It’s been a while since we’ve touched base and had one of these Crumbs chats, hasn’t it? I’ve been posting a lot of bits of my life on my Instagram stories (psst, I’m doing a $150 Amazon gift card giveaway over there), so I feel like I’ve been keeping everyone up to date on things, but it’s about time we talked here.

We celebrated Luke’s first birthday two weeks ago, and it turns out he likes cake just as much as his mama does.
I absolutely cannot believe my baby is a year old now. I know everyone says time flies when you have kids but… wow, they weren’t kidding. He’s so much fun and so smart (it amazes me how much he understands!) and I love learning more and more about his silly personality every day. And the kid is his mother’s son… he likes to eat.

We’re teaching him to communicate with sign language and “eat” is his favorite sign. He directs me into the kitchen and is always asking to “eat” his snacks, the cookies that just came out of the oven, or the brownies on the counter… I limit his sugar (he’s never had a brownie!) but he wants everything in the kitchen!
We also celebrated my birthday yesterday. I turned 31 (!) and I celebrated by testing recipes all day (so business as usual 😂). Super low-key day.
Something For the Holidays

Just in time for the holidays I recently finished putting together a holiday ebook (you can buy it here!)!
It includes some of my must-bake recipes for the holidays. Most of these already exist on the blog (like my cheesecake, peanut butter blossoms, and sugar cookies), and this is meant to just be a catch-all collection of my favorite holiday recipes, but you’ll also be getting advanced access to several recipes that won’t be published until later this month and three exclusive recipes that I don’t have plans to publish on the blog, like this one:

I originally started creating the book with only 25 recipes planned, then added “just one more” bonus, then another, then another, so now the book actually contains 28 recipes. It’s available now and you can buy your e-copy here.
What About a Physical Cookbook?
I’ve been receiving a lot of requests for a printed, physical cookbook recently. A. lot. Many of you know writing a cookbook has always been on my radar so in 2021 I’m going to take a serious look at what actually doing that would look like.
But first, I want to hear from you. I need you to leave me a comment and let me know what you would like to see… Would it be:
- A cookbook that features many of the recipes already available on the blog with some new recipes sprinkled in as well? Many of you have told me you’d just like a physical copy of my existing recipes in book form, what do you think?
- A cookbook that features mostly new recipes with some of the classics mixed in as well?
- A cookbook that’s only new recipes.
And then what do you want to see in that cookbook:
- A mix of baking recipes (cookies, cakes, etc.)
- A cookbook that focuses on one type of recipe (ex: just cookie recipes).
Or something else!? If I’m going to make this happen, it’s going to be a lot of work so I need to know exactly what you want. I need to hear from you! Your comments will shape this hypothetical cookbook (and whether it ever exists or not), so let me know your thoughts!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

