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    Home » Personal

    10 Years (and a New Kitchen!)

    Published: April 21, 2025 by Sam Merritt • 231 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.

    This month marks 10 years of Sugar Spun Run.

    OK, technically it’s been a bit more than 10 years. 10 years ago today (-ish, I’m a bit late getting this post out) I actually almost deleted this website that I’d been haphazardly posting my baking creations to.

    I think I even clicked the button to delete it, but when the screen popped up to confirm that I really was going to give up on this whole baking blog thing I couldn’t do it.

    Tall funfetti cake decorated with a bright pink frosting border and sprinkles with a few slices cut from it.

    So, instead, on this day 10 years ago I absolutely dedicated myself to this space. I decided to make it a thing, to take it seriously, to commit to developing and photographing and sharing 3 posts a week. So I did it.

    Nonstop in the evenings and weekends around my full time job. I tested and retested and re-retested and struggled with photography that wasn’t as good as I wanted to be (example below) and washed a lot of dishes (so did Zach, he did so many dishes).

    cinnamon roll on plate with fork
    An early photo of a cinnamon roll, believe it or not. Thanks for sticking with me through that.

    Fast forward to day, and millions of you view my website each week. What!? I can’t get over what a dream and a privilege that is! And I take my job (can you even call it that?), my recipe testing, so seriously because of it.

    I thought I’d take a moment on this 10 year anniversary to just give a short little update and share some exciting (for me, anyway!) news.

    I finally have a studio kitchen!

    Photo of Sam in her new kitchen

    I’ve been filming videos in my home kitchen for the past 6+ years now, and honestly it’s always been a struggle. Lugging out the (big!) equipment, juggling the kids’ schedules, setting up the lights and camera, it’s a PAIN and it takes time. I actually always dreaded film days.

    But not anymore.

    This has been a dream of mine for YEARS and I am beyond thrilled that it’s finished! I am so happy with how everything came together and I even made a video for YouTube giving a full tour:

    ⬇FULL KITCHEN TOUR HERE ⬇

    YouTube video

    So what do you think! Only nice comments, please 😂. I put SO much into this I don’t think I can handle any negativity, I’m fragile about it!

    Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for the past 10 years, share my beloved new studio, and then thank you again.

    Because without you trusting and using my recipes, commenting on them and recommending them to my friends, I wouldn’t be able to do this. I just wouldn’t! It’s a gift and a privilege that I take so, SO seriously and I promise to always give 1000% when developing recipes to share with you.

    I’m so grateful for these past 10 years, and so grateful for you 💜

    And before you go, here’s a palate cleanser for that cinnamon roll from earlier 😉

    Round pan of homemade cinnamon rolls, half of which are unfrosted.

    PS.

    Thanks again 💕

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. nancy

      April 24, 2025 at 1:45 pm

      Hello Sam, Love your new filming kitchen. I think it is perfect! Always look forward to your recipes.
      Would love to buy your cookbook. Are you still working on one??

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 28, 2025 at 9:53 pm

        Thank you so much, Nancy! I am working on it. It’s a process for sure, but I hope to be able to finish one in the near future, hopefully. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Debbie

      April 23, 2025 at 12:32 pm

      ❤️❤️❤️ your new kitchen and ❤️❤️❤️ your recipes. Haven’t found a bad one yet!!!! Thank you soooo much and look forward to seeing you in your new kitchen:)

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 28, 2025 at 9:54 pm

        Thank you so much, Debbie! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying everything. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Emilia

      April 23, 2025 at 8:02 am

      Congrats on the new kitchen! Looks so nice! Can’t wait for you to film in there!

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 28, 2025 at 9:57 pm

        Thank you so much, Emilia! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lars

      April 23, 2025 at 5:27 am

      Congratulations on 10 amazing years!

      I discovered your recipes way back in the day on imgur (it was actually the Brownie Bottom Strawberry & White Chocolate Cheesecake that got me so intrigued that it got back into baking after I stopped for a decade or so). We wrote back and forth quite a bit back then and you helped me a lot with translating your recipes to sane measurements and weights (happy to see that you have since seen the light and started using the metric system and scales XD).

