Kelli Avila July 17, 2026 Hello and happy tuesday! The best desserts for the Fourth of July are simple to serve and portable. And if they're pie, even better. Here are some of my favorites! Apple Pie Bars As American as apple pie, but even easier to make. Double the recipe, bake it in a larger pan, and you'll have plenty to share at your Fourth of July gathering. get the recipe Cherry Hand Pies Cherry pie just feels right for America's birthday. These hand pies pack all that classic flavor...
17 days ago • 2 min read
Kelli Avila July 17, 2026 Hello and happy Friday! Today we’re celebrating the arrival of strawberry season! Three cheers for that! Even though we live in a time when strawberries are available year round, there’s still something so special about the local crop coming in spring. It’s the anticipation...how much sweeter and more deeply flavored they are, and of course all the fun of planning what to make with them. I’ll admit, most of the strawberries that come into our house this time of year...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Kelli Avila July 17, 2026 Hello! Some weekends are meant for grazing, and Easter is one of them. But even if you’re not celebrating, you never need an excuse for a lazy brunch. Here are some of my best spring recipes, with a mix of sweet and savory bakes you can set out and return to throughout the day. Ricotta Pie This is my most popular recipe for spring: a creamy ricotta filling with a hint of lemon and almond baked inside of a sweet Italian pie pastry. It's a tradition in my house! get...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Kelli Avila July 17, 2026 Hi and Happy Friday! The calendar tells me tomorrow is Pi Day, and I won’t lie, it totally snuck up on me. But now it’s my job to remind you that tomorrow is Pi Day, so get your ovens ready. This kitschy little holiday celebrates the mathematical constant π, which represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. It’s commonly approximated as 3.14, which is why it’s celebrated on March 14. Technically, π is an infinite, non repeating decimal, which I...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Kelli Avila July 17, 2026 Hi and Happy Friday! St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays that feels a little silly in all the best possible with all that luck, rainbows, and pots of gold. But around here we’re mostly interested in what it means we get to bake! Here are some fun (and delicious) ways to get into the Irish spirit on Tuesday March 17th! Guinness Braised Beef Pot Pie Rich Guinness-braised beef is baked under a flaky pie crust for the ultimate comfort food dinner. This Beef Pot...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Kelli Avila July 17, 2026 Hi and Happy Friday! There’s a lot happening in the world right now, and much of it feels heavy and too big to fix. Lately, I’ve been thinking about how the most meaningful care often happens closer to home, in small communities, in our kitchens, and with the people we see every day. When I’m feeling overwhelmed by what the world, my community, or my own family is facing (more on that below), I lean into small, tangible acts of care. Sometimes that looks like baking...
6 months ago • 3 min read
Kelli Avila July 17, 2026 Hi and Happy New Year! For some people, the start of the year revolves around gym memberships and fresh starts, but us bakers? We’re thinking about our baking bucket lists... that running list of recipes you want to finally make, techniques you want to get better at, and new ways to create something from scratch with your hands to feed the people you love. And this year, I’m coming in with the energy that anything is possible. I’ve been a professional baker for more...
6 months ago • 2 min read
Kelli Avila July 17, 2026 Hi and hello, this is my last e-mail of 2025! Today I’m thinking about pickies (and puff pastry). Pickies is what my grandmother used to call snacks served at a get together. She always wanted to make sure we had enough pickies, and I take that energy with me into every situation. Whether you’re hosting or just sitting around grazing your way into the new year, it's essential to have ALL of the pickies. And since it’s the stretch between major holidays, when most...
7 months ago • 2 min read
Kelli Avila July 17, 2026 Hi...I can't believe it's almost the end of the year, And if you can't either, you might just still be looking for the perfect recipe to make for your holiday table. This is your reminder that dessert does not have to be complicated to be good. The best recipes are the ones that fit your table, your schedule, and your comfort level in the kitchen. While I have a full list of pies perfect for the holiday, here are a few options (pies and beyond) that may just be the...
7 months ago • 1 min read