Vanilla Almond Poppy Seed Muffins (No Lemon) — Easy Bakery-Style Recipe
Soft vanilla almond poppy seed muffins topped with powdered sugar — a nostalgic, bakery-style treat inspired by a childhood favorite cake that was never written down but never forgotten.
“Cherry Square” Cookies
These Cherry Square Cookies are inspired by one of my family’s most nostalgic desserts — a simple yellow cake baked with cherry pie filling and dusted with powdered sugar. I turned that classic into a soft, cake-style sugar cookie with a juicy cherry center that’s perfect for Christmas cookie boxes, gifting, or anytime you want a little bite of tradition.
Cranberry Sauce
This bright, cozy, and actually flavorful cranberry sauce takes the classic back-of-the-bag recipe and elevates it with fresh ginger, whole spices, and orange peel. It’s my husband’s most-requested Thanksgiving dish, and for good reason—this stuff sings.
New York Style Cheesecake
This is the unapologetically classic New York cheesecake you’ve been searching for—no graham cracker crust BS. Just simple ingredients, a heritage recipe, and that beautifully golden top New York cheesecakes are known for.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
This spinach and artichoke dip is the definition of a crowd-pleaser. It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor — the kind of dip that disappears before you even set the chips down. Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and pure, golden-brown perfection.
Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, fluffy, and perfectly spiced — these brioche-style cinnamon rolls are pure comfort. With a buttery brown sugar filling and the dreamiest cream cheese frosting, they’re the perfect weekend baking project (and even better made ahead overnight).
Classic Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing (Simple, Bold, and Flavor-Packed)
This Caesar salad dressing has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. It’s creamy, garlicky, and just the right amount of tangy. Once you make it from scratch, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
Texas Chili
This hearty Texas chili skips the beans and doubles down on bold, beefy flavor. Perfect for frito pie, chili dogs, or a big cozy bowl topped with cheese and onions!
Street Corn Chicken Chili (Quick, Light & Flavor-Packed)
This Street Corn Chicken Chili is light, zesty, and ready in under 30 minutes. Packed with chicken, corn, lime, and just the right amount of cheese, it’s a cozy, lower-calorie meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Sourdough Oatmeal Creme Pies with Brown Butter & Cream Cheese Filling
A nostalgic treat, but make it grown-up: these sourdough oatmeal creme pies are spiced with brown butter, cinnamon, clove, and ginger, then sandwiched around a cream cheese filling that’s perfectly balanced—sweet but not too sweet.
New Orleans-Style Barbecue Shrimp – Quick & Flavor-Packed
New Orleans–style barbecue shrimp is a buttery, garlicky, Cajun-spiced classic that comes together in 10 minutes but feels like a celebration. Don’t forget the bread — the sauce is the real star here.
Sourdough Banana Bread with Browned Butter and Sour Cream
This sourdough banana bread is the one exception to my banana-hating heart. Rich with browned butter and sour cream, it’s a no-waste, all-flavor win. Use up those sad bananas and a bit of sourdough starter—your kitchen will smell amazing.
Macaroni Salad
This creamy, tangy, crunchy macaroni salad has earned a permanent spot at every family barbecue. A hand-me-down from my cousins’ grandma, it’s a simple side dish that proves you don’t need a long ingredient list to win over a crowd.
Sausage & Broccoli Gnocchi with Lemon Sauce (A Summer Pasta Favorite!)
Light, bright, and weeknight-friendly, this sausage and broccoli gnocchi with lemon sauce is a fresh take on a childhood favorite. Quick to make, packed with flavor, and totally customizable!
Fresh, Fast, and Full of Flavor: My Late Spring Pasta Primavera
Inspired by Parisian asparagus season and Claire Saffitz’s no-fuss methods, this late spring pasta primavera is fresh, flavorful, and on the table in under 30 minutes. A fast, veggie-packed dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Thai Green Curry Fish
Tender white fish poached in a silky Thai green curry coconut sauce, all in one pan. This easy weeknight dinner is comforting, fragrant, and ready in about 30 minutes.
Protein Mac and Cheese: Your New Weeknight Staple
This 20-minute protein mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and surprisingly macro-friendly. Perfect for weeknights when you want comfort without the calories.