The Story: When a Cookie Isn’t Just a Cookie If you’ve ever stumbled onto the Jacques Torres chocolate chip cookie hype train and wondered if those cookies really are as life-changing as folks say&mash;let me tell you, *something* magical happens between the brown sugar, giant chocolate wafers, and that irresistible, slightly salty finish. First time …
Oh These Crave Rockstar Cookies... Why I Come Back to Them (and What My Kids Say) Honestly, there are cookies, and then there are these. The first time I made Crave Rockstar Cookies, I thought they sounded a bit dramatic, but, mate, these kids live up to their name. My son called them "the best …
Okay, so this Crumbl birthday cake cookie copycat is an absolute celebration-in-a-cookie, and not just because of the sprinkles. The first time I tried making these, I roped my neighbor into taste-testing and—true story—she took a bite and said it was better than the real deal (which might be blasphemy, but I’ll take the win). …
Let’s Just Jump Into It: Christmas Lofthouse Cookies So, Christmas Lofthouse Cookies. Gosh, these have been a running joke at our house for years—someone (usually me) always hides a couple for later because they basically evaporate once people sniff 'em out. I remember the first time I tried making them—thought, ‘How hard can those pillowy …
If You’ve Scrolled TikTok, You’ve Probably Seen This Ok, pause—don’t tell my grandma, but I really think TikTok outdid her with this cinnamon roll hack. Last Sunday, while doomscrolling with my tea (you ever do that?) I landed on what seemed like the millionth viral cinnamon roll clip. But for once, instead of just thinking …
Let Me Tell You About the Time I Botched These Cookies (and Got Them Even Better) You ever have a cookie so good you think about it days later? That’s what happened when my cousin brought me a Crumbl Sugar Cookie after I’d tripped (again!) in the garden and was feeling blue. The cookie was …
Alright, grab a mug and settle in—here’s my Crumbl chocolate chip cookies copycat recipe, for when you want those hulking bakery-style cookies without putting on pants (or shoes, in my case). The first time I tried making these, my kitchen looked like the aftermath of a toddler’s art project; there was flour in places flour …
You know those days when you just need a ridiculously big, chocolatey cookie—preferably one stuffed with Oreos? Well, this Chocolate Oreo Crumbl Cookie recipe is what I make when the sweet tooth hits like a sledgehammer. First time I baked these, it was supposed to be "just one batch," but, right, who was I kidding? …
Baking Cookies While Trying Not To Eat All the Dough Alright, imagine this: it's a chilly December, the sort where your breath fogs up the window and your toes never quite get warm (unless you're lucky enough to have heated floors—I'm not). Anyway, years back, I made a batch of Christmas Hazelnut Sea Salt Cookies …
Holiday Gatherings & Punch: My Slight Obsession with Festive Drinks Alright, so every year my family practically arm-wrestles over who brings what to our big winter get-together, but somehow the punch bowl gig keeps landing in my lap (I’ve stopped questioning fate). I once tried to get creative with a green punch (yikes—don’t ask!), but …
If you’ve ever had that last-minute panic late on December 23rd, where you realize you promised cookies for the class party or neighborhood cookie swap—welcome to my life. There are legends in my family about the year I made 100 Christmas sugar cookies in one night, powered by way too much coffee and (oddly) a …
Let's Chat About These Bars First Okay, so you know those afternoons when it’s cold outside and you just want to make something sweet, but not the kind of thing that turns your kitchen into a disaster zone? Yup, that’s when I reach for my Peppermint Crunch Chocolate Bars recipe. Honestly, my first go at …
Okay, so I have to tell you—every year without fail, someone in my family (usually my cousin Abby, but who's keeping count?) insists I bring my peppermint bark to the Christmas party. Not the store-bought stuff. Nope. The homemade batch. It’s actually one of those recipes that makes you look way fancier than you are …
