Author name: Lauren Allen

17 Special Occasion Cakes That Make You Look Like a Pro (Without the Stress)

Make any celebration unforgettable with these special occasion cakes. Baking for a special occasion should feel exciting, not overwhelming. I’ve tested and relied on these special occasion cakes for birthdays, holidays, and family gatherings, and they’ve never let me down. Each one is approachable and impressive, with flavors that always get people asking for the…

Chicken Caesar Wraps

The best Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap with juicy chicken, crunchy lettuce, tomatoes, and a delicious dressing.Our Chicken Caesar Wrap recipe is everything you love about a classic Caesar salad, wrapped up in a soft tortilla for a quick, satisfying lunch or light dinner. How to make a Chicken Caesar Wrap: Combine: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped chicken, romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, croutons, and Caesar dressing.…

The Best Muffins to Freeze for Easy, On-the-Go Breakfasts

The best muffins to freeze for quick, easy breakfasts that taste freshly baked every time. Mornings get busy fast, and having a stash of ready-to-go breakfasts can make all the difference. These 13 recipes are the best muffins to freeze. They are simple to make, freezer-friendly, and perfect for quick meals or snacks when time…

Banana Oat Muffins

A plate of healthy Banana Oat Muffins ready to be enjoyed.This easy Banana Oat Muffins recipe is a wholesome, kid‑approved breakfast or snack made with ripe bananas, rolled oats, applesauce, and Greek yogurt. How to make Banana Oat Muffins: Combine: Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C) and prepare a muffin tin with non-stick spray or liners. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, brown sugar,…

Gazpacho

A classic Gazpacho recipe is the most refreshing drink or soup of Summer! The flavorful vegetables really shine and it's so easy to make in the blender in just a few minutes!This refreshing Gazpacho recipe is made from ripe summer vegetables blended into a chilled, smooth soup that’s perfect for hot days. It’s easy to make and packed with fresh flavor! How to make Gazpacho: Prep Ingredients: Break the bread into small pieces, drizzle with ¼ cup water plus a splash of olive oil and let…

12 Easy Canning Recipes That Make the Most of Summer Fruit

Blackberry Jam is so easy to make and perfect for canning to enjoy all year round.These easy canning recipes celebrate the best of summer fruit with tried-and-true jams and jellies you’ll want to make again and again – plus free printable labels to make them gift-ready. Canning might seem intimidating at first, but it’s much simpler than you think and the results are so worth it. These easy canning recipes…

What To Do With Leftover Rice

10 Creative Ways to Use Leftover Rice and Simplify Your Meal Prep. Leftover rice is the perfect shortcut to quick, cozy, and flavorful meals. I love to use my rice cooker or Instant Pot to make a bunch of rice up ahead of time. Below are some of my favorite ways to turn that extra…

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders served in a basket with dipping sauce.One of our family favorites is this Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe that’s crispy, easy to make, and ready in minutes without the mess of deep frying. How to make Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer: Prep Chicken: Marinate chicken tenders in pickle juice for 30 minutes. In one bowl, whisk together milk and egg.…

12 Homemade Pizza Recipes That’ll Make You Ditch Delivery

Skip the takeout, these from-scratch pizza recipes are fun, flavorful, and freezer-friendly. Once you’ve learned how to make homemade pizza dough, the fun really starts. Whether it’s family night, a casual dinner party, or just a weekend craving, these pizza recipes are made from scratch and tested to perfection. For true pizza lovers or at-home…

Boba Smoothie

This easy Boba Smoothie recipe has a flavorful and tropical smoothie combined with popping boba bubbles. It's sweet, satisfying, and the perfect drink!This easy Boba Smoothie recipe blends lemonade, frozen strawberries, and mango then poured over bursting boba pearls. It’s kid-friendly, fun to sip, and easy to customize! How to make Boba Smoothies: Blend and Assemble: Pour ¼ cup boba into each cup. In a blender, add lemonade or tea and frozen fruit and blend until smooth.…

Zucchini Recipe Ideas That Make the Most of Your Summer Harvest

This zucchini cake is a moist, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s easy to make in a 9x13 pan for any gathering.10 sweet and savory zucchini recipe ideas to help you use up your garden harvest. Zucchini is one of those magical ingredients that works just as well in sweet treats as it does in hearty dinners. If your garden is producing more than you know what to do with, you’re in the right place. You’ll…

What to Cook on Your Blackstone Griddle Tonight

10 Flavor-packed recipes that make the most of your flat top Blackstone Griddle. At our house, the Blackstone Griddle has become a weeknight lifesaver, especially in the summer when I’d rather not turn on the oven. The flat top heats quickly, handles everything from protein to veggies in one go, and makes cleanup simple. Here…

Lemon Zucchini Bread

A loaf of easy and moist Lemon Zucchini Bread drizzled with a delicious glaze, this quick bread can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, snack, or dessert.This easy Lemon Zucchini Bread is moist, bursting with fresh lemon flavor and topped with a sweet citrus glaze that makes it irresistible. How to make Lemon Zucchini Bread: Make Batter: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour an 8×4-inch loaf pan. In one bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.…

