Meeting B. Dylan Hollis at His Book Signing

I was beyond excited meeting B. Dylan Hollis’s at his book signing in Decatur, Georgia a few days ago on June 4. It just happened to take place while I was visiting my daughter Savannah, and since his Baking Across America book tour doesn’t stop in Florida, it felt like perfect timing. I’m a huge fan of Dylan’s TikTok channel where he hilariously brings forgotten vintage recipes back to life, often found in charming old spiral-bound church cookbooks from all over the United States.

His quirky and endearing videos are filmed in his cozy kitchen in Laramie, Wyoming, and always begin with him holding the book and stating the recipe like, “Rock Bottom Pie from 1990” or “Eggnog Pie from 1964.” With fast edits, retro music, and his brilliant one-liners, he makes even the strangest recipes feel delightful. He’s hilarious, talented, and undeniably charming.

A Vintage Venue for a Vintage Recipe Star

The event took place at the Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Decatur, Georgia—a very fitting venue considering Dylan's love for church cookbook recipes. My daughter and I drove down from Cumming, battling Atlanta traffic for over an hour, but we arrived right at 6 pm when the doors opened. We checked in, received our signed copies of Baking Across America, and made our way to the front row. Score!

It was lovely to be surrounded by fellow baking enthusiasts of all ages, from a rising high school freshman to retirees just discovering the joy of baking. We quickly bonded over recipe tips and our favorite TikTok episodes. And how we were so excited about meeting B. Dylan Hollis at his book signing

Dylan Hollis Takes the Stage

The event was hosted by Eagle Eye Book Store. After a short intro, Dylan made his entrance to applause from over 150 enthusiastic fans. He walked down the center aisle with his signature grin, joined his interviewer onstage, and the two settled into what looked like a 1970s living room setup—complete with comfy chairs and a side table. I felt like I was watching an old-school PBS segment featuring a young Julia Child type… but with a lot more sass.

Dylan spoke for about 30 minutes, sharing insights into his second book, Baking Across America, published by DK (an imprint of Penguin Random House). He explained that his first book was organized by decade, but this new one took a geographical approach. While researching, he noticed how passionate people were about regional recipes like St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake or Boston Cream Pie or Florida Key Lime Pie. So he set out to find the most iconic recipes from across the country—100 in total—and compiled them into this beautifully photographed book.

My Joe Frogger Cookie Moment

One of the highlights of the night for me was when I got to ask Dylan a question. I noticed that Baking Across America includes a recipe for Joe Frogger Cookies—something I had only ever seen in my own grandmother’s recipe box and once shared on my blog. I was so curious how he came across such an obscure treat. He answered graciously and explained the cookie’s fascinating origin: created in the 1800s by Joseph Brown, an emancipated man who ran a New England tavern and made these oversized molasses cookies that looked like lily pads.

Meeting B. Dylan Hollis at His Book Signing

It was a surreal moment to connect with Dylan over a shared love of a rare recipe and get to share that personal connection with the audience.

A Sweet Ending and a Personal Gift

After the Q&A, fans lined up to meet Dylan, snap photos, and have their books signed personally. When it was our turn, I was genuinely excited to meet him and he was just as kind and friendly as I had imagined. We chatted briefly and I gave him a copy of one of my own self-published cookbooks, a church-style spiral-bound collection very much in the style he is known for loving. And of course it includes my version of the Joe Frogger Cookies.

It was such a joyful evening and a special memory shared with my daughter. If you ever get the chance to attend one of his events or pick up his book, Baking Across America, I highly recommend it. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just in it for the entertainment, Dylan Hollis has a gift for making the past feel deliciously fun.

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