her desire, and she’s alert and oriented enough to know it’s her 100th birthday,”