The Vanilla Bean Blog is a haven for bakers everywhere. A soulful reflection of the importance of creating, sharing and receiving, Sarah Kieffer transports you to the wonderful world of  Grand Marnier Orange Cake and Chocolate Pots de Crème with Lavender and Sea Salt.

Name: Sarah Kieffer
Blog: TheVanillaBeanBlog.com
Founded: 2010
Twitter: @SarahKieffer
Instagram: @sarah_kieffer

Describe your cooking style in three words: A moveable feast—with a nod to Mr. Hemingway, of course.

What’s your signature dish? My blog focuses on baking, so I’d have to say my Crème Fraîche Scones.

What do you think is the most underrated ingredient? Vanilla. A little bit goes a long way.

What’s the best cooking advice you’ve ever received? “The kitchen gods are always watching. You may think you have a recipe down, and that you can never make it wrong, but the minute you feel you own a recipe, or have pride approaching your workspace that lacks any form of humbleness for your ingredients and movement, the gods will remind you, and teach you respect again.” — Advice given to me by Larry Wolner, owner of the Blue Heron Coffeehouse.

If you could share a meal with anyone in history who would it be? Ella Fitzgerald. Could you imagine Ella Fitzgerald sitting on your living room couch, sipping wine and quietly scatting along to the Feist album playing in the background?

Images courtesy of TheVanillaBeanBlog.com