Congo Bars
Congo Bars = the ultimate blondie! Perfectly chewy and so much easier to make than a batch of cookies, this foolproof recipe is a childhood favorite that has stood the test of time. Readers occasionally ask me if I ever really mess up a recipe – and the answer is a definite “Yes!” Earlier this…
Homemade Frappuccino (healthy, creamy & dairy-free)
Frappuccino fans rejoice! This healthy, dairy-free coffee smoothie is creamy and decadent like a Frosty but naturally sweetened with dates－and because not everyone loves them, no bananas! Dessert-worthy but loaded with enough nutrients and staying power to be a meal. If you have yet to dream about coffees smoothies, you surely will after…
Easy Mud Pie
This easy, make-ahead recipe is sure to become a favorite for casual entertaining and special occasions. The quick, no-bake homemade crust adds something special (and allows for a gluten-free option) but a store-bought cookie crust works well, too. After a recent swim, I overheard a mother attempting to prepare her young daughter for a nap…
Emma’s Favorite Cupcakes (dairy- and gluten-free optional)
What happens when a dear friend requests a spot-on replica of the utterly perfect cupcakes her mom used to make－minus the dairy and gluten? You figure out a way, of course! This cupcake recipe, however, is bigger than any one birthday or Valentine’s Day. It represents love and loss and how we can form everlasting…
Crustless Cranberry Pie
Festive, seasonal and so easy to make with pantry staples, this sweet-tart treat is fruit forward like a pie but somewhat cakier in texture. This recipe is rooted in practicality: Years ago, I had fresh cranberries that needed to be used before we left town for a week. (I later learned cranberries freeze well!)…
Fruitcake Quick Bread
Finally…a fruitcake you’ll want to eat! This quick and easy batter bread is packed with fruit and nuts but unlike traditional fruitcake is lighter, less sweet, and more mildly spiced. A name isn’t just a name. It’s an identity, and with that, it conjures up feelings and memories. In some cases, it also carries baggage. …
Salty Sweet Gourmet Sprinkles
Sprinkles are all grown up thanks to this stellar 3-ingredient combination that’s perfect for holiday gift giving! 🎁 The season of gift giving is upon us, and so often we need just a little something to give to a teacher, a co-worker or party host. But it’s fun when that “little something” has a…
No-Churn Kahlua Chip Ice Cream
No-Churn Kahlua Chip Ice Cream is fun to make and oh so delicious to eat—and no fancy ice cream maker is required! It all began with 5-Ingredient No-Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream waaaay back in the summer of 2015. At the time, I made a note to share some of the other no-churn ice cream flavors…
Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa Cobbler
With a layer of melted butter and batter, followed by fruit on the top, this simple peach cobbler strays from the typical two-layer recipe with fruit on the bottom and a crumble or biscuit on top. Then, as this cobbler bakes, the batter rises up and over the peaches and forms a cake-like treat, with the…
2-Ingredient No-Cook Chia Jam
2-Ingredient No-Cook Chia Jam is a sugar- and syrup-free alternative to the ever-popular chia jam! As I share recipes from week to week, I have a pretty good sense that speedy dinners with readily available seasonal ingredients will likely be well received and cooked often. Who doesn’t need another easy, healthy meal to add to the…
Strawberry Granitas
Sweet, melt-in-your-mouth granitas can be made with a variety of seasonal fruits for a refreshingly light dessert or snack all summer long. Start with this simple recipe for Strawberry Granitas and customize to taste with a variety of options. No fancy equipment needed! My husband and I hosted a big cookout over Memorial Day weekend.…
Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake
Guaranteed to be the hit of the party, my favorite Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake includes fudge filling, chocolate crunchies, and all. There’s also a worthy gluten-free option for those who need it—and nobody will detect a difference! On birthdays and hot summer nights, cake and ice cream really hit the spot. The following…
