I never imagined that a single slice of cake could change my life, but it did.

I’m Maya, and if you ever catch me quietly smiling while frosting a cake or sneaking a bite of warm cookie dough, it’s because I’m remembering how this journey began. It was during one of the most vulnerable yet beautiful times of my life—my pregnancy. While every day brought new emotions, cravings became a constant companion. But not just any cravings. I longed for desserts—comforting, indulgent, joyful desserts. And one evening, in the middle of it all, my husband and I escaped for a quiet dinner. It was simple, romantic, and exactly what we needed. But it was the dessert. Oh, that dessert that lit the spark.

Red Velvet. The name alone still makes me pause.

I remember the exact moment : the first bite of that moist, delicate cake with its impossibly light texture and dreamy cream cheese frosting. It didn’t just satisfy a craving it awakened something in me. A forgotten joy. A deep comfort. A connection to something both nostalgic and brand new. From that day forward, Red Velvet became my little ritual. Every time I craved a bit of comfort during pregnancy, it was there for me.

But soon, just eating it wasn’t enough.

I started baking not professionally at first, just quietly, curiously, in my own kitchen. I tried to recreate that first Red Velvet. Then I tweaked it. Made it mine. Added more cocoa, less sugar, experimented with buttermilk ratios. Some days, it was perfect. Other days, I had to scrape the whole thing into the trash and start again (and maybe cry a little). But it didn’t matter. I was falling in love—with baking, with the process, with the calm it gave me, and the joy it brought others. My kitchen became my little world of flavors and feelings, a space where I could pour my heart into flour, butter, and sugar.

That’s how Not Just Recipe was born. Because for me, desserts aren’t just recipes; they’re memories, emotions, moments. They tell stories. They remind us that even when life feels heavy, there’s sweetness waiting just around the corner or in your oven.

Now, I share those stories and creations with you. Sometimes they’re nostalgic, like GÜLLAÇ i tried to perfect after a trip to Turkish. Other times, they’re wild and weird (yes, I’ve put avocado in chocolate mousse—and loved it). I don’t chase perfection. I chase flavor. Emotion. Connection. And I welcome you into that journey, not as an expert looking down from a pedestal, but as someone who still burns cookies now and then, and laughs it off with a second batch.

So welcome to my world. I hope you find something here that speaks to you, whether it’s a new favorite dessert, a moment of comfort, or just a reminder that joy can often be found in the simplest ingredients and the messiest countertops.