Social Niceties...

…A formal introduction.

Hello! My name is Schardé and I have a crush on all things sweet.

I believe in deliciously simple and comforting desserts baked with love (trust me, when made with anything else, the outcome won’t be quite as delectable), in doing as much as you can by hand, and in leaving out any fussy or superfluous frills.

I started Rubbing Sugar as an undergraduate student in order to fulfill the requirements of my Senior Honors Project. Since then, I've graduated summa cum laude and valedictorian with a Bachelor's degree in journalism.

I am a soon-to-be law school student, freelance journalist, pole fitness instructor, wannabe belly dancer, bibliophile, and classic-film lover.

I love lazy afternoons sharing tea, cake, stories, and belly laughs with my friends and family.

Thank you for sharing in my culinary adventures, and I wish you happy baking!

...So, what does "Rubbing Sugar" mean?

The name for this blog comes from a French baking technique in which the baker rubs granulated sugar together with grated citrus zest in order to extract the most flavor from the peel.

During this process, the sugar takes on a little bit of the peel’s color—the palest yellow if you are working with lemon zest, a creamy orange if you are working with orange zest—and is infused with essential oils. The kitchen becomes fragrant with scent and it clings tenderly to your fingertips.

I chose Rubbing Sugar as the name for my blog because this technique is a very tactile and sensual experience, and is one that I have adopted in my own baking.