I’m excited to announce my first cookbook is coming soon! In this post I’ll share the title, publication date, where you’ll be able to buy it, the two-year journey to publication, and a sneak peek at the cover photo. Thank you for celebrating this moment with me — I can’t wait to see Everyday Muffin Party on your kitchen counter and in your hands.
I have been waiting for this day for a long time, and it feels wonderful to finally share details about the cookbook and everything that went into creating it.
Cookbook Title
The book is titled Everyday Muffin Party: Healthy, Kid-Friendly Muffins to Make and Enjoy Together.
About the cookbook
Everyday Muffin Party focuses on healthy, family-friendly muffins and on the joy of cooking together. The recipes are designed to be simple, wholesome, and approachable — perfect for everyday breakfasts, snacks, or sharing at small gatherings.
All recipes are gluten-free and naturally sweetened using fruit, maple syrup, honey, or dates rather than refined sugar. The sugar content is intentionally lower than in typical muffin recipes, making these treats a better everyday option without sacrificing flavor.
At the heart of the book are the stories in the opening chapters about connecting with kids in the kitchen. I share personal moments and practical tips about involving little hands, teaching life skills, and creating memories together while baking.
You’ll find more than 30 muffin recipes, including both sweet and savory options. The recipes rely on oat flour, almond flour, and coconut flour, avoiding complicated flour blends and gums. The book also includes a substitution guide, a section on improving baking technique, guidance for building a real-food pantry for healthier baking, and other helpful resources.
When will it be available?
The planned publication date is December 7, 2021.
Where can I buy it?
The cookbook will be available on Amazon. When it launches I’ll post an easy link so you can find your preferred format — paperback or a digital eBook (Kindle).
Self-publishing
I decided to self-publish for a few reasons. I wanted to retain full rights to the book and to manage the process at my own pace. I don’t have a huge following, and pursuing a traditional publishing deal wasn’t the right path for me at this time.
Connecting with someone who had recently self-published was invaluable. I learned a lot from that conversation and from the many smaller lessons along the way. My mindset was “I can do this,” which helped me stay flexible and persistent through the long process.
The stress of writing a cookbook
When I began, I promised myself I wouldn’t rush or burn out — I wanted to work at a sustainable pace. That approach lengthened the timeline, but it also helped me enjoy the project. I did experience stress most intensely after hiring a designer. Once real deadlines were in place, the pressure grew, especially during the final push toward publication.
Adrenaline carried me through many late nights and busy weeks, and I expect there will be a big rush when the book launches. Still, I hope to ride the excitement rather than crash from exhaustion.
Cookbook dreams
This dream started years ago, back when I began blogging at 21. For a long time I had a quiet goal of publishing a cookbook, and that intention eventually matured into this project. The idea evolved from naturally sweet treats to a focused collection of muffins — a food that’s fun, flexible, and perfect for introducing kids to baking.
The timeline of writing a cookbook
Fall 2019
In late 2019 the concept solidified. One recipe in particular — my no-sugar banana smash cake — inspired many readers who wanted healthier options for first birthdays and everyday treats. That momentum helped narrow the concept to muffins, since they’re versatile and kid-friendly.
November 2019
The theme of naturally sweetened muffins with a focus on involving children in the kitchen was established.
December 2019–January 2020
I wrote the front matter during these months — the stories, tips, and philosophy that introduce the recipes. I often woke in the night with ideas and recorded them immediately so nothing was lost. Writing regularly helped me get comfortable with the craft.
January–March 2020
Recipe testing began in earnest. My notes were scattered across paper, phones, and apps, which taught me to stay more organized next time. Recipe testing wrapped up just as the pandemic began, pausing progress briefly while family life shifted and kids were home for remote learning.
May 2020
I invited readers from my newsletter to be volunteer recipe testers. Their feedback was crucial — some recipes needed adjustments, some were perfect from the start, and a few didn’t make the final cut. I tracked testing carefully so each recipe received thoughtful, independent feedback.
After recipes were validated, I began photographing them.
Summer 2020
Summer is ideal for natural-light food photography in the Pacific Northwest, so I scheduled many shoots then. I baked batches one day and photographed them the next. Muffins hold up well and often look just as good the next day, which helped a lot.
Fall 2020
We chose to homeschool, which shifted my priorities and slowed progress on the cookbook. With multiple young children at home, I focused on family and paused other projects for a while.
February–April 2021
My energy returned early in 2021. I finished drafts, edited with help from family, and began the design process. I initially tried designing the layout myself, but ultimately decided to hire a professional to achieve the polished look I wanted.
September 2021
Hiring a designer brought structure and firm deadlines. Delivering the front matter and final recipe edits felt frantic at times, but once the main files were sent I focused on preparing a launch team and the final promotional plan. Seeing the draft layout for the first time was an exciting milestone, and I anticipated making a few final tweaks to match my vision.
October 2021
As launch day approached, the excitement grew. I imagined families opening the book, choosing a recipe by the photo, and creating simple, wholesome moments in their kitchens. That idea — of handing the book to a child and saying, “Pick a picture and let’s bake” — is what makes this project so meaningful to me.
Coming next…
When I receive a proof copy I’ll share behind-the-scenes photos and updates on Instagram and YouTube, along with some early looks at the finished product and packaging.
Sneak peek cookbook cover photo
Here is the cover photograph. I cleaned up the kitchen, set a timer, and took many photos in different outfits until this one felt right — it became the cover.
More questions about the cookbook?
If you have other questions I didn’t cover here, please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer. Thank you for sharing in my excitement — I appreciate your support more than words can say.
XO
Heather