Peppermint Oreo Cookies are soft, chewy holiday treats made with Oreo pudding mix, chopped Oreos, crushed candy canes, and a splash of peppermint extract. They combine a cookies-and-cream base with bright peppermint notes for a festive cookie that’s tender, flavorful, and perfect for holiday cookie exchanges. This recipe is a holiday twist on a classic … Read more

Discover an effective genealogy strategy for locating female ancestors by researching their children. Records created for children often reveal crucial information about mothers who are otherwise hard to find. Finding female ancestors often requires a flexible approach. Focusing only on the woman herself can limit your results. By shifting attention to relatives, neighbors, and especially … Read more

Sometimes less is better. The timeless favorites endure because they’re just right—no frills required. These peanut butter sugar cookies are one of those classics. This post first appeared October 21, 2012 as part of the Simple Sundays series. I hope you enjoy this favorite from my kitchen! Every cook has off days. Recently I was … Read more

Every Easter morning in my family began the same way: our parents hid identical baskets and my sisters and I raced through the house to find them. The thrill of discovering candy, toys, and colorful eggs felt like magic. One sister (no names, of course) once ate her entire basket before church and ended up … Read more

This Orange Vanilla Bundt Cake is moist, fragrant with orange zest, and finished with a simple vanilla cream cheese frosting sprinkled with mini chocolate chips. It’s a classic crowd-pleaser and also adaptable to gluten-free baking. I have a soft spot for cake, and this Orange Vanilla Bundt Cake ranks among my favorites. It originated from … Read more

Healthy Pineapple Carrot Muffins are moist, flavorful, and naturally sweetened—an easy way to enjoy carrot cake without added refined sugar. These muffins pair grated carrots and crushed pineapple with Greek yogurt and Medjool date paste for a tender, wholesome treat that works for breakfast, snacks, or lunchboxes. These pineapple carrot muffins are moist and slightly … Read more

This is a cheerful, optimistic recipe well suited to any time of year. It looks ahead to summer, but its warmth and spice are equally welcome in the depths of February. After all, there’s rarely a wrong moment for pork. This quick barbecue glaze comes together in minutes: smash a few garlic cloves and stir … Read more

Wraps are a favorite quick weeknight meal—they’re simple to prepare and full of flavor. For this recipe, chicken tenders are marinated in Italian dressing and then grilled for a bright, savory taste. If you prefer, use precooked Italian-style chicken strips for an even faster option. Both approaches work well. A variation you might enjoy is … Read more

This feta chicken salad is sweet, spicy, and tangy, delivering about 23 grams of protein per serving—without turning on the stove. It combines shredded cooked chicken with a creamy mix of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, then brightens everything with hot honey, crumbled feta, pepperoncini, and roasted red peppers for a bold, quick lunch. Why You’ll … Read more

These puffy Cheddar Cheese Twists are buttery, sharply flavored, and surprisingly simple to make—an ideal snack for parties and gatherings. If you love cheese and crackers, the next logical step is to make cheese into bread-like twists—more cheesy goodness in a crispy, savory form. Cheese twists are one of my favorite ways to enjoy cheese. … Read more