December 1, 2008 
I remember when I was a kid, I used to entice my little sister into the kitchen to cook with me. That sounds sweet and cozy, right? Well… I had slightly more selfish intentions. I had plans for my sister once we hit the kitchen: I would do all the fun stuff like measuring out sugar and chocolate, and she would do all of the not so fun stuff, like getting the flour containers out of the pantry, reaching for bowls, and doing all the dirty dishes. Baking always seemed like more fun if I had someone to do all the grunt work for me.
That sort of fun in the kitchen with my sister didn’t last long. Lauren very quickly caught on to my tricks, and before long we were sharing the dirty dish responsibilities.
Since then, I’d like to think I’ve become a much more accommodating kitchen partner. Ask Simon. You know Simon, he’s that crazy kid fromFoodproof. We made Almond Banana Bread together. It went swimmingly, and I don’t think I made him do the dishes.
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November 29, 2008 
I want to show you how to bake a pie. I’ve got step by step pictures. I’ve got instructions. I’ve got encouraging words. I’ll even hold your hand if you need me to. This isn’t anything to be scared of… but I do have a secret.
See, there’s a secret to making the best apple pie in the world. Love. Any way you can get it or give it, the secret to apple pie is love.
Love is a funny thing. (Ok, you should totally call me out- that’s just a silly thing to say.) While I don’t contend to be any sort of expert on the subject, I do take comfort in the knowledge that getting love, and giving love, without a doubt, the best feeling in the world.
I’d like to think of my apple pie as a pure and unadulterated delivery device for love.
You know how cupcakes are actually a delivery device for sweet and fluffy frosting? How cheeseburgers are just an excuse to go crazy with the french fries? How movie theater tortilla chips are merely edible spoons for gobs of fake yummy, cheesy nacho sauce? Well this apple pie, I cross my heart and hope to die, is just an excuse to pour all of my love right into a pie crust and into the oven.
It’s perfect. There isn’t a more perfect thing in the world… ok, except maybe babies and puppies and snowflakes and kate spade flats (but WHY so expensive kate!? $300, seriously!?)
I will warn you, this pie is a labor of love. It takes time. It takes commitment. It takes a personal outpouring of love and support. I’ll just say it now, there’s cutting and pressing, chilling, peeling, macerating, boiling, tossing, rolling, preheating, baking, slitting and slicing…. almost in that order.
If I haven’t yet scared you away. If you’re so full of love that you just might burst, throw it into this pie, and send it out into the world. It’s important.
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November 26, 2008 
I know I promised you apple pie… apple pie so good that it will make your heart explode. It looks like we’re going to have to wait just a bit longer for that epic post. I’ve totally been swept away in Thanksgiving madness. I know I can’t be the only one.
I’ve got mad baking and enjoying of friends and family to do.
Today I’m making banana bread. I’ve got bananas that just won’t quit.
And then, because no Thanksgiving would be complete without pumpkin, I’m making Pumpkin Pie Bars.
I’ll be back after the holiday with recipes for your heart and for your soul.
November 21, 2008
If my sister and I were produce instead of people, we’d be persimmons. Without a doubt… a couple of sibling persimmons- from the same tree but oooooooh so different. Let me explain. This will all make sense in a short bit.
My little sister and I are two and a half years apart. That means we were close enough to tear things up and figure out how to get ourselves out of it. You know, experiment, explore, break stuff and try not to get in trouble… life skills.
My sister, as an adorable, slick and sly child genius, would mush up and cry whenever trouble was on the horizon. I was not quite so skilled.
Maybe we’re about to get in trouble for knocking out the screen door that was just installed hours earlier… or we’re about to get a talking to for breaking the bathroom window with a soccer ball… or someone, who shall remain nameless, thought it would be a good idea to swing like Tarzan from the palm tree…
Here’s how the situation would play out: Lauren would run into the house, after one of our outdoor terror sessions , a big ball of red eyes and tears. She’d throw herself on the ground inconsolable, and thus… unpublishable. I would freeze and try to figure out a way to fix the broken thing before my parents could discover it. Not wise. Not wise at all. I was always the one left standing stiff with the broken object, eyes wide, wracking my brain for solutions. Thus… I always got in trouble. I’m not just saying that… Lauren, you totally know it’s true.
