Recipes To Start The New Year
Sourdough, vanilla, blueberry muffins, and more!
How do you like to start off the new year? Do you want to take things easy after a hectic holiday season? Or are you ready to take on a few new projects? Here are some baking ideas for keeping things simple, or taking on a fun new project. The choice is yours!
If you want an easy way to elevate your baking in 2026, try my homemade vanilla extract. It’s just two ingredients and one of the best simple investments you can make in your baking!
Is 2026 your year of bread? Dive into my sourdough guide for a fun challenge. I have several videos to help guide you.
My 20 recipes for beginners is a great place to start for new bakers, and it includes popular recipes like blueberry muffins and popovers!
Need something fresh and bright? How about lemon pudding cakes?!
And for more of a challenge, consider upgrading to my paid “Extras” membership where I will be teaching new techniques throughout the year. Consider it a baking course that gets you ready to be an expert in time for the holidays! First up (last Sunday) was Almond Brown Butter Muffins, inspired by French financiers.
Galette Des Rois (French King Cake)
This is a surprisingly simple dessert to make that is pure WOW! It’s all in the decoration you scratch into the surface of your puff pastry. If you are inclined to make your own puff pastry dough, awesome, but store bought is faster! The almond cream is just blitzed in a food processor and ready to go. I tucked a candied kumquat into the center as the hidden gem, instead of a dried bean. Whoever finds it is king for the day and gets a tasty treat! I made this for Epiphany, but you could enjoy it anytime.
From the “Extras” Archive
Paid “Extras” subscribers: Don’t forget you always have access to the Recipe Index! Here are a few of the exclusive recipes that might be a good fit for your menu this time of year.
It seems this time of year, everyone is back into making homemade bread. If you have a bread machine, be sure to check out this post on 4 ways to make bread, including Lukas Volger’s recipe for a Buttermilk Oat & Wheat Loaf.
I love an easy breakfast and this Crustless Quiche recipe from my friend, Stephanie Meyer, has lots of protein and it’s also gluten-free. Make it ahead and eat a slice every morning for a quick, healthy breakfast.
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat for 1 (or two, if you want to share!)? My Microwave Mug Muffins are a perfect sweet breakfast or dessert that you can make fast.
Happy New Year! So much beautiful deliciousness!
Fantastic twist on teh fève tradition with that candied kumquat. The citrus-almond pairing in the Galette is already classic French pastry, but swapping teh dried bean for something edible and bright like kumquat adds a layer of intentionality. Ive used coins or mini ceramic charms before, but dunno why I didnt think of going edible with somehtign that actually complements the almond cream instead of just being a ritual object.