Meet Joy Wilson, author of the ever-popular blog Joy the Baker. I recently had the chance to meet and chat with Joy while visiting Seattle. I’m sure you’ve heard of her. Joy the Baker was named the Best Baking and Dessert Blog of 2011 by Saveur and, oh, she just released her first cookbook! When I met Joy, she was smack dab in the middle of her nationwide book tour, celebrating the Joy the Baker Cookbook: 100 Simple and Comforting Recipes.
Because I am an English student, and found out that Joy once was too, I just had to ask her about it. I also asked her about her favorite cupcake, her favorite spice, and her favorite baking ingredient. Joy also shared what a “typical day” looks like for her, and the first recipe she ever posted.
First of all, I recently found out that you went to school for English Literature, and, well, it really made me smile. Did you bake as much while you were in college? How did you merge your world of words and food?
Joy: I did not have a chance to bake very often when I was in school for English Literature. I spend most of my time reading, studying, falling asleep in the library, and working two jobs. I have, however, always worked in the food service industry. Whether I was making coffee, seating tables, waitressing, or working in the kitchen… I’ve always been around food. When I started my blog I was working as a professional baker, then a cheese monger. The baking job really inspired me to take the time to take photographs of my treats I was creating. Naturally, I found myself combining those photos and recipes with silly stories about my life… that’s how Joy the Baker got its start!
Do you ever have that ‘AHA’ moment when you come up with a brilliant idea right before you go to sleep? You know, the one that you have to get up out of bed for just to make a note of it?
Joy: Sure! I have the occasional AHA moment. It usually involves biscuits and buttermilk. But… I sleep with my phone next to the bed, so I make notes without leaving the covers.
Let’s talk cupcakes. I want to know your all time favorite flavor.
Joy: My favorite cupcake is simple: Yellow Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with rich Chocolate Buttercream. Colored sprinkles also help tremendously.
Other than the obvious butter, sugar, flour, and love, what is your favorite ingredient to incorporate into a baked good? I have a terribly delicious obsession with coconut, what’s yours?
Joy: I’m obsessed with cocoa nibs right now. I love how they taste like a combination of coffee beans and chocolate. They’ve found their way into my cookies, and onto my morning oatmeal. I’m smitten.
You’re obviously not on a “typical day” schedule right now while you’re on your book tour. What is it like at home, though? What is a typical day in Joy the Baker’s life?
Joy: A typical day involves the following tasks: an early rise, some sort of exercise class like yoga or spinning, a trip to the grocery store, a few hours in the kitchen making and shooting food, a few hours working through email, editing photos, and blogging (ok… this actually takes several hours), and a few hours working on the production of podcasts for homefries.com. Did I mention Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest? Those take up some time in the day too. I also spend some time dreaming up new projects to get myself into. Also… I see my parents and meet up with a friend occasionally. Mostly though, I spend a lot of time talking to myself in the kitchen and on the computer.
When you started your blog, all the way back in January of 2008, what was the first recipe you posted?
Joy: I think the first recipe I posted was a lemon pound cake. It was my aunt’s recipe; total family classic.
What is your favorite spice?
Joy: I love coriander in sweet and savory applications.
What is your all time least favorite food? Baked or not, what sounds disgusting to you?
Joy: I’m REALLY not an eggplant person. It’s a texture thing. It’s totally like eating a purple sponge, right?
Pin It
cool! her blog is so great and the photos /recipes are extremely droolworthy…!