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Everything you need to bake with more confidence, joy, and precision.

Pound Cake SOS: Ten Common Problems (and How to...

At Begin with Butter, we know that pound cake is the grand dame of...

Buttermilk Vanilla Bean Loaf Cake

About This Cake This is the kind of bake that turns heads even before it...

Macerated Peaches

Rules for My Daddy's Favorite Fruit This simple technique is rooted in reverence—for ripe fruit,...

Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract

I'm aware that it's July, BB. But it's time for us to start getting...

Strawberry Shortcake in a Charlotte Pan

That whipped cream isn’t just a topping-it’s the luxurious bridge back to the full...

Hi! I'm Shani!

Welcome to Begin with Butter! This is my slightly nerdy, beautifully nostalgic corner of the internet, where baking isn’t just about recipes…it’s about finding the rhythm in your hands, learning the skills to improve your baking confidence, finding connection through community and story, and perfecting the techniques that deepen your baking mastery.

At Begin with Butter, we break down the science of baking for the home kitchen, with thoughtful, professional techniques that are designed to make sense, combined with traditions we grew up with. Then we season it all with storytelling, because here, it's about more than technique. It’s about connecting your grandmother’s kitchen to your grandchild’s kitchen, one well-made cake at a time. Welcome!

Kitchen Orientation: This Way to the Good Stuff

Ingredient Science

Flour, sugar, leaveners, and flavor—understood, not just used.

Helpful Techniques

The hows and whys of great baking, that will help you achieve great bakes

Pound Cakes

Rich, reliable, and ready for company—these are the cakes that built this house.

Bake With Me

Join the email circle for weekly tips, recipes, and kitchen stories.
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When You Need a Lil' Something Sweet

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Friends! It's time for Juneteenth and I...just love this holiday. I was...

Buttermilk Vanilla Bean Loaf Cake

About This Cake This is the kind of bake that turns heads even before it...

My Favorite Baguette

They say that good things come to those who wait. And they are...

Readers Currently Crave...

Sunday Session #5: My Fave All-In-One Vanilla Cupcakes!

Sometimes you just want a good, quick vanilla cupcake. Welcome to this week's installment of...

Grilled Peaches with Fresh Whipped Cream

Friends, I'm excited today to announce the start of a new initiative at Begin...

Technique Tips for the Best Pound Cakes (& Big...

Friends, it's time. The holidays are peeking around the corner, and it's time for us...

42 Must-Make Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Hi Friends! Love is in the air and romance is on the horizon...

Apple Hand Pies (with Coconut Oil Crust!)

There are few things in life more delicious than apple pie. The filling...

Easy Cherry Pie (From Scratch!)

I don't really have any cutesy stories about cherry pie, but I will share...

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The Statement Collection

Tiramisu Pound Cake

Welcome to Day 6 of the Twelve Days of Pound Cake! I am...

Lemon Cranberry Cake with White Chocolate Ganache

Inspiration really is annoying sometimes. There are nights when it wakes me from a...

Limoncello Layer Cake

Family. I am ready for SPRING! We had some spring-like temperatures here recently, so...

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