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.

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When You Need a Lil' Something Sweet

Sock it to Me Pound Cake

Hey Friends! Welcome to Day 7 of the Twelve Days of Pound Cake!...

Easy Pizza Sauce (With Fresh Tomatoes!)

I recently published The Anytime Pizza Dough, which is a Friday staple in my...

Simple Sunday Artisan Bread

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

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Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Friends, I've recently spent a lot of time figuring out the best tips and...

Homemade Bourbon Vanilla Extract

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

The Lemon Meringue Pound Cake

Friends. We made it. It's Day 12 of the Begin with Butter Twelve Days...

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Loaf

Happy National Pumpkin Day, Friends! It's not often that I will participate in...

Egg Nog Pound Cake

Hello, my friends! And welcome to Day 3 of the Twelve Days of...

The Best Vanilla Glaze

One of the best things about pound cake is that final glaze. No matter...

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The Statement Collection

Ruby Red Velvet Pound Cake

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

Tiramisu Pound Cake

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

Brown Butter Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Frosting

BBs, I was born in the 70s, grew up in the 80s, and came...

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