Meet Joy
I’m Joy. I’m a baker. Had you guessed as much?
I’m currently hurtling into my thirties, trying to show the world, and my kitchen, what’s what.
I’m a self taught/ family taught/ taste buds taught baker.
I grew up in the kitchen in between my father, who makes a mean Sweet Potato Pie, and my mother, who makes a really weird purple hot dog casserole… don’t ask. Between my kitchen loving parents, the clinking cake pans, and the flying flour, it became clear that baking is in my blood.
I live in Los Angeles, by the beach. That’s where I do a majority of my living, working, eating, cocktailing and related horsing around.
On a good day, Los Angeles looks like this. What a world.
I live with a precious kitten named Jules Stevens. He is a monster… a beautiful, hungry, cuddly monster.
I really like chocolate… and cookies.. and anything with the word ‘cake’ in the title… and funky things like Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownies. I can think of no better way to get to eat all of these goodies, than to teach myself how to bake them.
Joy the Baker has been up and running and taking over the Internet since January 2008.
In that time I’ve made an immeasurable amount of friends in people like you.
The Joy the Baker Cookbook is my first cookbook. Published by Hyperion, 2012.
Saveur named Joy the Baker the Best Baking and Dessert Blog of 2011. I’ve been nominated for the 2010 Bloggies ‘Best Food Blog’. I’ve been named one of the Top Fifty Food Blogs in the World by the London Times. I’ve been named Best Baking Blog by Foodbuzz… and Forbes said some really lovely things about me! Joy the Baker food and photography has also been featured in Food and Wine Magazine, as well as Sunset Magazine.
…all because I have a compulsion to take pictures of the things that I bake.
I’m also co-founder of Homefries.com.
Homefries is a destination for fun, high-quality podcasts, covering food and wine, parenting and simple living, and entertaining.
Homefries is home to The Joy the Baker Podcast and We’re About to be Friends, as well as, The Simple Mom Podcast, and The Table Set.
My friend Michael and I work hard every week to create new podcasts… the kind of podcasts that we would want to listen to.
It’s like easy listening… without the terrible saxophones.
We made a video too! It’ll answer all the questions about who we are, what we do, and why we want to talk at you.
This blog is proof that I’m navigating my way through the world. You’ll get a little bit about life, and a healthy heap of love, cookies, cakes and creams. Together we’ll figure out how they all come together to create one incredibly sweet life.
Would now be a good time to mention my affection for Toasted Marshmallow Milkshakes, Barbecue Buttermilk Onion Rings and trashy reality television shows? Oooooh man.
Now!
Here’s a little of the nitty gritty:
I shoot using a Canon 5D. It’s borrowed. I use a 24-105mm lens, a 100mm macro lens and a 50mm lens. Can I be honest? Back in the day, I used to take food photos with my camera phone exclusively…. I’m not all that fancy.
I use natural light. Why? Because I love to bake and shoot in the morning, and my life works out pretty well that way.
The blog is powered by WordPress, an unbelievable amount of granulated sugar, and a sometimes unreasonable desire to share with you all of my kitchen happenings.
My favorite thing to bake is Apple Pie.
I love navy blue and high waisted pants.
I drink wine. I love bourbon.
I wear clogs in the kitchen and heels out in the world.
I really suck at wearing lipstick.
And… put me in a pair of tight black pants and I’m good for the rest of my life.
I sincerely thank you for coming here so loyally, baking things and saying nice words. I’m so glad you’re around.
I mean that from deep inside my heart.
Contact me at: joy (at) joy the baker (dot) com
I try very hard to respond to each email I receive. Please forgive me if, for some reason, I am unable to get back to you. I like you… I just need more hours in the day.
Follow me on Twitter and get all up in my business on Facebook. Say hello! I’ll say hi back!
621 Comments
621 Comments Add A Comment
Went to make the Cream of Potato soup today but the recipe has disappeared! Will it come back soon?
Joy,
Hello there :) I just happened across your blog here and well let me just say I can tell already this is gonna be FUN!! I will probably spend lotsa’ LOTSA’ time on here!! I have already hurt my cheeks with all the smiles from your charming self :)) ( some of your followers are pretty fun too!)
Oh, Joy!!! I got my subscription box today and I LOVE THIS!!! Sooooo much fun!! This is the only self-indulgent thing that I’m going to do for myself this year–I hope all the next subscriptions are as fun!! Also, do I have to re-subscribe each time? I have my kitty B’Ella on my lap right now, along with my King Arthur Flour catalog and my laptop!! Thank you, thank you!! :)
Its true what they say…you are a wonderful writer. Just discovered your blog…and ordered your cookbook. Looking forward to our time together.
Joy, your blog makes a lot of my days a lot better and a lot yummyier! Keep up the good work!
All the best from Germany
Hi, Joy. I’m so glad my niece sent me this link to your chamomile cupcake recipe (I’ll add it to my recipe repertoire for my tea catering business). Your enthusiasm and JOY really comes through on your website. I enjoyed reading it and since I love cookbooks and have to keep buying bookcases to store them, what’s one more – I will be ordering yours to add to my collection! Best wishes on your book tour. Ann
Hi, Joy. I just printed your chamomile cupcake recipe and see the copyright notation so will not be using it for my tea catering business unless I have your permission.
go for it!!! no worries at all.
