Dessert

If you’ve ever found yourself standing in your kitchen, panic-setting in because you’ve promised chocolate cake and somehow the frosting part fell off your to-do list, please know—you are so not alone. I can’t tell you how many times a naked cake has stared me down with those “are you ready yet?” vibes, only to be saved (again!) by this trusty, old-fashioned fluffy 7-minute frosting. Around here, we call it “the hero in a mixing bowl.” It’s one of those retro comforts that’s always there for you: glossy, cloudlike, and almost alarmingly quick to make. I’ve reached for it on …

So, picture this: you’re digging into a slice of warm, melty chocolate cake… and then you hit that layer of gooey fudge sauce hiding underneath like it’s some kind of delicious secret. Yeah. That’s this cake. Hot Fudge Pudding Cake sounds fancy, I know — but it’s one of those old-school recipes that feels like it came straight out of a grandma’s 1970s casserole dish. My grandma, specifically. She used to make it after Sunday dinner, usually while yelling at us not to touch it until it cooled. (We always ignored her.) I hadn’t thought about this cake in years …

If you’re anything like me, strawberries practically scream “summer’s arrived!” I can’t walk past a farmer’s market stand, see those gorgeous ruby-red berries, and not come home with at least two quarts (the kids always sneak a few before we even get to the car). This Simple Strawberry Slab Pie? It’s my secret weapon for every sleepover, barbecue, and even the occasional “just because it’s Tuesday” treat. There’s something so homey about a slab pie—less fussy than a traditional round pie, but every bit as delicious, maybe even more so. You get maximum filling with that soft, buttery crust and …

If there’s a cake that disappears like magic at a family gathering—no matter how many other desserts are on the table—it’s carrot cake. I’ll forever associate the smell of warm spices and sweet carrots baking with holiday dinners at my Aunt Marge’s, sipping coffee in the kitchen while the kids sneak “extra” bites right off the cooling rack. And while I love a good, old-fashioned carrot cake (complete with finger streaks in the frosting, thanks to my husband), sometimes I just need a shortcut. I’ve learned to embrace the magic of a boxed mix—with a few cozy upgrades, of course. …

I have to admit—New York cheesecake holds a pretty special place in my heart. You know those desserts where just the sight of them makes you feel like a kid on Christmas morning? That’s what this cheesecake does for me. I still remember my mom clattering around with her battered springform pan every Thanksgiving, muttering about water baths and taking the whole process very, very seriously. The creamy, vanilla-scented aroma would fill the whole kitchen, and the big struggle was to keep everyone’s fingers out of the fridge while it cooled. Oh, that first slice… honestly, swoon-worthy. This cheesecake is …

If you grew up anywhere with summer heat, you probably have some sweet memories of sun-soaked afternoons and cool, juicy snacks. I swear, every time I bake a batch of these Pineapple Cake Bars, I’m suddenly seven again and standing barefoot on my grandma’s porch, mango juice running down my arms and someone hollering, “Don’t forget the sunscreen!” There’s something about the tangy pineapple and buttery crumb that makes my whole kitchen feel like a vacation. And let’s be honest—we need that now and then, right? These bars are basically sunshine in snack form. When you’re craving a dessert that’s …