My All-Time Favorite Apple Pie Recipe!

Back in my college days, I was part of a service team that baked hundreds of apple pies each fall for our annual fundraiser. I’ll forever remember those long nights spent alongside friends in a bustling kitchen peeling, slicing, assembling, and baking — and of course, sneaking a few taste tests along the way. After so many batches, I’d like to think I’ve logged more than my fair share of apple pie practice!

Ever since, I’ve continued tinkering with different apple pie recipes, testing different crusts, fillings, apple varieties, tips and tricks. And this version is the one I’ve landed on as my forever favorite. The crust is perfectly buttery, flaky, and sprinkled with a crunchy of coarse sugar. The apple filling is perfectly balanced with a mix of apples, sugars and warming spices. And each slice tastes like pure, nostalgic sweetness. ♡

Seriously, this recipe is everything I would want in an apple pie. So whether you serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or enjoy a chilled slice the next morning (highly recommend!), I hope you’ll give it a try!

Tomato Soup, Meet Chicken Stew ♡

I could happily eat tomato soup any day of the year. But when I’m craving something a little heartier (with more protein!), this one-pot tomato basil chicken stew is such a winner.

It’s loaded up with tender chicken, potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots all simmered together in a rich, thick and creamy tomato-basil broth. We love serving it with a loaf of crusty bread for dipping, but it would also be delicious served over egg noodles, rice or your favorite grains. Whatever sounds good!

I actually first shared a version of this recipe over a decade ago, but reworked it recently to make it even heartier and more flavorful and I’m so pleased with the results. It’s one of those soul-warming stews that I’m certain we’ll be making in our kitchen for many more years to come. I think you’re going to love it!

Carrots You Can’t Help But Love

A super-easy and nutritious veggie side that my kids actually love? Yes, please. ♡

These air fryer carrots turn out beautifully caramelized on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of that naturally sweet, roasted flavor we all love — but they’re ready in a fraction of the time it takes to bake them in the oven. All you need are a few simple ingredients and your air fryer to make this quick, no-fuss side that somehow always disappears fast.

We honestly love these carrots made simply with olive oil, salt, and pepper. (They’re still so sweet!) Or you can have fun dressing them up with a drizzle of honey, balsamic glaze, or a sprinkle of your favorite herbs and seasonings. However you make them, these air fryer carrots are one of those easy wins you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation. They’re always a hit in our house!

The Best Maple Sticky Buns

Soft, fluffy, caramel-soaked, and irresistibly sticky — these maple pecan sticky buns are pure weekend brunch bliss. ♡

My grandma was famous for her sticky buns, which she always baked on special weekend mornings whenever our extended family came to town. I can still remember the smell wafting through her kitchen — buttery dough, caramel bubbling in the oven, and that first sweet bite while everything was still warm and gooey. They always disappeared in an instant!

This recipe is my modern-day take on her classic, based off of our 1-Hour Cinnamon Rolls recipe that tens of thousands of you have made and loved over the years. The same soft, quick-rising dough forms the base here, but instead of a simple icing, the rolls bake in a luscious maple-brown-sugar caramel with toasty pecans that transforms into the most irresistible sticky glaze once they’re flipped. Perfect for holidays, brunch gatherings, or any weekend morning when you want to make breakfast feel a little extra special. Let’s make some sticky buns!

The Easiest Way To Cook Perfect Salmon

Perfectly tender inside, golden and lightly crisp on the edges — this air fryer salmon recipe has officially become our family’s favorite way to cook salmon. ♡

I’m honestly so impressed with how reliably the air fryer cooks salmon to perfection. The fillets come out juicy and flaky on the inside with that irresistibly crisp, caramelized surface on the outside every single time. No splattering oil, no babysitting the pan, no guesswork required. And it all comes together easily in just 10 minutes!

All you need are a handful of pantry spices, a drizzle of olive oil, and a squeeze of fresh lemon to make it shine. Serve it up with some roasted (or air-fried) veggies with a green salad, add the salmon to your favorite pasta or grain bowl, tuck it into tacos with a squeeze of lime — however you serve it, this all-purpose air fryer salmon recipe is absolutely a keeper.

Golden, Buttery, and Gone in a Flash!

Your new go-to side for cozy soup nights, game day chili hangs, and everything in between. ♡

These honey cornbread muffins are sweet, buttery, and tender with that perfect golden cornbread crumb we all love. The magic touch here is a bit of brown butter, which adds a subtle nutty richness that makes these taste extra special. They come together in just one bowl, bake up beautifully golden on top, and are ready to serve in about 30 minutes.

Serve them straight from the oven with a pat of butter (or better — honey butter!), and watch them disappear fast. These little guys are irresistible!

A Simple Soup with SO Much Flavor

You know those recipes that taste like so much more than the sum of their parts? This is one of them. ♡

Just a few humble ingredients — bacon, veggies, white beans, and broth — come together to make the coziest pot of soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. The beans turn extra creamy, the rosemary and Parmesan bring savory depth, and that smoky bacon ties it all together in the best way. I couldn’t stop going back for more — it’s just so good!

We served ours with a simple green salad and a loaf of warm crusty bread to dip in that flavorful broth, and it was the perfect cozy night-in. Nothing fancy, just simple and seriously so good.

Crispy, garlicky, and ready in 15 minutes!

If you love roasted mushrooms but want them even faster, it’s time to meet your new favorite side dish — air fryer mushrooms. These bite-sized beauties cook up golden brown and deeply savory with almost no effort at all.

Just toss your mushrooms with olive oil, soy sauce, and a few pantry seasonings, then let the air fryer work its magic. In less than 15 minutes, you’ll have perfectly caramelized mushrooms with crispy edges and a rich umami flavor that pairs with just about anything.

Serve them as a quick side with steak or salmon, toss them into pasta or risotto, or (my fave) grab a fork and eat them right out of the air fryer basket as a savory snack. However you serve them, these air fryer mushrooms are guaranteed to disappear fast!

Sweet, Spiced, and Perfectly Spreadable

If you’re looking for a cozy way to use up a batch of apples, homemade apple butter is always a good idea. ♡

This classic fall recipe transforms fresh apples into a rich, velvety, caramelized butter infused with warm vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. It’s delicious spread over toast or biscuits, stirred into oatmeal or yogurt, served on a cheese board for a sweet touch, or packaged up for gifting. And, of course, it’s guaranteed to make your home smell downright heavenly as it cooks!

If you’ve never made apple butter before, it’s incredibly easy to whip up with a short list of ingredients. I’ve included options below for Instant Pot, Crock-Pot or stovetop instructions, so choose whichever you prefer. Let’s make some homemade apple butter!

My Longtime Favorite Garlic Bread

Sometimes the simplest recipes steal the show. ♡

That’s certainly the case with my favorite homemade garlic bread recipe — a quick, cozy side that’s golden, buttery, and brimming with garlicky goodness. With just a handful of pantry staples and 10 minutes of prep, you can transform an ordinary loaf into something insanely irresistible. A simple mix of softened butter, fresh garlic, herbs, and Parmesan bakes up crisp at the edges and tender in the center. And it’s positively guaranteed to have everyone wandering into the kitchen asking what smells so good.

It’s the perfect side for pasta night, hearty soups, or any meal that could use some bread on the side. And the best part? You can easily customize it with your favorite herbs, cheeses, or a little kick of heat. Let’s make some!

Cheers,