These sprinkle sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and full of sweet vanilla flavor. Colorful sprinkles are folded into the dough, and each cookie is finished with extra sprinkles pressed on top for a bright, festive look. They bake up tender with slightly golden edges and make an easy, joyful dessert for birthdays, celebrations, or just … Read more

Making the creamiest, most crowd-pleasing mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot is quick and simple. This recipe produces a rich, smooth side that holds up well for holiday crowds and can be made ahead—perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any large gathering. This year I had the chance to host Thanksgiving for the first time and … Read more

Caprese Appetizer Salad with a simple Balsamic Glaze – the best salad EVER, especially with fresh summer tomatoes! Caprese, or Caprese Salad (Insalata Caprese), literally means “salad of Capri.” This timeless Italian appetizer celebrates three simple, fresh ingredients—ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil, and creamy mozzarella—arranged to echo the colors of the Italian flag. When those ingredients … Read more

I’ve been craving a beet cake lately—torn between a chocolate beet cake with pink vanilla frosting (dyed with beet) and a vanilla beet cake with chocolate frosting. Unable to choose, I roasted the beets and made a hearty salad instead. It satisfied the craving for beets and gave me time to decide on the cake. … Read more

Soft, thick apple cookies finished with a sweet, fluffy cream cheese butterscotch frosting — the perfect Fall treat. Extra Apples On Hand?? These apple cookies are thick and slightly cake-like, yet remain wonderfully moist and tender. They lean toward the soft, pillowy texture of a lofthouse-style cookie but with fresh apple folded into the dough. … Read more

Simple, classic deviled eggs are an easy appetizer to make and always a crowd favorite. Enjoy them as written or add your favorite toppings for extra flavor. The best recipes are often the simplest, and these classic deviled eggs are no exception. They’re quick to make, budget-friendly, and endlessly adaptable. When I think of party … Read more

I just returned from a weekend in Windsor, Vermont, helping the Dizzy Pig BBQ Competition Team at the Harpoon Championships of New England Barbecue. After a long weekend of competition-level cooking, I wanted something quick, simple, and full of flavor to get the week started. While staffing the Dizzy Pig vending table, I spoke with … Read more

This comforting oven-roasted tomato soup, made with sweet Vidalia onion and a head of roasted garlic, comes together quickly with minimal hands-on time—an ideal bowl of warmth on a chilly day. There’s something deeply satisfying about a warm bowl of tomato soup when the weather turns cool. This version relies on oven-roasted Roma tomatoes, a … Read more

Champagne Meringue Cupcakes January birthdays often feel overlooked after the holidays. If your celebration lands in the first month of the year, you might find friends pinching pennies and sticking to new routines that exclude sugar, gluten or fun. That’s all the more reason to mark the occasion with something joyful. These Champagne Meringue Cupcakes … Read more

If you love sushi but don’t want to bother with rolling, this Magical Sushi Bowl is an ideal solution. It captures all the fresh flavors of sushi—rice, avocado, seaweed and savory toppings—without the need for a bamboo mat. The bowl is quick to assemble, easy to customize and a great option for solo dinners, packed … Read more