Any while we’re on the subject, please allow me this:
Dear Lauren,
You know you were the one that ran straight into the new screen door. That was all you. I was watching The Cosby Show and minding my own business. You and your tears! I got in soooo much trouble for that! No, twenty years later, I’m still not over it. Well played sister. Very well played.
This isn’t over.
Your sister,
Joy
So… um… persimmons. Follow me.
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November 15, 2008 
There are wildfires raging all over Southern California and although I don’t live in the danger zone, the thick air and daunting skies make the fires impossible to ignore.
Driving around at dusk tonight, listening to the fire coverage on my car radio, I remembered that between the ages of about seven and eleven I would proudly proclaim that I wanted to be a firefighter to any adult that would ask.
It’s funny the reasons you choose to declare your future profession when you’re a child. See, I don’t particularly like fire, or being hot, or tall ladders or carrying heavy things. I’m not much of a hero. I don’t have that life saving gene inside me, aside from not killing the cricket that was in my kitchen last night.
My seven year old brain wanted to be a firefighter for several unheroic reasons: I liked (loved!) how awesomely clean and shiny fire trucks were. I also really liked color and something about the red truck and the yellow suits and the black and white Dalmatian was totally exciting. This is going to sound totally weird, but I used to love to do pull ups (I know, nutty), and my child brain somehow connected the ability to do pull ups with the ability to save lives and fight fire.
So I wanted to do pull ups and be a firefighter, until I wanted to own a zoo and be a vet, until I wanted to be a brooding writer, until I wanted to be a lady baker. Phew… figuring out that stuff is nearly exhausting, and I’m not even done dreaming yet.
How about some squash?
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November 11, 2008 
On any given day my diet is consistently composed of scrambled eggs (seriously the perfect food), some variety of baked goods fresh from the oven, cheese (lots of cheese) and tea (I drink so much I run out of mugs).
Have I mentioned that I love scrambled eggs? I’m convinced that the perfect way to eat them is in tortillas, standing in the sunny spot in my kitchen flipping through cookbooks.
But this post obviously is not about my love for the egg.
There are days that I decide to slow down, take a deep breath and make myself something other than scrambled eggs for dinner. On those days I go for my no frills, yet somehow impressive Hungarian Paprika Chicken dish. It’s flavored with sweet Hungarian Paprika, onions, tomatoes, and the added creaminess of a touch of sour cream. Served it over a bed of buttery egg noodles, and the world is instantly coming up roses.
Everyone should have a no fail chicken recipe in their back pocket. This is mine. From my stove top to yours.
As a note, I think the big red tin of Hungarian Paprika is the only way to go with this chicken. You should be able to find it in your local grocery stores, it’s not a fancy pants thing.
Go say hello to the boys at Foodproof for my recipe. It’s a winner, I cross my heart.
Print this Recipe!
October 25, 2008 
My pumpkin adventures continue. I think pumpkin is just something I have to get out of my system in order to move on to more enticing Fall foods. With these cookies, a version of some other out of this world pumpkin cookies, I can fairly say that I’ve got pumpkin out of my system. All is well.
Here’s what’s going on with Joy the Baker. I’m gearing up for NaBloPoMo. What’s that!? It’s a full month of daily blog posts in November. Joy the Baker will become a combination of amazing baked treats, holiday baking tips, and a fine cheese oasis. Cheese? Yes, I’ll explain more in November.
I’m going to San Francisco this weekend. It’s sure to be a dangerous collision of food, drinks, Halloween costumes, and the madness of my little sister. I’ll bring my camera and share the debauchery with you.
What are you doing this weekend? Besides baking these (insanely easy) Pumpkin Butterscotch Cookies?
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October 22, 2008 
Some recipes are good enough to serve at the church picnic. Some recipes are fine enough to take to the family barbecue. Other recipes you know will satisfy your office coworkers. Those savages will eat just about anything.
Then there’s the recipe that you pull out of your back pocket when you’re looking for love.
This beautifully simple Apple Crisp recipe is that “get a man (or woman!) and hold on to him (or her!) recipe”. If you already have that man, consider this your “it’s time for a ring” recipe, or your “sorry I scratched the bumper of our new car” recipe, maybe even the “thanks for working so hard today honey… I made the house smell like warm apples with this apple crisp just for you” recipe. See, I’m looking out for you.