I came home today to find a package on my front step. My subscription box had arrived! I was soooooo excited when I opened it! I absolutely love it!!!!!!!!!
Hi Joy. I surprised my daughter with your cookbook last week. She sent me a text that said: Joy the baker!!! when she received the package. I told her to pick out some recipes to try when she comes home for spring break. Within 10 minutes, she had 26 bookmarked!
i love this susan!!
Hi Joy,
Just wanted to take a minute to let you know how much I (and my friends and coworkers) enjoy your blog. I picked up my copy of your book today and by page 22 I’m practically swooning :) Thanks so much!
ps. I loved your 30 before 30 project so much I’m rocking a 26 before 26 of my very own!
Back from holidays to receive your beautiful book in the mail. Omg! Every page is delicious, and all I’ve done is read it!!!
Looking so forward to pulling out the pots and pans. So glad I found you. This is how I love to bake… from pure basic food.
Donna-Marie <3
Joy, I just received your cookbook and made the Blueberry Orange and Almond Pancakes. Wow! I was wondering if you meant to not have any oil in the batter? I put 2 tablespoons of oil in it and they were awesome.
I did not mean for my last name to be on the blog, can you please remove it.
Thanks,
received your book last week and made your buttermilk cake with (pecan) praline yesterday….sooo good! it was for my boyfriend’s mom’s bday…and even though she’s mostly low carb, she ate at least a quarter of it! can’t wait to try more of the recipes!
Just wanted to say that you are a real cutie patootie and fellow baker, Lord bless you
today girl.
Hi Joy,
I was looking for a recipe for homemade Almond Joys because I’m a little obsessed with all things coconut lately and happened upon your blog. I’m so glad I did though a little bummed it took me so long since I have a love/hate relationship with technology etc. Moving on, I heart your humourous and honest writing and your pics look good enough to eat! So looking forward to your book tour stop in Brooklyn – see u there!
Hi Joy! I wanted to let you know that a group of us in Orange County have formed a little club, a cookbook club but with blogs instead of cookbooks…each month or six weeks or so we pick a new blog and all separately go make recipes from it, and then we convene and eat and review! I am SO EXCITED about your recipes, I’m having trouble choosing. And I’m so excited for you out on your book tour. Congratulations on your success and thank you for the lovely blog.
Meg
I love the idea of the cooking club, Meg! I might have to steal that!
OMG….I made my husband the “Man Bait” apple crisp (apple pie is his favorite dessert ever) and he told me if we weren’t already married, that would make him want to propose! It was devine!!!!!!
You are such and amazing photographer! I’m a photographer myself and really enjoy your work. Made your vegan cream of broccoli soup for my family and they loved it. Thank you for posting such great things. I never liked cooking before but your blog is so inspiring it makes me want to cook.
Hi Joy! I was just surfing through my blog roll and I think you would be happy to know that I keep seeing your new cookbook appear everywhere! Including here…http://smittenkitchen.com/2012/03/carrot-cake-pancakes/
Hope you have a happy sunny day!
-Bianca
Hiya Joy
I just found your amazing website today! I must say that you are a girl after my own heart. I LOVE your recipes and quirkiness. I am an avid baker myself. I love to make bread. I try to do as much as I can by hand (I like to make a mess and I think you can taste more of the love) I am as wine drinker with a bit of a scotch habit. Am in Birkenstocks around the house and heels out in the world.
I will certainly be following you from now on.
You made my day today! I am headed home to try your Peanut butter pretzel brownies and a toasted marshmallow milkshake to wash them down.
Cheers!!!
Hi Joy,
I just got your cook book – my sister pre-ordered it for me and just gave it to me this weekend as a late Christmas present. I was so excited when I opened it up – so many beautiful pictures and delicious sinful recipes. I had an instant sweet craving! I read your blog faithfully and can always relate to your posts – especially about sometimes eating things like chocolate & peanut butter for dinner! Cannot wait to try out the recipes!
Thanks for always bringing a smile to my face when I’m having a bad day :)
Samantha
Hey Joy! I got an email from Amazon today with books they recommend for me and you were #1!! Too bad they didn’t crosscheck my account and see that I pre-ordered like the minute I heard about it last year but all in all … yay you!! I met you at the book signing in Huntington and have not stopped using the cookbook. Congrats for all your success – very much deserved!
Well you just seem lovely. Your blog is officially a button on my safari bookmarks bar (a big commitment for me). And I think I need to run out and get your adorable book. I just took a peak at all the different kinds of pancakes you know how to make and am duly impressed and delighted!
