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

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...

Whole Wheat Blueberry Oat Muffins

Hi BB! Welcome to Healthy-ish January at Begin with Butter! I’ve been looking forward...

Simple Sunday Artisan Bread

My family loves Sunday bread. Whether it's my Perfect Sunday Dinner Rolls or a...

Readers Currently Crave...

Sweet Potato Pie

Friends, the postseason is upon us. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it's...

Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

Every once in a while at Begin with Butter, there's a cake that comes...

Carrot Cake Pound Cake

Today, Friends, you're getting an intimate look at one of my absolute holiday and...

Blueberry Cardamom Sauce

Family, when I'm developing a recipe, I often close my eyes... I consider what crumb...

Technique Tips for The Best Cookies!

Hey BwB Family! Today we're talking cookies. Wait...the saying is "talking turkey", isn't it...????...

Cherry Cheesecake Pound Cake

Let’s talk about it. The vanilla cake base of this Cherry Cheesecake Pound Cake...

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The Statement Collection

Blueberry Buckle Pound Cake

Besides, he was thrust into this Girl Dad thing after having two boys, so...

Sweet Potato Pound Cake

This Fall, I wanted something to create something incredibly nummy. And, my friends,...

Simple Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Nut-Free!)

Carrot cake was always the Easter cake in my childhood home. No matter how...

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