Jane Dunn’s golden rules of baking

Author of the popular blog Jane’s Patisserie, UK baker Jane Dunn has written four bestselling cookbooks, and her blog was voted the top baking blog of 2020. Her recipes have been featured in Cosmopolitan and Baking Heaven Magazine, and she judged the Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Pudding alongside Mary Berry. Her first three cookbooks enjoy high ratings from EYB Members. The Independent’s Hannah Stephenson recently interviewed Dunn following publication of her fourth book, Jane’s Patisserie Easy Favorites: Simple Sweets & Stress-free Treats.

Dunn’s achievements are even more impressive when you learn that she is only 31 years old. She started her blog shortly after graduating from Ashburton Chefs Academy as she explored her passion for baking. Her first book, 2021’s Jane’s Patisserie: Deliciously Customisable Cakes, Bakes and Treats, became the fastest selling cookbook of all time (I’m not sure if only in the UK or worldwide), selling more than 44,000 copies within three days of its release. Dunn herself seems taken aback by her success, saying that the blog “was something I just started as a hobby and I can’t quite comprehend the fact that I’m still doing this 10 years on, with four books and millions of people following my journey.”

When asked what she considers the “golden rule” of baking, Dunn says that “The best rule is to make sure you read the recipe at least twice and always make sure to weigh out your ingredients first.” That is always good advice and I should heed it more often than I do. She is also a firm believer in using the freezer to prevent waste and to leave yourself treats that can be baked up in no time, the latter by freezing individual portions of cookie dough to be quickly baked off when you have a craving.