The last time I checked in with a personal update was nearly a year ago!
Last September, I had a 2 month old, almost 3 year old, our 12 year old family dog just died, and I was adjusting to life with 2 young children. It was… heavy!
And now– suddenly it seems– our youngest just turned 1. Elise is crawling, teething, laughing, playing, pulling herself up, saying mama, and all the wonderful things babies and families get to experience in that first year. It’s been so exciting living these moments all over again, but in a new way because both girls are so different AND because our oldest is a big sister now.
I know you’re here for the baking, so let’s show off that 1st birthday cake. 🙂
1st Birthday Cake
I made a 6 inch banana cake, using my banana muffins batter. I added another 2 Tablespoons of milk to thin the batter out, used the melted coconut oil option, and sweetened it with coconut sugar. As far as desserts and baked goods go, this is a slightly healthier recipe. I divided the batter between 3 6-inch pans. (See my 6 inch cake recipes blog post for details.)
For the frosting, I used my cream cheese frosting recipe but removed 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar so it wasn’t quite as sweet. I added freeze-dried strawberry powder to half of the frosting. Remember this strawberry frosting? Same method. Grind a heaping 1/2 cup of freeze-dried strawberries into 1/4 cup powder, then beat it into half of the cream cheese frosting. I used regular strawberry frosting on my oldest’s 1st birthday cake too. It’s always a hit. I reused the same cake topper. The yellow cake stand is from Home Goods!
For the frosting, I used a large round piping tip to pipe rings of alternating frosting around the sides and on top. Then I used a bench scraper to smooth it all down. This look is called a “striped cake” but mine’s not quite as neat as most professional ones! It was very simple but fun, which was my goal.
I used these naturally colored sprinkles for decor. I LOVE THOSE! They make all desserts so much fun. My oldest loves the stars. We made drop sugar cookies with the same sprinkles, too. We’re celebrating again this coming weekend. Lots of fun!
Speaking of strawberry and cake, I discovered a new online bakery called Blondery. 100% women and minority owned, this virtual bakery is known for exceptional bite-size blondies. Owner and professional pastry chef Auzerais Bellamy reached out and let me know about the bakery’s newest summery sweet: an 11 layer strawberry cake and coinciding cake jars. They’re gluten free with strawberry blondies, chantilly cream, buttercream, and more. It was SUCH a special treat to receive one and each spoonful tasted like pure luxury. (Not sponsored, genuinely loved it!) Her menu is quite popular, but keep Blondery in mind when you need a unique and special treat for an occasion. You can follow Blondery on Instagram too!
Meet Simon
Another piece of exciting news! I’d like to introduce you to our new German Shepherd mix puppy, Simon. We adopted Simon from a rescue a few months ago and are so in love with this sweet snuggly boy. He came from a wonderful foster family with young children and another dog, so he fit right in here. He’s 6 months old and weighing about 50 lbs. He’ll be a big boy! He and Franklin, our 5 year old dog, are getting along wonderfully. Franklin was so sad when Jude died, but this has certainly got him on his feet again. They’re inseparable! And Simon is already bigger than Frank.
Slowing Down!
Things have been busy with 2 young children and now 2 wild dogs! I’ve never been great at work/life balance, but decided to be firm with those boundaries this year. For the first time in 10 years, I’ve finally taken the time to slow down! (I’ve been blogging for 10 years this December. Crazy!)
Another reason that I slowed down content and put a pause on various social media is that my team and I are working on something very exciting. We have a brand new website redesign coming out later this summer. It’s been nearly 2 years in the making as we’ve been taking in feedback from readers to improve the website’s functionality and overall experience. It’s finally coming together and I can’t wait to share more details soon! We’re updating many older posts, I’m refreshing old photos, and trying to make this the best site it can be for you.
One new feature already put in place: when you sign up for my email list, you’re automatically sent the most popular recipes & posts!
And Surprise! Cookbook!
And while I’m spilling all the beans today (thanks for listening/reading!), I might as well tell all of you wonderful bakers that I’m working on a proposal for my 4th cookbook!!!! That’s yet another reason I’ve been so quiet over here!!!! Slowing down and taking time off has not only been what I need on a personal level, but professional as well. Sometimes you need time and space to determine a plan, path, or goal. That’s what I gave myself this year and now I’ve never been more excited about a work project! And I’ve never felt more inspired.
