If you’re building a holiday cookie box this year, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find a curated collection of homemade cookie recipes that are perfect for gifting—some quick and easy for busy weekdays, others a little more decadent and dramatic for when you want to go all out. Think buttery shortbread, deeply chocolatey classics, and a few showstoppers that always earn a “wow.“ Mix and match textures, flavors, and shapes to create a cookie box that feels thoughtful, festive, and unmistakably homemade. And in case it’s helpful, these…
Continue ReadingChewy Amaretti Cookies (Soft Italian Almond Cookies)
Snow-Capped Chewy Amaretti Cookies (Naturally Gluten-Free!) Chewy amaretti cookies are one of those magical, rustic Italian treats that feel both elegant and incredibly simple — and once you make them at home, you’ll wonder why you ever bought a boxed version. These classic almond cookies bake up with crinkly, powdered-sugar shells and soft, chewy centers that taste like sweet marzipan, warm vanilla, and toasted almonds. If you’ve got Amaretto at home, a generous splash will intensify their flavor. Italian almond cookies are naturally gluten-free, intensely fragrant, lightly crisp on the…
Continue ReadingTender Potatoes with Garlicky Swiss Chard
Potato Lovers: Prepare To Be Wowed! 🙌🏻 These tender potatoes with Swiss chard with garlic are a veggie-forward side, inspired by Croatian blitva, that I find goes well with practically any main. They have a slight kick from red pepper flakes, but what ultimately ties the dish together is a generous splash of red wine vinegar. The potatoes become creamy and soft after parboiling, then sizzle in olive oil until they develop light, golden edges. Be sure to keep and use the Swiss chard stems, which not only add a…
Continue ReadingRustic, Buttery French Pear Cake with Almonds
A Simple, Yet Elegant French Country Cake This simple pear and almond cake (sometimes called gâteau aux poires et aux amandes) is one of those effortlessly elegant desserts that looks impressive but comes together with minimal effort. Yes, it can serve double duty and also be enjoyed at brunch! It’s got a tender, buttery texture, a nutty almond taste, warm cinnamon, and juicy chunks of pear in every bite. I love serving it in fall and winter when pears are in season, though honestly, I could eat it any time…
Continue ReadingThe Best Recipes for Using Up Thanksgiving Leftovers
Thanksgiving leftovers might actually be the best part of the entire holiday, right?! Once the big day wraps up, I love getting creative with what’s left in the fridge: juicy turkey folded into cozy soups and skillets, stuffing pressed into golden waffles, and mashed potatoes transformed into a rustic cottage pie or crisp, tender salmon croquettes. This roundup highlights my favorite leftover Thanksgiving recipes — easy, flavorful dishes that make the most of every last crumb. And besides, we need a good fridge clean out before we start the chaos…
Continue ReadingCozy Butternut Squash Pasta with Chorizo & Sage
The Most Comforting Fall Pasta Featuring Squash This creamy butternut squash pasta features some of my favorite fall ingredients — savory chorizo sausage, caramelized, roasted butternut squash, creamy mascarpone cheese, and fresh sage —all coated in a silky sauce that clings to every piece of pasta. It has rightfully earned a spot as one of the coziest fall pasta recipes, right alongside my cheesy butternut squash carbonara and homemade Italian bolognese (both fabulous in their own way!). This would be so delicious on a cool evening with a glass of…
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