This birthday cake, which was made by Tina in Texas, touched me in many ways. Tina and her husband are both physicians. He is on the front lines daily in the hospital while she is seeing her patients via telemedicine. “I’ve been trying to juggle seeing my patients, oversee distance learning for my kids, and manage my household chores,” she wrote, “and my escape has been trying your recipes in my kitchen (which is my happy place).”

Tina surprised her newly pregnant baby sister on her 33rd birthday with a decorated version of my chocolate cake and 2 minute frosting. She says, “I just topped the cake with a few homemade chocolate covered strawberries and drizzled dark and white chocolate sculptures.” How she found the time and ability to make those beautiful decorations (and the cake) is beyond me! As busy as she is with kids, her own practice, and a husband working in a hospital, she put this wonderful birthday cake together. Tina, the kitchen is my happy place too. ❤️

I’m always looking for easier ways to cook and bake and now my blondies are even easier to make, and a little healthier. I’ve been replacing chocolate chips with dark chocolate chunks in most of my baking because dark chocolate (70% cacao) has health benefits. I chop up some of a dark chocolate bar and they are now my chocolate chunks for baking. (I like Lindt 70% bars)

My blondies are now super easy to make, using only 3 tablespoons of butter, lots of dark chocolate chunks & toasted nuts, and you can even use some whole wheat pastry flour (if you can find it!)

Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones

So many people worldwide are home and cooking and I love seeing photos of my recipes from all over the world, so please say where you’re from – include yourself in the photo too! (I post these manually so you won’t see it right away.) Use this link to send your photo: YourPhotos@JennyCanCook.com

CHAS MADE MY NO KNEAD BREAD

“Your recipe with olive oil, a bit more salt AND most importantly Sesame Seeds. OMG it might be the perfect loaf of bread! Thanks so much for this recipe!”

~ That does look pretty amazing and I love sesame seeds! Thank you for the photo. – jenny

LIA & LUCCI (from The Philipines) MADE MY NO KNEAD CRUSTY ROLLS

“Hi Jenny!! This is Lia and Lucci again from the Philippines! We’re here to say that we made your no knead crusty rolls. We let them rise overnight and baked them this morning, and they turned out amazing! They were so crunchy and chewy and were delicious when paired with cream cheese.”

~ I love cream cheese on bread too. Thanks for sending more photos. – jenny

ANGELA (from Pennsylvania) MADE MY NO KNEAD WHOLE WHEAT & CIABATTA BREAD

“Jenny, I will thank you over and over for all of your wonderful recipes! Every one gets rave reviews from my family and friends. I’ve also been baking bread to give away to friends who are home and lonely.  Thank you and God bless you.  ~ Angela from Pennsylvania.”

~ Thank you for your photos. They both turned out great. – jenny

CHAS MADE MY WHOLE WHEAT NO KNEAD BREAD

“This is a pic of your No-Knead bread recipe made with 2 cups whole wheat flour and 2 cups of all-purpose flour. I increased the yeast to a teaspoon. It’s excellent but the regular all white flour version is out of this world.  I do use a bit more salt (1.5teaspoons) and a whole teaspoon of yeast and I add maybe a tablespoon of olive oil to the dough initially. My mom, my sister, and her kids all make this bread now. Thanks so much for making your video, we’re all a bit fatter but we love it.

I shared your video on Facebook and several friends make it now too. My sister added sesame seeds after resting the dough ( she spritzed it first with water) and says that works great. I may try that next time. I have made it in a cast-iron Dutch oven which come out great, a heavy pot with glass lid, an enamel 4.5 Qt pot,  and I can tell you that the 1.5 Qt enamel pan I tried is just TOO SMALL. It came out looking like a cake, but still tastes good.  Thanks again! Your bread is awesome!”

~ I’m a big fan of whole grain breads but I agree the white version is the best. Thanks for your photo!  – jenny

ANNA MADE MY 1 3/4 HOUR NO KNEAD BREAD

“Thank you for this very easy recipe!  I did make a change though.  I added 1 tbsp of salt and 1 tsp of sugar for beautiful color. ~ Anna DiNella.”