Hi, Joy! I’ve been a long-time (albeit, silent) follower of your blog and I just wanted to tell you how much I love this blog. It’s so inspirational and it’s one of the reasons I’ve finally got the motivation to begin my own food-blog journey. I just wanted to congratulate you on all your success; I just bought your cookbook and I’m dying to try out so many of those recipes! I’ve also RSVP’d to your book signing in Brooklyn this weekend — I’m beyond excited. It’s my boyfriends birthday and I’m toting him along too (willingly, though) as he knows how exciting this is! I think I may bake him the peanut butter bday cake as a thank you.
Hello Joy, I tried your biscuit recipe and oh my goodness, it’s just like my Granny’s. All my relatives grew up in the south and boy could they bake. For years I’ve tried many biscuit recipes and it was just never like Granny’s or my Great Aunt Rosalie. But yours, wow, with every bite I can imagine my Granny or Great Aunt mixing the dough in there wooden dough bowl, then popping the golden biscuits out of the oven. Thanks for the memories. Sincerely, Jackie Patton, Surfside Beach, SC
I came across your blog via Pinterest (as most things I come across these last few days do) – your blog is charming, love your rambling style and can’t wait to read more! Wish you all the best from my little pocket in L.A. to yours
Joy, you are absolutely Beautiful! Im 45 and im getting exited again about cooking! I cook for my son and my girlfriend and im looking forward to trying your tips and recipes! Thank you and take care! God bless!
I have loved your site for a long time and I just saw that great video! Totally teared up when you said that the mat didn’t move but he just wanted to spend time with you. :) SO beautiful! Thanks for sharing your lovely world with us. Best, Athena.
Hi Joy!
I have just stumbled upon your blog via the Saveur blog awards and I am so happy I that I did!
I loved this video intro of you…..reallllllllllly refreshing to hear someone who just seems to natural and easy going about all of this food bloggery! I know you have millions of fans, but you’ve just welcomed another. Thanks for making me smile! Imen xx
Joy, why can’t I pin your wonderful food anymore!?!?
there’s a ‘pin it’ button at the bottom of each post. does that work?
I’m digging this whole thing you have going on here.
Stumbled upon your lovely blog when I was looking for cookies with dark chocolate and nut cookies and decided that I HAVE TO just say you’re amazing!
Its never like me to say to a complete stranger that I love you! love your recipes! and website! (Maybe its the video that does show so much love.)
Well done!! :D
What a sweet video! I love your blog…XoXo
Hi Joy i’m doing a project in school and i need to interview a baker. Do you mind answering some questions, there’s only 7 questions? I would really appreciate it!
Just noticed that you updated this page! Your video is more than AWESOME! You are a true inspiration! Keep it up!
Thank you for your all round loveliness.
Peace and love x
Hi,
Where will you be signing your cookbook in the next couple of weeks?
Hi Joy ,
Love your blog ! Congrats on your success.i write to you today to enquire as to whether you may be interested in blogging about my craft as a food stylist ? Let me know your thoughts I would live to hear from you, I thought it might be something or interest to you and your readers and it would be great support for me I live in Brisbane Australia where it is difficult to get work regularly as most publishing houses rtc are in Sydney.I absolutely live my profession and want to keep the dream alive.
Kind Regards
Lyndel :)
I love your blog and all the sutff you say, its actually quite intresting. =)
I hope my blog can become as famous as yours….hopefully.
<3 The Baking Apprenice
So I was at the book store when I came across your new cook book. I loved it, I made the bourbon banana nut bread loaf last night, amazing! Your recipes are so easy to do and I love the extra help you add in, like the make sure you dump all the flour at once!. So thank you!!
just discover this blog! So nice! Hello and Bravo from Martinique :-)
Hi Joy. I bought your cookbook and have loved all the recipes. I have a question though. It’s about those chocolate brownie cookies on page 56. You say that they are fudgey and dense, but I found mine to be more cake-like. I even triple checked the recipe, you know, because I’m a bit of an airhead sometimes. Also, my batter wasn’t thick, but more like a brownie batter…maybe that’s the point and I’m totally crazy. Is it really only one cup of flour? Anyways, let me know? Cool.
It is true Joy to whip up some of your delicious recipes.my boyfriend is equally happy that i found this blog:-)
Joy. You are seriously the coolest person are the Internet. I (almost) want to create a blog just because yours is so amazing/quirky/wonderful/fun. Everything you write makes me giggle. Also, I love your use of periods…obviously I can relate. Thanks for making my time in front of the computer not seem so wasteful!
Joy, I nominated you for an award! Just a fun one, I’m sure it’s not nearly as exciting as all the awesome press you get. http://differentpocket.com/2012/05/04/and-the-nomination-goes-to/
For some reason, your vid made me tear up especially the part where your dad asked you and your sis to hold down the Tupperware mat even though it didn’t move. So precious. :-)
Just wanted to say thank you really quickly.
I’m growing up in a family that cooks…. but doesn’t bake. Tough, I know. I’ve been following your blog since 2009, when I was 11 years old, and really getting into baking. My mom couldn’t really help me out, but you did. Thank you.
my heart swells!! thank you for the lovely comment. i hope your family is enjoying all sorts of baked treats!
Hi I’m doing an I-Search Project for my English class and I was wondering if i could interview you about how you started as a Baker and what were your inspirations.