I’ve been baking some sweet memories since I was 3 years old, staying busy in the kitchen with my mother and competing with my sister, a terrific cook. That cherished time with my mother, who passed along the food traditions from both sides of our family, grounded me, molded me, and helped me feel closer to my far-away extended family. I’m continuing to do my best imitation of her in the kitchen with my kids — and I hope these columns and recipes will encourage readers to create their own sweet memories.

I’ve written two books on baking with herbs: Desserts From an Herb Garden and Morning Glories, both from St. Martin’s Press. A journalism graduate from the University of North Carolina, I hold a blue-ribbon diploma from Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School, now known as the Institute of Culinary Education. I write for national magazines, occasionally teach baking classes,  do freelance copyediting, and own Dessert First, a custom bakehouse.

Enjoy! And do share your sweet memories here.

Sharon Kebschull Barrett