BAKING BY MARIA LYTVYN

Baking that

Smells Like Home

Simple, step-by-step baking recipes inspired by real home kitchens across South Africa - from crusty bread to teatime favourites. No hard-to-find ingredients or fancy equipment, just reliable recipes that work every time.

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0+ Years of Baking from Scratch
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0% Recipes that Work on the First Try
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Baking is my love language

My name is Maria Lytvyn. For over 15 years, I’ve been sharing the joy of baking with my family, friends, and a growing community of home bakers in South Africa. It all began with a simple wish – to fill homes with the warm aroma of freshly baked treats.

 

Today, I share easy, trusted recipes inspired by real kitchens, helping everyone create delicious bakes, even for the very first time.

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Students in Workshops
OUR BOOKS

Three books for every level

From your very first cake to restaurant-level pastries — pick the book that matches your skill and mood.

Browse all books

Advantages

Why my recipes work

Simple ingredients

Everyday ingredients you can find in local supermarkets. No specialty products needed.

Step-by-step photos

Every recipe includes photos for each stage, making it easy to follow from start to finish.

Tested by hundreds

Every recipe is carefully tested and enjoyed by home bakers for reliable, consistent results.

Tips for every situation

Baking tips, ingredient swaps, and solutions to common mistakes along the way.

Testimonial

What our Readers Say

Real stories from people who finally fell in love with baking

James Whitfield

Reader
"I bought 'Bread That Smells Like Childhood' expecting another recipe book that would sit on my shelf. Instead, I baked my first real loaf of bread last Sunday - crust and all. My kitchen hasn't smelled this good in years."

James Whitfield

Reader

Natalie Griffin

Reader
“I always used to be afraid of baking — the dough never rose, the cakes always burned. With Maria's book, I baked a perfect sponge cake on my first try. Now I bake every weekend!"

Natalie Griffin

Reader

Sofia Marchetti

Reader
"My daughter and I made the cookies together from 'Cookies That Feel Like Hugs' — she's seven and even she got it right. We've made them three times since. This book turned baking into our Sunday thing."

Sofia Marchetti

Reader