Posts by PJ Hamel

PJ Hamel
The Author

About PJ Hamel

PJ Hamel grew up in New England, graduated from Brown University, and was a Maine journalist before joining King Arthur Flour in 1990. PJ bakes and writes from her home on Cape Cod, where she enjoys beach-walking, her husband, three dogs, and really good food!

toasted nuts on French toast

5 practical ways to toast nuts

From quick-toasted to slow-roasted, choose the process that works for you.

Oct 20, 2021
loaf of sourdough bread

Here’s how I streamline my sourdough baking

Cut to the chase — and still get great results.

Oct 15, 2021
Shortbread baked with Baking Sugar Alternative

How to sub Baking Sugar Alternative for brown sugar or confectioners' sugar

Ditch the sugar — keep the sweetness.

Sep 27, 2021
Four chocolate chip cookies

Why I always bake a few test cookies first

Trying a new recipe? Don't risk a full-batch fail.

Sep 14, 2021
z

Do you think you killed your sourdough starter?

Your starter hasn’t been fed in months and looks awful, but it’s OK — really.

Sep 2, 2021
Sourdough biscuits

1-2-3-4 Sourdough Biscuits

Here’s a recipe you won’t need to file (except in your head).

Aug 23, 2021
cake doughnuts

Can you make doughnuts in an air fryer?

The answer is yes. But do they measure up to the real thing?

Aug 12, 2021
Blueberry pie

For a better blueberry pie, ditch the oven

The secret? Quick, fresh filling made on the stovetop.

Aug 5, 2021
Sugar-free carrot cake

For me, this sugar substitute isn't as good as sugar — it's better

I enjoy these zero-added-sugar baked treats even more than the originals.

Jul 27, 2021
Packages of butter

The baking trials: butter vs. vegan butter

How well does vegan butter stack up to dairy butter in baking?

Jul 19, 2021
Shortcakes with strawberries

Imaginative ways to up your shortcake game

Time to embrace summer’s sweetest dessert.

Jul 8, 2021
Beautiful Burger Buns

Burger buns with a beautiful backstory

How an all-star recipe earned its fame.

Jun 28, 2021
Toast with raspberry jam

A tastier toasting bread, thanks to sourdough

The secret's in the (discard) starter.

Jun 9, 2021
Unbaked pie crust in pan

Prebaking pie crust

5 things you need to know.

May 24, 2021
Yellow cake with chocolate frosting

A salute to sourdough cake

The sweetest way to use discard starter

May 10, 2021
Bacon-Chessar-Chive Scones

Take a break from boring breakfasts

These sourdough scones rise above the crowd

Apr 19, 2021
Melted plastic bucket in oven.

April fools in the kitchen

Let the goof times roll

Apr 1, 2021
Rolled lefse on plate

How to make Norwegian lefse

A family recipe lives on(line)

Mar 25, 2021
Filled cookies

Hamantaschen: a sweet celebration

Purim’s classic cookie

Feb 22, 2021
Sourdough bread

Easy everyday sourdough bread

All the flavor — none of the fuss

Feb 12, 2021
Pierogi and fried onions

Pierogi: Poland's favorite comfort food

A salute to stuffed dumplings

Feb 4, 2021
Bread machine

Sourdough and your bread machine

From sourdough bagels to crusty baguettes, your machine's not just for sandwich loaves

Jan 19, 2021
Cinnamon rolls being enjoyed

Introducing our 2021 Recipe of the Year

Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls are the ultimate soft touch

Jan 4, 2021
Fruitcake bars on cutting board

You think you don't like fruitcake?

These tasty bars will change your mind

Dec 10, 2020