Desserts & Baking

Has anyone else noticed how crushed pineapple seems to make every dessert just a touch cozier? There’s a certain nostalgia to it—a throwback to community potlucks and church basement gatherings, when recipes made the rounds on handwritten index cards. This pineapple cake is honestly one of those bakes that has the power to win hearts at first bite. At our house, it’s practically the little black dress of cakes: always appropriate, effortlessly pretty, and guaranteed to earn compliments from even the pickiest taster (I see you, Uncle Bob!). Last summer, I whipped up this beauty for a neighborhood backyard get-together. …

If you’ve spent any time fussing with tough, bland, or just sad pie crusts (hand raised over here!), you’re not alone. For years, I treated pie crust like it was some secret passed down from the pie gods—something only “real bakers” could pull off perfectly. But then I found my groove with this Classic Pie Crust recipe, and let me tell you, my confidence—and pretty much everyone’s dessert expectations—skyrocketed! This crust is buttery, flaky, and pretty much foolproof. Whether you’re making old-fashioned apple pie for Sunday supper or prepping a quiche for a ladies’ lunch, this is the only dough …

You know those classic retro recipes that just never go out of style? The ones that always get gobbled up at family gatherings or potlucks, and make you feel a little bit fancy even if you’re wearing your most “well-loved” (read: stained) holiday sweater? This Pecan Cheddar Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves is one of those treasures. It’s a little bit vintage, a whole lot addictive, and—confession time—I have a soft spot for anything that brings sweet and savory together so deliciously. When I set this out during the holidays, it’s the first thing people gather around. And if you …

If you grew up in the South, odds are you’ve heard whispers about Million Dollar Pie—maybe from a church potluck, a family reunion, or that friend who always shows up with the dessert that disappears before you even decide if you want seconds. Let me just say, the name isn’t trying to fool anybody; there’s a reason folks cling to this old-fashioned classic like grandma’s pearls. The first time I had it, I was sitting on a folding chair outside, dodging mosquitoes at a block party, and let me tell you—one bite in, I was basically on vacation, feet up, …

You know those days when your house smells like something magical is happening in the oven? When my grown kids or my neighbors walk in and take one whiff, you just know good things are in store. That’s what you get when you make these Milk Brioche Rolls—a soft, golden bite of cozy, just sweet enough to make breakfast, brunch, or dinner feel a little special. Honestly, I’m a sucker for a warm roll straight from the oven (smothered with salted butter, if I’m being totally honest). These rolls have become my go-to for everything: I’ll split them and tuck …

Have you noticed that certain breads just seem to steal the show no matter what else is on the table? Every time I serve garlic cheese rolls—especially this lightened-up version—I end up spending half the meal fielding requests for the recipe. There’s just something about pulling apart a warm, golden roll, cheese stretching, all that buttery garlic, everyone grinning and grabbing seconds… honestly, it’s a comfort food moment I wish I could bottle up and keep forever. (If only, right? My freezer’s certainly not big enough for that!) I make these Garlic Cheese Rolls for everything from Sunday spaghetti night …

Some desserts have a way of transporting you straight back to childhood, don’t they? For me, anything with chocolate and peanut butter is pure nostalgia. I can’t even tell you how many times a pan of something warm and gooey has saved the day at our house—especially when company calls at the last minute or I’m craving something decadent and a little over-the-top on a random Wednesday night. That’s exactly what I love about this Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake. It’s rich, it’s messy in the best way, and honestly, it might just be my spirit dessert. I …

Some recipes just take me right back to my childhood kitchen, and this Old Fashioned Strawberry Pie is one of those! There’s something so magical about a shiny, jammy strawberry filling nestled in a buttery crust that just feels like summer at Grandma’s. You know the kind of day I mean—when you’d sneak an extra scoop of ice cream on top and maybe make a mess all over your Sunday dress (sorry, Mom). Every time the strawberries start looking plump and rosy at the market, I start craving this pie. It’s such a comforting, sunny-weather dessert, perfect for bringing a …

Okay, confession time: the first moment I ever tasted old-fashioned Southern Coca Cola Cake, I was barefoot in my friend Charlene’s steamy, bustling kitchen, kids running wild through the screen door, and the sun blasting down like it does in July. I’d heard whispers about this cake—how it’s got soda in it, which sounded kinda wild to me—but let me tell you, all those rumors were true. Moist beyond belief, fudgy, topped in what can only be described as a sheet of glossy, crackly chocolate frosting. We practically polished off the entire pan before anyone realized the kids had also …

If there’s one dessert that instantly transports me back to the best summer potlucks and my grandma’s sunshine-yellow kitchen table, it’s Coconut Cream Pie. You know the kind—a creamy, dreamy filling tucked in a flaky crust, with a big swoop of whipped cream on top. When I was a kid, I thought I was biting into yet another vanilla pie, and then—whoa. That surprisingly coconutty, silky custard was like a tropical vacation on a plate. From that moment on? Obsessed. It’s the sort of treat that always feels special (but honestly, you don’t need a single excuse to make it …