Hi friends, It’s been so long since I’ve written a new blog post to share with all of you and I’m dying to catch you up on all the excitement around here. So many things have happened–where do I begin? The very beginning, I suppose. WAY back in February 2013, I pressed ‘publish’ on my…
Food
Monkey Bread (From Scratch!)
Happy Spring! We’re fully enjoying our first days of sunshine and milder temperatures in Michigan this week. Sometimes we get overeager for the warmer days, or at least I know I do. I left the house the other morning without a jacket because it felt so warm out…only to realize once I was on the road…
Why I’m Celebrating Pi Day
So today is Pi Day. The nerdy holiday that encourages pie-eating in the name of mathematics. Sign me up. I don’t usually “celebrate” Pi Day, but this year we’re making a big deal of it for several reasons. First, I’ve been baking pies like a crazy lunatic for weeks in the name of research for…
Perfectly Soft Snickerdoodles
While I was growing up, I wasn’t exactly a fan of Snickerdoodles. I liked them, but they weren’t my first choice when it came to cookies. To me, they seemed like someone forgot to add the chocolate chips when they made them. The cookie part alone wasn’t amazing. It has been my mission lately to…
Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas with White Sauce
Given my love for cooking, it is not all that often that we go out to eat. When we do, it’s usually for Mexican food. I almost always order the same thing. Some form of enchilada or chimichanga, always with chicken and a sour cream sauce. I know, not very creative. I can’t help it. I…
Michigan Pasties (Meat Pies) with Pan Gravy
This recipe has been a long time coming. I feel as a Michigan native and food blogger, it is my duty to share a recipe for Michigan pasties at some point. Since Michigan had its 180th birthday last week, it seems like a fitting time to share my version of a Michigan pasty recipe. Pasties,…
Cinnamon-Sugar Soft Pretzels with Warm Nutella Sauce (+ Kitchen Joy’s 4th Birthday!)
Today is Kitchen Joy’s 4th birthday. It doesn’t seem possible that it’s been that long since I began this project. While I hope that over the years I’ve been able to bring a little bit of joy to your kitchen, it is I who have benefited the most from this endeavor. I’ve learned so much…
Homemade Hot Chocolate
Valentine’s Day is upon us, and it’s time to dive head first into all things chocolate. There’s something so comforting about a steaming cup of hot chocolate, especially when it is decadent and rich, which this homemade hot chocolate definitely is. No powdered mixes or boiling water needed. Just a few ingredients and if you’re…
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Marshmallows (Homemade Marshmallows)
Truth be told, I’ve never been a huge fan of marshmallows. I don’t ever use them except for on my favorite Thanksgiving sweet potatoes. I sometimes add them to my hot chocolate, if there is no whipped cream available. That was before I tried homemade marshmallows. They’re fantastic. The flavor and texture is so much…
Mama’s Super Soft Cinnamon Rolls
I’ve been on a quest for the most perfectly soft cinnamon rolls for what seems like ages. I can’t tell you how many batches I’ve made along the way, but there have been a LOT. Finally, it dawned on me. I needed to start with my very favorite roll dough that makes the absolute best, most…