About

Welcome to Sweet Spoon Stories! I’m Lily Turner, the baker, writer, and dessert storyteller behind every recipe and narrative you find here. My journey with baking began in my grandmother’s New Orleans kitchen, where I learned that desserts weren’t just sweet treats—they were vehicles for family history, celebration, and comfort during life’s challenging moments.

After spending eight years as a features journalist for newspapers across the South, I found myself increasingly drawn to the stories people shared about their cherished family recipes. In 2017, I took a leap of faith to combine my two passions—storytelling and baking—into this sweet corner of the internet. What began as a personal blog has evolved into a community where food and narrative intertwine to create something more nourishing than either could be alone.

My baking philosophy centers on accessibility and connection. I believe desserts should be approachable enough for everyday moments yet special enough to mark life’s milestones. Every recipe on Sweet Spoon Stories has been tested until it’s foolproof, using standard equipment and ingredients that don’t require special ordering or specialty stores.

What fuels my passion is the intersection of food and memory—how a single bite can transport us across time and space. I’m particularly drawn to heritage recipes with rich histories, seasonal desserts that mark the rhythm of the year, and adaptable treats that can be customized to tell your own family’s story.

When I’m not in the kitchen or writing at my desk in Nashville, you’ll find me exploring local bakeries for inspiration, teaching food writing workshops at community centers, or enjoying sunset porch sits with my husband Daniel and our golden retriever, Beignet.

The most meaningful part of this journey has been hearing how these recipes have become part of your own family narratives—the birthday cake that’s now a tradition, the cookies that remind you of someone special, or the pie that finally connected you to a grandparent’s memory.

I believe that in our digital age, the simple act of creating something with our hands and sharing it with others is a powerful form of connection. My hope is that the recipes and stories you find here inspire you to create your own sweet moments and the narratives that will be treasured for generations.

Thank you for being part of this story. Let’s bake something meaningful together!

With sugar and words,
Lily