Cheesecake Cups

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups 🍓

Ingredients:

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tbsp melted butter

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup whipped topping

1/4 cup strawberry jam

Instructions:

Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl.

Press 1 tbsp of the crumb mixture into the bottom of 6 small dessert cups.

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.

Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until combined.

Spoon the filling into the cups and top each with a spoonful of strawberry jam.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Lemon Cheesecake Cups 🍋

Ingredients:

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tbsp melted butter

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest

1 cup whipped topping

Instructions:

Mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter together and press into the bottom of 6 dessert cups.

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl until light and fluffy.

Gently fold the whipped topping into the lemon mixture.

Divide the filling evenly among the prepared cups.

Refrigerate for 2 hours to set.

Chocolate Cheesecake Cups 🍫

Ingredients:

3/4 cup chocolate cookie crumbs

2 tbsp melted butter

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup whipped topping

Instructions:

Combine chocolate cookie crumbs and melted butter; press into the bottom of 6 small cups.

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa powder together until smooth and chocolatey.

Fold in the whipped topping until no white streaks remain.

Pipe or spoon the chocolate filling into the cups over the crust.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Cups 🍪

Ingredients:

3/4 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies

2 tbsp melted butter

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup finely crushed chocolate sandwich cookies

1 cup whipped topping

Instructions:

Mix 3/4 cup cookie crumbs with melted butter and press into 6 dessert cups.

Beat the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth.

Fold in the whipped topping and the 1/2 cup of finely crushed cookies.

Fill the cups with the cookies and cream mixture.

Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cups 🥜

Ingredients:

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tbsp melted butter

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 cup whipped topping

Instructions:

Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter; press into the bottom of 6 cups.

Beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, and powdered sugar until creamy.

Fold the whipped topping into the peanut butter mixture.

Spoon the filling into the prepared cups.

Chill for 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Blueberry Cheesecake Cups 🫐

Ingredients:

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tbsp melted butter

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup whipped topping

1/2 cup blueberry pie filling

Instructions:

Mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter and press into 6 dessert cups.

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together until completely smooth.

Fold in the whipped topping and divide the mixture into the cups.

Top each cup with a generous spoonful of blueberry pie filling.

Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Mug Cakes

Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 🍫

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tbsp granulated sugar

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 pinch salt

1/4 cup milk 🥛

2 tbsp melted butter

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a microwave-safe mug. 🥣

Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth.

Microwave on high for 70 to 90 seconds. ⏲️

Vanilla Funfetti Mug Cake

Ingredients:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 🍰

2 tbsp granulated sugar

1/4 tsp baking powder

3 tbsp milk 🥛

1 tbsp melted butter

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp rainbow sprinkles 🌈

Instructions:

Combine the flour, sugar, and baking powder in a microwave-safe mug. 🥣

Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla, then stir in the sprinkles.

Microwave on high for 60 to 80 seconds. ⏲️

Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

Ingredients:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 🥖

1/4 tsp baking powder

3 tbsp milk 🥛

1 tbsp maple syrup

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp brown sugar 🤎

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Stir the flour, baking powder, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla together in a mug until combined. 🥣

Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a separate small bowl, then swirl it into the mug batter using a knife. 🌀

Microwave on high for 60 seconds. ⏲️

Peanut Butter Mug Cake

Ingredients:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 🥜

2 tbsp granulated sugar

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup milk 🥛

2 tbsp creamy peanut butter

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Whisk the flour, sugar, and baking powder together in a microwave-safe mug. 🥣

Add the milk, peanut butter, and vanilla, then stir until the batter is completely smooth.

Microwave on high for 60 to 80 seconds. ⏲️

Lemon Mug Cake

Ingredients:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 🍋

2 tbsp granulated sugar

1/4 tsp baking powder

3 tbsp milk 🥛

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp lemon zest

Instructions:

Mix the dry ingredients together inside a microwave-safe mug. 🥣

Whisk in the milk, oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest until no lumps remain.

Microwave on high for 70 to 90 seconds. ⏲️

Red Velvet Mug Cake

Ingredients:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour ❤️

2 tbsp granulated sugar

1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 tsp baking powder

3 tbsp milk 🥛

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 tsp red food coloring

Instructions:

Whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder in a microwave-safe mug. 🥣

Stir in the milk, oil, and red food coloring until the batter is a uniform color.

Microwave on high for 60 to 80 seconds. ⏲️

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Icing

Here’s a simple, moist single-layer chocolate cake with a rich chocolate icing—perfect for a small gathering or when you don’t want leftovers.

🍫 Single-Layer Chocolate Cake (8- or 9-inch)

Ingredients

Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

½ cup water

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp white vinegar (don’t worry—you won’t taste it!)

Chocolate Icing

¼ cup butter

¼ cup milk

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Pinch of salt (optional)

🧁 Instructions

Make the Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8- or 9-inch round cake pan.

In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add water, oil, vanilla, and vinegar. Mix until smooth.

Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.

Make the Chocolate Icing

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.

Whisk in cocoa powder and milk until smooth.

Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.

Beat until smooth and spreadable (add a splash of milk if needed).

🎂 Finish

Spread icing over the cooled cake. The icing will set slightly with a soft, fudgy finish.

Optional Add-Ons

Sprinkle with chocolate shavings or sprinkles

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream

Add a pinch of espresso powder to the cake for deeper chocolate flavor

Jamaican Patties

Here’s a classic homemade Jamaican Beef Patty recipe — flaky, golden crust with a warmly spiced filling 🌶️

(You can easily swap the beef for chicken, turkey, or veggies.)

🇯🇲 Jamaican Beef Patties

🥟 Pastry Dough (the flaky yellow crust)

Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp turmeric (for color — traditional and important)

½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

½ cup cold shortening (or all butter if preferred)

½–¾ cup ice-cold water

Instructions

Whisk flour, salt, sugar, and turmeric.

Cut in butter and shortening until pea-sized crumbs form.

Add cold water a little at a time until dough just comes together.

Form into a disk, wrap, and chill at least 30 minutes.

🌶️ Beef Filling

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 tbsp oil

1 small onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1–2 tsp Jamaican curry powder

1 tsp paprika

½ tsp allspice

½–1 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)

1 Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, minced (optional, to taste)

½ cup beef broth

2 tbsp breadcrumbs or crushed saltines

Salt & black pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Sauté onion until soft, then add garlic and pepper.

Add ground beef and cook until browned.

Stir in curry powder, paprika, allspice, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Add broth and breadcrumbs; simmer until thick but moist.

Let filling cool completely.

🥟 Assemble the Patties

Roll chilled dough to about ⅛-inch thick.

Cut circles (6–7 inches across).

Place 2–3 tbsp filling on one half.

Fold over, press edges, and crimp with a fork.

Brush with egg wash if desired.

🔥 Bake

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes

Until golden and flaky

✅ Tips for Authentic Flavor

Curry powder + turmeric = signature patty taste

Chill dough and filling for best flakiness

Patties freeze beautifully (bake from frozen +5–8 min)

One Pot Chili Mac

What are the ingredients needed?

Here are the ingredients needed for One Pot Chili Mac:

Meat

- 1 pound ground beef (or ground chicken/turkey)

- Optional: 85 or 90% lean ground beef

Spices and Seasonings

- 1 tablespoon chili powder (or Ancho chile powder)

- 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder

- 1-2 teaspoons smoked paprika

- 1 teaspoon ground cumin

- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

- Salt and black pepper

- 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Aromatics

- 1 large yellow onion, chopped

- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

- 1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped

Sauce and Broth

- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed fire-roasted tomatoes

- 1/4 cup tomato paste

- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

- 2-3 cups chicken or beef broth

- 1 cup evaporated milk

- Hot sauce (optional)

Pasta and Cheese

- 1 pound short cut pasta (elbow macaroni, macaroni shells, or similar)

- 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

- 2 cups shredded melty cheese (Colby jack, cheddar, pepper jack, or Mexican cheese blend)

Toppings

- Green onions and cilantro, for serving

- Tortilla chips, for serving

Feel free to customize the ingredients based on your preferences and dietary needs.

How to make one pot chili mac?

To make one pot chili mac, follow these steps:

1. Cook ground beef and onions in a large pot until the meat is browned, then drain the excess grease.

2. Add chili seasoning, tomato sauce, petite diced tomatoes, and chili beans (or a chili starter like Bush's Chili Magic) to the pot.

3. Pour in beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.

4. Add macaroni pasta to the pot and stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

5. Cook until the pasta is tender, then serve hot with your favorite chili toppings.