Do you dread making pie dough… and wish you could feel confident when baking your favorite treats like pies, cookies, and quickbreads? You’re not alone! So many of us home bakers struggle with outdated, overly complicated baking rules. If you’ve ever been frustrated by vague instructions like “add water as needed” or the impossible quest for “light and fluffy,” this conversation with noteable baker Nicole Rucker will change your entire outlook on baking.By the end of this episode, you’ll:Learn how to make a foolproof pie crust - no guesswork or high-level baking skills necessary! And yes, we’re serious…Discover how her no-creaming cookie method saves time and improves consistency, leaving you with the ability to turn out the cookies you’ve always dreamed of. Find out about 5 distinct banana bread recipes that go beyond basic—from warm, spiced streusel vibes to a protein-packed option that you just might want to take on your next hiking trip!Tune in now and start baking smarter, not harder—with tips you can use today! *EPISODE COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Alan Gastelum***Links:Get your copy of Nicole Rucker’s new cookbook, Fat + Flour: The Art of a Simple Bake, or check it out from your local library!To find out more about Nicole, follow her on Instagram @Nicole Rucker and her bakery @Fat + Flour Visit Fat + Flour in person in Los AngelesAlso, check out her first cookbook, Dappled: Baking recipes for fruit loversRecipes discussed in this week’s show:Nicole’s new chocolate chip cookie recipe with her genius method for making dough (the recipe is in the post description)The pie crust recipe, “Co-Op Tofu Brownie Cookies”, Banana bread recipes, and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip 90s cookies can all be found in Nicole’s new book: Fat + Flour: The Art of a Simple BakeSpecial shout out to the Zuni Cafe Chicken recipeBonus! Some of our favorite Nicole Rucker recipes: Nicole’s key lime pie recipe featured in the LA Times (with Nicole’s original crust recipe)A stunning July Flame Peach Pie recipe from The Kitchn Nicole’s famous drop biscuit recipe from the LA TimesRicotta biscuits and

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.