Blueberry Pie & Bake for Good

A few weeks ago, I joined ten wonderfully talented bloggers at a Bake for Good event sponsored by King Arthur Flour. The mission behind the event was to bake—bake bread, rolls, brownies, and pies—and serve it alongside a meal at the Family Service Center in St. Paul, MN. When I was invited to this event, I immediately agreed. Volunteering my time and skills to help others is something I have grown up doing, something I wish to continue doing throughout my life.

As we kneaded dough and assembled pies, I searched inside to figure out what baking for good meant to me. I bake for others often, bringing cakes and pastries to work to share with my colleagues. The plate is often empty by lunch, with just a few crumbs to prove it was once full. I like to think that it brings a smile or two to someone's face, adding a little bright spot to an otherwise normal Monday morning. Is this baking for good?

When the next door neighbors at my childhood home had a baby, I made a batch of sugar cookies and decorated them to mimic baby buggies, bottles, and onesies. After I walked the plate over, I hoped they would fuel the late nights and act as a quick treat for any visiting guests. Is this baking for good?

I bake for the people I love in my life, finding time to make my boyfriend's favorite dessert when he needs a pick-me-up. A s'mores pie gets pulled out of the oven at least twice a year for my sister, for no other reason than she adores it. When the weather gets warm, I make a banana cake, because it reminds my father of summer (and it is a nostaglic memory for me too, as my mother made me the same cake when I was young). Is this baking for good?

After we served the families our meal, scrubbed down the kitchen, and stocked the freezer with leftover loaves of bread and pies, I had a moment to breathe and to dwell on the answers to these questions. Could all of these reasons be baking for good? I would like to believe so.

Baking for good is baking for joy. It is making a blueberry pie to share with your dearest friend for an afternoon snack. Baking for good is baking for need. It is bringing a meal or dessert over to a neighbor undergoing a new experience, whether the news is bad or good. Baking for good can come in dozens of forms, as long you put forth an effort to heal or to help or bring happiness to someone else.

For the blueberry pie above, I used my favorite pie dough recipe for the crust and this blueberry filling recipe.

Front Row: Jena, Little Rusted Ladle | Natasha, King Arthur Flour | Alice, Hip Foodie Mom | Shaina, Food for My Family | Erin, The Law Student's Wife
Center Row: Julia, King Arthur Flour | Kathryne, Cookie & Kate | Chef Susan Reid, King Arthur Flour | Stefani, Cupcake Project | Taylor, Greens & Chocolate | (me)
Back Row: Amanda, I Am Baker | Brenda, A Farm Girl's Dabbles | Jim, Little Rusted Ladle

This giveaway is focused on helping you begin your own journey of baking for good. While certainly any number of breads or desserts can be shared when baking for good, I wanted to focus this giveaway on pie. Pies have long been one of the most challenging desserts for me, personally; I want to give you the tools to help you conquer your own fears.

Perfect Pie King Arthur Flour Giveaway:

• Dough Whisk (which is quickly becoming a favorite tool in my kitchen; shown above)
• French Style Rolling Pin
• Pie Filling Enhancer (to thicken the fruit juice)
• Boiled Cider (concentrated apple juice that is perfect for enhancing apple flavors)
• Sparkling White Sugar (to make your pies twinkle)

To enter this giveaway, simply comment below and make your own pledge to bake for good. What does baking for good mean to you? Who will you share your homemade breads or pastries with?

The giveaway ends on Thursday, May 8th at 9:00 CST. The giveaway is open to US residents 18 years and older only. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be contacted shortly thereafter.

Disclaimer: The post and giveaway are sponsored by King Arthur Flour. My trip lodging and meals were covered for this event. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Comments

[Steve Dennis]

I bake for my wife, for her birthday, anniversary, work potlucks, friend's visits, mom's groups, in exchange for parentless play dates, for our elderly neighbor, to give my Mum a rest, to tell them I love them, to teach my daughter fractions, because it's healthier than store bought, because it's more rewarding, more satisfying, because it means more.

I bake because I am selfish. I want pie. I think it makes me happy. If I am happy I can be a better husband, father, friend, baker.

[Sarah Ng]

I pledge to bake for good. Sharing muffins at morning meetings, or a cake to celebrate someone's birthday is such a great way to let people know you care and make someone feel special. I love showing my friends, co-workers, and family that I love them with a sweet treat from the heart.

[Erin | The Law Student's Wife]

Just wanted to say 1) Loved meeting you 2) Loved this post and 3) All of the above is absolutely baking for good! (PS. You should be named co-worker of the year!)

[Meghan]

I'm baking for my classes tomorrow. It's our last week before finals, and I'm sure everyone would love some cookies to lift our spirits through all the work that's still to be done. Just one small way to make a difference in someone's day.

[ndsongbird]

I bake to make people smile. No matter who - no matter when, all people like breads, pies,cookies, cakes. It's FUN!

[Sophie Harriet]

To me baking represents family, friendship and love. It in itself is an act of love because it requires sharing, patience and selflessness. It demonstrates that the good things in life are worth waiting for, but we must work in order to achieve them. We must have a set goal in mind, and not let unsuccessful attempts knock us down, but rather try again. Then when we finally succeed, the success is so much sweeter when we share it with someone.
Baking is ultimately a wonderful metaphor for all that is good in life - I bake in the hope that everyone can realise this.

[Mel C]

I bake for my granddaughter. She will soon be 7 and she and I have been baking since she could stand and hold a wooden spoon. I bake to teach her and I bake to teach her to share. Taking a homemade loaf of banana bread to her teacher has become so important to her.

[Darla]

I bake for neighbors and my daughters school and friends on a pretty much daily basis. I did not know what excellent therapy this was for me until February of this year. I got a call from my sister in Dallas, one late Sunday night, that I needed to go to my parents home as my father was ill. At 11:00 pm, my husband, 13 year old daughter and I were in the truck with our dog for the 15 hour trip to Louisiana. I began baking immediately. Buttermilk pies, donuts for Fausnaught Day, bread, pizza dough, cookies, lemon bars, sticky buns. You name it I baked it. My father passed on March 22 and when we returned home on March 31, I was a wreck (well I still am). I was paralyzed with pain and emptiness. I could do nothing, I cried and cried and cried until I thought my eyes would never dry out. Then one night I had a dream and my father said to me, "don't blame me for not getting anything done." I knew what that meant, the next morning I was up the next morning making sticky buns for my daughters volleyball team. That same day I made 7 Kuchen, the recipe my Grandma used to make one their farm in North Dakota. Then east arrived and I made carrot cakes for neighbors and friends, homemade breads and more pie. Yesterday I woke up and made chocolate chip cookies, mississsippi mud cake, 2 dozen rolls, loaves of bread and Greek Yogurt pound cake. I spread the joy throughout our neighborhood and my healing has finally and slowly begun. I know my father would not want me to wallow in pain and by doing what I love, that is baking for everyone I know I am not only finding my way back, but also baking for good.

[Tommy]

Baking for good means baking for others when they need something a little special. I love to bake for all of my family and friends, especially during the holidays

[Karen Thurn]

I am selfish. I bake for me. I bake for the joy it gives me to see my grandson's face light up as we make cookies together. I bake so that I and other family members can smell that wonderful aroma that envelopes my house and makes it feel like a home as the bread is baking in the oven. I bake to feel the dough stick to my fingers as I knead it knowing that fresh bread will soon grace the family table. I bake so I can hear the sounds of bubbling coming from the fruit pie as I pull it from the oven. I bake so I can taste and have others taste the creations that I have made. I bake knowing that I am providing healthy sustenance for my body as well those of my family and friends. I bake because I can and will bake as long as God grants me the ability.

[Rebecca @ A Dusting of Sugar]

I'm in the Twin Cities area...I'm really sad that I somehow missed this event. I'm going to look into volunteering at the Family Service Center though. I bake because it is my way of showing that I deeply care about people. I bake to share a piece of myself with others. I bake because it brings myself and others joy (sometimes unexpected joy). I bake to live.

[jeanne]

I LOVE to bake but there are only two of us so I have worked out ways of baking two or three small things instead of one big one so I can share with my family, friends and now my great neighbors!

[Susie]

I love to bake for others. It is my way of bringing a smile to the unsuspecting and my way of sharing a little love. My granddaughter is almost 2 years old and I can hardly wait for the day she can go with me to surprise someone with fresh-baked goodies.

[Debbie D.]

Just got through baking for a bake sale for donations to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. They are having a walk this weekend where I live and the money from the bake sale goes to this organization. My favorite charity to bake for is Cookies for Kid's Cancer. They raise money for research into kid's cancer treatments. Far too little $ goes into cancer research for kids. I hope someday we can put an end to this awful disease. Your pie looks beautiful BTW. I am sure it was scrumpous!