~ Thank you for your photo. I might try adding some sugar next time as well.  – jenny

KRYSTINA (from Singapore) MADE MY WHITE BREAD & NO KNEAD CRUSTY ROLLS

“Haven’t any confidence baking bread and had many failures. My first attempt and it was successful and the loaf is so delicious and moist . Thank you Jenny.”

~ I’m glad to hear it and thank you for taking time to send this great photo. – jenny

“I am beginning to see light at tunnel end. Last week my first attempt (at rolls) was a disappointment –  just didn’t make it. Today Is my second attempt and they are delicious – very happy with myself . Thank you again Jenny for the recipe that only needed a few steps and it worked miraculously.  Next project will be bbq ribs … stay tune.”

~ You are on a roll… pardon the pun. ? Thank you again for your lovely photos and good luck with the ribs! – jenny

So many people worldwide are home and cooking and I love seeing photos of my recipes from all over the world, so please say where you’re from – include yourself in the photo too! (I post these manually so you won’t see it right away.) Use this link to send your photo: YourPhotos@JennyCanCook.com

CATHY MADE MY PAN PIZZA & PEPPERONI PIZZA

“Hello Jenny, We made your Pan Pizza (added banana peppers) and Pepperoni Pizza (added black olives and mushrooms) last night. Different people like different crusts. Both turned out great and everyone was happy and satisfied. So, success! Thank you for all these easy, yet Really Good recipes. Oh, and we had made extra so we could try our hand at a calzone. It worked great for that, too. ~ Cathy.“

~ Wow! Thank you so much for these tantalizing photos! – jenny

BRAD (from Australia) MADE MY NO KNEAD BREAD

“Hi from Australia! Wow, I love this recipe.  So quick and easy…just had to convert the oven temperature to Centigrade. Mine turned out magnificently and I’m no great cook.  Here’s a photo and thanks again. Brad.”

~ I’d say you are a great baker. This loaf looks wonderful, all the way from Australia!! Thank you. – jenny

JULIE MADE MY SIMPLE WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

“Hi Jenny! I just wanted to say thank you for making this video and the bread.  I love it! You’re the best. ~ Julie Steindel.”

~ Thanks for this great photo. I have the same glass pan with handles. – jenny

HELENA (from Hong Kong) MADE MY LEMON BROWNIES

“Hi Jenny. Greetings from sunny Hong Kong! I love your sense of humour and the ending of your lemon brownie video. I know you’re retired but please consider making some quarantine food videos – please please please – just a few? Kindest regards, Helena H.”

~ What a treat to see a bit of Hong Kong AND my lemon brownie. Thank you so much! – jenny

BAHIA (from Chicago) MADE MY APPLE PIE

“Hi Jenny, My name is Bahia and I’m from Chicago, IL. Huge fan of yours, and your recipes! Today my son asked for an apple pie so I quickly turned to your recipe to save the day. Here it is! It turned out SO delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipe!”

~ Your pie looks perfect. I’ve had a similar request here at home so I’ll be making one myself today. Thank you. – jenny

STALO (from Cyprus) MADE MY NO KNEAD BREAD

“Hi Jenny! My name is Stalo and i am from Cyprus and 2 days ago i made your No Knead bread. My daughter loved it. Today i am making no knead rolls. We are not going to bakeries any more because of the coronovirus. I love cooking and baking and im doing it with love. I just start watching your videos. My mother watching your videos all the time and now me too! Thank for all your help.”

~ To see my bread being made in Cyprus is such a thrill! Thank you for sending the photo.  – jenny

LINDA (from Florida) MADE MY CHOCOLATE CAKE

“Just made this today. I’m really not a cake baker but my grandson likes chocolate cake so I thought I’d give it a try! Super easy. He is begging to cut it so I better go do that.  It’s OK now as long as I have a picture! Thank you! Linda Jones, Lake City, FL.”

