special occasion

Coconut Cake with Pineapple Filling

A slice of an easy coconut cake recipe with a pineapple filling on a plate with a fork cutting into it.This simple Coconut Cake recipe has a fresh and delicious pineapple filling inside layers of coconut cake and frosted with a creamy coconut cream cheese frosting. It’s one of my absolute favorite cakes! How to make Coconut Cake: Make Cake Batter: Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat…

Meringue Roulade

A meringue roulade dessert with a berry filling, topped with whipped mascarpone cream and fresh berries.This Meringue Roulade dessert has a light crispy exterior with a soft, marshmallow-like center. It’s a sophisticated dessert everyone loves, yet it’s very easy to make! How to make Meringue Roulade: Make Meringue: Use cold eggs to separate the yolks from the whites, being careful to not get any yolk into the whites. Let it…

French Toast Casserole

A piece of easy Baked French Toast Casserole on a small white plate.This overnight French Toast Casserole recipe only takes 15 minutes to prep then it’s baked in the morning. It has all the flavor we love from french toast with an incredible crunchy cinnamon sugar streusel topping! How to make Overnight French Toast Casserole: Combine and Refrigerate: Butter the bottom and sides of a 9×13” pan.…

Key Lime Pie

An easy Key Lime Pie recipe with one slice being raised from the pie to serve.The best Key Lime Pie recipe has a creamy, fresh, and flavorful 4-ingredient filling on top of a homemade graham cracker crust. It’s so easy to make and great to make in advance! How to make Key Lime Pie: Make Crust and Filling: Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a small bowl…

Sugar Cookie Bars

A frosted Sugar Cookie Bar on a square of parchment paper, topped with rainbow sprinkles.Our easy Sugar Cookie Bars recipe has a soft and chewy cookie bar topped with cream cheese frosting. It’s all the flavor you love, without the chilling, rolling, or cutting, so they’re perfect for potlucks, parties, and holidays. How to make Sugar Cookie Bars: Make Cookie Dough: Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl…

Lemon Tiramisu

A piece of an easy lemon tiramisu dessert on a white plate, showing the delicious layers.The best Lemon Tiramisu recipe has ladyfingers dipped in a lemon syrup and layered with a whipped mascarpone and homemade lemon curd. It’s fresh, beautiful, and the perfect make ahead, no-bake dessert! I’m Officially Declaring My Love for This Lemon Tiramisu. Lemon Tiramisu That’ll Steal the Show No-Bake, All-Wow: My Lemon Tiramisu Is the Ultimate…

Yellow Cake

A slice of a moist yellow cake with chocolate frosting on a plate with a fork.Our soft and moist Yellow Cake recipe is topped with a simple homemade chocolate frosting. There is a reason why this is a classic, and I promise it tastes better than anything you can get from a box! Yellow Cake vs White Cake vs Vanilla Cake: Yellow Cake can often get confused for white cake…

Rack of Lamb

A roasted Rack of Lamb recipe served on a plate with smashed garlic potatoes.Any one can make this frenched Rack of Lamb recipe, served on a bed of roasted garlic smashed potatoes. It’s a sophisticated dish that couldn’t be easier to make. How to make Roasted Lamb: Prep Potatoes: Add potatoes to a large pot of cold salted water over medium heat. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.…

Hershey’s Chocolate Cake

A slice of the best chocolate cake recipe served on a white plate with a sprinkle of cocoa powder and a fork cutting into it.There’s a reason the Hershey Chocolate Cake recipe has been the best chocolate cake recipe for decades! It’s soft, moist, and has the perfect chocolate flavor, and don’t even get me started on that homemade chocolate frosting! This one of our favorite desserts! How to make Chocolate Cake: Make Cake Batter: Combine sugar, flour, cocoa,…

Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

A piece of baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken on a plate served with broccolini, with a fork picking up a slice to eat.Our easy baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe is healthy and flavorful, with a perfect crispy outside and juicy inside. The best part is it’s so easy to make! How to make Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken: Coat Chicken: Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Mix olive oil and garlic in a shallow bowl.…

Sugar Cookies

An easy Sugar Cookie recipe, frosted with cream cheese frosting and topped with rainbow sprinkles.Our soft Sugar Cookies recipe has that perfect texture and couldn’t be easier to make! They’re my go-to for holidays, cutting them into fun shapes, decorating with frosting and sprinkles. How to make Sugar Cookies: Make Cookie Dough: Cream together the shortening/butter and sugar then mix in eggs, milk, and vanilla. In a separate bowl,…

Mini Pavlova

An easy Pavlova recipe made into individual mini pavlovas, topped with whipped crema and fresh berries.This Mini Pavlova recipe is as delicious as it is beautiful! A light, whipped meringue mixture baked then topped with whipped cream and fresh berries. It has a delicate, crisp exterior with a marshmallow-like center. It’s everyone’s favorite dessert! How to make Mini Pavlova: Beat Egg Whites: Separate egg yolks from whites and allow the…