This recipe is the perfect balance of warm memories and good love. The warm apples tossed with sugar and cinnamon beautifully collide with the toasted, crunchy topping.
It’s a dream come true.
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October 19, 2008 
I come to you with these pictures and recipes not knowing whether this combination of treats is awesome or terrifying. Blood and Bones.
Before we get down to the treats, can I share something with you? I’m not a big fan of Halloween. Honestly, it scares me a bit. The whole night seems unpredictable and slightly unstable to me, even as an adult. It’s the costumes. See, there are two categories of Halloween costumes that just chill me to the bone.
One one hand, there are the girls that use Halloween as an excuse to wear as little clothes as possible. Are you one of these girls? Are you dressing up as a ‘sexy boy scout’ this Halloween? What on earth is a sexy boy scout?? I’m scared. I also don’t like the medical and other uniformed professions you make sexy for Halloween. I don’t agree, and frankly, I’m frightened.
There’s also the teenage boys that dress up as murderers with bloody plastic knives and masks. Teenage boys dressed as murders in the darkness of a Halloween night? Is it just me being old, or do these kids seem totally out of control? They seem waaaay too old to be dressing up and run the neighborhood with a pillow case scooping up candy from everyone they can. Not ok. Just not ok.
Wow! Halloween makes me sound like a grumpy old lady.
To celebrate my inner old lady and to embrace any hidden desires to be a hussy for Halloween, I’m going to be Blanche from the Golden Girls. It’s going to be a perfectly ridiculous Halloween getup.
What are you going to be for Halloween?
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August 29, 2008 
I went into this post practically kicking and screaming today. Let’s be honest- sometimes the words flow, other times it’s a task just to get myself to sit in the chair long enough to post a few words and photos.
This whiny, kicking and screaming, can’t-even-stand-myself feeling seems to be a Labor Day holiday signature of mine. See, the holiday represents the end of summer. I’ve always had enormous jubilation for Memorial Day, the unofficial kick off of summer, and great disdain for it’s holiday evil doppelganger- Labor Day. When I was a kid, we would always have to return to school the Tuesday after Labor Day. The end of summer and the return to school always seemed like a great tragedy to me. I’m talking Hamlet level tragedy.
It would seem that the feelings of that 9 year old, who can’t come to terms with her new backpack and Trapper Keeper have followed me to adulthood. I still don’t like Labor Day. I still have a hard time coming to terms with the end of summer. But now I get to add alcohol to the mix.
My Oh My. Cucumber Raspberry Vodka Sparklers.
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August 27, 2008 
This deliciously light, sweet and refreshing Cantaloupe Sherbet has everything and nothing to do with what I’m about to say.
I do a lot of thinking in the shower. Why do you need to know that? Well, you probably don’t. Nevertheless, allow me to over share. I got this new minty shampoo and it works wonders in the thought department. I think the fresh minty smells might be penetrating my brain.
Last minty shower I got to thinking about my dream job. After I mulled over my dream job I got to thinking about you. Yes, you. I think about you. It’s true. What’s your dream job? Are you lucky enough to have it? Does it pay you the millions of dollars that you deserve? Are you paid in smiles from your little squirt? Do you wake up in the morning before the alarm goes off because you’re thrilled to get to work? If not, what’s the difference between what you do now and what you really want to do? What will it take to make your dreams your reality?
I know. Lots and lots of questions. I told you the minty shampoo was good!
In some ways, I think I have my dream job. I get to cook and write about food virtually every day of the week. If someone would have told me two years ago, while I was grinding away in college, that I would soon get to write about and photograph food, I would have said to them “Awesome Opossum!”
So I feel like I’m mostly living the good life. Of course there’s the day to day of life that sometimes seems daunting or downright annoying, but all things considered it’s a dreamy.
This can’t be it though. I’m not done dreaming it yet! I think one of my dream jobs would be working for Epicurious or Bon Appetit or Gourmet Magazine in some way. Dreamy right!? I’d also like some sort of television or Internet show. I know. I owe you another podcast. Long story. I’m working on that. Maybe more minty showers will lead me in the right direction.
You?
