Betty Crocker Maker: Sarah McCune

Instagram: @growingupsarita | TikTok: @growingupsarita1 | growingupsarita.com

Hi, I’m Sarah! I grew up in Colorado in a culturally diverse home. Growing up American in a Mexican home, meals at home looked like my mom at the stove making a warm homemade dinner for everyone, and my sister and I making a semi-homemade dessert, or we would have pan dulce for la merienda. These were familiar rhythms as a kid. Because I grew up with delicious comforting food like carne guisada with freshly steamed rice, I crave the comfort of those meals I had as a kid, and I like to cook them for my family to enjoy. 

As my kids have grown older and our schedules have become busier, our dinners have to be quick some evenings, so we love saving time with easy desserts like making Betty Crocker Super Moist vanilla cake and varying the frostings and fillings. There’s something so nostalgic about frosting a sheet cake while it’s in the pan that it baked in—and adding sprinkles on top! 

Even though life looks a little different now than it did when I was growing up (with taking kids to practice and their various after-school commitments), I like to find different ways and time shortcuts to share the wonderful Mexican meals I grew up enjoying with my family, despite our busy schedule. 

When I’m not cooking or prepping for the next meal, I love to be outdoors. Our family likes to explore and go hiking, kayaking, and taking beach walks. I enjoy a good fire outside to end the night. And while I’m enjoying these activities, I’m always thinking of what snack could be paired with what we’re doing—like a fresh ceviche by the beach, or an ooey, gooey fireside s’more with cafecito!

Much of my recipe ideas and twists come from trying to fit in seasonal ingredients and foods into the activities my family enjoys. I love spending time together, so coming up with time-saving solutions to eat the foods we love often surge from cravings that hit while we’re out at a soccer tournament all day, or wishing for fresh mango salsa while swimming at the beach.