This Classic Chocolate Lovers Swiss Roll looks elegant, extravagant and decadent. It tastes even better than it looks. Yet it's so easy to make! Whereas swiss roll cakes looks very intimidating at first, don't worry. If you...
Jackson’s Cookbook
recipes, tips, & more
Kitchenaid Artisan Mini to the Rescue
A few weeks ago, I posted about how I received my dream mixer as a gift and quickly found out I couldn't use it because of physical limitations. I have to admit, it was a very low day for me. I cried quite a bit and felt...
Easy Baked Potato Recipe
Crispy crust baked potato with a pillowy soft center is what this gal dreams of at night. In fact, it's what I had for dinner tonight and there is something satisfying about hearing that knife crunch as it pierces the jacket...
How to Shape Dough for a Bread Loaf
Learning how to shape dough for a bread loaf can be daunting. I've had a lot of sadly shaped loaves over the years. Mostly because I never learned how to properly shape loaves. It's not a difficult task once you've practiced...
Strawberry Cake Recipe
This strawberry cake recipe is wonderful if you love strawberries. There is something horrible about artificial strawberry cakes. Between the taste of red dye and the attempt to mimic one of the best fruits on earth, it's...
Your New Favorite Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Everyone has a favorite baked macaroni and cheese. This one in particular is divine. Rich, full of flavor and gone in a blink of an eye. People have asked me for years for this recipe and are often surprised at its...
Quick and Easy Cheese Sauce for the Beginner
If you want to learn to make a quick and easy cheese sauce, then this is the tutorial for you. If you noticed, we first learned how to make a roux, then country gravy, and finally white sauce. The next step would to be...
Easy Chocolate Spiced Swiss Roll
A chocolate spiced swiss roll is a pleasurable cake to both look at and eat. You feel naughty but will be nice eating this cake that is lighter in fat and calories. I always love when cakes taste like they have 10,000...
Beginner’s Guide to Making White Sauce Easily
Once you learn to make a roux, you can make a white sauce or white gravy easily. It's simply a roux with more milk or cream added. This is a staple in French cooking and makes a lot of wonderful dishes like Alfredo, mac and...
You’ll Never Go Hungry with Country White Gravy
Country White Gravy is a staple in Appalachian cooking. Especially among the poorer folk as you can make a lot of it for pennies. There's a saying in my family: "You'll never go hungry with country white gravy." After...
Refreshingly Zesty and Light Lemon Cake
Do you want to learn how to make a lemon cake? One that has less fat and sugar but still a ton of flavor? If you enjoy tart lemons, this is the recipe for you to try. It is fast to make, bakes within the hour and can be on...
Spicy Gingerbread Cookies for Fall Baking
There is nothing quite like spicy gingerbread cookies. The fresh spices, the heat from the ginger, the woodsy aroma of the cinnamon and the nuttiness from all spice is simply perfect. If you like sweet and savory, you'll...
Beginner’s Guide to making a Quick and Easy Roux
If you want to learn how to make a quick and easy roux, you are in luck! Traditionally, roux is a mixture of butter (fat) and flour in equal parts. You can replace the butter with oil for a more heart healthy approach, which...
Spicy and Snappy Gingerbread Recipe
Learn how to make a snappy gingerbread with me! This is an inviting warm ginger and cinnamon bread. Since it uses less fat and sugar so you can really linger on the ginger and other spices without all the guilt. The taste is...
Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons Recipe
Chocolate peanut butter macarons are an explosion of flavors. The chocolate chewy macaron hits your palate first. Something about the meringue and almonds combined make them taste a lot like a delicious brownie. Next, the...
Quick and Easy, yet Simply Breathtaking Honey Bread
This is a quick bread recipe that uses honey and brown sugar to sweeten as opposed to the traditional white sugar. A hint of spice is added to bring out the complexity of the honey. I highly recommend using a local honey if possible to enjoy what mother nature brings to the table.
No More Burnt Crusts, The Perfect Pumpkin Pie
Everyone has a recipe for the perfect pumpkin pie. What makes a pumpkin pie good other than loads of fresh whipped cream? The right balance of spices and a smooth and creamy custard. Have you ever had a cracked or weeping...
Delicious and Fast American Flaky Pie Crust
A good pie crust will work with both sweet and savory dishes. Think quiche and apple pie. Both of these dishes need a hearty dough that won't fall apart nor detract from the flavor of the filling. They have fancy names...
The Color of the Pan Can Affect Baking Results
The color of the pan can affect baking. For example, why is it an otherwise lovely pan of biscuits came out with dark brown bottoms? I followed the recipe to a T. What happened? In this case, the recipe was made with a light...
Sweet Cinnamon Dinner Rolls to Spice Up Any Meal
Sweet cinnamon dinner rolls are a happy accident. Inspired by the English Tea Cakes, I decided to try and make another version. But by changing just a few ingredients, I ended up with a soft, tender roll and less chewy...
Peanut Lovers Granola Bar Recipe
A Little about Peanut Lovers Granola Bars Peanut lovers granola bar is fast, easy to make and delicious. Crammed full of peanuts, peanut butter chips and a bit of chocolate, this is sure to please! By using honey instead of...