Learn. Bake. Repeat.

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

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When You Need a Lil' Something Sweet

Strawberry Shortcake in a Charlotte Pan

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

Grilled Peaches with Fresh Whipped Cream

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

Limoncello Loaf Cake

The zing of limoncello, the strength of a deeply caramelized crust, the delicate brush...

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Half and Half Cake

Y’all…this Half and Half Cake is the best kind of line jumper. And I...

Red Velvet Marble Cake

One of the reasons why this Red Velvet Marble Cake recipe took so long...

Ruby Red Velvet Pound Cake

Friends, Ms. Ruby is back. And when I say that she is better...

Classic Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Friends, pound cakes are deeply, deeply nostalgic for many of us. They evoke so...

My Classic Sandwich Bread

Friends, this summer has been an absolute dream. I've spent so much time...

Gingerbread Pound Cake

Alexa, play "This is Christmas" by Luther Vandross. I don't know about Y'all, but there's...

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The Statement Collection

Red Velvet Cupcakes

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

Snickerdoodle Pound Cake

Hello Friend! I'm fond of every pound cake I've ever made, but I'm...

Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

My mother, Ms. Gloria, was known for making some *ahem* showy desserts. She was...

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