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

Grilled Peaches with Fresh Whipped Cream

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

Buttermilk Vanilla Bean Loaf Cake

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

Sour Cream Pound Cake

Every year for the Twelve Days of Pound Cake, I want to shout out...

Readers Currently Crave...

Gingersnap Pound Cake

Hi BB! Welcome to Day 11 of the Twelve Days of Pound Cake! Today’s...

Simple Sunday Artisan Bread

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

Baba au Rhum Pound Cake

Welcome to Day 4 of the Twelve Days of Pound Cake, and Friends, I'm...

Classic Peach Pie

Enjoy this peach pie homage, Friends! About this Peach Pie You need only a few ingredients...

Simple, Classic Apple Pie

Hello, BBs, and welcome to fall at Begin with Butter! When fall rolls around,...

Orange Creamsicle Pound Cake

It makes no sense how much I continue to love Orange Creamsicles at my...

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The Statement Collection

Sweet Potato Pound Cake

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

Snickerdoodle Pound Cake

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

Carrot Cake Pound Cake

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

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