Olivia Hartwell

A Special Kind of Jam I want to share my French-style blueberry jam with you. It is not like the jam you buy at the store. This one has a secret. We add a little balsamic vinegar and a vanilla bean. It makes the blueberries taste deeper and sweeter. Doesn’t that sound fancy? I…

A Sweet Memory My grandpa loved these sweet treats. He called them his “energy bites.” I still laugh at that. He would eat one before working in his garden. Making them always reminds me of him. Food can be a happy memory. That is why this recipe matters to me. It is more than…

A Cake Fit for a Queen I first made this cake for my granddaughter’s birthday. She loved a story about a princess in a purple dress. So I thought, why not make a purple cake? Her eyes got so wide when she saw it. I still laugh at that. This cake is not just…

A Cozy Kitchen Memory My grandson calls this my famous football food. I first made it for his friends one chilly afternoon. The whole house smelled like bacon and cheese. I still laugh at how quiet they all got while eating. That’s the real magic of this dish. It brings people together around the…

A Cake Full of Summer I think every kitchen needs the smell of peaches. It just feels like summer. This cake brings all that sunshine inside. Doesnt that smell amazing? My grandson calls this his happy cake. He asks for it every time he visits. I still laugh at that. It makes my heart…

A Cake Like a Cloud I want to share my Strawberry Cloud Cake with you. It is light, pink, and so fluffy. It feels like you are eating a sweet cloud. It only needs three things to make. You do not even need to turn on the oven. I love simple recipes like this.…

A Cake Full of Sunshine Carrot cake always reminds me of my grandson’s sunny smile. He loves it so much. I think it’s the sweet, warm spices that make it so special. This cake is like a hug from the inside. It feels cozy and happy. Doesn’t that smell amazing while it bakes? What…

The Best Smelling Kitchen Let me tell you about this soup. It starts with a simple pot. You cook onion, carrot, and celery in a little oil. The smell fills your whole kitchen. It smells like a warm, cozy hug. Then you add the garlic and bell pepper. Doesn’t that smell amazing? I think…

A Happy Kitchen Accident My grandson invented this recipe one rainy afternoon. He wanted a cheeseburger. I was making egg rolls. We decided to mix them up. I still laugh at that. The result was this crispy, gooey snack. It’s now our favorite thing to make together. It matters because cooking with family makes…

My First Kitchen Disaster The first time I made these buns, I was so excited. I forgot to let the milk cool a bit. I used it straight from the pan. My poor yeast never got frothy. I ended up with little bread rocks. I still laugh at that. It taught me a good…