Baking For Business Podcast – Episode #97: Celebrating Molly Yeh's New Book, Sweet Farm

Host: Chef Amanda Schonberg
Guest: Molly Yeh, New York Times Bestselling Author, Blogger, and Food Network Personality
Release Date: June 11, 2025

1. Introduction

In this special episode of the Baking For Business Podcast, Chef Amanda Schonberg welcomes renowned food personality Molly Yeh to discuss her latest cookbook, Sweet Farm. The conversation delves into Molly’s culinary journey, the inspiration behind her new book, and her insights on entrepreneurship within the food industry.

2. Molly Yeh’s Culinary Journey

Background and Early Influences
Molly Yeh shares her roots, growing up near Chicago in a family passionate about food. Her mother’s love for cooking and baking instilled in Molly the joy of creating delicious treats from scratch. "Every weekend I would wake up on Sunday mornings to a fresh coffee cake... I thought it was normal to grow up with fresh baked goods every Sunday morning" (04:16).

Transition to New York and Blogging
Molly's initial passion was music, studying percussion at Juilliard. However, her move to New York City sparked a deep love for the vibrant food scene. "I found that what was giving me more creative satisfaction was working in food and blogging about food" (07:35). This led to the creation of her blog, initially a life diary that gradually transformed into a beloved culinary platform.

Return to Northern Minnesota and Expansion
After moving back to northern Minnesota to live on her husband’s family farm, Molly fully embraced her culinary career. "I worked at the one-town bakery that we had. I grew my blog... and that led to my first cookbook in 2016" (08:25). Her subsequent successes include a partnership with Food Network and the creation of the show Girl Meets Farm.

3. Sweet Farm: Inspiration and Highlights

Genesis of Sweet Farm
Molly elaborates on the inspiration behind her fourth book, Sweet Farm, emphasizing her identity as a baker. "I felt strongly about a sweets book not being my first book because I wanted to have experience writing a cookbook before I wrote this book" (12:29).

Unique Focus on Sweets
Unlike her previous works that mixed savory and sweet recipes, Sweet Farm is solely dedicated to desserts, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of baking. "It's mostly baking... but there are a few no-bake and drink chapters" (14:47).

Cultural and Personal Influences
The book reflects Molly's multicultural heritage and personal experiences. "Most of these recipes are inspired by the past and by my heritage and by the history of the farm" (16:00). One standout recipe, Ube Fluff, combines Asian flavors with traditional Midwestern desserts, symbolizing her unique culinary fusion.

4. Developing Unique Recipes

Innovative Creations
Molly discusses the creative process behind some of her standout recipes:

• Rosemary Potato Loaf Cake:
  An unconventional combination of mashed russet potatoes and rosemary creates a tender, aromatic loaf cake. "It was fun because a generation ago, how would you have gotten UBE extract or ube halaya on the farm? You couldn't just order those things from Amazon like I did" (17:22).

• Black Sesame Babka:
  Merging Asian and Jewish culinary traditions, this babka incorporates black sesame, citrus zest, and coconut oil for a rich, flavorful experience. "It's well worth it... it's a project, but it's well worth it" (21:46).

• Sprinkle Cake Revision:
  Molly shares her commitment to perfection by refining her Sprinkle Cake recipe multiple times, ensuring it surpasses previous iterations. "I had to lose sleep over it because this is what I do... I just obsess over cake" (23:14).

Surprising Recipe Developments
Some recipes pushed Molly's creative boundaries, such as incorporating white potatoes into a classic loaf cake, which resulted in a unique texture and flavor profile.

5. Entrepreneurship Insights

Balancing Life and Business
Molly emphasizes the importance of time management in balancing entrepreneurial endeavors with personal life. "I love to schedule... It gives me peace of mind when I am trying to strike that balance" (27:14).

Lessons from Farm Life
Living on a farm imparted invaluable lessons about hard work, adaptability, and resilience. "Farmers are some of the hardest working people... They have to wear many hats" (27:48). Molly draws parallels between farming and running a business, highlighting the necessity of dedication and the ability to navigate unexpected challenges.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Molly encourages budding entrepreneurs to embrace their unique stories and flavors. "I want to see your normal life... I want to know about your heritage, your story... create something new" (30:08). She advises against replicating popular recipes and instead fosters creativity and personal expression in culinary ventures.

6. Lightning Round: Personal Insights

To add a personal touch, Amanda and Molly engage in a fun lightning round, revealing snippets about Molly’s preferences:

• Favorite Color: Green (34:13)
• Kitchen Utensil: Silicone Spatula (34:16)
• Dessert Can't Live Without: Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies (34:27)
• Celebrity Crush: Initially hesitant, Molly settles on the Red Power Ranger and later mentions Heath Ledger (35:09).

7. Conclusion

Amanda wraps up the episode by praising Molly’s contributions to the culinary world and encouraging listeners to explore Sweet Farm. "This book is filled with 100 recipes from cookies, cakes, salads, and other delights from Molly's kitchen" (36:01). The episode not only celebrates Molly’s latest work but also provides invaluable insights for entrepreneurs in the baking industry.

Key Quotes:

• “Every weekend I would wake up on Sunday mornings to a fresh coffee cake... I thought it was normal to grow up with fresh baked goods every Sunday morning.” — Molly Yeh (04:16)

• “I felt strongly about a sweets book not being my first book because I wanted to have experience writing a cookbook before I wrote this book.” — Molly Yeh (12:29)

• “I love to schedule... It gives me peace of mind when I am trying to strike that balance.” — Molly Yeh (27:14)

• “I want to see your normal life... I want to know about your heritage, your story... create something new.” — Molly Yeh (30:08)

Molly Yeh’s Sweet Farm offers a delightful blend of innovative recipes and heartfelt storytelling, making it a must-read for baking enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike. Tune into the Baking For Business Podcast for more inspiring conversations and actionable insights to grow your home bakery business.