The Secret Lives of Baked Goods
by Jessie Oleson Moore · Published by Running Press
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Meet the Author
Hey there, can you introduce yourself?
I am the head spy at CakeSpy.com. I am a professional seeker of sweetness: when I find it, I share it on my site, in hopes of making the world a sweeter and more magical place.
Tell us a bit about the book?
Baked goods with interesting back-stories! Each entry includes a brief history (including gossip and lore!) about a baked good, then a recipe. You'll find recipes ranging from classics such as chocolate chip cookies and birthday cake to commercial sweets like Pop-tarts and Animal crackers to lesser-known treats such as Katharine Hepburn Brownies or Better than Sex Cake
What was the inspiration behind it?
I firmly believe that everything tastes better with a back-story, so I lovingly chose some of the baked goods I love best and filtered by which ones had the best stories
Which is your favourite project?
Baked Alaska! Will you make me some right now, please?
What is your craft space like?
Well, it is particularly tricky because I am an artist, writer, and baker. I try to keep crumbs as far away from my artwork as possible, since there doesn't seem to be much of a market for original watercolors featuring caramel stains or cake crumbs. I am in a rental in Santa Fe, New Mexico, right now, and have been treated to a very large kitchen. Since I am usually on the cramped east coast, it's a real treat!
Have you always been creative?
I've always had a particular hum toward the beautiful and creative fusion of art, cake, and storytelling, yes.
When did you first start crafting?
I remember baking birthday cakes and decorating christmas cookies with my mom, who is an ace baker. We never had traditional birthday cakes--we had elaborate, almost wedding cake-like, confections. All the kids in my class LOVED being invited to my birthday.
Who are your crafty heroes?
So many. To name just a very few: Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito of BAKED; Anne Heap of Pink Cake Box; Confetti Cakes; Whipped Bakeshop in Philadelphia; Dorie Greenspan; Lyndsay of Coco Cake; Kristin Ausk of Meringue Bake Shop; I recently discovered SprinkleBakes, which I love; my new favorite, Gesine Bullock-Prado; and of course, my mom.
Where do you find inspiration?
From my surroundings. I try to find magic everywhere I go. My method of doing so right now is carrying paper "horns" with me and affixing them to any pony imagery I see - thus making instant unicorns. Magic!
What's next for you?
Well, book tour is big. Here's a schedule of it. More making unicorns, much more baking, more drawing, painting, and dreaming. I have my sights set on doing a kid's baking and activity book next.
Publisher's Description
Have you ever wondered where the ideas for baking red velvet cupcakes, brownies, birthday cake, Girl Scout cookies, and other dessert recipes came from? Discover the history behind America's most popular and nostalgic desserts with popular CakeSpy blogger and self-proclaimed "dessert detective" Jessie Oleson Moore. Moore has put her sweet-sleuthing skills to work uncovering the fascinating histories and tastiest recipes for America's favorite sweets, including whoopee pies, chocolate chip cookies, Baked Alaska, and New York cheesecake. From romantic musings on how desserts got their names to sugar-fueled scandals, these classic recipes and photographs are guaranteed to offer food for thought and leave you with plenty of room for dessert.