Baked Tacos

Baked Tacos lined on a baking tray, topped with salsa, sour cream and lettuce.Our easy Baked Tacos recipe is perfect for dinner any night, or for feeding a crowd, with crispy ready in under 30 minutes, that you can prep ahead of time. How to make Baked Tacos: Cook Taco Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces. Drain…

7 Budget Friendly Dinner Party Recipes That Feel Anything But Cheap

A quick and satisfying pasta bake made in one pan. Perfect for entertaining, busy weeknights, or casual family dinners.Entertaining doesn’t have to be expensive and complicated. These simple, comforting budget-friendly dinner party recipes make it easy to feed a group without blowing your budget. Hosting friends or family doesn’t have to mean complicated recipes or a high grocery bill. The easiest way to keep things stress-free is to stick with simple, familiar meals…

Skip the Gas Station Junk: 15 Homemade Snacks for Your Next Family Trip

Granola bites are no-bake, mess-free, and packed with energy-ideal for snacking between stops or after school.Homemade road trip snacks that are easy to prep, kid-approved, and way better than anything you’ll find at a gas station. If you’re planning a family road trip, you already know keeping everyone fed and happy in the car is half the battle. Gas station snacks add up quickly (and aren’t always the healthiest), and…

Chicken Kabobs

A wooden cutting board with easy Chicken Kabobs with marinated chicken, bell peppers, and onion. It's a simple grilled dish that only takes 10 minutes to prep!Our easy Chicken Kabobs recipe is a quick and flavorful dinner you can make in advance, with juicy marinated chicken and colorful veggies. How to make Chicken Kabobs: Marinate Chicken: combine soy sauce, oil, sprite, garlic powder, and horseradish. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces and add to the marinade; refrigerate for 1–3 hours. Grill Kabobs:…

Don’t Miss These 12 Fruit Desserts Before Summer Ends

This berry cake with lemon cream mousse is a beautiful layered dessert that’s perfect for summer celebrations or potlucks.These homemade fruit desserts are full of summer flavors and perfect for any gathering. It’s almost time to say goodbye to easy dinners outside, longer evenings, and fresh fruit at its peak. But there’s still time to make the most of what’s in season- especially when it comes to dessert. These twelve fruit desserts are…

Coconut Tres Leches Cake

The best Coconut Tres Leches Cake has a fluffy sponge cake with a coconut milk twist and topped with whipped cream and coconut flakes. It's the perfect light dessert!This Coconut Tres Leches Cake is a tropical twist on the classic, made with a light coconut sponge cake soaked in a rich blend of milks, topped with fluffy whipped cream and toasted coconut. How to make Coconut Tres Leches Cake: Make Batter: Preheat oven to 350°F. In one bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and…

16 Summer Side Dishes That Always Steal the Show

When the grill heats up, it’s the summer side dishes that often bring the most flavor- and the most requests for seconds. From timeless classics to fresh and unexpected salads, this lineup of 16 crowd‑pleasing Summer sides is perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or just backyard dinners. Each recipe is easy to prep ahead, travel-friendly, and…

Peanut Noodles

A bowl of saucy Peanut Noodles is comforting, flavorful, and perfect for a quick weeknight since it's ready in just 15 minutes!This Peanut Noodles recipe is a weeknight lifesaver that only takes 15 minutes! The udon noodles are tossed in the easiest homemade peanut sauce that can be made mild or spicy. How to make Peanut Noodles: Cook Pasta: Follow package directions to cook pasta then drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water. Make Sauce and Serve:…

Peanut Sauce

An easy Peanut Sauce recipe in a jar with a spoon lifting some up.If you’ve never made Peanut Sauce from scratch it’s one of my favorite versatile sauces to use as a dip, dressing, or marinade. It’s quick, easy, and packed with creamy, nutty goodness. How to make Peanut Sauce: Combine: In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients and whisk until smooth. Serve: You can use this…

Prep These Healthy Bowl Recipes Now, Thank Yourself All Week

Juicy shawarma-spiced chicken layered with crisp veggies, grains, and creamy tzatziki for a satisfying weeknight dinner that feels like a street-food favorite.12 healthy bowl recipes that make meal prep a breeze and dinner stress-free. When life gets busy (and when doesn’t it?) I rely on bowl meals. The kind where everything- grains, veggies, and protein- comes together in one satisfying, flavor-packed dish. They’re my go-to for a reason: Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or just…

These 10 Easy Tomato Recipes Are Too Good to Skip

A Pimento Cheese BLT instantly elevates the classic sandwich by spreading homemade pimento cheese on the bread, bringing the perfect creamy flavor punch.The easiest and most delicious ways to use ripe summer tomatoes. There’s nothing like a perfectly ripe tomato! It’s sweet, a little tangy, and full of flavor. If your garden is overflowing or you picked up a few extra at the farmers market, these easy tomato recipes are the best way to use them up.…

You Deserve a Break! Make One of These 9 No Stress Dinners Tonight

No time? Busy weekend? No problem. These no stress dinners are your new go-to recipes. If cooking is feeling overwhelming and you’re craving dinner ideas that deliver on flavor without the fuss, you’ve come to the right place. These recipes are family-friendly, made with pantry ingredients, and get dinner on the table fast. So you…

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