While yarn will always be my love language, sometimes the coziest parts of life happen away from the needles … in the kitchen, with something warm bubbling on the stove or a treat baking in the oven.
Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite “non-yarn” things: the recipes I’ve made over and over for my family. These are tried-and-true, deeply loved, and guaranteed to make your home smell amazing.
Here are the ones I reach for again and again:
Easy Homemade Blueberry Sauce
Let’s start with something simple and magical. This blueberry sauce is quick, reliable, and transforms anything – pancakes, yogurt, cheesecake, ice cream, oatmeal – into something special. It’s bright, sweet, and thickens beautifully. I’ve made it so many times I no longer need the recipe!
Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie
If you want a pie that earns gasps at the table, this is the one. The method is a little different, but the results are unmatched: buttery, glossy, perfectly sweet filling with tender apples and a golden crust. It’s the kind of pie that makes your whole house smell like a holiday.
Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Cake
This is hands-down my go-to chocolate cake recipe. Moist, rich, and incredibly simple – no fancy ingredients required. The frosting is luxurious and silky, and it always turns out exactly the way you hope it will.
If you need a reliable celebration cake (or a Tuesday cake), this is the one.
Crissy’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are soft, chewy, buttery perfection. They bake beautifully and disappear immediately. I’ve tried countless chocolate chip cookie recipes over the years, but this is the one I keep coming back to – and the one everyone requests.
Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potato Casserole
The ultimate holiday side dish … but honestly good enough to make year-round. It’s creamy, sweet, and topped with the most irresistible brown sugar pecan crust.
This is one of those “just one more bite” recipes, and it has a permanent spot in my Thanksgiving and Christmas lineup.
🧶 And … some yarnie gifts for you!
If you love freebies as much as I love cozy socks and a good cup of coffee, I’ve got a little something for you! I’m sharing 2 free knitting gifts to make your next knitting session even sweeter: Printable Project Tracker Cards and Printable Gift Tags for your Handmade Gifts
Click here for your yarnie gifts!
I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do in our home. If you make any of them, I’d love to hear what you think, or see a photo of your delicious creation!
Happy baking (and always, happy knitting),
Jessica
