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!

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!

My All-Time Favorite Creamed Spinach

Rich, savory, and perfectly creamy, this creamed spinach always steals the show. ♡

Over the years I’ve tested countless versions of this classic side dish — from frozen spinach shortcuts to heavier cheese variations to various seasoning blends — and this simple recipe is the one I’ve landed on as a forever favorite. It starts with a heaping pile of fresh baby spinach that wilts down into a silky, delicate base, then gets gently mixed with sautéed shallot, garlic, Parmesan, and a hint of nutmeg. The result tastes vibrant and fresh, creamy without feeling too heavy. And best of all, it’s quick and easy to make.

Whether you serve it up on Thanksgiving alongside roast turkey, pair it with steak on date night, or just serve it up as a simple weeknight side dish, it’s pretty much impossible not to love this creamed spinach. Let’s make some!

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!

Because Fall Weekends Deserve Donuts

Nothing says fall quite like a warm batch of freshly baked apple cider donuts. ♡

These cozy, sugar-sparkled donuts capture everything we love about the season — the warm spice of cinnamon and nutmeg, the deep apple cider flavor, and that irresistible buttery sugar coating. They’re baked (not fried!), so they’re a touch lighter but just as delicious as the orchard stand versions we all crave this time of year. And bonus — they’ll make your kitchen smell even better than your favorite fall candle!

If you’re lucky enough to have leftover apple cider on hand, trust me — this recipe is the perfect excuse to use it up. Let’s bake up a batch together!

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,