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About Heather Farmer

Hi, I’m Heather Farmer, the baker, recipe developer, and former Home Ec teacher behind Boston Girl Bakes. I’m also the author of three baking cookbooks, and I’ve spent years helping home bakers make dependable, from-scratch desserts and breads without the stress or guesswork.

I believe you don’t need professional training or fancy equipment to become a confident baker. You need a reliable recipe, clear instructions, and someone willing to explain why each step matters. That’s what I aim to give you with every recipe I share.

Here is my story…

Although I now live outside Boston, I grew up on a farm in upstate New York—but baking from scratch wasn’t part of my childhood. Birthdays usually meant boxed cake mix and a tub of frosting.

I discovered my love of baking after college when I signed up for a class and became fascinated by transforming simple ingredients into something worth sharing. As a self-taught baker, I’ve had plenty of failures, but they taught me the importance of understanding not just what to do, but why a recipe works.

Now, as a mom of two, baking from scratch means even more. I love making homemade versions of my kids’ favorite treats and creating something special for slow weekend mornings. Because life is busy, I focus on recipes that are approachable, dependable, and worth the effort.

About Boston Girl Bakes

Me With My #1 Taste Tester (aka my husband)

Before becoming a full-time recipe developer, I spent seven years teaching Home Ec, also known as Family and Consumer Sciences. Teaching taught me how to break an intimidating skill into clear, manageable steps—and how much confidence someone can gain when they finally understand what went wrong.

I started Boston Girl Bakes while I was still teaching as a place to share what I was learning in my own kitchen. What began as a creative outlet grew into a baking resource that has helped hundreds of thousands of home bakers make desserts and breads from scratch.

That former-teacher mindset still shapes every recipe I create. I want you to understand what your dough should look like, why an ingredient matters, and how to recognize when your bake is ready instead of relying only on a timer.

What You’ll Find on Boston Girl Bakes

  • Boston Girl Bakes is filled with approachable, from-scratch recipes for home bakers of every skill level, including:
  • Easy desserts made with familiar ingredients
  • Cookies, brownies, bars, pies, cakes, and quick breads
  • Homemade versions of favorite store-bought treats
  • No-bake and no-mixer desserts
  • Yeast breads, biscuits, scones, and cinnamon rolls
  • Step-by-step photos and baking tips
  • Tested substitutions, storage instructions, and troubleshooting help
  • Simple explanations of the baking science behind each recipe
  • Some recipes are classic and nostalgic. Others are creative twists on familiar favorites. But they all have the same purpose: to make baking from scratch feel easier and more achievable.

How I Develop My Recipes

Every recipe on Boston Girl Bakes is developed with the home baker in mind. I test and retest recipes to make sure the ingredients, measurements, timing, and instructions produce dependable results in a home kitchen.

During testing, I pay attention to the details that can make or break a recipe: ingredient temperature, mixing method, dough consistency, baking time, pan size, substitutions, and storage. When I test different methods or ingredients, I share what happened so you can benefit from the successes—and avoid the failures.

My goal isn’t to help you bake perfectly. It’s to help you bake confidently.

My Cookbooks

I’m the author of three cookbooks created to help beginner bakers build their skills and confidence:

My first two cookbooks were published under my previous name, Heather Perine. The Dessert Cookbook for Beginners was published under Heather Farmer. Whether you found me through one of my books or Boston Girl Bakes, you’ll find the same approachable teaching style and dependable recipes.

Let’s Get Baking

If baking has ever felt intimidating, you’re in the right place. I’m here to help you understand the process, learn from your mistakes, and make something homemade that you’re proud to share.

Start by exploring my latest recipes, visit Baking 101 for helpful tutorials, or browse the complete recipe index to find your next bake.

Happy baking!

Heather
Boston Girl Bakes

Let’s Stay In Touch!

If you’re interested in learning more about baking, I have a free e-mail series – 10 Secrets To Bake Like A Pro. When you sign up below, I’ll send new recipes each week straight to your inbox for free too!

 I also love to hear from readers! Feel free to contact me anytime via e-mail or connect with me Facebook.

If you made a recipe and want to share it, tag me on Instagram @bostongirlbakes and use the hashtag #bostongirlbakes. I love to see your desserts!

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