Jenn Davis - The Southern Baking Cookbook: 60 Comforting Recipes Full of Down-South Flavor

The

Founder of the blog Two Cups Flour

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D EDICATION

To anyone who eats cold pie from the pan, while standing in the open refrigerator door.

My love for baking evolved organically. I have gone from mixing cookie dough while standing on a small stool as a child, to testing cake recipes with friends in college, to writing a baking blog. The path that led me here saw me hopping along the stepping-stones of drawing, animal medicine, and horse training before I finally landed on food photography. I may have arrived at my current station via a different route than many, but a passion for the culinary world was always there.

My fondest memories always involve food in some fashion. Theres something about a smell or taste that can instantly trigger a feeling. Maybe its the scent of warm bread filling the house that makes you feel all cozy. Or the first bite into a ripe yellow peach that lets you know summer is finally here. Then there are the delights accompanying cold-weather holidays: pecan pie, hot chocolate, buttermilk pancakes smothered in maple syrup on a lazy weekend morning. Every recipe has its own story, and I bet you have a few that make you think of a place, person, or occasion with a smilesame as me.

I grew up in a family that loves good cuisine. Whether were growing it ourselves, sharing a family recipe, styling a table, or creating a special dessert, its always done with thoughtful consideration.

Growing up in the SouthNorth Carolina to be exactI was taught early on that anything made from scratch is always the best. My father taught me how to grow vegetables, when to harvest seasonal fruit, and how to connect with farmers. From local dairy milk, to grape orchards, and back to homegrown tomatoes, I received my education at the source of the product, not the checkout line. The information passed down to me was priceless, as it came not just from my father but a horticulturist.

When I eat blueberries, I think of walking in my rubber boots along a path lined with meandering vines on a cold, foggy morning, filling my basket and sneaking the occasional handful of berries into my mouth. I never pour a glass of milk without thinking of milking Holsteins. Theres not a tomato picked that doesnt make me think of white-bread tomato sandwiches. From picking apples in the Appalachian Mountains to gathering muscadines near the coast, my life has always been surrounded by the bounty of nature.

Today, the best part is using all these wonderful ingredients in a recipe and sharing it with others. This is where the magic happens! My mother, an avid home baker and artist, instilled in me her love of preparing and presenting food. No store-bought birthday cakes or frozen pies made their way into her kitchen.

Elaborately decorated desserts, perfectly wrapped bundles of fudge, precisely frosted cookies, and fluffy breads have always been her version of the perfect gift. Whether it was a simple request, party, or holiday, each baked good was displayed on a proper dish with purposeful toppings. This is how I first came to appreciate that food is more than mere sustenanceit is art, passion, therapy, and, above all, love.

I didnt know it then, but as a child I was already under a huge foodie influence. All I knew at the time was that I had a serious sweet tooth, and playing with food in the kitchen was a delicious way to soothe it.

As you may already know, Im a full-flavor, sugar, real-butter, buttermilk, fresh-fruit, and dark-chocolate kinda girl. The recipes in this book are my interpretations and beloved versions of southern baking classics using the ingredients I grew up with. Now, lets put on our aprons, grab some measuring cups, and preheat that oven!