      I kept bugging you to start a YouTube channel and I think I was the 2nd or 3rd subscriber there. I’m so proud of you to see how far you have come on your journey and how much more confident and comfortable you have become in front of the camera. And although I don’t have as much time as I used to for baking (I only do it for special occasions these days, rather than every week back in the day), I still watch every single of your videos (even if I sometimes lag behind a few weeks on my subscriptions). Some of your videos have motivated me to make the time and bake again a bit more. Because your stuff just always looks so amazingly delicious.

      I also remember how hesitant you were to get into baking with yeast and how I kept trying to convince you that it’s not that difficult and you should give it a shot. And look where you are now. Growing your own sour dough starter (something I never got into, I stick to dry yeast or fresh yeast cubes to this day), publishing dozens of yeast recipes and handling all of that like a pro. That is some serious personal growth 🙂

      I’m looking forward to the next 10 years of amazing recipes and entertaining videos from you.

      Greetings from Germany,
      Lars

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 24, 2025 at 11:23 am

        Lars! I remember your support very well and have always appreciated it! You’re the reason I use a kitchen scale! 😂
        Thank you so much for the support through the years, especially in the early (Imgur) stages, I appreciate it so much and will always be grateful! My sourdough starter post is here for you when you’re ready for it 😄
        Thank you again!

        Reply
        • Lars Banning

          April 24, 2025 at 12:17 pm

          I always liked to think that I had at least some small part in converting you to the superior measuring system. But I never imagined that I was the main reason 😂

          If I ever decide to give sourdough a try, I’ll most certainly use your guide 🙂

        • Sam

          April 24, 2025 at 12:45 pm

          🤣 I actually got into the sourdough world not too long ago. I’ve posted a few recipes. I cannot get enough sourdough bread! 🙂

      • Kirsten

        April 25, 2025 at 2:05 am

        Thanks for getting the measurements in grams! Also living in Germany and I really appreciate this!
        Greetings from the Munich area Kirsten

        Reply
        • Sam

          April 28, 2025 at 2:57 pm

          Thank you so much, Kirsten! 🙂

      • Katrina sosnowski

        April 25, 2025 at 8:16 am

        Congrats

        Reply
    5. Joanna

      April 22, 2025 at 3:25 pm

      Congratulations, Sam! You totally deserve a new kitchen and it is awesome. Your recipes are always spot on and turn out so well. So happy for you! 🙂

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 24, 2025 at 12:58 pm

        Thank you so much, Joanna! 🙂

        Reply
      • Lauren

        April 25, 2025 at 9:43 am

        I started following following your website about a year ago and definitely use it a lot! congratulations 🎊 👏 I am happy for you 😊

        Reply
        • Sam

          April 28, 2025 at 3:03 pm

          Thank you so much, Lauren! I appreciate your support. 🙂

    6. Vicki Skonieczny

      April 22, 2025 at 1:08 pm

      Congratulations!!!! It is lovely. Enjoy your new space:)

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 22, 2025 at 2:52 pm

        Thank you so much, Vicki! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Jeannie Lenci

      April 22, 2025 at 11:31 am

      Congratulations on your new kitchen, Sam! It’s beautiful! You are my go to for all the new recipes I try. Wishing you continued success!

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 22, 2025 at 2:53 pm

        Thank you so much, Jeannie! 🙂

        Reply
      • Lori

        April 22, 2025 at 10:02 pm

        Your new kitchen is stunning Sam. I am a new subscriber and love your recipes! Thanks so much for sharing. Wishing you many years of continued success 😊

        Reply
        • Sam

          April 28, 2025 at 9:58 pm

          Thank you so much, Lori! I hope you love everything you try. 🙂

    8. Ivy

      April 22, 2025 at 11:17 am

      I LOVE YOUR NEW KITCHEN!!! It’s beautiful! You’re my favourite baker ever! I love the new look!

