The Ugly Duckling Bakery isn’t a reality. It’s just a dream that gets me through the workday when the funding is uncertain or the colleagues are fussy.

I’m a lifelong baker, but it wasn’t until 2020, when I was stuck at home with my elementary school kiddo, that I started baking and cooking with a purpose. The things I make are not often pretty, but they taste delicious.

I started the Ugly Duckling Bakery blog so I can share my love of food and cookbooks with you. There are some days I can spend hours in the kitchen, but there are other times that dinner needs to get on the table in 30 minutes before everyone melts down.

I know folks who have never spent time and energy learning to cook but who still occasionally want to make a tasty dinner for friends or family or bring a homemade sweet to a potluck. For those of you, I am categorizing some foolproof recipes under “Learning to Cook” and “Learning to Bake” so you can make something you are proud of while gaining confidence in the kitchen.

And a few promises to you. As a consumer of blogs myself, I promise that I will won’t ever put up those dreadful pop up ads that prevent you from getting to the recipe or whatever you are looking for. And a bigger one. I know I’m just starting out, but I promise that any money generated by this work will be donated to non-profits. Money isn’t what is motivating me here.

So, my dear reader, I hope you find something at the Ugly Duckling Bakery that makes your own life a little more delicious.