DISHING with Erin McKenna of The Bakery Formerly Known as BabyCakes
If you are gluten free, vegan, or just a healthy person with a sweet tooth, it’s likely that Erin McKenna is your savior. Her groundbreaking gluten free bakery BabyCakes (now called Erin McKenna’s Bakery) and three cookbooks (Bread and Butter, BabyCakes Covers the Classics, and BabyCakes: Vegan, (Mostly) Gluten-Free, and (Mostly) Sugar-Free Recipes from New York’s Most Talked-About Bakery) have totally changed what it means to eat a cupcake (and made it a possibility for many people who’d otherwise have to live cupcake and donut free for life (like Lizzie!)).
Now, Erin’s got something else up her sleeve: a partnership with Aloha, the superfood supplement brand. Obviously, if there’s anyone who could make healthy taste yummy, it’s Erin McKenna, and with her new superfood baking kits (Superfood Banana Donuts and Superfood Brownie Bites), as the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. Well, or, in the donuts. We caught up with Erin to dish with her about her favorite foods, what she likes to buy, and who she’d like to party with.
You’re super busy: a mom of two, you have multiple bakeries, and cookbooks and new products being released all the time. How do you unwind?
Once my kids are in bed at 7, I force myself to sit and meditate for 20 minutes (I’ve been meditating for 12 years but I still force myself to do it!). This completely shuts down my stress, negative talk, and opens a portal for inspiration for me. After that I usually catch up on Netflix!
Do you have a favorite cocktail to serve at home?
Spiked Kombucha! Add a jigger of really good vodka into a rocks glass with kombucha and a little extra club soda with a squeeze of lemon.
Do you have a favorite appetizer/ hors d’oeuvres?
I have a recipe from my Bread and Butter cookbook called Oat Crackies. They’re my gluten free, vegan version of wheat thins — total addictive and perfect for dips. I serve it with the Kale Artichoke dip (also from Bread and Butter cookbook).
What are three things that are always in your fridge?
Whole Foods Unsweetened Almond Milk, Vegenaise, Dark Chocolate (it’s better cold).
What’s the hostess gift you’ve ever given or received?
Washing the dirty, grease-caked pans. Best thing you can do for a hostess or be treated to.
Any go-to shops for specialty food times, tableware, or cookware that you love?
Fishs Eddy – they have the best selection.
There are certain things we can’t stop buying. For Katie, it’s cake stands, for Lizzie, it’s pickles and salts. Is there any item you can’t stop purchasing – that you’re sort of collecting?
Tights and lip gloss. I had to purge a ton of each a few months ago and since then I’ve put myself on probation. I’m not allowed near either until I fully enjoy what I have.
All of your endeavors are unprecedented and innovative. Did you have any influences in the food world or elsewhere, who inspired you along the way?
I make a point not to look at what others have done/are doing in my field because I think it blocks/alters the pure creative energy that’s unique to each of us.
If you could party with one person, living or dead, who would it be?
Steve Coogan as his character Alan Partridge.
Check out all of Erin’s treats from her collab with Aloha here!
Also, here’s a little treat from #FAT and Aloha: Click Here for Free Shipping on Your Next Order
