If you’re anything like me, you get excited about a good meal. Well, get ready to get excited! I caught up with Lettuce Craft’s very own @jillybeans, a true wonder in the kitchen and beyond!
Your bakes always look so professional! When did you first learn how to bake?
I taught my self to bake around when I met my husband. Just wanting to make him treats and food, and then spoiling others with my sweet treats. Especially birthday cakes. My nephew was just a baby when my husband and I met, and I loved making him birthday cakes. Then a few year later, I was making cakes for my niece. Making these desserts for my family is everything for me. My nephew just graduated from high school, and you can better believe I made a ton of cupcakes for the graduation party.
Do you have a favorite cookbook (or blog) you always seem to return to?
When I was younger, I was all about allrecipes. I was on that site all the time! Right now its more sour dough recipes I’m looking up, and I am on Farmhouse on Boone a lot. Otherwise I am just googling recipes that have the highest ratings and using that. Tried and true! Once I’ve found my recipe for something though, I usually don’t change it. I’ve been using the same pie crust recipe for 10 years now.
Which do you like better, baking or cooking?
I think I currently like baking more. I’m really enjoying my sour dough adventures! I want to do all the things sour dough! So far I’ve done bread, sandwich bread, banana bread, cinnamon rolls, cinnamon bread, cheese bread, blueberry bread, blueberry muffins, biscuits, pie crust, carrot cake, lemon bread, brownies, cookies, and focaccia. the cheese swirl bread is probably my favorite.
I love that you recently tried scones and paella for the first time. What are you hoping will be your next “first” in the kitchen?
I just had my next first in the kitchen! I’ve always wanted to have and make focaccia bread. It was so delicious, and actually not very hard to make! Of course, I did a sour dough recipe for it. I grilled up steak and served it with some soft cheese and a salad. It was a beautiful and delicious dinner. I definitely see more focaccia bread in my future! Next with different flavors! Oh man, I am hungry just writing about it.
What (or who) is your biggest inspiration for your baking adventures?
Definitely my Nana. She was always gardening and canning and baking. I always wanted to can like her! Now I have a basement full of canned food from my garden. She shared a lot with me and passed down a lot of her own things when she was too old to continue.
I love your flair for decoration when it comes to cupcakes and cakes. Any tips for those who are less skilled with a piping bag?
I would say definitely practice a bit first. Even on a paper plate. Piping cupcakes are actually pretty simple when you get the right tip and learn how to push out the frosting and move it around the cupcake at the same time. I watched some youtube videos on frosting cupcakes, also.
You are not just a wizard in the kitchen, but a multi-talented crafter. What is your favorite craft aside from baking/cooking?
I’m undiagnosed ADHD, so I go through phases of crafting. Sometimes I will be super into cross-stitching, other times really into sewing certain things, and now currently I’m really into painting miniatures for my husband’s D&D game.
Do you have a favorite project you’ve posted on Lettuce Craft?
I would have to say the Wizard costume for my husband for when we went the the renaissance fair in Colorado last year. I was so nervous to make it, because I’ve never sewn something so big and complicated!
My favorite food that I’ve posted are these rainbow cupcakes that I made for a friend’s birthday! They turned out so pretty, and delicious! 
What is your favorite project that someone else has posted in Food & Drink?
@Redheadedblonde Easter cakes are so gorgeous! I need to work on making beautiful frosting flowers like hers!
Now I’m hungry! Thanks for chatting with me @jillybeans! I can’t wait to see more of your kitchen adventures. 