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 22, 2025 at 1:02 pm

        Thank you so much, Ivy! I appreciate your support! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Angel

      April 22, 2025 at 7:37 am

      Love your new kitchen. So beautiful. What kind of stove did you buy?

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 22, 2025 at 9:19 am

        Thank you! The oven is made by Cafe. 🙂

        Reply
        • Chris

          April 25, 2025 at 12:07 pm

          I’m so glad you didn’t. The recipes you have shared has been life changing and fun to prepare. Thanks for sticking to your dream!

        • Sam

          April 28, 2025 at 2:55 pm

          Thank you so much, Chris! I’m so glad you have enjoyed the recipes. 🙂

    10. ria mey

      April 22, 2025 at 6:31 am

      your kitchen is lovely. i have been blessed receiving your recipes for many years. they are easy, delightful for this 86 yr old lady.(from South Africa) you deserve this lovely kitchen and pray you will be blessed for many more years.

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 22, 2025 at 9:19 am

        Thank you so much, Ria! 🙂

        Reply
        • Kathy Bedard

          April 25, 2025 at 6:56 am

          Congratulations Sam!! Your kitchen is beautiful!! I can’t rave enough about your recipes! When I bake your Tuscany Chicken, or your lasagna, or your worst chocolate chip cookies etc. and everyone LOVES them, they’ll always say “where did you get this recipe” I always say “MY GIRL” Sugar Spun Run!! I love you, and your cooking!! So glad God blessed you with such a gift!!

        • Sam

          April 28, 2025 at 9:36 pm

          Thank you so much, Kathy! I’m so glad everything has been such a hit and I really, really appreciate your support. 🙂

    11. Stan

      April 22, 2025 at 1:41 am

      Sam we love you! Thank you so much for bringing baking into my life. Your recipes have touched me, my family , friends, co workers and even homeless people and homeless shelters. My daughter and granddaughters will always know where to find the recipes their pop pop made for them and others.

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 22, 2025 at 9:23 am

        Thank you so much for such a kind comment, Stan. This one really put a smile on my face this morning. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Mel Mendicino

      April 21, 2025 at 10:30 pm

      I am so happy for you. I love your kitchen. You are my absolute favorite. I look forward to your posts.I have shared your recipes with my friends. They are the best! Thank you so much! ❤️

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 22, 2025 at 9:26 am

        Thank you so much, Mel! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed everything so much! 🙂

        Reply
    13. Mary Ellen Brennan

      April 21, 2025 at 9:31 pm

      CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL NEW KITCHEN! I understand how you feel about having a gas stove. I’m 72 years old and I grew up with a gas stove. I’ve had a gas stove all my life, except for the one year that I lived in Las Vegas, NV. I think gas cooking is the best! After waiting for almost 6 years, I’m finally getting a new kitchen in a few weeks and I’m so excited! I might borrow some of your ideas for my new kitchen.

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 21, 2025 at 9:43 pm

        Thank you so much, Mary Ellen! Congratulations on your new kitchen! 🙂

        Reply
    14. Jill

      April 21, 2025 at 9:11 pm

      Your new kitchen looks beautiful, and the cinnamon rolls look delicious. Congratulations Sam.

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 21, 2025 at 9:25 pm

        Thank you so much, Jill! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Joanne Lyell

      April 21, 2025 at 7:49 pm

      Love the new kitchen. So happy for you!! You are the best baker and now with savory recipes added in, it’s wonderful. Like someone else said your recipes always turn out so well. I tell all of my friends about you. Loved watching you grow. Good luck and keep the yummy recipes coming!!!❤️❤️

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 21, 2025 at 9:11 pm

        Thank you so much, Joanne! I really appreciate it. 🙂

        Reply
        • Nan Smith

          April 25, 2025 at 1:42 pm

          Sam Congratulations! Your new kitchen is beautiful! I always go to sugar spun run when I want a delicious, easy to follow recipe. I am never disappointed!!

        • Sam

          April 28, 2025 at 2:52 pm

          Thank you so much! 🙂

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    The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

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