Baking For Business Podcast – Ep 99: 1 On 1 With Sally's Baking Addiction
Host: Chef Amanda Schonberg
Guest: Sally McKenney, creator of Sally’s Baking Addiction
Date: August 20, 2025
Episode Overview
In this engaging episode, Chef Amanda Schonberg sits down with Sally McKenney, the renowned baker behind "Sally’s Baking Addiction," to discuss Sally’s new book Sally’s Baking 101, her journey from hobby baker to baking authority, the evolution of content creation in the baking world, recipe development stories, and advice for aspiring bakers and bloggers. Sally shares memorable kitchen moments, opens up about her creative process, and highlights the rewarding community she’s built through her work. The tone throughout is warm, encouraging, and full of both practical tips and personal anecdotes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Sally’s Origin Story and the Growth of Sally’s Baking Addiction
[01:38 – 06:08]
- Sally shares that her blog began without a concrete plan, born simply from a love of baking and sharing recipes with colleagues:
"I started with no plan whatsoever... Sometimes the best things happen in life when they're unplanned." – Sally [01:55]
- The blog started as a way to collect recipes for friends and co-workers online, which then "snowballed" in popularity as people shared it.
- Background influence: Sally grew up baking with her grandmother and mom, crediting them for her passion for scratch baking.
- She never planned to become one of the most recognized baking bloggers, reflecting,
"I still can't believe it. It is so crazy to me... I was even embarrassed to tell my boyfriend at the time... I can't tell him I have this blog." – Sally [05:23]
2. Behind the Scenes of Sally’s Baking 101
[06:08 – 14:20]
- About the book: Sally’s Baking 101 is Sally’s fourth and biggest cookbook, reflecting her growth in baking knowledge and teaching.
- What inspired this book: She wanted to showcase both new techniques and timeless skills, distilling years of learning into one volume:
"I wanted it to really tell the story of where I am today in my baking knowledge and how I've grown as a baking teacher..." – Sally [06:46]
- The book process took three years, from proposal to publication, with 101 recipes (around 70 new, 30+ fan favorites).
Notable Recipe Development Stories
[08:31 – 11:04]
- Failed sour cherry galette trials led to a "delicious sour cherry crumb pie" instead, described humorously:
"It ended up looking like a crime scene… very red and very leaky… at a certain point you just... throw in the towel." – Sally [08:31]
- An oven breakdown before a photo shoot forced Sally to bake pies at her neighbor’s house and carry them across the yard:
"...The day before, my oven broke... so we had to bake the pies at my neighbor's house and carry them through the yard to my house to photograph them." – Sally [09:36]
- Her favorite new recipe?
"There's a recipe for maple walnut pull apart bread in the book... a delicious yeasted dough... then after baking, you make a warm maple glaze icing that goes on top..." – Sally [11:04]
3. Teamwork and the Book Creation Process
[12:33 – 16:02]
- Sally emphasizes the importance of her team, especially her co-writer Beth, who helped turn kitchen notes into readable recipes.
- Expanded support now includes a team for website management and stylists for food photography.
4. Navigating Trends vs. Timeless Baking
[16:22 – 17:16]
- On recipe trends:
"What I focus on more is, you know, the classics... those are kind of my go-to, my base, and then I kind of build off those." – Sally [16:22]
- Although she enjoys watching viral food videos, Sally’s own process focuses on classic, nostalgic recipes.
5. Evolution of Content Creation in Baking
[17:34 – 20:01]
- Content creation has shifted from long-form, computer-based blog posts to fast, mobile-first discovery on social media and email.
- Sally adapts by creating more visually engaging social content and recognizes most traffic comes from these platforms now.
6. Community, Reader Connections, and Impact
[20:01 – 22:15]
- The most rewarding part for Sally is her relationship with readers:
"Making these connections online with real people, real home bakers, has been so rewarding... stories... are just the fuel that makes me want to keep doing what I'm doing." – Sally [20:39]
- She values feedback and personal stories from readers, including how recipes have brought comfort during difficult times.
7. Sally’s Advice for New Bakers and Bloggers
[22:52 – 23:55]
- Sally urges new bakers to "define your niche" and prioritize consistency, as the creator space is crowded:
"Define your niche first and foremost... stay consistent with that." – Sally [22:52]
8. Book Launch Information & Must-Try Recipes
[23:55 – 27:34]
- Sally’s Baking 101 is available at major retailers and indie bookstores; details are on Sally’s website.
- Sally is planning virtual events, book signings, and perhaps a community baking challenge to celebrate launch week.
- Her first recommended recipes:
- Birthday Brookies: Homemade brownie + birthday cake blondie bars – fun for gatherings.
- Apple Cider Spice Bread: With reduced apple cider and a glaze, described as autumn in a loaf.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Starting Without a Plan
"I started with no plan whatsoever... Sometimes the best things happen in life when they're unplanned."
— Sally [01:55]
Recipe Development Fails
"It ended up looking like a crime scene… very red and very leaky… at a certain point you just... throw in the towel."
— Sally [08:31]
"The day before, my oven broke... so we had to bake the pies at my neighbor's house and carry them through the yard to my house to photograph them..."
— Sally [09:36]
On her Community
"Making these connections online with real people, real home bakers, has been so rewarding... stories... are just the fuel that makes me want to keep doing what I'm doing."
— Sally [20:39]
Favorite Dessert
"Apple pie, hands down. No question."
— Sally [28:38]
Celebrity Crush (Lightning Round)
"I really love Kendrick Lamar."
— Sally [28:57]
Important Timestamps
- 01:38 – 06:08: Sally’s journey into blogging and accidental start
- 06:46 – 14:20: Details on the new book, process, and recipe stories
- 17:56 – 20:01: Changing content landscape, social media strategies
- 20:39 – 22:15: Reader relationships and meaningful feedback
- 23:55 – 26:43: Book release info and Sally’s top recipe picks
- 28:26 – 29:45: Lightning round: fun personal insights
Closing Thoughts
This episode offers both inspiration and actionable advice for home bakers and bloggers aiming to turn passion into business. Sally’s authenticity, warmth, and dedication to her readers shine through as she shares the ups, downs, and learnings from her 10+ years online. Her new book, Sally’s Baking 101, stands as both a comprehensive baking guide and a testament to her continued evolution as a baker and teacher.
Find Sally’s Baking 101 and more details about launch events on Sally’s Baking Addiction website.