What should I get everybody for Christmas?? Here’s your answer, from me, The Gift Charlatan, a big fan of next-day delivery and getting ideas for presents from the internet. It’s the moooost wonderful tiiiime, of the year!! Shopping season is upon us my friends. To be perfectly honest, this IS my favorite time of year,…
Pumpkin Sheet Cake is perfectly moist, spicy, and dare I say, PUMPKIN-Y. The pumpkin flavor really shines through! Bake in a half sheet pan for a thin (but still fluffy) cake that results in the exact cake-to-frosting ratio that I always aim for when I take a bite of cake. Top it with Maple Cream…
This Butternut Squash Lasagna is the vegetarian main dish of my dreams! Layers of noodles, roasted squash, buttery spinach, a rich and savory cream sauce, and of course lots of Parmesan cheese make this the fall casserole that will steal the show this Thanksgiving. Delicious and hearty, it’s the perfect comfort food on a chilly…
I think half the reason people don’t eat butternut squash is fear of cutting it. (It me) Well, fear be gone! Cutting a squash is simpler than it looks. I’m going to show you how a real deal (charlatan) chef does it, with all the best tricks to make it as easy as possible. The next time…
Thanksgiving makes even the most confident cook start second-guessing everything. It’s ok guys, you don’t need to secretly Google “is crying into gravy considered seasoning” while pretending everything’s fine 😂 I’ve rounded up 20 classic Thanksgiving recipes that taste just like Grandma’s, minus the mystery instructions written in cursive on a butter-stained index card. We’re…
Apples. Apples everywhere. The moment fall hits, I suddenly become that person. It’s all about apple picking, homemade applesauce, and “just whipping up a quick pie.” I’m over here in my gingham apron, with flour on my nose, dreamily rolling out crust, remembering the tragic past: a past in which I used to HATE apple…
The only thing easier than Sheet Pan Chicken Quesadillas…is making a regular quesadilla. But with this easy oven recipe, you can feed the whole family and not have to stand at the stove making a bunch in a row! These quesadillas are stuffed with chicken, pinto beans, tomatoes, green onions, and of course plenty of…
“Defense! Defense!“ *cue me looking around to the chanting people in the room, trying to figure out what exactly is going on.* Guys, I’m just here for the snacks. I’m the stepsister on Ever After whose mother claims she only goes to parties for the food. Still, if you have any sports fans in your…
I used to think Red Velvet Cake was superfluous. Why would I want a dyed-red less-than-chocolate cake? But oh, my friends. I have been converted. When done right, Red Velvet is incredibly unique and indulgent. It’s not just a treat for the eyes! There is a reason this recipe has become a classic. The velvety…
This Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting is unreal, you guys. You thought you had to stop eating cream cheese frosting at some point, because you go into a sugar coma, right? Now you never have to stop. This recipe is light, airy, fresh. It feels like you’re eating whipped cream, but with the flavor of tangy…
These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins have cured me entirely of my slight aversion to the chocolate + fall spice combo. I’m a believer now. The chocolate plus the entire can of pumpkin make this recipe super fudgy. I’ve got all the tips to make them ridiculously tall and fluffy, like they came straight from a…
EUREKA! These are the Chocolate Cupcakes of my dreams!! I’ve never been a cupcake person, but I have found my forever recipe after a lot of trial and error. This cupcake is moist and full of rich chocolate-y flavor, with perfectly soft, fluffy texture. Honestly, it’s good all on it’s own, but just you wait…
I used to think you needed to beat Chocolate Buttercream Frosting for a long time at the very end so that it would turn out LIGHT and FLUFFY. But I’ve had a serious change of heart, texture-wise. From now on, I will be making chocolate buttercream with a new method that focuses on getting a…
I have been wanting to master an Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe for a LONG time and I’m so happy to finally be posting my favorite version!! This recipe is the result of many years of pondering and testing. Oatmeal cookies are serious business; I do not take my job lightly 😂 These cookies have…
Tomato Bisque is the MOTHER of all Tomato Soups, guys. It’s like regular tomato soup and creamy potato soup got together and had a baby. Instead of being just tomato-based it has the full trifecta of carrot-onions-celery (the holy trinity) that brings in so much flavor and umami. It comes together quickly, and has very…
Got leftover chicken? Turn it into the BEST Chicken Flautas! Tender and juicy seasoned chicken, wrapped up in a tortilla and deep fried. Come to mama. Top them with green avocado sauce, dunk it in some sour cream, sprinkle it with Pico de Gallo and cotija cheese, and you’ve got the most amazing Mexican feast.…
There’s cheesecake. And then there’s OREO CHEESECAKE. We are not messing around today: this recipe calls for 63 Oreos. A thick and perfectly tender Oreo crust, rich and creamy vanilla cheesecake, stuffed with chopped, crushed, and halved Oreos, big enough that you can still read the Oreo imprint on the cookie. Topped with chocolate ganache…
This is my new dinnertime SAVIOR. I can get this Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake on the table in 20 minutes flat. It’s shockingly delicious for how simple it is. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and flavor. And did I mention it’s an easy pantry meal? You can make this dinner with (almost) just what’s…
This Shrimp Scampi recipe is the one that made me a shrimp lover! Every bite is tender. I’ve had too much rubbery shrimp in my life to not be sensitive to this! There is a special brining step that helps achieve perfectly cooked shrimp with a slight crisp on the edge. The tender, juicy shrimp…
It’s a hard fact: most Sugar Cookies are bland and dry, and covered in frosting to mask their cardboard-ness. THIS is a fast + easy cheat recipe, that you drop on a pan just like chocolate chip cookies; you don’t need cookie cutters. It has the same ultra buttery, chewy flavor of the BEST Soft…
The only thing better than a mile-high Flaky Buttermilk Biscuit is one that’s smothered in sausage gravy! This Homemade Biscuits and Gravy recipe will stop you in your tracks. It’s comfort food like no other. The Biscuits are tender and flaky, and the creamy, savory sausage gravy is deceptively flavorful for how easy it is…
I said what I said, Panda. Orange Chicken is LIFE, right? It’s the American way. Crispy, sticky, sweet, and delightfully tangy—this homemade recipe is way better than takeout! We are maxing out the orange flavor with plenty of zest and juice + a secret ingredient in the sauce. The tender bites of chicken are fried…
