Today’s guest is Maureen Abood. Maureen is a chef, recipe developer, and cookbook author. This fall, she released her second book, “Lebanese Baking: More Than 100 Recipes for Sweet and Savory Baked Goods.” It’s a beautiful celebration of the breads, pastries, and sweets of Lebanon. Maureen joins host Jessie Sheehan to share her childhood memories of baking bread with her grandmother and how the special occasion cakes her mother made inspired her love of baking. She and Jessie talk about how her new book grew from a single chapter in her first cookbook, “Rose Water & Orange Blossoms,” into a full collection filled with stories and soul. The duo also walk through Maureen’s recipe for Ma’amoul, the date-filled shortbread-like cookies that are a staple at Lebanese celebrations. Click here for Maureen’s Ma’amoul recipe. Thank you to Diamond Nuts & California Prunes for their support. Subscribe or pre-order The Cake Issue Jubilee NYC 2026 tickets here Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Maureen: Instagram, website, “Lebanese Baking” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Dorie Greenspan is back on the pod! Dorie is a beloved baker and bestselling cookbook author, who just released her 15th (!) cookbook. She joins host Jessie Sheehan to chat about “Dorie’s Anytime Cakes”—a collection of more than 100 irresistible “counter cakes,” the kind that sit on your counter and call you back for just one more slice. Dorie also shares what inspired her to fill this book with charming illustrations instead of traditional photography and takes Jessie behind the scenes of her creative process. The two talk about the desserts Dorie ate growing up in Brooklyn, the weekly brown paper bags of baked goods her grandmother brought over, and how her past recipes for The New York Times helped her develop the ones in her new book. And, of course, Dorie walks Jessie through her Devil’s Chocolate Cake. (Don’t miss her surprising tip involving a hair dryer!) Click here for Dorie’s Devil’s Chocolate Cake recipe. Thank you to Diamond Nuts & California Prunes for their support. Subscribe or pre-order The Cake Issue Jubilee NYC 2026 tickets here Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Dorie: Instagram, “Dorie’s Anytime Cakes” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

We’re kicking off a special miniseries today called She’s My Apple Pie, presented in partnership with Yes! Apples, where host Jessie Sheehan hangs out with some of the sweetest bakers around to talk signature bakes, fall baking, and seasonal treats. In this episode, Jessie is joined by Melissa Elsen, founder of Four & Twenty Blackbirds, the beloved Brooklyn pie shop known for its flavor-packed creations and impeccable crusts. She’s also the co-author of “The Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book.” Melissa shares stories about her South Dakota childhood, including memories of baking with her grandmother, why she wanted to open a pie shop in New York City, and tips and tricks for pie-making success at home. She also guides Jessie through her New York Orchard Apple Pie, a special seasonal pie that’s available at the bakery now through the end of October. Click here for Melissa’s New York Orchard Apple Pie recipe. Thank you to Yes! Apples for supporting our show. Click here for Four & Twenty Blackbirds x Yes! Apples NY Orchard Pie Box Jubilee NYC 2026 tickets here Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Melissa: Four & Twenty Blackbirds, website, “The Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book” More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Aran Goyoaga is back on the pod! Aran is a celebrated baker, stylist, photographer, and one of the leading experts in gluten-free baking. You probably know her from her blog, Cannelle et Vanille, her bestselling cookbooks, and her beautiful, light-filled photography. She joins host Jessie Sheehan to chat about her brand new book, “The Art of Gluten-Free Bread: Groundbreaking Recipes for Artisanal Breads and Pastries.” Aran shares about her childhood growing up in the Basque region in Spain and her grandparents’ bakery, the beloved brioche buns filled with cream that sparked her love of baking, and her introduction to breadmaking in culinary school. The duo also dive into the challenges of developing gluten-free breads versus pastries, and Aran walks Jessie through her Gluten-Free Rosemary Focaccia recipe from her new book. Click here for Aran’s Gluten-Free Rosemary Focaccia recipe. Thank you to Diamond Nuts & California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here! Jubilee NYC 2026 tickets here Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Aran: Instagram, website, “The Art of Gluten-Free Bread” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Beloved baker David Lebovitz is back on the pod! David is a pastry chef, cookbook author, and one of the OG food bloggers whose recipes and tales of Parisian life have inspired home bakers around the world. The newly revised edition of his bestselling book, “Ready for Dessert: My Best Recipes,” features more than 170 irresistible cakes, cookies, and pastries recipes, and he joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about it. David also shares about the first chocolate soufflé he ever baked (in his mom’s Pyrex measuring cup), and he weighs in on the age-old debate of lemon versus chocolate dessert people. David also walks Jessie through his playful PB&J spin on a classic Linzertorte. Click here for David’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Linzertorte recipe. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here! Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on David: Instagram, newsletter, website, "Ready For Dessert" cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Aleksandra Crapanzano—journalist, cookbook author, and screenwriter. Aleksandra grew up between New York and Paris, experiences that shaped her lifelong love of French food. She’s the author of several books, including her forthcoming, “Chocolat: Parisian Desserts and Other Delights.” Aleksandra joins host Jessie Sheehan to share memories of her Parisian childhood (and the beloved crêperie she and her dog frequented after school), her serendipitous path into food writing, and what sets French and American home baking apart (such as using sugar as a seasoning to the rare use of vanilla). Plus, the duo walk through the Chocolate Madeleines recipe from her new book. Click here for Aleksandra’s Chocolate Madeleines recipe. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here! Join the Jubilee L.A. waitlist here Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Aleksandra: Instagram, website, “Chocolat” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Beloved baker and blogger Sally McKenney of Sally’s Baking Addiction is back on the pod! Since launching her site over a decade ago, Sally has become one of the most trusted voices in home baking, with over 1,200 recipes, step-by-step tutorials, and expert tips that help bakers of all levels succeed in the kitchen. She’s also the author of four cookbooks, including her newest, “Sally’s Baking 101: Foolproof Recipes From Easy to Advanced.” Sally joins host Jessie Sheehan to share the secrets behind her Classic Cheesecake recipe from the new book and offers some of her best pro tips, from shaping the perfect chocolate chip cookie to achieving those irresistible crinkly-topped brownies. Click here for Sally’s Classic Cheesecake recipe. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here! Join the Jubilee L.A. waitlist here Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Sally: Instagram, website, “Sally’s Baking 101” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Kelly Mencin, the culinary director and co-owner of Radio Bakery, one of New York City’s buzziest places. The Cleveland native is a veteran of Bouchon Bakery, Gramercy Tavern, and Rolo’s, and she opened the Brooklyn bakery with the Rolo’s team in 2023. It quickly drew lines down the block for its savory croissants and other laminated baked goods. Kelly joins host Jessie Sheehan to discuss her journey from culinary school to fine dining to bakery success. She talks about her love for dessert, the fine line between nostalgia and innovation, and what it’s like to go viral on social media. Plus, Kelly walks us through her Cheesy Pretzel Bearclaw—a laminated dough filled with a grainy mustard béchamel and cheddar cheese that’s dipped in a lye solution to be “pretzelized” before baking. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here! Join the Jubilee L.A. waitlist here Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Kelly: Instagram, Radio Bakery More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Anne Byrn, a trusted voice in American and Southern baking. Best known for her bestselling “Cake Mix Doctor” cookbook series, Anne’s career spans from her early days working at the school newspaper to studying at La Varenne Culinary School in Paris to becoming an accomplished journalist and bestselling author. Her latest book, “Baking in the American South,” weaves together 200 recipes with the cultural history that shaped them. Anne joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about her path as a writer and baker, the time Julia Child cooked for her (hint: it was a roast chicken), and the evolution of the cake she’s been perfecting for more than three decades—coconut cake. Click here for Anne’s Coconut Cake recipe. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Get The Italy Issue here! Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Anne: Instagram, website, “Baking in the American South” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Erika Council, biscuit-maker extraordinaire and owner of Bomb Biscuit Co. in Atlanta. Erika’s fluffy, buttery biscuits have earned her fans far and wide, and she’s also the author of the cookbook “Still We Rise: A Love Letter to the Southern Biscuit with over 70 Sweet and Savory Recipes,” which is a tribute to her family’s deep roots in the South and her culinary heritage. Erika joins host Jessie Sheehan to discuss her journey from pop-up baker to brick-and-mortar success, the influence of her two grandmothers, and how bacon grease can be the mark of a true Southern cook. Erika also walks Jessie through The Bomb Buttermilk Biscuit recipe from her book. Click here for Erika’s Bomb Buttermilk Biscuit recipe. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now! Subscribe here to get The Italy Issue, out this September. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Erika: Instagram, Bomb Biscuit Co., “Still We Rise” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Shilpa Uskokovic, senior food editor at Bon Appétit and co-owner of Hani’s Bakery in New York City. Shilpa is a Chennai-born CIA grad who worked in fine dining restaurants before transitioning to the test kitchen. She and her husband, Miro, own and operate Hani’s, a bakery in the East Village with nostalgic and seasonal treats. Shilpa joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about her first bake (a Victoria sponge cake), the magic of Chennai tea stalls, Bon Appétit’s Bake Club, and why Hani’s location means so much to her. Then, the duo dive into her Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats With Brown Butter (with two secret ingredients!) and the story behind Hani’s pistachio halvah version. Click here for Shilpa’s Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats With Brown Butter recipe on Bon Appétit. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now! Subscribe here to get The Italy Issue, out this September. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Shilpa: Instagram, Hani’s Bakery, Bon Appétit recipes More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Yewande Komolafe—recipe developer, New York Times columnist, and author of “My Everyday Lagos,” a James Beard-nominated cookbook. In this episode, Yewande tells host Jessie Sheehan about her remarkable journey from growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, to building a life and establishing a career in food in the U.S. Yewande shares how her mother, who was a food scientist, inspired her love for flavor and about her transition from working in restaurants to food media. She also dishes on her love for mangos and walks Jessie through her Mango Shortcakes With Lime-Coconut Cream recipe from the Times. Click here for Yewande’s Mango Shortcakes With Lime Coconut-Cream recipe on NYT Cooking. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now! Subscribe here to get The Italy Issue, out this September. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Yewande: Instagram, NYT articles, “My Everyday Lagos” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Victoria Granof—the food stylist, creative director, and visionary behind some of the most beautiful cookbook photos and food campaigns around. Victoria joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about her career, from her classical culinary training to working on projects for Vogue, Bon Appétit, and The New York Times, and her book, “Sicily, My Sweet: Love Notes to an Island, with Recipes for Cakes, Cookies, Puddings, and Preserves.” Victoria also opens up about her deep love for Sicily and the influence her Italian heritage has on her cooking and baking. Plus, she walks us through the Crostata Capricciosa recipe from her book, including four different fillings: chocolate custard, sweetened ricotta, pastry cream, and sun-cooked peach preserves. Click here for Victoria’s Crostata Capricciosa recipe. Thank you to California Prunes for their support. Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now! Join our Summer Tastemaker Tour waitlist Subscribe here to get The Italy Issue, out in Sept. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Victoria: Instagram, Substack, website More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Lauren Tran, the owner and pastry chef behind Bánh by Lauren, the popular Vietnamese-American and French-inspired bakery in New York City’s Chinatown. Lauren’s menu is a love letter to tradition, family, and flavor with delicious treats like lychee raspberry macarons, steamed rice cakes, and pandan coconut chiffon cake. Lauren joins host Jessie Sheehan to share how she turned a pandemic pop-up into one of the city's most buzzed-about bakeries, the pie contest that helped launch her career, and how her childhood in Seattle, fine-dining training, and Vietnamese roots shape every recipe she creates. Then, the duo walk through Lauren’s recipe for her signature Pandan Honeycomb Cake (bánh bò nuớng in Vietnamese). Thank you to Nordic Ware and California Prunes for their support. Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now! Join our Summer Tastemaker Tour waitlist Get The Power Issue Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Lauren: Instagram, Bánh by Lauren website More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

We’re airing one of our favorite episodes—host Jessie Sheehan’s interview with pastry chef and pie expert Maya-Camille Broussard. Maya-Camille is the force behind Justice of the Pies bakery in Chicago and the “Justice of the Pies” baking book. She’s also part of the “squad” on “Bake Squad,” the Christina Tosi-hosted Netflix show. Maya-Camille joins Jessie to talk about all things pie—from cold countertops to using your fingers to mix ingredients. She reveals her love for canned peaches and why she adds cinnamon to a dish until the ancestors tell her to stop. The duo also walk through Maya-Camille’s Salted Caramel Peach Pie recipe from her book. Click here for Maya-Camille’s Salted Caramel Peach Pie recipe. Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now! Join our Summer Tastemaker Tour waitlist Get The Power Issue Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Maya-Camille: Instagram, Justice of the Pies, “Justice of the Pies” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today, we’re airing a Radio Cherry Bombe episode with amateur baker and Google UX expert Elisa Sunga, the founder of Cake Picnic. She was hoping 15 folks would attend the very first Cake Picnic; more than 300 folks RSVP’d. The first rule of Cake Picnic is simple: “No cake, no entry.” Today, people are DM’ing and emailing her from around the world, asking for Elisa to bring Cake Picnic to their town. She already has a 7,000-person waitlist for the gathering scheduled for New York. Elisa joins host Kerry Diamond to unpack the popularity of Cake Picnic and the unexpected momentum behind it. They explore how her background in UX design at Google informs her approach to community-building, her online persona, and the story behind the Bucket List Bake Club. Plus, she shares how Cake Picnic has become a reflection of a broader cultural hunger for joy, connection, and creative expression. Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now! Summer Tastemaker Tour in Nashville on 8/15 Get The Power Issue Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Elisa: Instagram, Cake Picnic, Salted Rye More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Lisa Donovan, the award-winning writer, pastry chef, and food columnist for The New York Times. Lisa’s culinary career has redefined what it means to be a Southern baker and her acclaimed memoir, “Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger,” is a must-read. She joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about her childhood as an “Army brat” traveling around Europe and the U.S. and how she fell in love with food from a young age. She discusses her culinary career, what Southern “church cakes” are, and why she loves long-form narrative writing. Then, the duo dive into Lisa’s strawberry layer cake—a simple, colorful dessert that carries the sweetness of nostalgia in every bite. Thank you to Nordic Ware for supporting She’s My Cherry Pie. Use code CherryBombe15 for 15% off your order. Click here for Lisa’s Strawberry Layer Cake recipe. Subscribe to our baking newsletter. Jubilee L.A. tickets are on sale now! Get our Power Issue! Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Lisa: Instagram, recipes, “Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger” memoir More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Rebecca Firkser—a Brooklyn-based recipe developer, writer, and food stylist. Rebecca’s debut cookbook, “Galette!: Sweet and Savory Recipes as Easy as Pie,” was just released and it’s an ode to the endlessly adaptable, always impressive pastry she calls the most “riffable” of all. Rebecca joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about her path through the food world, her first galette (a plum beauty), and the special role her mom played in shaping her love of baking. Then, they dive into Rebecca’s Sour Cherry & Campari Galette from “Galette!” It’s a rustic bake perfect for summer. Click here for Rebecca’s Sour Cherry & Campari Galette recipe. Subscribe to our baking newsletter. Get our Power Issue! Jubilee L.A. tickets go on sale July 1st Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Rebecca: Instagram, Substack, “Galette!” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today’s guest is Melanie Johnson, a baker, photographer, and food writer based in London. She’s also a columnist at Country Life magazine and the author of “Bundt: From Everyday Bakes to Fabulous Celebration Cakes.” Melanie joins host Jessie Sheehan to chat about her lifelong love of bundt cakes and why they’re the perfect baked good for beginner bakers. Then, the duo walk through Melanie’s Chocolate & Vanilla Marble Bundt with Milk Chocolate Glaze recipe, and she shares the secret to greasing your Bundt pan properly. Thank you to Nordic Ware for supporting She’s My Cherry Pie. Use code CherryBombe15 for 15% off your order. Click here for Melanie’s Easiest Chocolate & Vanilla Marble Bundt with Milk Chocolate Glaze recipe. Summer Tastemaker Tour in Austin on 6/27 Get The Power Issue! Subscribe to our baking newsletter. Sign up here for Jubilee L.A. updates. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Melanie: Instagram, Country Life Magazine column, “Bundt” cookbook More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook

Today, we welcome back award-winning pastry chef, cookbook author, and restaurateur Joanne Chang to the show! Joanne is the force behind the beloved Flour Bakery & Cafe, which now boasts 10 locations across the Boston/Cambridge area, and the co-owner of Myers + Chang, a celebrated Asian fusion restaurant in Boston’s South End. Joanne joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about her path from a childhood with few sweets to becoming one of America’s most respected bakers, her evolving menu at Flour—including the new Milk & Honey Pound Cake and Embrace Chai Morning Bun—and the cookie-focused cookbook she’s currently working on, which will be out next year. Get our new Power Issue, out now! Subscribe to our baking newsletter. Sign up here for Jubilee L.A. updates. Visit cherrybombe.com for subscriptions, show transcripts, and tickets to upcoming events. More on Joanne: Instagram, Flour Bakery & Cafe, Myers + Chang More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook