Bake From The Heart

Butter

There’s something deeply grounding about hearing your own struggles and hopes reflected back to you, whether through the pages of a book or the lyrics of a song. For me, that happened with Heartland by Sarah Smarsh and Waitress, the Musical. Both of these works found me at a pivotal time — when Little Twist Bakery was transitioning from a dream to a full-fledged project with flour on the counters and hope in the oven.

Sugar: "Heartland"
Reading Sarah Smarsh’s Heartland is like sitting across from someone who’s not afraid to tell you the truth about where you come from and why it matters. Smarsh’s memoir delves into the often-invisible struggles of America’s working class, particularly women who bear the brunt of systemic inequality while keeping everything afloat. She writes about her Kansas upbringing with unflinching honesty and deep compassion, making it clear that while poverty is often framed as a personal failing, it’s actually a societal one.

As someone raised in an immigrant family, this resonated. I grew up in my family’s restaurant, watching my parents and grandparents turn sweat and soy sauce into survival. They poured their hearts into every plate of food, often sacrificing their own needs so my siblings and I could have opportunities they didn’t. Being the first in my family to go to college (and then grad school) felt like breaking a generational barrier - until Smarsh reminded me that "upward mobility" is a myth sold to the working poor. What we actually inherit is grit.

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Flour: "Waitress, the Musical"
Then there’s Waitress. If Heartland is a mirror, Waitress is a hug. The musical’s pie-making protagonist, Jenna, is stuck in a loveless marriage and a dead-end life, but she’s also quietly rebellious. Through her baking, she finds the courage to envision a better future for herself and her child. Sara Bareilles’ lyrics don’t sugarcoat; they pulse with the quiet rage of women told to shrink their dreams. There’s something magical about how Jenna’s pies — named after her emotions — serve as both a creative outlet and a lifeline.

The parallels between pie-making and rugelach-rolling didn’t escape me. Like Jenna, I’ve found baking to be a form of therapy, art, and rebellion rolled into one (side note: I am happily married and relate more to Dawn IRL haha). Starting Little Twist Bakery felt like reclaiming a part of myself — proving that a home kitchen, humming with possibility, could make a difference, one flaky pastry at a time. It’s not just about the dough; it’s about the freedom to create something meaningful.

Mixing It All Together
What these two works have in common is their focus on the power of perseverance and creativity in the face of systemic challenges. Smarsh’s story taught me that “giving back” isn’t charity — it’s repair. Waitress showed me joy can be radical, even (especially) when life feels half-baked. Both reminded me why I founded Little Twist Bakery: to make something beautiful and impactful, even in small, unexpected ways.

When I bake, I’m not just making rugelach; I’m contributing to a bigger picture. Every dollar earned goes toward supporting causes I care about, like fighting hunger through the Central Texas Food Bank. My upbringing in my family’s restaurant taught me the value of hard work, but also the importance of community. I saw how a meal could bring people together, and I’ve carried that lesson into my bakery. Heartland reinforced why these causes matter, and Waitress reminded me that the work is worth it, even on the hard days when the oven burns a batch or social media feels like a full-time job.

What Baking Can Do
Starting a bakery while balancing family, finances, and a desire to give back isn’t always easy. But works like Heartland and Waitress remind me that the struggle is part of the story. They’ve been my companions on this journey, quietly shifting my world through my headphones while I’ve measured, mixed, and kneaded my way toward something bigger than myself.

So, whether you’re building a business, raising a family, or just trying to get through the day, I’d recommend both Heartland and Waitress. They’re not just entertainment; they’re inspiration for anyone daring to make their own twist on life. And if you happen to have a little rugelach while you’re at it? Well, that’s just the icing on the cake.

For good food and even butter causes,

Autumn