Burrata Appetizer

An easy Burrata appetizer drizzled with a balsamic reduction and arranged on a platter with mini toasts, jam, prosciutto, fresh pear, and dates.In my opinion, the best Burrata Appetizer allows the burrata to take center stage, drizzled with a balsamic reduction, and paired with accoutrements like pear, prosciutto, toasts, jam, dates, and nuts. No cooking required, and only 10 minutes to make! How to make a Burrata Appetizer: Arrange: Place burrata on your favorite serving board then…

Seared Scallops

The best Pan Seared Scallops recipe with a golden crust and an easy garlic butter sauce spooned on top.This pan Seared Scallops recipe is so easy to make, with a beautiful golden crust and garlic butter sauce to spoon on top. It’s a restaurant-quality dish that you can cook confidently at home! Buy the right kind of Scallops: How to cook Scallops: Prep Scallops: Pat scallops dry with paper towels. (Remove the small…

Pink Sauce Pasta

Creamy Pasta Sauce in a large skillet topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil.This creamy Pink Sauce Pasta recipe is warm, comforting, and has the best flavor! It’s inspired by the popular pasta dish at Mama D’s restaurant in Newport, CA. How to make Pink Sauce Pasta: Sauté Shallot and Crush Tomatoes: Sauté shallot in butter and oil over medium heat. Add garlic and dry spices and cook…

Best Super Bowl Foods

A Super Bowl themed graphic to highlight a post about the best super bowl foods to have at your next party.And if you want even more ideas, check out my full list of Appetizer and Finger Foods. I shared this post January 2024. Updated February 2025.

The Perfect Charcuterie Board

The best charcuterie board with a variety of meats, cheeses, crackers, spreads, and fruit.My step-by-step guide for how to make a Charcuterie Board, including food ideas, what pairs well together, and how to assemble it for any season, group size, or occasion. Charcuterie Boards are such a fun and beautiful way to enjoy a delicious snack or appetizer. What to add to a Charcuterie Board: When building a…

Baked Salmon

An easy baked salmon recipe on a platter, cut into four fillets and ready to serve.It’s so easy to make my Baked Salmon recipe at home, and it’s just as good (and much less expensive) than a restaurant. We love a garlic butter seasoning, but have tips for using other salmon seasonings as well. How to bake Salmon: Rest Salmon on the counter for 20-30 minutes until at room temperature.…

Baked Brie

The best Baked Brie recipe wrapped in a puff pastry and served in the center of a platter surrounded by sliced baguette, grapes, and green apples.Our Baked Brie recipe couldn’t be easier, wrapped in a flakey puff pastry and baked until the cheese is melted and gooey. We love to serve it on a platter with apples, baguette slices, crackers, grapes, and figs. How to Bake Brie: Roll puff pastry: Lightly flour a surface then place puff pastry on top.…

Bacon Wrapped Dates

A sheet of easy Bacon Wrapped Dates, freshly baked with a delicious glaze.This delicious Bacon Wrapped Dates recipe (aka Devils on Horseback) has a date stuffed with creamy goat cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon. The homemade glaze takes it over the top and makes it one of the absolute best appetizers! How to make Bacon Wrapped Dates: Glaze: Make the glaze by combining maple syrup, cilantro,…

Cinnamon Roll Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

A slice of an easy Cinnamon Roll Cake recipe, topped with cream cheese frosting and served on a white plate.Our easy Cinnamon Roll Cake recipe has all of the flavors of a cinnamon roll but without all the work! It’s a crowd pleaser and great for lunch or dessert. Ingredients Needed: How to make a Cinnamon Roll Cake: Make Batter: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, egg, milk, and vanilla. Stir in the melted…

Osso Buco

Osso Buco served atop risotto in a white dish on a black and white patterned countertop. A black and white striped napkin is also in the image.Osso Buco is a classic Italian dish that originates from the Lombardy region, typically made with braised veal shanks. The…

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Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

A slice from an easy Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake recipe a being lifted to show the chocolate and vanilla layers.This incredible Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake has layers of creamy cheesecake, chocolate mousse, and chocolate ganache topping all on an Oreo cookie crust. You can impress anyone with this decadent and sophisticated dessert! Want more pie recipes? I recommend Grasshopper Pie, Lemon Meringue Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Peanut Butter Pie, or Apple Pie! How to make…

Potatoes Au Gratin

Baked Potatoes Au Gratin, with some of it being lifted with a spoon.The best Potatoes Au Gratin recipe has layers of thin potatoes covered in a creamy, homemade cheese sauce. It’s a simple classic and impresses any guest. Want more side dishes? Make Air Fryer Baked Potato, Poutine, Quinoa Salad, and Roasted Vegetables! Au Gratin Potatoes vs Scalloped Potatoes: These two potato dishes are often confused since…

Grasshopper Pie

A slice of an easy grasshopper pie recipe being lifted out of a pie pan.This easy Grasshopper Pie recipe has a delicious and creamy mint filling on top of an Oreo cookie crust. It’s a delicious no-bake dessert that can be made with or without alcohol. I have dozens of pie recipes (I’m obsessed!) like our favorite German Chocolate Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Oreo Cheesecake, or Peanut Butter Pie!…