Keep in mind that the journey to cookbook #4 will be a very long one because I need to actually finish my proposal before I can move to the next steps. (Including, um… testing all the recipes and authoring the entire cookbook.) Stay tuned because I will continue to share cookbook updates when I have them!
Some fun things to look forward to even if I’m not posting as often! I hope to continue updates like this, but I’m trying to keep everything just about baking. Thank you for being here and don’t forget about the July Sally’s Baking Challenge. Can’t wait to see all your turnovers!
Hi Sally!
I’m so happy things are going so well for you. I pray for all the love and blessings in the world for you. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I just had to say I’m so sorry about your Jude- I must have missed that he died and I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is happy seeing your joy in your words and pics and how well Simon is fitting in your family. I just know it’s a unique and terrible heartbreak to lose a pet so I wanted to give you my condolences. We love you Sally!! Praying for you and your family.
I’m so happy to read your blog as it’s been too long! Happy 1st Birthday to your little baby and thank you for sharing the cake information. I find your suggestions and different options to a recipe so helpful when I’m baking. I just love the way you provide helpful hints too.
I started following your blog years ago because I loved the personal stories (yay human connection!) as well as the recipes. It has been clear that you’ve been phoning it in for a while now, which makes your site feel very…commercial. Without the personal stories, your blog could be any one of the hundreds out there now. Wishing you luck, but I won’t be following any more.
I was so ecstatic to read your Coffee Break news this morning. You are my FAVORITE baker/blogger because your recipes are so precise and never ever fail. All of your hard work and efforts are appreciated by this amateur baker. THANK YOU for all you do!
Great photos of your dogs!
Well, I’ve only been a follower for a little over a year, but I am definitely hooked on all of your recipes! Every single one is perfect. I’ve been baking for many years, but have never had such confidence! Your new baby Simon is absolutely precious as is his break brother! I am also the mother of two girls, of course much older than yours and probably older than you! Raising girls is an absolute delight, at least mine were! Keep the good stuff coming!
Sally,
I love how genuine you are, you have a wonderful ability to teach what you have learned. I have been a baker and cook for over 45 years. I found your website and absolutely love it! I have been baking many cakes and they have all turned out so delicious. I look forward to every new recipe that you post. Thank you!
What a busy year for you! Congrats on the new fur baby. Love your 3 cookbooks. Excited for the new cookbook and website. I’m sure both will be great. Enjoy all the time with your girls. They grow so fast. Thanks for the update.
Honestly, I’ve missed these kinds of posts. One of the best things about your site is your transparency…so I for one am all here the random “slices of life” to compliment your incredible & thorough recipe posts. Cheers to all your wonderful reveals, and all the GOOD that keeps on coming! 🙂
Very happy to see this update and all the fun, exciting things to look forward to!
I noticed that the posts had slowed down and was afraid that I had fallen into the social media algorithm “hole of lost followers” lol!
Take all the time you need to be with that sweet family and develop your new projects….your recipes are always my go-to!
Love the updates! Can’t wait for the new cookbook.
My goal is also to balance work and life better—need to do more challenges! My 14year old daughter is interested in baking so maybe I’ll get her doing the challenges.
It was so nice to “hear” from you. I can’t believe it’s been a year either! Congrats on so many things, your little one’s 1st birthday, opening up your heart for Simon (cutie!) and yay, another cookbook! You have been my inspiration and resource center from the beginning of your blog so many years ago. I don’t often comment but wanted to say a huge THANKS for all that you do for us. Looking forward to what the next 10 years hold for your and your amazing business!
Congratulations Sally! So many wonderful things happening in your life. Happy you are trying to take some time for yourself and the busy expanding family. Have been a fan of your baking, blogging and fun for probably 8 or so years now. You are my go to!! Thanks for all the fabulous recipes!!
It’s so nice to read an update – what makes this site so special to me is getting to know the team behind the recipes, and I feel like I know you so well through your baking and dashes of personality you throw in. I’m sure I’m not the only one who refers to you regularly during conversation – phrases like “Oh, I know Sally has the perfect recipe for that” or “Don’t worry, this technique is Sally approved” pop up all the time. A 4th cookbook is amazing, as I use yours all the time! Congratulations on 10 years and I look forward to growing in baking alongside you and your team!
Sally, I’m so excited for the new website and even more so for the new cookbook. Your recipes never disappoint and always family favorites.