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July 8, 2008 
Thank you to the many-many-many of you who took the time to talk me through my heartache. I can’t even begin to tell you how special your insight and comments are. Really. I read every single word and I am endlessly touched by your openness and honesty. You’ve all touched my heart and it has worked wonders to help me through a bit of a rough patch. I can’t thank you enough.
In the past two days I’ve been back in the kitchen (in something other than pajamas) where I belong.
Today I bring you the Chocolate Chip Cookie Debate. My question to you is simple. What makes a better chocolate chip cookie: melted butter or softened and creamed butter? Does it make a difference?
I think I make old school chocolate chip cookies. You know what I’m talking about. Cream the butter with the sugar, add eggs and vanilla extract and then the dry ingredients. Dollop onto a cookie sheet, throw them in the oven and sometimes you end up with completely flat and crisp cookies. One remedy to the flat cookie conundrum is to chill the dough before you bake off cookies. That really helps. But melted butter?
Let’s discuss.
Update: Look what’s in the NY Times today! A whole article about the perfect chocolate chip cookie. There is much to discuss! Judging from all your comments so far, this might be a week long series. We’ll get to the bottom of this and find the perfect cookie. I promise. And… it’s a good thing I stocked up on chocolate! Thanks Alanna and Kevin for the link!
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July 2, 2008 
I feel like I’ve had cupcakes coming out of my ears lately. I probably have. But there are worse things, right?
Friends… we need to talk. It’s about me, and how I need a vacation. And how I’m actually taking a small vacation, making my July 4th weekend extra long and glorious. There will be a pool, a bikini, sunglasses and… mojitos. I’ll take pictures and share, promise.
Please allow me to leave you with these double chocolate and bright red velvet cupcakes. Take good care of them while I’m gone.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend! Don’t eat anything I wouldn’t eat…
June 24, 2008 
I’m in the mood to reminisce. This past weekend my Aunt Judy celebrated her 60th birthday. I helped her celebrate her nostalgia-themed party with these Bright Red Velvet Cupcakes. Before we get to the cake, let’s jump back some 20something years and visit Joy and Judy, circa 1985.
My Aunt Judy is gorgeous. Know how I know? Because in this picture she makes the mid 80′s look damn good. And if you can rock the 80′s and still look classic and chic, you’re doing something right.
I’m feigning coy. At 4, I knew darn well how cute I was.
Even from the tender age pictured above I marveled at how my Aunt could have a closet solely dedicated to shoes.
That deck that Judy and I are standing on would eventually collapse as my Dad walked across it one day.
Before that collapse, I would crawl under that deck exactly one time. I thought I heard kittens. Turns out there were kittens under the deck, but there were also spiders. I don’t function rationally around spiders. I do ridiculous things to get away from them. Yea… I only did that once.
The palm tree behind us. I would grow up to think it a good idea to grab onto a large palm frawn and swing several feet off the ground like Tarzan. Turns out that’s not a good idea, because those palm frawns break. And as I lay on the ground after what felt like a tremendous fall, I thought, “Oh! Tarzan swung from vines!”. Good thing I didn’t grow up around any vines. I surely would have broken my body.
Happy Birthday Judy, and many more!
Now let’s talk cupcakes…
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June 22, 2008 
This endeavour was in no way glamorous. If nothing else, these Homemade Twinkies highlighted my ability to make something from nothing. I knew I wanted to make Twinkies, which if you aren’t familiar with, are white cake like treats with a light marshmallow-ish cream center. Amazon sells do-it-yourself-Twinkie-pans, but sometimes I prefer the uphill battle.
So when the need for a Homemade Twinkie strikes, I get out my roll of foil and spice bottle, and I make my own pan. Well, I’m being generous in calling it a pan. I essentially made foil boats for cake batter. I know. Kinda madness. I didn’t dream this notion on my own- thank you YouTube.
I’m almost embarrassed to share this with you…. they were so tasty, but the road getting there wasn’t so glamorous. Sometimes these things happen in my kitchen.
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June 11, 2008 
There are moments in my life when I know that I’m a baker to the core. I had one such moment today. Why? Well, I was thinking about cornbread all day. Of all things! Cornbread. I was turning over cornbread formulas in my head, thinking of possibilities, researching recipes and jotting down notes. That’s how I know I’m a baker, because I think about cornbread for hours on end. And even if I were stuck in some random job as an accountant, I’d be the accountant that thought about cornbread all day.
