From my kitchen

The Little Yellow Journal

Stories, recipe tests, happy accidents, and the not-so-happy ones.

Photo: you in the kitchen, mid-bake

Featured story

How baking found me

Seven years ago, baking started as a simple way to pass the time. This is the story of how a few batches of something sweet turned into the thing that makes my heart sing.

Full story coming soon

Photo: The night I forgot the baking soda

Kitchen fails

The night I forgot the baking soda

Beautiful ripe bananas, a gorgeous crumb loaf, and one missing ingredient. How it turned into fudgy banana bars instead.Post coming soon

Photo: Testing apple cider crème brûlée donuts

Recipe testing

Testing apple cider crème brûlée donuts

Test #1 came out golden outside and doughy inside. What I changed, and why oil temperature matters so much.Post coming soon

Photo: The secret to extra-soft cinnamon rolls

Tips

The secret to extra-soft cinnamon rolls

A little flour-and-water paste and a warm cream pour. The two tricks that keep my rolls pillowy.Post coming soon

Photo: Desserts I grew up loving

Stories

Desserts I grew up loving

Entenmann's cakes, and Jell-O with way too much whipped cream. The sweets that still make me smile.Post coming soon

Photo: Why I put brown butter in everything

Tips

Why I put brown butter in everything

Nutty, toasty, and a little magical. How to brown butter, and the bakes it makes even better.Post coming soon

Photo: When the ghosts didn't make it

Kitchen fails

When the ghosts didn't make it

I set out to make rice crispy ghosts. They had other plans. Chocolate-topped bars to the rescue.Post coming soon