So, Cookie Cutter Sprinkle Chocolate Bars, Eh? Alright, friend, let me tell you about the time I tried making these Cookie Cutter Sprinkle Chocolate Bars on a rainy Sunday because, honestly, we were out of biscuits and buying anything just seemed—a bit much? My nephew was over, so I figured, why not make something together …
So, Eggnog Fudge—Let Me Tell You About It You know how some recipes just scream holidays? For me, that's eggnog fudge. Every December, the kitchen gets foggy with powdered sugar, and there's always at least one pan of this sweet stuff magically appearing on the counter (my husband swears it’s elves—personally, I blame midnight cravings). …
Let’s Talk Gingerbread Cookies (or, That Time I Burned a Batch…) I feel like gingerbread Cookies come with a hug baked right in. Every December, without fail, I make a batch—or three. The kitchen smells amazing, a little like a Christmas candle exploded (in the best possible way). Seriously, is there any other cookie that …
The Sauce My Family Can't Stop Arguing Over (In a Good Way) Okay, so you know that one dish you make every holiday because people would complain if it went missing? For me, it's this cooked cranberry sauce. I've been making it since my first Thanksgiving away from home—mainly because I forgot the store-bought stuff, …
So...This Is How I Make Peppermint Pie (Yes, Every Winter) Alright, pull up a chair! If you want the kind of Peppermint Pie that shows up in your dreams—probably next to a mug of hot chocolate—then let me tell you how I do it. First time I made this, I was maybe 22, and honestly, …
Let's Chat About Sugar Cookie Rice Krispie Treats (and Why They're My Go-To) I don't know about you, but there is just something about the combo of marshmallow-y Rice Krispie treats and that unmistakable buttery sugar cookie flavor. The first time I made these, I was honestly just hunting for a way to use up …
Catching Up Over a Cheesy Bake (Yes, I’m That Friend) Right, so you know how some evenings fall into that weird hungry-but-not-fast-food mood? That’s usually when I end up making this high-protein veggie bake with cottage cheese. To be honest, I didn’t even like cottage cheese when I was a kid—I thought it looked like …
Let Me Tell You About The Pumpkin Pie Spice Squares Okay, so picture this—it's a crummy November afternoon, rain pattering on the kitchen window, and my kids have lost all interest in their homework (as usual). I'm tempted to just make that boxed brownie mix I stashed in the back of the cupboard, but the …
Let's Talk About Pumpkin Biscoff Cheesecake, Friend You know those times when you've got the urge to bake something that tastes like autumn wrapped up in a snuggly blanket? That's when I go rummaging for the pumpkin purée and a packet of Biscoff (and, shocker, sometimes the jar of Biscoff spread too—don't judge). This Pumpkin …
The Tale of These Raspberry White Chocolate Beauties You know, I never meant to become That Cookie Person, but here we are. I blame my cousin, who once brought these so-called ‘fancy’ raspberry white chocolate cookies to a family BBQ (probably just to show me up, let's be real). Well, the first bite changed my …
Sometimes You Just Need Gooey, Cheesy Comfort (with Onions!) Okay, listen, if you’ve ever found yourself elbow-deep in a chilly week and wondering why soup doesn’t come with noodles more often... you’re my people. I started making this Decadent French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese Comfort Bowl on one of those dreary evenings where, I …
Let Me Tell You About Raspberry Chocolate Lasagna Dessert Alright, so the first time I made this Raspberry Chocolate Lasagna Dessert, I was mostly just trying to impress my book club. You know, those friends who say they aren’t judging but then show up with perfect croissants? Anyway, my dog ended up snagging half the …
So, This Soup Actually Started as an Accident... Alright, confession up front: this Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup recipe was born out of a classic "oh no, what's for dinner?" moment. The fridge was looking sad, there was half a tub of Parmesan hanging out on the shelf, a random link of Italian sausage …
The Cookies I Crave on Stormy Afternoons Alright, pull up a chair and let me tell you: these Best Ever Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies have ruined me for regular cookies. I first baked these on a grey Saturday when I should've been cleaning the living room (sorry mum, that never happened); instead, I decided cookies …