You are the best Sally!!! Missed you so much but so glad you are doing great and took some time for yourself!! Happy Birthday to Elise, can’t believe she is 1 already!!! Congrats on book #4, sooooo excited!!! Wishing you all the best!!! Good luck and blessings with all of your new projects!
I was just thinking about your coffee breaks recently and how I’ve missed them. I’m so glad you have been able to take some time away. And congratulations on all of your exciting news!! Wishing you and your family the best and looking forward to all of the exciting new things coming up.
WOW! A year? Already? Happy 1st birthday to your little one. Busy times! Thank you for all your recipes and all the help that you provide with your baking and cooking. CUTE pup! Enjoy your family ! New website, new cookbook. You and your team are amazing!
Sally, Like your many followers, your baking blog has changed my baking life (and the friends that get to eat my bakes treats instead of “have” to eat them). I appreciate you keeping it about baking in your blog. However I enjoy getting to know the person who inspires me. Having a separate blog like this is awesome! I hope you find inspiration and encouragement from your followers, it’s our opportunity to give back in a small, but hopefully meaningful way. May God bless you and your precious family❣ Thanks for sharing, congratulations and best of luck!
Sally, you are an amazing woman and I am so happy I found your blog a few years ago. Your recipes are always precise and have made me a much better baker. You have taught me so much and I am excited for your new cookbook and website. My friends and family love my baking and that’s all because of you. Thank you so much for sharing your life and your recipes with all of us!
I am so sorry for your loss
I know that losing a dog can be traumatic
I have been through it many times
That’s why I always have 4 dogs
So glad Franklin and Simon are buds
I look forward to your next cookbook
Thank you so much for what you have taught me over the years. The science of baking, different techniques, monthly challenges, 6 inch cakes, pastry, breads of all kinds last year especially. Just want to say, your recipes are my go to #1 for anything I want to bake. Hope the redesign of website is as great as the current website! Congrats on new puppie, and both your daughters. Wish you the best!
So excited for another cookbook! I’m going to need Sally’s Baking Rehab after this last year!
Congratulations on your new pup! Such a cutie!
Good morning Miss Sally,
I have just recently discovered you and am feeling much Inspired. Last week I made a raspberry pie for the very first time using my now go to pie crust recipe. Makes such a difference when the crust is not fussy and tastes great. Raspberries are just starting to get ripe here in the PNW and this week I would like to try making another pie but use a mix of raspberries and blueberries. The raspberry only pie seems a bit “sharp”. Know what I mean? Any suggestions? Thanks for your encouragement.
Just wanted to suggest adding some lemon zest or juice to the pie when the raspberries seem too tart. This has worked for me in other raspberry-only recipes.
I will certainly try that. My family said it tasted just fine to them but I want to make it better. Will let you know how the blueberry- raspberry combo turns out.
Congratulations, everything seems to be going so well for you! I began baking during the pandemic thanks to finding you. Your recipes have been a great success for me. Everyone loves all my baked goods. You make baking so easy thank you. My newest was the coconut lime cookies for the 4th, huge success, thank you
I love hearing from/seeing your face behind the brand. I’ve missed that part of this community the past year! I’m so glad you got the time to recharge, though. Looking forward to what’s up ahead!
Sally, you and your family are so wonderful and beautiful. Thank you for all your hard work and explaining the science in baking. I have learned so much from you. Your recipes are delicious. I am so excited for the new cookbook. Congratulations!!
Love the update! Would also love a future post on baking with toddlers! My daughter is 3 and loves to “help” when I’m baking. So we make a lot of your recipes that involve sprinkles because she loves dumping those in!! Would love any other tips or things you’ve learned when baking with your daughter!!
Happy 1st birthday to your little girl! Such a beautiful cake! Looking forward to the new cookbook and new website! Thank you for all your wonderful recipes.
Sally, I found you 3 months ago and you’re already my hero! I’ve always loved baking but now I can do it right and I’m not afraid to try anything you’ve shared because I know it will be amazing!
Last week I tried making empanadas for the 1st time. I couldn’t find the empanada dough discs anyplace. The old me would have just not made them. Instead, I used the dough recipe for this months challenge! Perfection!
Thank you for sharing your family with us. I don’t know how you do it! Your time management skills are amazing.
Thank you for everything Sally! Especially for giving me confidence!
Sally- excited for your upcoming website and happy to hear about your wonderful family updates! Can’t wait for book #4!