This Swiss Meringue Buttercream is one of those recipes that separates casual bakers from precision-driven ones. It’s a true professional frosting—silky, refined, and less sweet than American buttercream, with a texture that melts on the tongue. It’s the kind of buttercream you’d expect on a perfect bakery cupcake or wedding […]
Author: Ellen
The Best Pie – Pecan Pie – A Classic with Elevated Variations
This pie is, quite simply, exceptional. It’s everything you expect from a classic pecan pie, but transformed through careful technique and a few subtle, inspired additions. The result is a dessert that remains comforting and familiar but feels more refined and balanced—less sugar-forward, more nuanced, and infinitely more interesting. This […]
Banoffee Pie — Caramel, Banana, and Whipped Cream Perfection
This Banoffee Pie recipe is the one I return to again and again. A crisp graham cracker crust, smooth homemade dulce de leche, fresh bananas, and soft peaks of whipped cream—it’s simple, elegant, and deeply satisfying. I used to always make dulce de leche by boiling a can of sweetened […]
Creamy Chicken Lasagna — Simplified, Smoother, and Delicious
This updated Creamy Chicken Lasagna is the refined version of my earlier blog recipe—cleaned up, simplified, and far easier to make. Instead of preparing a separate béchamel, everything happens in one pan. You start by sautéing mushrooms and onions, sprinkle flour directly over them, and then whisk in milk and […]
Classic Key Lime Pie – Silky Perfection
A great Key Lime Pie should be tangy, creamy, and perfectly balanced—not bitter. This version focuses on bitterness management, because the truth is, even a perfect recipe can go wrong if the limes are handled harshly. Last time I made this, I used a one-pound bag of key limes, and […]
Juicy Free-Form Meatloaf — The Ultimate Comfort Dinner
There’s something endlessly comforting about a well-made meatloaf. This free-form version skips the loaf pan and bakes directly on a sheet pan, creating a beautifully caramelized exterior and tender, juicy center. The mix of ground beef, panko, and milk gives perfect moisture, while the glaze—layered midway and again at the […]
The Ultimate Chocolate Cream Pie (Classic American Style)
There’s something timeless about a chocolate cream pie. It’s simple, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying—especially when the filling is silky and rich, the crust perfectly flaky, and the whipped cream piled high. This Food400 Chocolate Cream Pie is everything a cream pie should be: light yet indulgent, stable enough to slice […]
The Juiciest Meatloaf Burger Ever — Smoky, Saucy, and Completely Addictive
There’s something about this burger that stops conversation at the table. Every time I serve it, my husband says the same thing — “I’m so lucky.” And honestly, he’s right. This isn’t your average backyard burger. It’s a smoky, juicy, flavor-packed twist inspired by classic meatloaf — the kind of […]
