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Everyday Pie

A Baker’s Bucket List for 2026

Published 13 days ago • 2 min read

Kelli Avila

January 23, 2026

Hi and Happy New Year!

For some people, the start of the year revolves around gym memberships and fresh starts, but us bakers? We’re thinking about our baking bucket lists... that running list of recipes you want to finally make, techniques you want to get better at, and new ways to create something from scratch with your hands to feed the people you love.

And this year, I’m coming in with the energy that anything is possible. I’ve been a professional baker for more years than I haven’t, and I still have so many recipes, techniques, and bakes I want to work toward.

To start the year on a strong note, I wanted to share some inspiration from the more complex bakes on my site. I hope a few of these make their way onto your list.

Perfect Flaky Pie Dough

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After all, Everyday Pie is my name, and I know there are still so many bakers who feel intimidated by homemade pie dough. This flaky crust recipe is more complex, but the feedback I hear from readers who try it is always the same: it came out so flaky and delicious.

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Homemade Puff Pastry

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I have two puff pastry recipes on my site. One uses traditional lamination, and the other is a shortcut version. The classic method is fun if you want to learn the traditional technique, but the rough puff comes out nearly identical in both flavor and lift. It’s the version I reach for every time I need puff pastry, and it’s genuinely fun to make.

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At Home Croissants

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Honestly, this might be the ultimate baking bucket list item. Like the puff pastry, I have two croissant versions on my site: a fully traditional laminated recipe and a shortcut version. However, both of these recipes were developed extensively (it took over a year or testing) with the home cook in mind. Unlike the puff pastry recipe though, there is a noticeable difference in the final result from the two different recipes, and with that also a big difference in the time and precision required for the traditional approach. That said, both versions taste incredible, and both are likely better than most croissants you’ve bought before simply because they’re coming straight from your oven. Nothing beats a hot, freshly baked croissant.

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Choux Pastry

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Choux pastry is such a unique dough because it’s actually cooked twice. My recipe goes deep into the science and technique, making it a fun but very achievable bake that’s worth adding to your list this year. There are so many recipes that use choux pastry as the base. Right now, I just have a cream puff recipe on the site, but one of my goals this year is to add more choux based recipes like eclairs, churros, and crullers.

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Classic Fruit Tart

I always say it: this dessert seems simple, but when it’s done well with a homemade tart shell, pastry cream, and in season glazed fruit, it delivers far more than you’d expect. I also have a mini version too!

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As for what’s on my personal baking bucket list, I’d love to add a brioche recipe and a danish dough recipe to Everyday Pie. That said, I’ll be honest: foundational recipes take a long time for me to develop, so if they happen, it will be many months from now.

Is there a recipe you’re hoping to try in 2026? Hit reply and tell me. Maybe I already have it on the site, and if I don’t, I just might add it to my list.

Have a wonderful weekend, and we'll talk next week.

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Everyday Pie

Kelli Avila

I'm Kelli, the creator of Everyday Pie—a baking site where I share approachable, repeatable recipes for pie, pastry, and more.

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