The holidays certainly look different this year than they did in the past, don’t they? I hope you’re in the holiday spirit as much as is possible for a year like this one (and if you’re still shopping for gifts, make sure to check out my gift guide!).
Stay safe and stay warm, and as always, thank you for reading!
Emily
Hi Sam,
Happy Birthday to you and Luke! Those pictures are so sweet! My vote for a cookbook is a mix of old and new recipes – and definitely a mix of baking recipes! It would just be wrong to focus on one type of recipe when youโre so good at making everything! Sugar Spun Run is my absolute go-to for all baked goods. I never bother with anything else on the internet – Iโm sure there are plenty of other good recipes out there, but I know these ones are a guarantee! I really do appreciate your website and what an awesome job you always do of explaining the steps and coming up with such a delicious finished product. Iโll definitely be first in line for your cookbook whenever/if-ever it comes out! Thank you for all of your amazing recipes and tips over the years!!
Sam
Thank you so much, Emily! I’m really glad you enjoy everything so much. ๐ I really appreciate your feedback.
Martha
Wow! time flies, happy belated birthday to you and your sweet little one. The pictures are so cute.
Ever since I found your website, this has become my go to place for any new recipe I want to try. I love the simplicity of the recipes along with the great tips and videos. Success every time, I try them with confidence, delicious results. I would love a physical book, just because there is something about paper and all the smears and stains on the pages after years of use ๐ Suggestion: a combination of your classic and popular recipes with some new ones added in.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Sam
Thank you so much, Martha! I’m so glad you have enjoyed everything. I appreciate your feedback. ๐
Brittany
Your little boy is so cute! Does he try to get involved while you’re baking? I hope to start a family in the next 5 or so years…but we’ll see how getting into grad school goes first! In the meantime, your recipes are giving me LIFE during this weird time. My friends and I go on social distance safe walks – and I often bring along goodies. I always get rave reviews! Thanks for all your hard work! Happy and Safe holidays to you!
Sam
Thank you so much, Brittany! He is still a bit young to help or anything but anytime he comes in the kitchen he always wants whatever I’m baking ๐
I hope grad school goes very well for you and am so thrilled to hear that you (and your friends!) have been enjoying the recipes! Thank you so much for commenting, Happy holidays to you too, and stay safe! ๐
Ruben
Thanks for what you do and keep up the great work! My family thanks you! I would like to see new recipes with some of the classics sprinkled in and a mix of baking.
Sam
Thank you so much, Ruben! <3
Natalia Rechtorik
Happy birthday Luke! Sam I wish you a happy birthday as well. Luke is so adorable and big. I would want a cookbook with mostly new recipes and a few classics and it should be a mix of baking recipes. Merry Christmas!
Sam
Thank you! I appreciate your input. ๐
Rebecca L Crowson
I would love a paper cook book with new and old recipes. Your recipes are fun, easy taste good and all love them. I am a paper person..but ebooks are good too. Happy Birthday to you and Luke on his 1st. Happy Holidays.
Sam
Thank you so much for your feedback Rebecca! ๐
BB
Happy Birthday to both of you!!!
Sam
Thank you! ๐
Sheela
I want to start off by saying that your son is adorable. He is so big too.
I would also love to have a cookbook form you as well I would buy it right away from amazon. I don’t know what option I would want in terms of old and new recipes. I do know I love your cakes and cookies. I have now made your chocolate cheesecake multiple times and have received multiple complements ( I just use milk chocolate instead of dark). People tell me it taste like it came from a high class bakery.
Yes please make a cookbook.
Sam
Thank you so much, Sheela! It is definitely one of my goals for next year. ๐
Shirley A. Wilson
Luke is gorgeous! Thanks for the two pictures of him in this post. (I do not use Instagram so haven’t see him before.) Of course, you are so lovely yourself that your son was bound to be a cutie.
You might find it interesting to hear that I learned to make “No Bake Cookies” in 1962 when I was a Girl Scout. They are still my favorite cookie. Love scooping out that pan to gobble up the crumbs! Get it, “Crumbs”?
Sam
๐คฃ Thank you so much, Shirley! ๐
Katie
Hi there, I would love to see your best current recipes across the baking spectrum along with new and a section on your tips for general baking success: Measuring, testing cake, etc.
Sam
Thank you for the feedback, Katie! Those are great suggestions. ๐
Bev Clontz
I use a lot of your recipes. If I am looking for a new recipe I go to Pinterest and go to your pins. Your recipes are easy to follow and taste great. I tell my daughters and friends to follow you.
I would prefer a cookbook too. If the internet goes down or Pinterest is acting up,a book works great and is much faster.
I would prefer your old and then a few new ones.
Thanks for asking and Happy Birthday to your little guy and to you!
Sam
Thank you so much for the feedback, Bev! I’m glad you have enjoyed everything so much. ๐
Judy
Can you do more pastries recipes and also you have a cute baby
Sam
Thank you Judy! I will definitely try to add more pastries to the to do list. ๐
Joanne
First of all, baby Luke is adorable! For your cookbook, I would love to see a mix of your current recipes (cakes and cookies) and some new recipes added to the book.
Sam
Thank you so much, Joanne! Cakes and cookies seem to be a big hit. ๐
Jessica
Happy 1st birthday! I just bought the ebook, and am excited to try them out. I’ve used so many of your recipes, and recommend you to so many friends, that it only makes sense to support you! (And if I get some extra recipes in the mix, I won’t complain. ๐ )
As for a physical cookbook, I would enjoy seeing some old classics along with some new ones. And I would personally like a range of different types of recipes rather than focusing on cookies/cakes/etc. No mater what, I can’t see myself NOT buying the book. Good luck!
Sam
Thank you so much, Jessica! I really appreciate your support and I’m glad you enjoy everything so much. ๐
Corrin
Oh my gosh, Luke is getting so big! The picture of him sitting next to the mixer is so adorable, and I’m glad to hear you guys are doing well! โค๏ธ
A cookbook with both new and classic recipes would be cool. I’ve loved every one of your dessert recipes, especially the cake/brownies ones. ๐
Happy belated birthday, and I hope you have a very merry Christmas, dispite all the covid stuff!
Sam
Thank you so much, Corrin! I appreciate your feedback. ๐