Love is a sweet Huckleberry moment...

“I wear a lot of different hats in my professional life. I am a chef in charge of savory pastry at Huckleberry, plus a restaurateur in charge of running several businesses with my husband, but when people as me what I do for a living, the answer is simple, I’m a baker.” ~Zoe Nathan 

Introduce deliciousness, inspiration and love into every morning of your life

“Everything in generosity" is the motto of Zoe Nathan, the big-hearted baker behind Santa Monica's favorite neighborhood bakery and breakfast spot, Huckleberry Bakery & Café.

Baking is supposed to be fun. And, Zoe cautions against taking yourself too seriously. She also says that no one is a “natural”…so for all you want-to-be bakers out there…don’t despair. It’s a willingness to make mistakes. Personally, I love baking because I find when you have a really good recipe and follow the proper techniques, in most cases the turnout is about 98% perfect. 

No Sweet Tooth Left Behind

Huckleberry (the cookbook) is an irresistible collection of more than 115 recipes, including how-to sequences for mastering basics such as flaky dough and lining a cake pan. Huckleberry's recipes span from sweet (rustic cakes, muffins, and scones) to savory (hot cereals, biscuits, and quiche). True to the healthful spirit of Los Angeles, these recipes feature whole-grain flours, sesame and flax seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, natural sugars, and gluten-free and vegan options-and they always lead with deliciousness.

Pic from The Huckleberry Cookbook by photographer Matt Armendariz.

Tips, secrets, and rules Huckleberry lives by

Here are a few things you need to be aware of when you are baking some of the recipes from Huckleberry. Firstly, the eggs Zoe uses are large. Secondly, the sugar is always granulated. And thirdly, when measuring ingredients, don’t pack too tightly.

A sweeter planet…won’t that be nice

For bakers and all-day brunchers, Huckleberry is the cookbook to reach for whenever the craving for big flavor strikes. And for people who love aesthetics, the polka dots on the sides of the pages are absolutely delightful.

“Some people run, meditate, or do yoga to find their peace of mind. I bake.” 

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Published by Chronicle Books, and distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books.

Blog post by @ShilpaRaikar (Creative strategist, decor enthusiast and book lover, who also writes for a book blog: sukasareads.com T: @SukasaReads)