One thing we talk about often here at Mamas and Coffee® is remembering that we’re women outside of being Mom. Sometimes finding our way back to ourselves starts with something as simple as trying something new. Today’s guest contributor shares how baking became that something for her. ~MomJonz
Bakes & Blunders is my baking blog, which I launched eight years ago to document recipes I developed and share everything I learned with other home bakers. It has been quite the adventure.
When I became a stay-at-home mom, I had a bit of a rough transition. I had always been a Type A, overachieving person who thrived on accomplishing goals. As a stay-at-home mom, I felt a bit lost and left out of adult conversations. Yes, I loved being a mom and I loved getting to stay home with my son, but my identity shifted overnight and that was a lot to deal with.
In 2018, I decided to do something and launched Bakes & Blunders. At that point, my son was old enough that he could, at times, entertain himself and I had the opportunity to think about myself for the first time in years.
Also, I wanted to learn how to bake!
I’d always loved baking, but we’re talking boxed mixes with no decorating skills. Pinterest got me thinking about making gorgeous cakes and intricate bakes! Bakes & Blunders became a creative outlet for me that also helped fill my sense of self. I was a mom, a wife, but now I was also a baker.
Expanding Bakes & Blunders
In 2019, I had started to consider selling my baked goods when a scout for The Great American Baking Show reached out to me. I was flattered, but also convinced it was a scammer. After some due diligence, I got started with the application process. I went through several arduous rounds of casting, including a tasting in New York City.
Ultimately, I did not get onto the show, but what an experience! It energized me to try more advanced bakes and gave me the confidence to open my home bakery.
Having a home bakery pre-pandemic was so novel to me. I loved creating relationships with loyal customers and the design challenges they would present me with. But after moving states (gotta love military life), starting from scratch just sounded exhausting. Plus, I preferred baking what I wanted, when I wanted to.
Just prior to the pandemic, I decided to add a YouTube channel to my online presence. That was quite a learning curve! By adding videos to some of my recipes, I was able to share even more with other home bakers like me who wanted to improve their skills.
When I started Bakes & Blunders, I just wanted to learn how to bake from scratch and maybe make a few impressive looking desserts. Since then, I’ve made gorgeous macarons, mirror glazed entremets, and so much more! But beyond the baking, I’ve learned about running a website, professional food photography, and video editing. Bakes & Blunders indulges my love of food, but it also keeps my brain active and engaged.
From Mamas and Coffee
Love a good bake with your coffee? Check out our Best Bakes to Accompany Your Coffee for a little inspiration.
Baking for the Military Community
The majority of my baking is for my website, but all that food has got to go somewhere, and it usually doesn’t all go to me. My husband and son are inundated with bakes, and they prefer ice cream or candy when it comes to sweets. So I send as much as I can into work with my husband.
My husband’s coworkers for the past few assignments have been some of my favorite people and biggest supporters. It makes me feel good to be able to brighten up their days with homemade cookies or pretty tarts. Picture a couple of Marines discussing the elements of a proper macaron or an Airman excited to eat the silverleaf decorations on a cake. Now try not to smile. You can’t!
Baking is my favorite way to connect with and support our local military community. At various bases, I have donated dozens of cupcakes to charity events, baked dozens of cookies for students, welcomed new spouses to our squadron, and so much more.
I’m an awkward person, but giving someone a treat that I’ve made creates a connection that makes conversation so much easier. Food is powerful. Baking for someone can completely change their day, especially if it’s an unexpected little treat.
Learning with Bakes & Blunders
Back in 2018, I had this dream that I’d create a bunch of free baking courses to help others. When I started baking, finding tutorials or courses on baking wasn’t impossible, but I did not want to pay for them. I just needed a little help.
I lost sight of my goal for a bit. (There are just too many things I wanted to bake.) But recently, I put together three self paced, completely free courses. Buttercream for Beginners, Cake Baking for Beginners, and Cake Decorating for Beginners. Because I care more about sharing my knowledge than getting email addresses, I created these without any subscription required. Access them anytime without signing up for a thing!
Colleen Gershey is the creator of Bakes & Blunders, where she shares recipes, baking tips, and tutorials for home bakers. You can learn more about her and all of her FABulousness at Bakes & Blunders.
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