Baked Chicago

bake like you mean it. ™ though i’m not a professional baker, i am absolutely a passionate one. that passion has led to some extraordinary recipes, a few deliciously simple techniques, and a lifetime of baking experiences that are as satisfying as the finished products. aside from my first high school job cooking in a restaurant, i bake and cook in my home kitchen for the benefit of family (including my four pugs!) and friends. and since 2007, i’ve enjoyed sharing recipes through the baked chicago blog. what got me started on this path? it may be destiny: my mother’s maiden name is baker. and like a lot of kids, i remember helping mom in the kitchen. one of my earliest baking memories is brownies from scratch, using the cooking bible of its day – the better homes & garden cookbook with the iconic red-and-white plaid binding. i quickly learned to experiment by throwing in my own variations like chocolate and butterscotch chips, toffee, and peanut m&ms – all in the same dish. t