Now that I’ve given my blog a fresh start, it feels like the perfect moment to reintroduce myself and explain why I adore baking. As a child I remember family birthday gatherings overflowing with food and beautiful, delicious cakes—most often made by one of my grandmothers. I grew up with two remarkable grandmothers, each with her own baking strengths. My paternal grandmother made the most delightful little pineapple pies and savory Surinamese rotis. My maternal grandmother was passionate about cake decorating and created countless stunning and incredibly tasty cakes.
Last year one of my grandmothers passed away at the remarkable age of 103. Her memory—and her recipes—remain vivid and cherished. My other grandmother is still going strong, baking and decorating cakes at 91. Her skill and dedication have been my greatest inspiration. Each year I got to choose the cake I wanted, and she would make it for me. Bear in mind that growing up in the Netherlands in the 1980s, elaborately decorated cakes weren’t common, at least not in the American style. Today they’re everywhere, but back then they were special. Although I grew up in the Netherlands, I have Surinamese roots and my mother grew up in Aruba. That’s where my grandmother first learned about decorative techniques. When my mother’s family moved to the Netherlands, my grandmother continued to decorate cakes, even making her own fondant from scratch.
Recipes to Remember
Baking is inseparable from memory for me. It’s often tied to special moments—a birthday, a family gathering, a celebration—so there’s usually a story behind every recipe. One reason I started this blog is to share those recipes so others can bake their own memories. Whether I’m making a long-loved family recipe or experimenting with something new, I’m always creating memories in the kitchen. My first post was even titled Memory Lane Lemon Meringue Pie, which felt fitting.
What are your memories?
I hope this blog becomes a place for more than just my own recollections. A few years ago a friend asked me to design a recipe for her child who has food allergies. She explained what ingredients were safe and what to avoid, and I set to work creating a small, delicious cupcake tailored to his needs. When I met her recently she told me she still makes those cupcakes—and hearing that made me genuinely happy. It’s rewarding to know a new recipe can become part of someone else’s memories.
Rebooting the blog is a personal challenge, but once I find my rhythm I don’t want to only share my own recipes; I’d love to bake yours too. What food memories do you carry? Or would you like help creating new ones? I’m not just here to document my baking adventures—I’m ready to be inspired and challenged by your stories and requests. Let’s bake memories together. 😀