[francesca]

Seriously, this is a beauuuuuuutiful pie. yum!

[Anna]

I bake for myself and for my mother. I bake because I like the process of baking. I bake because it's much healthier making my own breads and pastries at home than buying at stores. I bake simply because I enjoy it - it makes me happy.

[Charlotte]

I pledge to bake for good. I bake for my friends and family because I love to share with them what makes me happy. Baking is something that always makes me feel good. I love the trial and error and whenever you get a recipe just right, it makes it that much sweeter!

Also, I just adore your blog. Your writing is so sincere and lovely and all of your recipes are absolutely delicious!

[Meg L]

I pledge to bake for good. Baking means sharing your joy and care to others (it helps that I bake to reduce stress). I usually share my baked goods to my friends, family and colleagues. I am having a "cookie break" for my students during finals week: I agree with Meghan that a sweet treat can brighten their day during the most hectic time of the school year!

[Liz]

My most recent baking for good was homemade, from scratch, cupcakes for a co-workers last day before retirement. It had gone unnoticed by the higher ups, but his colleagues wanted to make sure that he know how much he would be missed. Cupcakes were mandatory.

[Charlene]

I bake for friends and family because food has an incredible ability to bring people together, to infuse harmony where peace is needed, to bring comfort in the midst of strife. For me, it's a way to show love and care, and I'll keep spreading that love no matter where I am.

[Allison]

I pledge to bake for good. To me, that means sharing homemade cookies and breads with friends and family, and seeing people gathered around the kitchen table. Seeing other people happy and content and fulfilled makes me happy, too. However small my contribution may be, I pledge to try and make other people's days happier and brighter because that, in turn, brightens my own day, too. (I feel somewhat selfish writing that... like I bake or cook to brighten my day, instead of others. But it is the exact opposite! Caring for others is what I enjoy most.)

[Lindsey]

I bake because it makes people smile. The smell of a fresh baked pie can instantly bring back warm memories and it's amazing how much a homemade treat can turn someone's day around. I bake because it's a way I show that I care.

[Jillian]

Baking for me has been a way of life since I was little. I bake for family parties, friends, co-workers, and even my teachers and class mates. Baking is a stress reliever, a smile inducer, and a happiness bringer. Never will my family or friends turn down a freshly baked dessert, and never will I stop baking for them. It is the smile that lights up someone's face when they take a bite out of the dessert that brings the most happiness. Baking for good means baking for others so that you get that smile every time.

[Meg D]

I bake because I don't want my family and friends to eat fake food. While I know that baked goods aren't exactly health food in most cases, I feel better offering cookies, brownies, pies, etc that are made with real ingredients as well as with love.

[Ginger Stark]

I already bake for good. My neighbors, friends and family get to enjoy what I bake.

[Phillip]

I bake to show my love for those around me! Everyone knows that home-baked is always the best way to go.

[Jade]

Gorgeous post! You are so talented. Your writing is delightful. Your food is art, always. And I am now totally inspired to go bake something for my family. Love through food forever.

[Ida Yu]

I pledge to bake for good! I will bake for those I love (in particular, my boyfriend and my parents). I will also bake for those who need sustenance and can't bake delicious things for themselves. When I was in New York last summer, I worked at a food blog that wasted a lot of perfectly good food but I would salvage what I could to bake up into tasty treats to give out to the homeless people on the streets.

[Lori H]

I pledge to bake for good. I have a few friends that together we cook a crockpot brigade of yummy food to serve the needy in the town we work in. I would like to think of that as baking for good.

[Laura]

baking for good means caring for my family and putting the best things into what I make that I can. it also means caring for the people around me that God sends my way

[Kaylin @ EnticingHealthyEating]

Baking for good means putting extra love into everything you make. Particularly when gifting your baked products to others. It's the love that's the secret ingredient. And I'd share my baked goods baked with love to my parents, my boyfriend, and my friends.

[Meghan]

I`m only sixteen, and therefore inelligible for the giveaway, but I never pass up the chance to talk about baking; especially when it boils down, past the pastry, and right into these flour-covered hands. Because, baking, is truly something to behold. It is a act of healing, for both the baker, and those who enjoy their product. There is something about baking for the good, as well as the loved and unloved and misfits and family and inlaws and neighbors in between; yes, there is something special about baking for others. It seems as though, through rolling and kneading, mixing and stirring, a recipe of its own is conjured; a recipe for all tastes, that brings us closer together in every bite. Not only that, but I feel closer to myself, in knowing that my crumbs rest on some mans' smiling mustache, or a drip from my blueberry pie stains the dark oak table of neighbors, instilling a memory not just unto their tastes, but their lives as a whole. And I think that is precisely what it all adds up to: Baking for others, for the good in life, makes us whole.

