Hello friends.
Welcome to a Sunday together!
I’ve been in a flurry this week shooting the last of the images for the holiday magazine which means I’ve had more bundt cakes in this home than is normal for any non-bakery building. These are sweet little egg nog bundt cakes made with my favorite small bundt pans which means I can bake TWO impressive little cakes from one batch of batter. It’s the little things that thrill me.
Honestly, at the start of the week I wondered if where I’d find the energy to make it through. The energy is there, usually… probably because my parents played a record with a song whose lyrics chimed “Be the best of you that you can be!” when we were growing up and that message echoes in my head even today so, we at least have to try.
This week I’m also thinking about what it looks like to put energy into our friendships. Post panini that’s changing, right? I feel like I’m still getting into the swing of life and friendship outside of the house. Now maintaining friendships means showing up for the birthday dance party on Wednesday night instead of working through the night or getting to bed at a reasonable time. Show up, dance – no regrets, truly.
The offering this week is below. I hope you’re cozy and well and find something that serves you.
• Now more than ever we’re fighting over who gets to vote and how. States across the country are dropping barriers to voting, widening a stark geographic divide in ballot access. (The Washington Post)
• Please take on this week’s long read. There’s so much complicated humanity, somehow beautiful. My Father Vanished When I Was 7. The Mystery Made Me Who I Am. (New York Times)
• #FreeBritney. (Buzzfeed)
• Divorce is Down But Will It Last. Four recently divorced people talk about how Covid impacted their marriages. This satisfies the part of me that is very nosy about other peoples’ relationships. (The Cut)
• Related – a quickie podcast Getting Down and Moving On with Dr Ruth. (The Atlantic)
• This classic Joni Mitchell song calls to me every summer: California (Spotify)
• In Food Blog Land, Jon made Watermelon Daiquiris and Deb made Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches. I still want to make Adrianna’s Miso Peanut Butter Cookies.
• Kendra Scott’s summer collection is cute. (Kendra Scott)
• This week’s skin care splurge is one of my favorites yet. It’s a clay mask that’s not drying, super glowy and brightening: Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tightening Facial.(GlowRecipe)
• I’m still working on my 2021 Summer Bucket list. Have you made yours for this summer? Here’s last year’s. (Joy the Baker)
• You know I love a summer craft and I can feel myself about to go down a Marbled Clay Statement Earring rabbit hole. (A Beautiful Mess)
• I suppose we should all try these chewy Rice Krispie Mashup Cookies, right? (The Kitchn)
Question for you, friends! I’m working on redoing joythebaker.com. It’s high time for a little update around here. If you’ve been here for a long time, what’s your favorite Joy the Baker recipe? I’m going to be cleaning up the archives and want everything you love here for you and extra beautiful.
Have a wonderful Sunday, friends!
My love to you.
xo Joy
Meg
Cannot do without the Maple Blueberry Scones, and all the ways that can be adapted.
Karen B
you put me in sheer panic mode when you stated to pick a favorite recipe – I can’t. I go to you for ideas in recipes because of you willingness to try something different to a recipe.
I have been on your site before your first cookbook. I remember when you were all excited about it.
You like a each and very child you have but you really like their different qualities they have. You like each and every recipe but you like the differences that each recipe offers. HOW CAN YOU JUST CHOOSE>.
Natasha
I second the apple crisp!
Joey Gates
Now I am looking for an eggnog bundt cake recipe. It’s Sunday morning so I will make your pancake recipe for the kids instead :).
Angela
I’ve made that one chocolate bundt from the Big Sur Bakery cookbook fairly frequently. The cappuccino cookies (even the ones without the brown butter), the apple crisp, the apple pie, and the cherry pie bars I have also made multiple times. I’ve only made the avocado pound cake once, but please don’t get rid of it – I’ll need it for the next time I have a surplus of ripe-to-almost-overripe avocados! Keep the cream cheese cinnamon rolls too. Don’t get rid of your roasted vegetable winter crumble just yet – I’ve had it on my “to make” bookmark folder for too long.
….honestly, most/many of your recipes have always turned out for me. Thank you for doing what you do!
Nancy
Your yogurt pita bread! I also make the galette de rous cookies..all the time.
Virginia
Every year I make the everybody’s birthday cake for one of my kids and the brown butter chocolate chips many times a year! Thank you
Allison Gillenwater
12 frosted cupcakes -1 stick of butter allows me to say yes without hesitation when my daughter asks to make cupcakes. Also the brown sugar molasses cookies from your magazine are a favorite.
Jayme
Dark chocolate Guinness brownies. One of the only sweets my husband will eat! :)
Gina
French onion pasta is a real winner in my house. Oh, and special deviled eggs. I may need both of those this week now.
Sarah
I make the Sit and Stay Awhile Apple Crisp a lot and the Blackberry Buttermilk Pie
Bethany
I make your biscuit cinnamon rolls for those special breakfasts with a close heart friend. During the global panna cotta, when my friends and I did our own makeshift Easter sunrise gathering, I brought those cinnamon rolls to break the fast. They were strongly requested to be a part of our sunrise ritual again this year. The recipe has grown beyond me as I recommended the recipe to a friend, who made it for her family, and now it’s her dad’s go-to special breakfast meal. Biscuit cinnamon rolls are now one of my love languages.
Melanie
12 frosted cupcakes; one stick of butter (the 2009 one) is my go-to birthday celebration or actually any celebration treat. Also, still love the Mother’s Day menu of a similar vintage for creme fraiche quiche and homemade ceasar salad. Those early-year recipes remain lovely classics.
Julia
Beetroot chocolate cake with beet cream cheese frosting!
Frankie
Always love your sunday reads. On favourite recipes: I make your pumpkin cookies at least once a year, people started asking me when I’m going to bake them – and I am not known as a baker!