This is what my recipe binder looks like.
It is a huge mess. I have torn out magazine articles, little scraps of paper with recipes with no title, no rhyme or reason to speak of. I was cleaning it out the other day and thought, what I would do if this binder got caught in a fire? My family recipes and all of the favorite things that I feed my family would be gone forever. I could call my mom or my sister, but they are not so good at writing these things down. I got the idea to make this a place to put all of my favorite recipes and share them with my family, friends, and the Internet. That is how bakedbree.com was born. It is pretty much a love letter to everyone that I have ever cooked for. I love to have people in my home eating what I have made for them. Chances are if you have been over for dinner, the recipes will end up here and hopefully you will make them for someone that you love.
I am a Bree. I love to cook. Even more than I love to take pictures. I have 3 children with 3 distinctive palates. One eats everything, one eats most things (at least one bite anyway) and one that eats nothing at all. No joke. We kid that she could never be on Atkins because she eats only carbs. My husband is a pilot in the Coast Guard and we move around a lot. We currently live in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Alexandria, Virginia. In August we move to Alexandria, in the meantime, the kids and I are spending the summer at the Jersey Shore. Gym, Tan, Laundry, baby.
This being a work in progress I ask that you be patient with me. I will add recipes as often as I can. I like to include a picture or two all of them so I have to make it in order to be able to do that.
Thanks for reading. Please let me know if there is something that you would like me to add or just drop me a line.
xo,
Bree
Want to see my personal blog? Here it is.
My family. William (7), Me, Clay (3), Ava (5), and Wes. Picture by the amazing Tara Whitney.
I am Bree. I love to cook. Even more than I love to take pictures.
Coastie wife here.
I found you through a friend who is a big fan of your recipes. She led me here today and I’ve already made your PB cookies (AMAAAAAAAZING btw!)! I adore cooking and baking from scratch and plan to try many of your recipes. It’s nice to “meet” other military wives who do the same, as I meet far too many who eat processed, boxed foods and are too scared to try anything else.
I’m a CA native btw, and we’re currently planning to PCS from Guam to Seattle.
Keep up the great cooking and pictures! I love it!
Hi Lauren! We are getting ready to PCs too. Kansas for a school then off to DC. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Bree. I googled Passover Brisket and found your website. I love it. I too love to cook and am interested in preserving family recipes. I helped assembles our church cookbook that included four generations of recipes from my family. We too celebrate both Christian and Jewish holidays as we are Episcopalian and my daughter is engaged to a Jewish man.
Hi Cheryl, welcome!
What an awesome tribute to buddy. He was everything you mentioned and more. Your pie recipe is always going to be a special kind of memory for my favorite brother-in-law. Great pics of clay and Buddy. Love to your whole family.
Thank you Uncle Herb!
I don’t bake, yet, but this one I am going to try because it’s so special-thanks, Bree
Bree, I was fortunate enough to sample your Swedish visiting cake. A co-worker made it and gave you all the glory. She raved about your fabulous recipes. After I went to your blog I just couldn’t help but join in. It’s funny, you mention your cook book is (was) your method of storing your baking secrets..well, for me I just go online and find it. Your site is perfect! You should see me, my mac laptop sitting next to me on the counter while searching for ingredients. The web page layout and explainatin is wonderful. I love it. Here in Kodiak Alaska I have found many news friends and I plan to share your info with them (in fact I have already started- love the network!).
Melody
Are you a Coastie by any chance? I am glad that you like the site! If you pull recipes from the Internet, you should try Evernote. it is the best!
Hi Bree! Beautiful photo of you, and also of your family. Your about page describes me a little bit too with my recipes and cookbooks all over the house! Very beautiful blog and nicely organized. I wanted to extend my thanks to you as well for helping me during that breakout session at camp blogaway. I definitely felt after that weekend that my blog was going to change directions a bit. Thanks!
thank you! It was nice meeting you and please keep in touch. If you ever need any help or just a chat…
Bree … you have a fan in Jamaica ! *smile* … love your blog … love the name bakedbree
thank you Stephanie! Say hi to Jamaica for me!
[...] For more on Hester and her website, click here. [...]
I just came accross your blog from Pioneer Woman and your Ricotta Dip for Strawberries. Can’t wait to try it. I also live in Sac, so its nice to see a local blogger too.
I shouldn’t have it enter so fast. I am love with your blog, and can’t wait to try so many recipes (Ricotta Dip, Loaded Baked Potato Dip, Pumpkin Bread Pudding and many more) and have already added it to my reader. Oh and my nephew also goes to SJE- though a little older than your kids.)