Let Me Tell You About Creamy Garlic Alfredo with Cabbage Alright, hang on to your aprons. I've got a recipe for Creamy Garlic Alfredo with Tender Cabbage that's gotten me through more than a few weird Wednesdays—well, and a couple of Mondays, honestly. I first made this when my fridge was looking a little... sparse …
Let Me Tell You About My Ginger Lime Pork Days Alright, do you ever get stuck in that rut where every dinner is some variation of chicken and... something? Yeah. Me too, mate. But a few years ago, after a particularly soggy Tuesday, I decided enough was enough and scrounged around my fridge for inspiration. …
Pull Up a Chair: How I Fell For Honey-Glazed Corn Casserole Alright, friend—imagine it’s mid-November, and it’s so chilly you can see your breath on the window glass. That’s always when my hands seem to just reach for corn (canned, frozen, doesn’t matter, as long as it’s around). I first made this honey-glazed corn casserole …
Let Me Tell You About My Crispy Ranch-Breaded Mushrooms Okay, story time. One autumn, my nephew said mushrooms were "just weird rubbery things," which, alright, kind of made me laugh (and a tiny bit offended since, well, I grew up thinking they were basically vegetable candy). So on a rainy Saturday—with nothing better to do …
How This Mash-Up Became a Family Fave (Blame Movie Night) So, last winter, we had this Friday tradition — pile on the couch, questionable movie choices, and something hearty bubbling away in the kitchen. That's actually when the whole Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini thing started. At first, the idea sounded a bit mad: Tex-Mex meets …
Alright, friend, let me tell you about this Dill Pickle Parmesan Chicken—honestly, I made it for the first time on a total whim because, well, pickles were multiplying in my fridge and my family was looking at plain chicken like it was cardboard. Sometimes I'll get a wild hair and just start pouring leftover brine …
So, Let's Talk Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies You know those days when only a perfectly pillowy, not-too-crispy sugar cookie will do? Yeah, I've had more of those than I'd care to admit. Once my nephew tried to help and we ended up with flour on the dog (don’t ask!). But honestly, this recipe is …
Let Me Tell You About This Cozy Sweet Potato Bowl So, the first time I threw together a Sweet Potato Beef Bowl with Hot Honey and Cottage Cheese was one of those accidental weeknights where the fridge looked pretty sad and I was half tempted to just order a pizza. You know how it goes …
This Yogurt Toast Always Brings a Smile So—yogurt toast, huh? Not exactly the breakfast my gran grew up with, but you know what? I whipped this up last summer when we had pals crash after a late-night card game (bad idea for sleep, great idea for bonding), and now it’s my husband's "serious breakfast," which …
Catching Up Over Brussels Sprouts (No, Seriously) I never thought I'd be the person singing the praises of Brussels sprouts, but here we are. Honestly, I grew up thinking they were just punishment—looking at you, overboiled school dinners. But fate, curiosity, and a persistent friend (thanks, Lisa) led me, somewhat skeptically, to roast them for …
You Have to Try This Spicy Salmon Sushi Bake (Or at Least Laugh at My Tries) You know, I never thought I’d be a sushi-bake kind of person. But a few years back—right when everyone and their gran started layering sushi rice and fish in casserole dishes—I caved and gave this Easy Spicy Salmon Sushi …
Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin: The Backstory (And a Tangent...) Alright, so here’s the thing. The first time I made Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin, I was half-convinced it would turn out like something a rabbit would politely pass over (long story about a family holiday potluck, remind me to tell you another time). But somewhere between …
Pull Up a Chair: Why I Make (and Love) Frito Cowboy Cabbage If you’ve never had Frito Cowboy Cabbage, you’re in for a treat, truly. I stumbled onto this recipe one summer while staring into my almost-bare pantry, desperate for something filling (and not another boring salad). My neighbor, who’s always full of wild ideas …