As promised (threatened?) I’ve watched approximately 39 hours of Love Island UK. If that number seems high to you, clearly you are unaware that I have at least 20 more hours to go. But Kim, you may be wondering, aren’t you feeling the ick? Is the math really mathing? And you know what? It isn’t. This time change is not my friend. Neither are the number of days this week that have been hovering around 20 degrees ..read more

When life hands you lemons, make lemon bars! This lemon bar recipe is the perfect way to add a bite of sunshine to the day. These bars boast a buttery and lightly spiced shortbread crust, and a creamy smooth lemon filling that’s the perfect combination of tangy and sweet. Indulge in a square (or two) of these my favorite lemon bars and brighten up your day/week/month. They’re that good! There’s an old Wilson family cookbook that I laid claim to early in my baking days.  ..read more

Thank goodness, Abby brought extra parachutes for us last week because I’m raising my hand to claim one. She’s not the only member of Team Joy the Baker who jumps first and finds solutions on the way down.  That’s exactly what’s happening as I set off on a little solo camping trip this week to create and collect content for the forthcoming Camp Joy: Cooking Zine (out in late May, godwilling ..read more

I’m a simple home baker.  I don’t need every clever kitchen gadget to make a batch of cookies. Honestly, I’ve reached for a butterknife over an offset spatula to frost cakes more times than I can count.  Baking isn’t all about gear but, there is one kitchen splurge that I keep stocked in my pantry, without fail: the parchment paper sheet. I was first introduced to large pre-cut parchment paper sheets working in bakeries.  ..read more

Since I was raised on movies, the Oscars ceremony is my Super Bowl. I look forward to it all year long and always try to watch all the contenders. Of course I’m in it for the films, the celebs, and the clothes. But I also love a good theme party—who doesn’t? My ideal Oscars party has a handful of friends and a huge smattering of food.  The menu is meant to be fun.  So line your table with a rich red tablecloth and present your guests with an array of bite-size options allowing them room to eat while giving commentary ..read more

Happy Sunday, friends! Since you are my very best friends on the internet I figured I’d share a few thoughts. I think I want to write a book. Okay, I KNOW I want to write a book. It’s been in my very mind and heart for a long time, and it feels like it’s time. Now, here’s my hesitation – where does one start? My brain starts to spin thinking about agents and editors and publishers, and that’s why I have not explored this very scary thing ..read more

Don’t think of blondies as brownies without the chocolate – these chewy little squares are sweet like butterscotch and studded with toasted walnuts and melty dark chocolate pockets. I add a generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness of the brown sugar, making these bars the best classic blondie recipe to come out of my kitchen. This month on Joy the Baker, we’re exploring CLASSICS.  I’m talking about those bookmarked recipes in my favorite cookbooks (aka every cookbook by Dorie Greenspan) or the butter-stained recipe cards in my mom’s handwriting we taped to the inside ..read more

Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! We’ve arrived at the day before Lent, where everyone loses their minds and indulges before 40 days of meatless Mondays and fish fry Fridays. Chicago, while having faith from all corners of the world, is an incredibly Catholic-centric city – kind of like New Orleans. Growing up in the Christian faith I didn’t understand why kids showed up to school with dark smudges on their foreheads on a Wednesday ..read more

I don’t know about you, but January-February is not my time to shine. Every year around this time, my mood dips and my therapist reminds me that I do not perk up until March. It’s like Groundhog Day, but for seasonal depression. I’m taking my little walks, I’m imagining a version of me that reaches out to friends, I’m watching a lot of feel-good tv. The Hulu gods have smiled upon me and early-released Love Island ..read more

A King Cake recipe for every year I’ve lived in New Orleans – cinnamon-scented, pecan-filled, with yeast or without, super simple to make or deliciously complex. Whether you want your King Cake sweet or savory, your perfect recipe is here.  I love dancing in the street every Mardi Gras season but Mardi Gras is also a state of mind.  Wherever you find yourself this Carnival season (in the streets of New Orleans with me or not), let there be CAKE.   ..read more