What a small world! I love SJE. It is the best school ever.
I stumbled onto this blog while looking for a strawberry muffin recipe. I have poked around a bit and will definitely be adding this to my blog list. Thanks for your efforts and for sharing your recipes!
Welcome Katherine! I am glad that you like the blog!
Thanks for the presentation at the Bee last night. I was able to glean a few tips to improve my site. And by the way, there are some great recipes here! thanks.
that is great! Thanks for coming and checking out my blog. If you ever need anything, just ask!
Bree,
The blog presentation you gave at The Bee last week energized me (at least for the moment). My eyes opened wide at the realization that a blog must be tended like a newly planted garden and then kept current/watered/weeded… the metaphor has run its course. I appreciated it.
You mentioned that keeping current with your far-flung collaborators/partners/writers on another blog is a work in progress. The online collaborative site that my co-workers and other users play with is helpful (not selling anything–just a suggestion).
Caramel brownies are in my future–thanks.
thanks CheezWhiz, thanks for coming.
thank you Bella! Welcome!
This is a beautiful blog! I can’t wait to keep reading.
Welcome Ellie! I hope that you do.
Yesterday I found this site and could get enough of it. The pictures were beautiful. I already made the Chocolate Kahlua Cake last night and brought it into work today. It is 10:00 am and it is gone
I can’t wait to do Vals Corn Pudding and of course what I was looking for boeuf bourguignon. Great blog and website.
Welcome Lisa Marie! Glad that the cake was a hit.
hi bree…i just found your website and am so excited , i am a foodie addict and spend too much time on the computer looking for inspiration, i have 5 kids and a busy home and this is my escape , my time to myself to do what i love…anyway i have bookmarked so many of your recipes and cant wait to try them, they look amazing and im glad i found you…!
(today i am making the chili, and the incredible looking cornbread)
Hi Nina! Welcome and thanks for reading. I am glad that you found me too.
Hi Bree, Just came across your website when I search for Tandoori Chicken Burgers. Love your site and like most people reading your blog, I am a foodie too. I am hooked on your site. The burgers look amazing by the way!!!
Cardamom Junkie recently posted..saffron and pistachio ice cream (without machine)
Welcome! I am glad that you found me.
Hi Bree,
Found you while I was looking at recipes on Tablespoon.com. I am probably old enough to be your mom but I enjoy the pictures of your family and appreciate the work of young mothers. I have four grown daughters myself and a grandaughter who is the light of my life! I lost my sister, Nancy, four weeks ago today to breast cancer. She was 55. Last week a package arrive in the mail for me from her husband. It was her handmade cookbook made from an old binder filled with all of her favorite recipes. It even had pages taken from my mom’s old BH&G cookbook that she used when we were little girls. The kind of cookbook that is just a mess, you know. I give her credit that she had actually organices it into categories-appetizers, main dishes, and of course, the large section being cookies and cakes. For me it would be the pie section! Well, it is alot like your cookbook that you desribe at the beginning of your blog. It was a precious gift to me. Thanks for sharing and maybe I will add some of your recipes to it. Can’t wait to try some. Thanks for sharing part of your life with all of us!
Welcome Sandy! I am so sorry about your sister, but so happy that a big part of her will be with you. Treasure her recipes.
Hi Ms. Bree! You have a wonderful family! And I simply love your kitchen! I have two kids (soon to be three), and they love it whenever I bake. Your website gives me a lot of ideas on how to keep my boys thrilled once I pick up the ingredients. Again, thank you for sharing your stories and knowledge to us, God bless always.
thank you Iery! I love cooking with my kids.
Hi Bree! It took me a while to figure it out the reason behind the food pictures on facebook. I am glad a finally click on one the slow cook apple butter and found your wonderful blog. You were made to do this. I will never forget that you welcome me with open arms in Elizabeth City. You organized a fantastic and extremelly delicious baby shower for me while I was pregnant with Vanessa. Almost 7 years have passed and I still remember vividly your warm personality, your beautifully decorated home, your amazing cooking, and your perfect smile. Congratulation on your “BakedBree.com”! You have a new devoted fun! Hug and kisses
Hello my sweet friend! You are so sweet. Miss you guys!
Hi Bree,
visited your site through the “Brown Eyed Baker” site….she has book marked your “salted Caramel Frosting” recipe
Loved your site and the love the pictures
Thank you
Thanks for letting me know. Welcome to Baked Bree!