~ I can see why he was anxious to cut it – it turned out beautifully. Thank him for waiting so you could take the picture. ? – jenny

CATHY MADE MY CINNAMON ROLLS

“Hello Jenny, this was my first time making cinnamon rolls. I’ve always had this fear of trying recipes that use yeast (long story) until I made a few of your  bread recipes. Now I just want to keep trying different ones. I thought I’d share these progressive photos I took during the process. Thanks for the recipe!”

~ Thank you for these great progression photos. I’m glad you have finally conquered yeast! – jenny

RACHEL (from Hong Kong) MADE MY NO KNEAD BREAD

“Thanks Jenny! Hello from Hong Kong! Your no-knead bread recipe is definitely a BOMB! I am a bread person who literally live on bread every day, but I have not been confident enough to bake my own bread! Until I saw your recipe, I finally decided to give it a try. This is my first ever bread that I baked, and it was a huge success! Thank you so much! Stay safe and healthy. ?“

~ I’m so happy to receive your photo and congratulations on your first (but not the last!) homemade bread. Thank you. – jenny

Here is my choice for photo of the week. First of all, it’s pierogi! Anyone who’s Polish knows what a treat they are to eat and how much effort they take to make. I haven’t had them myself in months and this photo of the pierogi, browned in a pan with either bacon bits or fried onions, is exactly the way I had them growing up. Diane sent in these pictures along with her own photo and this touching note: “Just a Polish girl fighting cancer during a pandemic with people like you and the grace of God. ? Thank You.”

Diane, I hope my recipe brought you the same comfort it always brings me and I wish you the very best in your journey. ❤️?❤️

So many people worldwide are home and cooking and I love seeing photos of my recipes from all over the world, so please say where you’re from – include yourself in the photo too! (I post these manually so you won’t see it right away.) Use this link to send your photo: YourPhotos@JennyCanCook.com

RINA (from Maryland) MADE MY SIMPLE WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

“Hi Jenny, I recently joined your website, thanks to my friend OLGA, that told me about you.  I had already baked a couple of your recipes. Will post them later. This was the very first one SIMPLE WHOLE WHEAT BREAD, which I had baked more than a few times, and I LOVE IT! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!  Be safe! ~ Rina (Maryland ?)“

~ Welcome to my website and I look forward to more of your photos. Thank you. – jenny

MELODI (from Massachusetts) MADE MY APPLE PIE

“Dear Jenny ~ thank you kindly for sharing your recipes with the world.  This is my first attempt; as you can see; a flock has quickly gathered?. ~ Melodi from Massachusetts ?”

~ Beautiful pie, beautiful photo – thank you. And I love your fun collections! – jenny

DONNA MADE MY FASTER NO KNEAD BREAD

“Hi Jenny! I’ve been making sourdough bread for about 10 years but I love your no knead bread, so I decided to see if I could blend them somehow.  I made your recipe but I used 3/4 cup ripe sourdough starter instead of yeast, and only used 1.25 cups of cool water.  I let it sit for 12 hours because sourdough gets more tang the longer it sits.  It rose great, I baked in my ceramic baker, and it turned out beautifully, and the taste is awesome! Thanks for your great recipe!  I will still use the original, but it’s always fun to experiment! ~ Donna Czech.”

~ Thanks for your photos and for sharing your quantities as quite a few people ask about how to use sourdough starter. – jenny

CATHY MADE MY WHOLE WHEAT BREAD & NO KNEAD BREAD

“Hello! A few days ago I made your No-Knead Bread (below), turned out so well I figured if I can do that I can make your Simple Whole Wheat Bread. And I did. I’ve never been successful at making bread but you’ve changed that.  It tastes great, too! Thank you for the recipes… and your sense of humor! Stay well, Cathy.”

~ Your whole wheat loaf is spectacular. Congratulations on becoming a bread baker! ? – jenny

“Hello! I made your Faster No-Knead Bread and it was so easy,and fast. It was only my second time making homemade bread (my first time a few years ago was a complete disaster). It turned out great! And it was delicious. Thank you! ~ Cathy.”

~ I’m glad to hear it. Thank you for sending your photo. – jenny

GORDON HAS MY ROOSTER

“Enjoyed making your cinnamon rolls and love your rooster . We have the same one.”

