Happen Bakers: Michelle Rosen

Today, I'm introducing a new series called Happen Bakers, where I will feature young, female bakers in an attempt to shine a new light on not only the craft, but the people who call it their passion.  

I hope you enjoy it!    

When I was young I loved to bake, but while I did so at home frequently, there wasn't much to inspire me outside of my own kitchen.  Junior competition shows did not exist on television, and there were no YouTube channels full of baking tutorials to follow.  Celebrity chefs weren't what they are today and basically, I didn't have a role model other than my own mother and grandmother.  Thankfully this didn't stop me, and I learned what I could from family, cookbooks and trial and error!    

Nowadays, it's very different for aspiring bakers.  There seems to be inspiration everywhere you look, and not only that, the entire attitude around baking (and cooking) has changed.  For women especially, what perhaps was once viewed as a domestic task is now a creative accomplishment.  I've been particularly interested lately in our youth (for now I am an old person), because with so much negativity in the world I think it's important to focus on the hope of our future.  This quest led me to Michelle Rosen: a 17 year-old girl living in Long Island, New York.  She just finished her junior year of high school, is researching colleges with an interest in communications and media, and in between doing regular teenage things, happens to be a gifted baker!  

She is, in pun speak, a Happen Baker.  BAM.

Michelle came over and made these Apple Cider Cupcakes with a Brown Sugar Cinnamon Buttercream, and they were perfection.  Honestly, none remained by the end of the day!  She traveled with her own piping tools and even taught me tips along the way (for example: insert your piping bag into a tall glass which will help you to easily fill it with frosting).  At one point, I felt like I was watching my younger self in the kitchen which made me feel happy and ancient at the same time.      

Check out Michelle's YouTube Channel, where she posts new videos every Tuesday.  Did someone say, S'Mores Dip??  Yep, I'll be making that at some point this summer (or in 5 minutes).  You can also find her on Instagram.  And, I interviewed her below... so read on to learn more about this incredible young woman!  I can only hope my girls grow up to be as focused, bright, creative and kind as Michelle.  She inspires me, and I know she'll do the same for you.            

When did you start baking?

I started baking when I was three years old.  My mom and I would bake our Christmas Cookie Cutter Cookie every year.  This recipe really started my love for baking.  My mom really inspired me and she encouraged me to take an advanced baking class on the weekends when I was 12.   

How did you learn?

I learned so much from my advanced baking class.  I learned so many different cake decorating techniques and learned how to make many difficult recipes such as breads and pies from scratch.  I've also learned so much from watching bakers on YouTube such as Rosanna Pansino.  

What do you love most about it?

First of all, I love anything sugary!  I love getting to eat everything I bake.  But I also love the creativity involved, especially when it comes to cake decorating.  

What's the most challenging thing you've attempted?

French Macarons.

What's your dream dessert?

The type of cake I get every year for my birthday...it's a vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting and a vanilla custard filling with pretty fondant designs on top. 

Name 3 celebrities you'd like to bake with...

I would love to bake with Rosanna Pansino, Ethan and Grayson Dolan (aka The Dolan Twins) and Shane Dawson.   

Most epic kitchen fail?

Once when I was making French Macarons, I wrote down the wrong measurements for the sugar and the cookies kept coming out flat.  They looked like wafers!  I also forgot to beat the meringue until it reached stiff peaks.  My merengue was at soft peaks which also ruined the cookies.  I tried this recipe about three times and kept trying to film it for my YouTube channel, but it took me all that time to realize I was putting in the wrong amount of sugar.  

Any favorite songs you listen to in the kitchen?

Any Kid Cudi song, Billie Eilish, Logic... it all depends on my mood.  

Favorite food site or YouTube channel?

Rosanna Pansino!

When you're not baking, you are...

Playing Fortnite with my best friend, spending time with my family, playing tennis, drawing, painting and reading.  

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I would hope to have a successful YouTube channel with millions of subscribers where I can inspire and teach my craft to the world and be a positive role model for young kids who watch me.  I hope that my YouTube videos can bring happiness to people's lives.  I hope to have a beautiful house with a white kitchen, a pool, and a tennis court!  I would love to travel to as many places as possible - I would really love to go to Australia!  And maybe even go on a world tour to meet subscribers of my YouTube channel!

*I'm excited to introduce more young bakers to you as I continue this series!  If you would like to submit yourself or anyone you might know, please email me: siri@siriouslydelicious.com