HOLA ME ENCANTAN TUS RECETAS!!!!! AMO LA COMIDA Y ME DA GUSTO QUE HAGAS TANTAS COSAS RICAS… TE ESCRIBO POR QUE ME GUSTARÍA SACAR LAS FOTOS DE TUS COMIDAS EN UNA PROPUESTA QUE TENGO PARA ACCESORIOS DE CASA COMO MANTELES, DELANTALES, PORTA- VASOS ME ENCANTARÍA PODER UTILIZARLAS EN MIS CREACIONES YA QUE ESTOY ENTRANDO EN EL MUNDO DE LA ARTESANÍA. ESPERO TU RESPUESTA. UN PLACER CONOCERTE.
thank you, but I do not use my pictures for this purpose.
Hi Bree…
I’ve been following you for a few months and I just have to tell you that I love your blog and your recipes! Everything I have made from here has been so good! Thank you for teaching me how to make caramel! I hope you keep this blog going for a very long time, you are a great cook!
Aww.. thank you Nicki! Welcome.
hi, r you profesional photographer? super nice pictures! could u tell what camara and lens do yo use. thanks a lot. javqui
Yes, I am. http://www.bakedbree.com/photography should answer your questions.
Hi Bree,
You probably don’t remember me, I used to work for Buddy and Ann in Linwood. I was looking for lemon meringue pie and I found yours. You were talking about your grandfather Buddy passing away and I put two and two together and figured out who you are. I love your entire family and I remember you as a little girl.
I’m so glad I found you. I always speak to Ann. Please say hi to your parents for me. I’m baking Buddys pie on Sunday and I’ll let you know how it turns out. He was absolutely the best!
Of course I remember you!! What a small world. Buddy was a wonderful man and we all miss him very much. I will tell my parents that you said hello. Take care!
Hi Bree,
I just wanted to say that I love your site and all the recipes you share with us. I’ve already tried a couple of them and I’m crazy about those Peanut Butter Cookies. Wow!
Greetings from Portugal.
Thank you Silvia! You are so sweet to tell me…
As you can see by my addy, I’m in your area (at least your current area!). I love recipes and can only dream of my recipes being as organized as your messy folder. No joke!!!! Probably my favorite part about your site is the beginning picture of all of the ingredients. I’ve started many a recipe without getting out all of my ingredients first and later finding out I’m missing something. This is a good reminder!
I am glad that it helps you. Where are you in Kansas?
Hi Bree,
Coincidentally, my name is Bree also. I stumbled upon you site after watching a Pillsbury Cresent Roll commercial on how to make Baked Bree and the googled it.. Every so often when I meet someone new, I get the Bree cheese joke and thought I should at least maybe try some one day. And look where the internet took me, your site! Couldn’t have happened at a better time, I am in need of some good recipes to make for my husband and daughter. I am not much of a cook, but I try
Thanks for putting yourself out there and helping the world one recipe.
Welcome! People think that they are so clever about the baked brie joke. At least I got a good blog name out of it!
at a time
My folders are the same, I love to clip recipes from magazines, read recipe books and most of all cook!!! We very rarely eat the same entrees at dinner in my home because there are so many delicious recipes to try. Love your website, plan to visit it often. Thank you♫
We do not either. Lots of variety around here.
Just wanted to let you know I absolutely love your cooking blog! I sometimes use your recipes for various parties and I’m constantly visiting the site for new ideas. As a 25 year old, male, student currently living in Wisconsin – I’m fairly inexperienced in the kitchen. The pictures + your explanations really help make the things I try fairly easy and fun. Thank you!
Thank you Christopher! I am glad that the pictures help you.
I’m so glad I ran into this blog. I love to cook and the recipes on this site look wonderful. Can’t wait to try Wes’ recipe called “man log.” LOL. I’ll be making the stuffed mushrooms this weekend for a party we’re having. Your site is really nicely set up. Can’t wait to read more!
Welcome! Man log is so gross that it is good!
Bree, I found your blog through a tiramisu recipe pinned on Pinterest. What a FIND!!! Your pictures are incredible, your recipes are incredible. I love how you take pictures of the ingredients, and I love that there are so many pictures. The blog is just fantastic….I am grabbing a cup of tea, and settling in to read from beginning to end. LOVE IT! And BTW – I think one of your children is my son’s soul twin….mine eats bread, crackers and cheese…some pasta… definitely carbs, and cheese. It’s fun isn’t it….
Thank you so much for sharing through your blog!
welcome, I am so glad that you found me.
Hi Bree,
I’m absolutely in love with your food blog and wanted to nominate you for Versatile Blogger Award. If you decide you want to participate, I’ve got all the info on my blog at http://bit.ly/y51lkR. It’s just my way of saying you are rockin’ it!
