Baking

A Warm Hello & Why I Keep Coming Back to These Alright, so here’s the scoop—Apple Fritter Waffle Donuts are what I whip up when the weather’s gray and my mood is, um, somewhere between "meh" and "let’s eat something awesome." The first time I tried them, I was aiming for classic apple fritters, but …

Alright, Let Me Tell You About This Hashbrown Casserole You know those mornings when you roll out of bed, hair all sideways, and the thought of making breakfast from scratch feels like running a marathon before coffee? Yeah, that’s where this hashbrown breakfast casserole comes in. I started making it when my youngest decided that …

Let's Talk About Chocolate Espresso Cinnamon Rolls (And My Weird Obsession With Them) Alright, confession time: I first made these chocolate espresso cinnamon rolls on a snowy Saturday when I was bored, a bit hungry, and—let's be honest—craving both chocolate and caffeine in a single bite. My sister was visiting, and she still teases me …

Let's Talk About These Bars (and a Little About Me) So, I first baked these Velvet Swirl Citrus Symphony Bars on a rainy Sunday when I was meant to declutter the hallway cupboard—safe to say, the cupboard’s still a mess, but these bars have become a bit of a family legend. You know those recipes …

Hey, You Hungry? Let Me Tell You About Cookie Rolls Alright, friend, settle in—because I’ve got a story about Chocolate Chip Cookie Rolls. So, last winter, I was stuck inside during this wild cold snap (you know those days when you can see your breath in the kitchen?). I was rummaging around for something that …

Let Me Tell You About These Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie Bars Alright, so here's the deal: every time I make Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie Bars, I swear I end up with flour on my elbow and a kitchen that looks like a toddler ran through it with a paint bucket. Worth it, though. The first …

Let's Talk Banana Bread (Honestly, It's a Mood) Alright, friend—here's the thing. Chocolate‑chip banana bread isn't just a recipe for me, it's a whole vibe. First started making it back in college when my flatmate would forget about bananas until, poof, they basically begged to be rescued from the fruit bowl. Now? I bake it …

The Backstory: Why I Can't Stop Baking This Alright, so here’s the thing. Every time I mash up bananas in my kitchen, I get this flashback to a summer barbecue at my aunt’s place. She made this crazy-good banana bread with coconut and pineapple, and, honestly, I shamelessly ate three slices before anyone else could …

Sit Down, Lemme Tell You About These Muffins You ever have one of those days where only chocolate and peanut butter will do? Yeah, me too. I first made these Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins on a sleepy Sunday morning ages ago, mostly because I couldn’t decide if I wanted a chocolate muffin or something …

Just Between Us: My Banana Bread Love Affair You know when you have a bunch of bananas languishing on your counter, reaching that point where the fruit flies start throwing parties? Well, that's when I make Ultimate Moist Banana Bread with Walnuts. I actually started baking this when my flatmate in college—bless her—refused to eat …

Okay, So Here's Why I'm Obsessed with This Bread Friend, let me tell you—if you’ve never had mango in banana bread, you’re in for a treat. I first made this on a humid July afternoon when I had a whole bowl of bananas going brown and a mango that somehow survived my forgetful shopping habits. …

Hey there! So, have you ever craved pizza but didn't want the mess (or the commitment) of a full pie? Enter my homemade easy cheesy pizza pockets. Honestly, these take me straight back to Saturday afternoons when my siblings and I would have 'make your own' lunches. Half the cheese would end up on the …

Let Me Tell You About My Favorite Banana Bread (It's a Whole Thing) Okay, so banana bread is one of those things you just keep coming back to, right? For me, it's like a warm hug form the oven. First time I made this Sour‑Cream Banana Bread, I was trying to impress my mother-in-law (which, …

So, About This Mac and Cheese... Alright, friend—let me just say right off the bat: homemade baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food in my book. I think the first time I tried to make it myself, I ended up with more cheese on the counter than in the pan (not that I’m …

Alright, friend, I’ve got to tell you: these Lazy Girl Pecan Pie Bars have saved my hide more times than I can count. The first time I made them was for a potluck (that I totally forgot about until the morning of, classic me), and somehow people thought I’d been in the kitchen for hours. …

Okay, Here’s the Scoop on This Lemon Loaf I’m just going to say it: Starbucks Lemon Loaf is like a little slice of sunshine on a cloudy day. The first time I tried making my own copycat version, I had flour in my hair and lemon zest under my nails for days, but wow—worth it. …

Alright, Let’s Talk Sweet Potato Wedges (And Why I Keep Making Them) You know those foods you start making because you think they’ll be a hit, but then you realize—wait, I’m the one who’s obsessed? That’s me with these Easy Baked Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges. I tried them for a game night once (mostly …

Let Me Tell You About the Time I Fell for Cinnamon Roll Cookies Okay, so you know how some recipes just sneak up and become your secret weapon? Cinnamon roll cookies—yeah, those did that to me one rainy Sunday when I was craving something cinnamony but didn’t have the patience for yeasted dough (no shade …

Let Me Tell You About These Peanut Butter Cookies… Alright, pull up a chair (or just lean on the counter with a cup of tea—no judgment). So, these Gourmet Thick Peanut Butter Cookies have a bit of a reputation in my circle. I started making them after a rainy weekend years ago, when the only …

So Here's the Deal With This Cake... You know that feeling when you're rummaging through the kitchen late at night and suddenly remember you promised to bring dessert to a potluck tomorrow? Yeah, that's pretty much how I discovered this easy double chocolate Coca Cola cake recipe. My aunt June used to make it at …