~ Gotta have a rooster in the kitchen! Thank you. – jenny

So many people worldwide are home and cooking and I love seeing photos of my recipes from all over the world, so please say where you’re from – include yourself in the photo too! (I post these manually so you won’t see it right away.) Use this link to send your photo: YourPhotos@JennyCanCook.com

PAMELA MADE MY WHITE BREAD (no egg)

“Second day in a row making your delicious white bread no egg!”

~ It looks like you had some help from a junior baker. ? Thank you for sharing this darling photo. ❤️ – jenny

MARGARET MADE MY NO KNEAD BREAD

“No Knead Bread Loaf 1 & 2.”

~ Thank you for your photos. Don’t be afraid to bake your breads even longer. ?– jenny

VICKI (from California) MADE MY EASTER BUNNY BUNS & NO KNEAD BREAD

“I found your site while looking for a 1 layer yellow cake recipe. That led to your Easter bunny breads for my granddaughter’s Easter ‘basket’ (actually they were bags) since we are sheltering in place and couldn’t got out and buy baskets or treat.   Your fast no knead bread was next. The breads have been fun and easy; I have my second loaf in the oven now. I used a razor blade to cut a simple design on the top. Can’t wait to see how it turns out. Our challenge here in CA is finding yeast and flour. Who knew those would be hot commodities during quarantine time. Glad I found you! Will be moving on to entrees next week as we are getting tired of my usual repertoire. ~ Vicki Rasmussen, San Jose, CA – Coordinator, Flowers of Comfort.”

~ Thank you for sharing all these great photos. The bunny buns are cute but those little girls are even cuter. ❤️ – jenny

JENNIE (from West Virginia) MADE MY NO KNEAD BREAD

“I made your fast no knead bread and it turned out amazing, will continue to use your recipe. I’m also a Jennie and I live in West Virginia. This was only my second time making bread and first time wasn’t so good. Found your recipe and gave it a try and it came out perfect!!!! Will continue to make your way and share with my neighbors.”

~ Thank you for this terrific photo. It’s a good thing you’re doing to share with your neighbors. – jenny

ROSELYN MADE MY BAKED ZITI

“Thee absolute best and easiest ziti recipe! Thanks, Jenny. Im looking forward to trying many more of your recipes ?”

~ I’m jealous! That looks even better than mine! Thanks for sharing your photos – it’s great to see who’s enjoying my recipes. – jenny

KELLY MADE MY NO KNEAD BREAD

“Beginner’s Luck — THANK YOU.”

~ I think you’ll be just as pleased next time. Thank you for the photos.  – jenny

ANGIE (from Canada) MADE MY PACZKI

“Jenny, These are round 2 of baking these donuts. My children who are all adults requested to have a repeat. We just love them. Thanks to all your simple and yummy recipes. Blessings  ~ Angie (Toronto).”

~ Thank you for the delicious photos. I know first hand how fast they can disappear! – jennyDIANE MADE MY PIEROGI

I was craving a good hamburger so I made sesame seed buns from scratch and they were ready in an hour.  I can’t find whole wheat flour right now so I used my white bread with egg recipe. Just before baking, I brushed the buns using beaten egg yolk with a little water and sprinkled on the seeds. You can brush with egg white, egg yolk or even a beaten egg. Let me tell you, these were some awesome burgers! I used lean ground beef and I cooked the patties in a hot cast iron skillet. I seared them first so they were beautifully browned and tasted like they just came off the grill. (I should have taken a picture but I was hungry ?)

I had all the trimmings on hand, including lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mustard, mayo, and ketchup. WOW! I may never cook a burger on the grill again. I also made oven fries since I had a russet potato. I peeled and sliced it into fairly thin wedges, tossed them in olive oil, salt & pepper, and roasted them in a 425 oven on a baking sheet for about half an hour. Next time I make this classic American meal (and there will be a next time) I will post it as a recipe so everyone can enjoy delicious hamburgers at home. I never made a burger in a skillet  before so I even surprised myself.

