Hi! I'm Cicely, and I am a born and bred St. Louisan. I love to try new foods and wines, and I love to share my cooking with loved ones! Baked sweets are my fave (as you'll see in ALL of my answers)! I've been expermimenting with sugar substitute in a lot of the recipes for baked goods here, and they are turning out well. I usually help my mom with the desserts during holiday cooking, so we get to bond over the mixing bowl. Near the holidays last year, my mom requested a carrot cake and my stepfather requested a pineapple upside-down cake, neither of which I had ever made before. Both turned out so good that they asked for them again this year! Lots and lots of burnt cookies...before I discovered the magic that is parchment paper.