Sally McKenney was the very first chef and blogger I followed, and honestly, it’s impossible to talk about my culinary inspirations without giving her the spotlight she deserves. She started Sally’s Baking Addiction (now known as Sally’s Baking Recipes) in 2011, and her journey from a casual baker to a full-time blogger is nothing short of inspiring. Like many great chefs, Sally’s love for baking began in the kitchen with her mom and grandma, but she’s taken that family tradition and turned it into a source of joy for millions of bakers around the world. Within just a year and a half of starting her blog, Sally transformed it into a thriving full-time business, proving her recipes were as irresistible as her passion for sharing them.
My personal connection with Sally’s work dates back to 2013. I was tasked with baking cupcakes for my grandson’s third birthday—a big moment, but I was completely out of my depth. That’s when I stumbled upon her Simply Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes recipe. Like any nervous baker, I did some test runs, and to my dismay, they tasted awful. Thankfully, Sally was incredibly responsive when I reached out, patiently guiding me through what might have gone wrong. Her advice? I was likely over-beating the batter. Armed with her tips, I gave it another shot, and this time, the cupcakes were perfect. At the party, other parents were convinced I’d bought them from a high-end bakery. That moment marked a turning point for me—baking went from being a haphazard activity to something methodical, fun, and immensely rewarding. And it’s all thanks to Sally.
Over the years, I’ve become an unofficial ambassador for her cookbooks, gifting copies of “Sally’s Baking Addiction: Irresistible Cookies, Cupcakes, and Desserts for Your Sweet Tooth Fix,” “Sally’s Candy Addiction: Tasty Truffles, Fudges & Treats for Your Sweet Tooth Fix,” and “Sally’s Cookie Addiction: Irresistible Cookies, Cookie Bars, Shortbread, and More” to friends and family. Each book is a treasure trove of classic, reliable recipes that stand the test of time.
Some of Sally’s recipes have become staples in my home. Her banana cake—aptly named “The Best Banana Cake I’ve Ever Had”—lives up to its name in every possible way. (If you haven’t tried it yet, do yourself a favor.) When visiting my brother and sister-in-law, I can always count on being greeted with her Baked Oatmeal recipe, a dish they’ve lovingly made over and over again from one of Sally’s cookbooks I gave them. These recipes aren’t just meals; they’re memories, connecting us across kitchens and generations.
Sally’s approachable style, meticulous instructions, and infectious enthusiasm have made her an irreplaceable figure in my baking journey. She’s taught me that baking isn’t just about following a recipe; it’s about learning, experimenting, and creating something that brings joy to others.
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