Behind the Bake
Updated: Sep 9
Baking is where it starts, not where it ends.
This Month: Back in the Kitchen
There’s something about this time of year that brings us back to the kitchen. Maybe it’s the return to familiar routines, the first cooler nights, or the hint of fall in the
air. Or maybe it’s simply that pumpkin spice has officially reappeared everywhere, which
apparently means fall has begun.
We’re embracing it. A new pumpkin recipe has already been tested in the Give a Cake
Bakery kitchen, so we’re making it official: fall baking season is here!
And we’re ready to get back to what we love most: baking, giving, and bringing people
together.
We’ll be adding some seasonal recipes to the mix, including apple, pumpkin, quick
breads, cookies, and other recipes perfect for back-to-school season.
First up are Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies - a delicious way to kick off
the season!
From Kitchen to Our Growing Community
What started in one kitchen in Newton, Massachusetts, is finding its way into kitchens and communities across the country.
Today, Give a Cake Bakery volunteers are baking and giving in seven states: Massachusetts, New York, Maine, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida, and Texas.
With every new baker comes the opportunity to reach another community, build new partnerships, and bring homemade baked goods to more people in need.
Know someone who loves to bake and give back? Invite them to join the Give a Cake Bakery community! Visit https://www.giveacakebakery.org/community-baking to learn more
A Love of Baking, Passed Down
For volunteer baker Nika Fernandez, a love of baking began in her grandmother’s kitchen.
Some of her favorite childhood memories are of the two of them experimenting with recipes they found in magazines and newspapers. During the pandemic, Nika spent even more time baking and building her skills.
Then, in the summer of 2025, her grandmother came across Give a Cake Bakery and shared it with her. Nika has been baking and giving with us ever since.
Today, the rising high school senior from Sharon, Massachusetts, continues to bake for her family (most recently, cheesecake brownies!), works at a nearby bakery, and puts her skills to work for others through Give a Cake Bakery.
“I love volunteering for Give A Cake! Whether I'm baking seasonal goodies for my local food pantry, brownies for a shelter, or a custom cookie order for Hospitality Homes, it always feels good to bring a little sweetness and joy to people's lives.”
— Nika Fernandez, Volunteer Baker
Bake Better Together: Muffin Edition
Fall means quick breads, muffins, and plenty of cozy baking! We’re sharing a few tips from Bake from Scratch magazine to help make your next batch even better.
Start hot. Bake your muffins at 400°F for the first five minutes to help them rise quickly and develop beautifully rounded tops.
Give them room. Fill every other muffin cup to give your muffins more room to rise, with rounded tops and crisp edges.
Take a break. Resting the batter for about an hour allows the flour to absorb the liquid, creating a thicker batter that holds its shape as it bakes.
The Give A Cake Cup is Almost Here!
On Monday, October 5, we’re heading to Easton Country Club in South Easton, Massachusetts, for the inaugural Give a Cake Cup fundraiser.
Join us for a day of golf, contests, prizes, and community while helping raise funds to grow our volunteer baker network and bring even more homemade baked goods to people in need.
From Julia
Each month, Give A Cake Bakery founder Julia shares a personal look at what's happening behind the scenes, from the growth of the organization and its impact, the people, partnerships, and moments that make this community so special.
Read Julia’s latest update here.
Stay connected! Follow Give a Cake Bakery on social media for more stories, recipes, and a look at what’s baking in our growing community.