Meantime, if you want to make the best and easiest sesame seed hamburger buns, click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones

The whole world is home and cooking and I love seeing photos of my recipes from all over the world, so please say where you’re from – include yourself in the photo too! (I post these manually so you won’t see it right away.) Use this link to send your photo: YourPhotos@JennyCanCook.com

TINA (from Texas) MADE MY CHOCOLATE CAKE

“Hello Jenny! My husband and I are both physicians.  He is on the front lines daily in the hospital while I’m seeing my patients via telemedicine. The one main lesson that this COVID19 crisis has taught me is that teachers are WAY underpaid! They all should be paid at least 10 times more for tolerating…I mean teaching our kids.  I’ve been trying to juggle seeing my patients, oversee distance learning for my kids, and manage my household chores – my escape has been trying your recipes in my kitchen (which is my happy place).  I have made so many and they all turn out so well!  I’m baking my way through this darn pandemic!

Anyhow, I decided to surprise my newly pregnant baby sister and her husband on her 33rd birthday with a “fancy” decorated version of your chocolate cake with your 2 minute frosting.This made her so happy on her birthday!!!  I just topped the cake with a few homemade chocolate covered strawberries and drizzled dark and white chocolate sculptures (I’m not sure what to call them).  Look how beautiful it came out!  I just love you and your recipes!!!  Thank you for being you and for sharing your love of healthier cooking with us! Hugs from Texas, – Tina Dieber.”

DAVID (from Canada) MADE MY NO KNEAD BREAD

“Hi Jenny. Made your quick no- knead bread & it turned out great. The only thing was the bottom crust was a little hard to slice through. Maybe when I remove the lid to brown the top i should reduce temp a little. Thanks, David D ~ from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.”

BARB (from Canada) MADE MY SIMPLE WHITE BREAD

“Jenny, I couldn’t be more pleased with how this bread turned out.  Just look at that beautiful loaf! The taste and texture are wonderful too.  It came together very quickly using the Kitchenaid stand mixer. Thank you for sharing your recipes and techniques. I really appreciate knowing I can try a new recipe with confidence and every anticipation of success after watching your video demonstrations.  And my husband appreciates what’s coming out of my oven nowadays!  Thank you, Jenny. ~ Barb from Ontario, Canada.”

ROBERT (from Baltimore) MADE MY NO KNEAD BREAD

“Jenny, This was fabulous! There wasn’t enough for everyone to have seconds!! Thanks for sharing. I love your site!”

BUNNY (from Chicago) MADE MY TORTILLAS

“Hi Jenny, We decided to make a Mexican style meal for Cinco de Mayo.  But we didn’t have tortillas for tacos, and didn’t want to go out to the store.  Then, I remembered your video for homemade tortillas.  I had never made tortillas before, but they were quick and easy, just like the ones on your website.  Thank you for another great recipe that is sure to become a regular in our kitchen.  Here’s the results. ~ Bunny (in Chicago).”

TARA (from Canada) MADE MY PIZZA DOUGH

“My kids said Best pizza dough ever!! I made a double batch for each pizza. I made a Buffalo chicken pizza & a potato pizza tonight. I let dough rise covered in oven for several hours. So light & fluffy. Thank you Jenny!!”

NARMADHA (from the UK) MADE MY CRISPY OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

“Dear Jenny, Tried Crispy Oatmeal Choc. Chip Cookies…they were crunchy,crispy and delicious . Simple recipe great taste ! Thanks ? ~ Narmadha from Uk.”

ELAINE MADE MY SIMPLE WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

“My most awesome-est bread.”

This  picture brought me so much joy last week. Mike here is from Virginia and just baked his first cake ever at 86 years old. His daughter, Carol, sent in the photo saying, ““My dad, first cake he’s EVER EVER made! I baked your single layer chocolate cake last week, then sent your site link to my mom (sharon). they watched the cake video, then my mom walked my 86-year-old dad (mike) through baking this cake. she said it turned out great ? he mixed the cake, baked it, and frosted it all by himself… they cut half and froze the other. we’re from coastal virginia. ? thanks jenny!!!”

This photo is sure to motivate other people who think they can’t bake, How about some of you “youngsters” in your seventies?? You can do this! ?