[Amity]

I baked for good this morning. I woke 2 hours early for class, upon hearing of a roommate of a friend's mother's passing the day before. It didn't matter that I'd never met her, or her daughter. The peanut-butter chip cookies said "here, find some sweetness in amongst the sadness. I'm thinking of you."

(too bad only 4 were left by the time they made it into her hands. The local bike shop intervened-- but hey, I'm sure they could all use a little more sweetness as well.)

[Talia]

As a student leader with the national hunger-relief nonprofit of "Challah for Hunger," I bake for good every week by baking challah bread with other college students and donating the proceeds of our bread sales to local DC charities. Baking for good is part of my routine, but every week when I'm covered in flour and demonstrating new volunteers how to braid three ropes of dough, I feel grateful all over again to be a part of this amazing organization.

[Lia]

I pledge to bake for good. I bake to soothe myself and others, and I have a dream that one day I can open my own baking business and support those that suffer from mental illness. I want to sell my own treats, as well as host baking classes so that people can relieve their stress and benefit from the hands-on beauty and fun of baking. I pledge to bake to bring joy to those who need it more in their lives.

[Aviva]

I usually share baked goods with coworkers - definitely brightens up the work day a little.

[Vicki P]

I loved this post as baking and giving just go together. My favorite quote is
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others."
Mahatma Ghandi
I pledge to bake for good.

[Belén]

I bake to say thank you.
Thank you for helping me at work. Thank you for watching the cats. Thank you for being a friend. There are many gifts or words of praise that are easy and appreciated, but when you bake something, and share it with someone else, you are giving them a piece of your home. Something they can't get anywhere else. Something that can make them feel warm and loved.
My mom always says that you bake your emotions to your food, so I always try to be in a good mood when I cook. In that way, I pledge to bake for good, always.

[Lori Ann]

I bake all the time. I love it. It's therapy for me. Makes me feel creative. Pies cookies breads. My daughter and son love my baking. My daughter also bakes. Her friends ask her to do all their baking. Seems like a list art with the you her generation. Too bad

[Sarah]

This sounds like such a wonderful program! I bake for good by sharing the experience (usually) with my 2 kiddos (2&4). We bake for neighbors and family. I hope I'm showing them that baking can be a way of sharing a little bit of ourselves with those we love and care for.

[Kate]

I bake for fundraisers, appreciation days, holidays (we take cookies and other goodies to the poor airmen who have to work gate security at the base on holidays), and to thank my neighbors for taking my dog out on days when I can't make it home at lunchtime. I also teach my friends from different cultural backgrounds how to bake because they didn't grow up in a food environment that favored cupcakes and pies.

[delia]

I bake for people I care about whether it be at home or at work.

[Brittany]

I pledge to bake for good! I bake for my family, friends, and strangers to make their day and make them feel special. Baking is such a wonderful and amazing thing. Receiving baked goods during a rough or sad time always is an amazing and thoughtful gesture and I strive to bring a little tiny bit of happiness to people's lives in their time of need whenever I can.

[Jennie @themessybakerblog]

This is such a lovely post. I love the idea to Bake for Good. Your pie has my mouth watering.

[Lori]

I love to bake! And most of it I give away to friends and neighbors! So I think that is Baking for Good!

Your pie is beautiful!

[Rebecca]

Baking good for me means celebrating the most exciting (and most every day) occasions with something delicious homemade and from the heart.

[Megan Rose]

I love baking for everyone, but mostly my husband. He loves your smores pie and when he sees that come out of the oven it's like Christmas morning. And it makes me the happiest girl alive for those few seconds before the pie plate is empty :)

[diane stanley]

although I no longer enjoy everyday cooking. baking is still a big love and sharing it with others is even better. I bake for church and family functions

[Robin]

I am a sixth grade language arts teacher, and I bake for my students. I bake for birthdays, great class discussions, and just because... You are a gifted writer, and I enjoy your blog so much.

[Mg]

I pledge to bake for good! I get the.utmost pleasure baking for family & friends. In addition for folks who are in need of something wholesome.. Many people have not had the pleasure of eating homemade gifts that are made of REAL ingredients..