Jean Blacklock grew up baking in Saskatchewan baking for her family and the “farm hands” ever since she was a little girl. We are so lucky that she moved to Toronto and opened up Prairie Girl Bakery, an adorable little shop specializing in cupcakes!
When did you start baking and why?
I began baking when I was very young because my mom encouraged me and I loved the way that home baking could make people happy.
How did you begin baking professionally?
Prairie Girl Bakery is my design and creation –every aspect of it right down to the vanilla cake recipe – but I wouldn’t say I bake professionally even now. I have a wonderful head baker Andrea Ascione and she has a team of about 15 bakers who make the thousands of cupcakes we sell every day.
What’s your favourite baked good?
Sticky buns with pecans
What is your baking specialty?
I’d better say cupcakes 
Where are you practicing your craft now?
I am not baking at PGB but I love working with the head baker to decide on the Treats of the Week and new flavors and then how we are going to create the Treats. For example sometimes it takes awhile until we are completely happy with a new icing or how the Treat of the Week looks.
Can you share with us your favourite baking tool?
I’d have to say it is a good standing mixer and also the piping bags with a large star tip – not only can you do great frosting swirls with it but also garnish pies and cakes with whipped cream swirls that look really professional.