Best,
Laura
Buckle Button Zip recently posted..Versatile Blogger Award
Found you via Ziplist. Thanks for sharing and look forward to trying many tast-looking recipes.
welcome Michelle! Glad that you found me.
[...] Bree Hester of BakedBree.com has her special recipe for Mexican Chicken, along with her photos of the preparation and assembly of the meal, on her site. Click on the image below or the link above to get her recipe and see her wonderful images. [...]
Hi Bree! I have to say, I am quickly falling in love with your recipes and look forward to trying some. I am so inspired by your beautiful photography too. I wanted to reach out and say hi as I, too, am a Coast Guard wife! There aren’t too many of us out there so I love when I find some good ones
I look forward to looking through your other blog. Thank your husband for his service!
Hi Shannon! It seems like they are not a lot of us, but I seem to be running into Coasties everywhere! I recently hired a new web designer and it turns out that she is a Coast Guard wife too! Thanks for writing!
Dear Bree,
Your website is absolutely beautiful and inspiring! Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes!
Carol Hanshew
Muncho Mom
Thank you so much Carol!
[...] the start of this blog, Connecting Four. Maddie made her famous chicken skewers (which are actually BakedBree’s famous kabobs), I mixed up a delicious bread dip which we spread on Mom’s homemade French [...]
Hi Bree…let me start by saying your web site is beautiful and I enjoy reading it!!! Cooking is a passion of mine and I recently started my own blog….I’m thoroughly enjoying sharing my food and family stories…so far it’s been a blast (it’s only been about a week), but I’m looking forward to doing this for a long time!!! Hope you’ll stop by and give my blog a look!!!
Thanks,
Patti
P.S. my recipe binder is in WAY worse shape than yours!!! I might have to work on that!!!
Patti recently posted..HAPPY "FAT TUESDAY"!!!
Welcome to the world of food blogging!
I found this recipe and made it tonight to go with a home-made, cream less tomato soup… HUGE hit!! You were SO right, I think he’ll love me forever!!! Thank you, THANK you for posting!!!!
you are welcome! Glad that he liked it.
Hi Bree,
Thanks for your website! It is beautiful! I saw your recipe for Irish Cream cake on the Betty Crocker email newsletter. I was wondering if you had a non-alcoholic version? I was thinking of substituting the Irish Cream Coffee Creamer for the Bailey’s, but I didn’t know if I would do the same amount?
Thanks,
JoLynn
I sent you an email, but I am not sure. It probably would work, but I cannot say for sure since I did not test it that way.
Hi Bree! I too found your Irish Cream cake recipe on the Betty Crocker e-mail newsletter. I’m wondering if this recipe will be okay for cupcakes? Also, I love the blog
– I am a new blogger, and yours is very inspiring!
Thank you Lori. My assumption would be yes, but I cannot say for sure because I did not test it for cupcakes. It has a lot of moisture from the sour cream, etc, so it might be too wet.
Bree,
I just recently came across your website and everything on here is droolworthy. I have found so many recipes that I want to make already, I can’t wait to try them out! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes, can’t wait to see your creations to come!
Welcome Lynsey! Come back and say hi again soon.
I ‘ve been making & sharing your recipe for Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Nuts. They are so yummy that I have to keep making them again & again, since I keep sharing them with friends & co-workers.
I make them in the oven 250 degrees for 1.5 hrs, & they come out just perfect.
Thank you for this delicious recipe!
I make them at least once a week. I started buying nuts at Costco! Thanks for the oven version!
Hi Bree! I live in Halifax and my four children were born at the IWK (I think I read that you were here for one of your chidren’s births, I may be mistaken as I can’t find it now). Came to your site today for chicken gravy with no drippings and love that post. Thanks for it and keep ‘em coming!
My Ava was born in Kentville. Small world!
[...] have a new favorite spot where we go for food inspiration, Baked Bree. Every photo, recipe and story is creative and beautiful, just like the creator behind the blog, [...]
Hi Bree
I’ve just come across your blog, and I must say.. I’VE FALLEN IN LOVE!
I’m 21 and i’m from North Wales, UK. I’m heading to California this summer to work on a summer camp, teaching kids culinary! Now i’ve been looking at your cupcakes especially, and I was wondering if you’d email me with some recipes that you think would be good for the kids at camp! The age range is 8-16 and I’d love to teach them some fantastic recipes! Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated! I really love your 4th of July cupcake, and was wondering what you did to make the white cake mix?
Louise
Any of the cupcake recipes would be good for kids. Look in the recipe section and there is a category just for cupcakes. I added food coloring to the cake mix, the instructions are in the post.