It turns out that thinking about cornbread is like opening a can of worms. There are so many styles! There’s the sweet style cornbread with sugar and honey. There’s the dry unsweetened cornbread with fresh kernels mixed in. There’s skillet corn bread. There’s corn muffins. I could go on and on… and I did, in my head, all day. It had to be just right. So I came up with Brown Butter Cornbread Muffins with Fresh Blueberries and Apricots.
Allow me a moment of self congratulation because frankly, I nailed it!
And now I’ll share.
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June 10, 2008 
I haven’t been baking much this week because I’m getting ready for a party I’m throwing this weekend. Yes! Joy the Baker is throwing a summer party! I’m beside myself with excitement! And it’s not just any party- I feel like I’m in full Martha Stewart mode. To kick off summer, I’m throwing a margarita and cupcake party. It’s the only civilized thing to do.
To tell you the truth, I’ve been a nearly consumed with the decorations for this weekend’s gathering. Crazy.. I know. But I’ve spent several hours for the past few nights with glue stick in hand making handmade drink umbrellas and colorful paper flowers. I made drink umbrellas! What kind of madness is that!?
When this craft kick slows to a halt, I’ll get cooking. Get ready for beef empanadas, chunky guacamole and red velvet buttermilk cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Like the ones up top but with rich, dark chocolate frosting. They’re on the to-do list, right after I finish these paper flowers. I’ll be back in the kitchen cooking for you soon. But don’t let me keep you from playing in the kitchen- how about you randomly make some delicious oatmeal sandwich cookies! They’re winners.
I remember first making these flowers for Cinco de Mayo in grade school. There was something about how fun and colorful they were, I just never forgot how to make them. I’m revisiting the old tissue paper into flower trick as an economical but ultra hip way to decorate my margarita party. And keep in mind- in my world, where there are margaritas, there is at least one stuffed pinata. I’ll leave you with that pretty thought.
June 6, 2008 
Here are five important (read: random) things you should know about me.
1. I have a very strong, well documented affection for pancakes.
2. I’ve lived in all four corners of the United States, as proven by the following list:
Burlington, Vermont
Miami, Florida
Seattle, Washington
Los Angeles, California
3. I’m sometimes (read: often) really awful about returning phone calls. It’s nothing personal. I’m just not very good on the phone. I’ll admit it- I’m kinda awkward on the phone. I’m especially bad at goodbyes. I always either say bye too soon or too late. It’s laughable really, and awkward.
4. I like to eat everything with a spoon, except spaghetti. That’s just a losing battle. Spoons help me get larger amounts of food in my mouth faster. Brilliant.
5. I love old stoves. Luckily I made friends with the owner of a bad-ass O’Keefe and Merritt stove. In the middle of this beauty is the hottest griddle known to man! I had the distinct honor of breaking in this fine griddle with these Triple Berry Pancakes. Now that’s livin’!
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May 29, 2008 
This cake has Joy the Baker written all over it. Why? It’s simple. It’s chocolate all over. It has natural elements that lend a hint of color, and quirky chocolate flowers that add a touch of light-hearted fun. And the cake isn’t perfect- it has stroke marks and rough sides. Wedding cakes these days are flawless. Obviously that’s not my style. I think this cake, even with all of it’s imperfections, is absolutely perfect. I spent about two days putting this cake together, and by the time I was done, I was absolutely smitten with it. Big time cake crush.
This cake (on day two I named him Sir Chocolate Monster) was requested for a ten year wedding anniversary and vow renewal. Ten years! Something about that struck me…
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May 27, 2008 
I have nicknamed this bread Crazy Face Mango Bread. Why? Because every time I tell someone what this treat is- Fresh Mango Bread, they make a crazy face. I don’t even mention that it’s made with whole wheat flour and also has grated apples (and golden raisins… shhhh!). That might just send them over the top!
I bet you’re making a crazy face right now. I’m sure you are… But this bread is great! Turn that crazy face into action and whip up a loaf for yourself! With the flavors of ginger and cinnamon, and the surprise pieces of fresh mango, this bread is perfect with tea for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
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