♥️Find Your Little Friday♥️
I would like to alter the sentiment of - “good things come in small packages” to “incredibly wonderful and fierce things come in small packages.” Maybe my new spin isn’t as easy to get out but the update rings true to a dear old friend of mine, Adrien Finkel. We met behind a host desk at a restaurant in Los Angeles over ten years ago when we were both fresh out of college. Over the years, our culinary adventures have never ceased to amaze me and our similar interests led us both to discover our passion for food went beyond the palate. Adrien has a full-time job while also managing her side hustle of baking and selling mesmerizing desserts. Her business is called, Sweet AF. A letter play on her initials and…I think you get the rest?
Prepare yourself to be inspired by my dessert tasting and baking partner in crime. You’ll probably need something sweet upon finishing this read.
What is your favorite style of baking?
“Simple and homemade while being an elegant tasting cake. I don’t use ingredients like fondant for my cakes, I never went to school for that type of dessert baking and decorating. My cakes are homemade but have an elevated look.’
What is your favorite desserts that you bake?
“It’s between two. My lemon poppyseed with berries and cream. Then my matcha butter cake, this is a huge favorite with my friends.”
In case you need to see those two desserts-
What is your favorite dessert?
“I love s’mores of some sort. Anything chocolate and salt. I’ve also always loved rocky road ice cream or smoked caramel with salt. And of course there is nothing better than a molten chocolate cake or an almond croissant.”
I agree about the almond croissant. We have shared many and hunted the best one down in any city we are in together.
How do you balance your work and passion for baking?
“I am a producer and writer professionally but my baking has now become something that bleeds into almost every area of my life. When I am finished with my work day, I’ll go home and most likely bake something that I will then end up bringing with me to the office the next day. If we have a meeting, then it almost becomes a part of the conversation because we are enjoying the treat while discussing our work. My baking is truly more of a rounded out part of me, not a separate entity.”
What is something that you would recommend to someone baking for the first time?
“If it was from my repertoire, it would be my matcha butter cake. It is one pan, no chilling, just pop it in the oven. Outside of that, cookies, a simple one layer cake or brownies- the stuff you grew up on. For me it’s about getting people to challenge themselves to not reach for the boxed stuff of ingredients. You can always further your knowledge with videos online too.”
What is the best dessert in Los Angeles & New York?
“Ok, L.A. it would have to be the bittersweet chocolate budino tart with salted caramel from, Bestia. In New York, anything by Heather Miller at Barbuto. Her pistachio cake or meyer lemon curd…come on!”
What is something you have never attempted to bake but would love to attempt?
“A swiss roll. I always say I’m going to make it and then I never do. I have all of the equipment but my fear controls me!”
Dream person to bake with?
“Ina Garten.”
What does baking mean to you?
“It heals my anxiety. It’s a fruitful place I can put my anxiety. By channeling it into my food, it seems the most rewarding. It is also something that you can accomplish from start to finish in 24 hours and I just love the idea of that!
Adrien brings so much into people’s lives. I hope you enjoyed this read and any wary feelings towards baking are slightly diminished. Enjoy finding your little moments of delight. #findyourlittlefriday ♥️
