This was the first dessert I ever made all by myself. I was 12, using strawberries from my mom’s garden and a pie crust from scratch. I still remember how proud I felt pulling it out of the fridge — that glossy red shine and sweet strawberry smell meant summer had officially arrived.

Ingredients...

This cake came from a craving for something sweet but not too heavy something that tasted like sunshine. I had ricotta in the fridge, fresh lemons on the counter, and a quiet morning ahead. I stirred it all together and ended up with this light, tender cake that’s now one of my favorite go-to desser...

Back when I was constantly battling sugar cravings and energy crashes, desserts were a slippery slope. I wanted something sweet—but not something that would leave me bloated and blah. This pineapple upside-down cake was one of the first desserts I reworked to fit my clean eating goals. It’s made wit...

I love a dessert that looks like I spent hours on it... when really, I just layered a few simple things and let the fridge do the work. That’s what this Berry Icebox Cake is all about. I made it one Fourth of July, and it was gone before the burgers even hit the grill. Light, fruity, and creamy — it...

This Lime Coconut Cake brings me straight back to a beach vacation we took years ago — flip-flops, salty air, and a slice of coconut cake that changed me. I wanted that flavor, but lighter and less sugary, so I started testing. This version has the perfect balance of zesty lime and creamy coconut, w...

This Strawberry Shortcake Trifle is what I call a “miracle dessert”  it looks gorgeous, feeds a crowd, and comes together in minutes. I first made it for a last-minute family BBQ when I had strawberries to use up and zero time to bake. I layered cake cubes, whipped cream, and sweetened berries in a ...

I made this Lemon Curd Tart one spring afternoon when I was craving something bright and bakery-fancy without the fuss. I had lemons, eggs, and a store-bought crust, and somehow it turned into the most refreshing, melt-in-your-mouth dessert. It's now my secret weapon for dinner parties or when I jus...

I made this Lemon Blueberry Icebox Cake one hot July afternoon when I didn’t dare turn on the oven. My youngest had friends over, and I needed something fast, fun, and cool. One bite and everyone — including me was obsessed. It’s creamy, zesty, sweet, and feels like sunshine in every layer. And the ...