Birthday Recipes

Vermont Breakfast Bread

As I was packing my bag for a weekend work trip last month, I scanned the shelves for a new book or magazine to pass the time on the plane. My destination was Vermont. The purpose was a farm tour. Stonyfield, a company perhaps best known for making yogurt, had extended the invitation. Some time…

John’s Favorite Ice Cream Cake

A few weeks ago, I was working at my computer when the doorbell rang. Although I got up right away, I opened the door to find no one there. A quick glance up and down the street revealed nobody, but as I turned to close the door I noticed a yellow rose, attractively wrapped with…

William’s Habanero Hot Sauce… and a hot sauce taste test

Though we often cheat and hope for no frost (or April snow, as was the case this year), the safe time for backyard planting where I live is always said to begin on Motherโ€™s Day. Ever since my husband and I bought our first house, weโ€™ve planted a garden. There is something so satisfying about…

Simple Vanilla Syrup

A deliciously easy (and economical) way to sweeten homemade iced coffee, lattes, and a variety of other drinks and desserts. For basic simple syrup, simply omit the vanilla.   Have you ever added sugar to a glass of iced tea, stirred vigorously to dissolve it, only to find a puddle of semi-dissolved granules at the…

No-Bake Refrigerator Peanut Butter Oat Squares

A wholesome, no-bake recipe with peanut butter and chocolate (what’s not to love?), these chewy bars never last long!   Since my kids were little, one of their favorite lunchbox treats has been a chewy peanut butter chocolate chip granola bar. Whatโ€™s not to like? With their convenient portable packaging and ever-growing assortment of flavors,…

Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies (low sugar and really easy)

These small bites satisfy a sweet tooth with minimal sugar and the added benefit of wholesome fats and protein from the almonds. What’s more, the dough can be quickly mixed by hand with minimal ingredients.   There’s something special about shortbread. I’ve always had a soft spot for its buttery goodness, mild sweetness, and subtle…

3-Ingredient Oreo Fudge (with mint option)

This recipe is for all those times you have to make a dessert for a bake sale, a potluck, or a holiday cookie tray and you just don’t have time. ย Sometimes, even an easy cookie recipe seems daunting when the days are hectic and you’re fretting about rolling out several dozen little balls! I can…

Aunt Glennaโ€™s Flourless Fudge Pie

Certain days are easy to remember. Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November, and Motherโ€™s Day is the second Sunday in May. For my family, thereโ€™s another annual occurrence penned in our family calendar for the Sunday before Thanksgiving–The Apple Pie Auction & Variety Show. First Presbyterian of Lancasterโ€”our family churchโ€”hosts the evening in the…

Roasted Beet Hummus

Serve this gorgeous show-stopper as a make-ahead appetizer, a satisfying snack, or as a base for an anything-but-boring lunch.   When I first laid eyes upon this colorful sister of the traditional middle eastern dip, I was smitten by its vibrant ruby hue. Thanks to the addition of a humble root vegetable, the color is…

Overnight No-Cook Oatmeal Yogurt Cups

This classic recipe for no-cook overnight oats offers meal prep convenience and is loaded with fruit, fiber, and protein-packed staying power!   Overnight oats have a lot going for them. The no-cook, prep-ahead recipe makes the morning routine a breeze with its winning combination of protein, calcium, fiber, and Omega-3s. And it tastes great! In…

5-Ingredient No-Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Pure vanilla flavor shines in this no-churn ice cream recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eatโ€”and no fancy ice cream maker is required.   I can still picture my grandfather packing rock salt into the barrel of his old ice cream maker when I was a kid. My sister and I…

Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice Cream (easy 5-ingredient recipe that’s dairy-free and naturally sweetened)

Luxuriously sweet and creamy, it’s hard to believe this ice cream is dairy-free and naturally sweetened โ€“ and incredibly easy to make.    After years of developing mostly healthy recipes, people logically assume that I am one of those really virtuous eaters. And I truly enjoy lots of wholesome foods. Truth is though, I also…

Get recipes delivered straight to your inbox.