So, You Want Cake in Five Minutes Flat? Alright, real talk—sometimes you just need chocolate now. Like, actual cake, not a sad handful of chocolate chips you found at the back of the pantry (I've done it, no shame). My first time making this 5-minute chocolate mug cake was after a long, rainy Tuesday; I'd …

Let Me Tell You About This Cowboy Cornbread Casserole Alright, friend, settle in. So, there was this one time in college when I first tried to impress someone (spoiler: it did not work, but the casserole sure did). I’ve been making my own version of Cowboy Cornbread Casserole ever since—usually when I want something hearty …

Let Me Tell You About This Cheesecake (And That One Time...) Okay, first off, let me just say: if you’d told younger me that one day I’d be voluntarily baking a New York cheesecake (and not, you know, just eating it at diners at 2am), I’d have laughed you out of my kitchen. But here …

Let Me Tell You About These Hand Pies… Okay, so picture this: It’s a Saturday afternoon, there’s this chill in the air (the kind that makes you want to bake something, but also, you don’t wanna do dishes for an hour). That’s usually when I get the itch for these air fryer apple hand pies. …

Let Me Tell You About My Choc Coconut Slice Obsession Okay, imagine this: It’s 3pm, the school bell’s just rung, my hands are covered in dirt (from the garden, not detention — this time!), and I burst through the kitchen door to the smell of melted chocolate and toasted coconut. Mum’s already got the kettle …

Let Me Tell You About This Chicken Cobbler Casserole I have to warn you—once you make this, it's gonna wriggle its way into your regular dinner rotation. I stumbled on this Chicken Cobbler Casserole after a chilly soccer game when the kids came home looking like drowned rats and everyone needed something hearty, fast. The …

Let's Talk About My Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls Obsession So, you know those days when you can't decide between banana bread and cinnamon rolls? Well, this is what happens when you throw caution (and maybe a few overripe bananas) to the wind and just mash both together. Honestly, the first time I made these was …

Let Me Tell You About Cherry Cheesecake Bars (And My Slight Obsession) So here’s the thing: I make these Cherry Cheesecake Bars more than I probably should. Last time I showed up to my cousin’s barbecue with a tray, my aunt nearly wrestled me for the last piece (she’s 72, but honestly, don’t cross her …

Remembering the First Time I Made These Okay, confession time: the first time I tried making banana blueberry muffins, I practically set off the smoke alarm because I forgot about them while binge-watching old episodes of Bake Off. No joke! But honestly, these muffins have become a sort of kitchen comfort blanket for me—like, if …

Let Me Tell You About These Brownies (and That One Time...) Okay, so I have to confess—I've baked these brownies more times than I can count, and they've snuck into almost every family event, school bake sale (where my nephew, Tom, actually tried to pass them off as his own), and the occasional rainy Thursday …

Let Me Tell You About My Mars Bar Slice Obsession Alright, so here’s the thing: I’ve been making this Mars Bar slice since before I could reach the top shelf (and believe me, I’m still not exactly winning any height records). My mum used to whip this up for every birthday, bake sale, or any …

Let Me Tell You About My Strawberry Shortcake Trifle Honestly, strawberry shortcake trifle is one of those knock-out desserts I make when I want people to think I’m fancier than I really am (spoiler: I’m eating this in sweatpants). First time I made it was for my cousin’s birthday, and the kitchen looked like a …

So, Let Me Tell You About These Red Velvet Cupcakes Oh, red velvet. Just saying it makes me think of that time I tried to impress my in-laws and dripped batter all over my brand-new jeans (spoiler: it stains). But honestly, these red velvet cupcakes with vanilla swirl buttercream are my go-to when I want …

Let's Chat About Strawberry Cupcakes (and How My Kitchen Ended Up Sticky... Again) Alright, friend, let me tell you about the time my niece tried to help me make these strawberry cupcakes with strawberry buttercream and we somehow managed to get pink frosting in her hair, the dog's fur, and, mysteriously, the inside of my …

Let Me Tell You About This Cheesecake… So here's the deal. Every summer, when strawberries are cheap and sun-warmed, I get this itch for something sweet but, honestly, I can't be bothered to turn the oven on (who wants more sweat?). The first time I made this no-bake strawberry cheesecake, I was supposed to be …

Okay, so let me tell you about the time I first made these summer mini key lime cheesecakes. It was one of those sticky-hot afternoons when you just want to stick your head in the fridge (or freezer, honestly). My neighbor had invited herself over—bless her—and I needed something fast, impressive, and, most importantly, oven-optional. …

Let Me Tell You About These Mini Dulce de Leche Cheesecakes I’ll be honest: the first time I made these, I was a total mess. You could practically hear the panic in my kitchen. Picture me, standing in front of the oven, wondering if I’d just invented some kind of caramel-flavored disaster. But hey, that’s …

Let Me Tell You About Banana Pudding Cheesecake Cones So, I sort of stumbled on this idea one lazy Saturday when I was craving banana pudding and something with a little crunch. (Yeah, indecision is my superpower.) I remembered the way my aunt used to serve banana pudding in giant bowls at family picnics—layers of …

Let Me Tell You About These Samoas Cookies So, you know those days when you’re just craving something sweet and a bit nostalgic? That’s me with Samoas cookies. I grew up fighting my siblings for the last one in the box (I mean, who doesn’t love that chewy-caramel-coconut combo?). Anyway, one rainy weekend I thought, …

So, This Hot Fudge Pie Story Starts in My Mom's Kitchen... I have to admit, the first time I made this hot fudge pie, I thought it was going to be a disaster. I think I was about 14, and convinced that melting chocolate meant nuking it in the microwave until it looked like tar. …