Toffee Time!

There are few sweet treats I adore more than a really good homemade toffee. ♡

The sweet-and-salty crunch, the melty chocolate on top, the way it breaks into those satisfyingly snappy little pieces — it’s absolute dessert perfection, if you ask me.

After making lots of toffee over the years, this is the recipe I’ve happily landed on as my personal favorite. It starts with a simple buttery toffee base, gets topped with chocolate chips that melt into a glossy layer, and finishes with a sprinkle of nuts (totally optional) and flaky sea salt. And I have to say — one of my favorite things about this version is that it doesn’t stick to your teeth!

If you’re new to toffee making, I definitely recommend using a candy thermometer to help everything cook to the proper temperatures. I’ve also included lots of tips below to ensure the process goes smoothly. It’s not difficult, and all you need are a few simple ingredients to make it happen. So let’s do it!

Buttery, Soft, Chewy and Irresistible!

If you’ve never made homemade caramels before, you are in for such a treat — they’re surprisingly simple to make and unbelievably delicious. ♡

A handful of pantry staples and a gentle simmer on the stove are all it takes for the mixture to magically deepen into a rich, golden caramel. Once cooled, the caramel slices into soft, chewy squares that are downright irresistible with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Wrap them in little twists of wax paper or cellophane wrappers, tuck them into jars or tins if you’d like to gift them, and you’ll have the most delicious batch of caramels ready to share. I love these little guys so much!

If you’re new to caramel-making, please take a few minutes to read through the tips below to help everything go smoothly. It’s not a difficult process — it just requires a bit of patience. And the payoff is absolutely worth it if you love homemade caramel as much as I do. Let’s make some!

Best Cookies I’ve Made This Fall!

If you’re looking for a new cookie to add to your repertoire, I can’t recommend these chai cookies enough. ♡

They remind me a bit of my favorite chewy ginger molasses cookies, with that same ultra-soft center and those irresistible sparkly, crackled, sugar-coated edges. But the flavors are completely different, thanks to a cozy blend of chai spices (think cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves) folded into a brown sugar dough that’s made with a hint of maple syrup. They’re just so delicious and cozy this time of year. And they’re easy to make with no mixer required!

We’ve made at least a half dozen batches while fine-tuning the recipe this fall, and friends and family have been raving about them. (Highly recommend pairing one with your morning coffee too!) I hope you love them every bit as much as we do.

My Favorite Use For Leftover Turkey

If you’re staring down a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers, this turkey tortilla soup is hands-down my favorite way to enjoy leftover turkey. ♡

This recipe is a turkey twist on my longtime favorite sopa azteca, featuring crispy tortilla strips and the most delicious tomato-chile broth. (I always joke that I could drink a mug full of this broth each day instead of coffee, I honestly love it so much.) Its rich and smoky chile flavor tastes like it has simmered all day, but the whole soup actually comes together surprisingly quickly.

If you have an extra 5 minutes, I highly highly recommend frying your own tortilla strips to layer in, which add the best texture and flavor to each bite. But if you’re in a pinch, crumbled tortilla chips work great too. Load it up with all of your favorite toppings and enjoy! I know you’re going to love this one!

Your New Go-To Holiday Cocktail

If you love a classic Aperol Spritz, meet its festive holiday cousin! ♡

This cranberry spritz still has that iconic bittersweet Aperol flavor and prosecco bubbles, but the splash of cranberry juice adds a layer of tart flavor that (I think!) balances the cocktail even better. Perfect for holiday parties, girls’ nights, or anytime you’re craving a winter cocktail.

It’s also super quick and easy to make — just pour everything into a glass with ice, give it a quick stir, and pop in your favorite garnishes. I love adding fresh cranberries for sparkle, a slice of orange for brightness, and a little rosemary sprig for that wintery aroma. Let’s make some spritzes!

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!

The Secret to a Juicy, Flavorful Turkey!

I’ve tried just about every turkey-roasting method out there, and dry brining simply is the best. ♡

Seriously, nothing comes close to the flavor, juiciness, and beautifully crisp golden skin that a dry brine delivers. It deeply seasons the turkey all the way through (not just the skin!), helps the meat stay super tender, and dries out the skin so it can roast up incredibly crisp without any fuss. All you need is a simple mix of salt and spices and some hang time in the fridge and you’ll be good to go — no basting, no soaking, no complicated steps required!

I’ve gathered all of my best tips and tricks below to hopefully take all of the guesswork out of the process. And I’ve also put together a turkey timeline, a step-by-step carving guide, plus instructions for making turkey gravy from the drippings. (Or my favorite mushroom gravy is a fantastic option if you’d like to make the gravy ahead of time!) My hope is that this guide gives you everything you need to walk into your turkey day feeling calm, prepared, and genuinely excited about the feast ahead.

Let’s do this!!

The Coziest Drink Of The Season

Nothing kicks off the holidays quite like a creamy glass of homemade eggnog! ♡

If you’ve only had the grocery store stuff before, you’re in for such a treat because homemade eggnog tastes so much better and takes less than 30 minutes to prep! This classic stovetop version comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients — eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and a few warm spices — which are all gently heated until thickened into a custard-like base.

The result is rich without being heavy, sweet without being too cloying, and perfectly delicious served either chilled or warm. Enjoy it plain, spike it with bourbon or rum, top it with whipped cream, or finish each glass with a festive dusting of nutmeg. However you serve it, this homemade eggnog is guaranteed to bring a little extra holiday magic to the season!

The Perfect Pear Salad

Our family is a bit over-the-top obsessed with pears this time of year. ♡

We pick up a big bag a few times a month when we’re at Costco — which means we go through a lot of pears — and lately this salad has become one of our favorite ways to enjoy them. I threw it together a few weeks ago when we happened to also have some pomegranate arils in the fridge, and my husband and I absolutely couldn’t stop going back for more. It’s just so good.

The sweet, juicy pears pair perfectly with the tangy goat cheese and tart pomegranate, while the toasted walnuts add just the right amount of crunch. Then everything gets tossed together with a light white balsamic dressing that ties the flavors beautifully. It’s fresh, balanced, and elegant enough for holiday gatherings, yet easy enough to whip up for a weeknight dinner. You’re going to love it!

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!