Slice Of Heaven, Anyone? Here Are The 35 Best Cake Recipes You'll Ever Try

Rumor-Stirring Blueberry Lavender Fizz

You can't have brunch without a fun, easy drink to kick things off! This fruity mocktail features flavors of blueberry, lemon, and lime, and it comes with a foamy, pastel finish. What could be more springlike than that?

Ingredients

Serves 1

• 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
• 1 tablespoon blueberry jam
• 1⁄2 ounce lemon juice
• 1⁄2 ounce lime juice
• 1⁄2 ounce heavy cream
• 1 large egg white, pasteurized
• 8–12 ounces cooled sparkling water
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Instructions

1. Muddle lavender in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add remaining ingredients except sparkling water and lemon zest. Shake vigorously until texture changes to a foam, about 10 seconds.
3. Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds or until cocktail is well chilled.
4. Strain into a Collins glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish with lemon zest.

Household Hasty-Bake Oatmeal Pies with Sugared Berries

This dish might look fancy enough to serve Queen Charlotte, but it's actually very simple to make! You can use instant oats, which speeds up everything about the process. All you need for the sugared berries (other than the berries themselves) is sugar and an egg white, which is so easy that we're taking notes for all of our spring berry cravings.

Ingredients

Makes 4 (4") Pies Or 1 (9") Pie

For Sugared Berries:

• 1⁄3 cup superfine sugar
• 1 large egg white, pasteurized
• 1 cup fresh berries of choice

For Oatmeal Pies:

• 1 1⁄4 cups instant oats
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 4 cups vanilla yogurt for filling
• 4 tablespoons amber honey

Instructions

1. Prepare a surface with wax paper. Place superfine sugar in a small shallow dish
2. Whisk egg white lightly in a small bowl until bubbles form on the surface. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat each berry with egg white.
3. Gently roll berries in sugar and place on wax paper. Let dry 20 minutes.
4. To make Oatmeal Pies: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly coat four 4" pie pans (or one 9" pie pan) with butter and set aside.
5. In a food processor, pulse oats, flour, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until butter pieces are no larger than a pea.
6. Pour mixture into a large bowl and mix in water until dough ball forms. If dough is too dry, add more water.
7. Separate dough into four equal parts and, using wet hands, press dough into pie pans. Make sure crust is even and without holes.
8. Bake 20 minutes until edges begin to brown.
9. Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes. Fill with yogurt and Sugared Berries and drizzle with honey before serving.

Portia's Green Soup

We're all about filling, warm soups when temps drop, but when it's feeling lovely outside, switch things up with a chilled (and healthy) soup recipe. Avocado and buttermilk keep things creamy and garlic, chives, and salt add a nice flavor. Top with radishes, nuts, and greens.

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
• 4 cups buttermilk
• 1 large seedless cucumber, sliced into 1⁄4" discs 2 tablespoons sliced red onion
• 4 medium cloves garlic, peeled
• 6 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, divided 2 tablespoons aji-mirin or rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients except 3 tablespoons chives to a blender and blend until smooth. Chill 1 hour.
2. Serve in six small bowls garnished with remaining 3 tablespoons chives.

High Society Scones

These tasty scones will go great with brunch, dessert, or afternoon tea. Just don't forget the marmalade! If you don't have access to barberries, swap for currants or cranberries and you're good as gold.

Ingredients

Makes 12 scones

• 1⁄2 cup barberries
• 1⁄16 teaspoon ground saffron
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
• 5 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
• 3 large eggs, divided
• 3⁄4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F and set out two lined baking sheets.
2. In a small bowl, soak barberries in warm water for 30 minutes. In a separate small bowl, crumble saffron into 1 tablespoon water and set aside.
3. Add flour, baking powder, salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, and butter to a food processor and pulse until a very fine sand forms.
4. In a medium bowl, beat 2 eggs, saffron water, and milk until well combined. Gently mix in contents of food processor until just combined. Drain and stir in barberries.
5. On a clean, lightly floured surface, knead dough minimally and form into a rectangle 1" thick. Dough should be very sticky. Don’t overwork. Use a 2" round cookie cutter or glass to cut twelve circles of dough, setting them on the baking sheet 21⁄2" apart.
6. In a small bowl, beat remaining egg and water and brush lightly onto scones, then sprinkle remaining
   1 tablespoon sugar on top of scones. Bake 8–10 minutes until lightly browned.
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes before serving. Will last up to 1 week in refrigerator.

Cookout Recipes You Have To Try

Mexican Chicken & Avocado Wraps

Wraps are a super tasty and super easy meal to make before any group dinner. We're filling ours with spiced chicken, red peppers, spinach, and avocado. Our mouths are already watering. (via Brit + Co)

Black Bean Burgers

Prep these black bean burger patties for any veggie guests coming to the BBQ. This cookout recipe can be personalized to your tastes with your preferred bean style and only take about 15 minutes to prep. (via Brit + Co)

Homemade Salsa

Save the jar salsa for another time and whip up this super fresh, spicy, and chunky homemade version. Be careful when blending the ingredients so not to turn it into a gazpacho. (via Brit + Co)

Elote One-Pot Pasta Recipe

Name a better group food than pasta salad. We'll wait. (via Brit + Co)

3-2-1 Ribs Method

The 3-2-1 method of cooking ribs refers to the number of hours spent at each stage. Three hours are spent smoking the meat, unwrapped and at a low temperature. Then there are two more hours of continued smoking, this time wrapped in foil. Lastly, there’s one final hour of smoking. This method ensures flavorful and tender ribs every time. (via Fox Valley Foodie)

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Cheese and potatoes are one of the best combos ever, amirite? These scalloped potatoes can be made way in advance and reheated right before serving. Just try not to eat them all before your guests arrive. (via Chew Out Loud)

Strawberry Oreo Chocolate Icebox Cake

Icebox cakes have been a potluck staple since… forever. This strawberry Oreo recipe is a crowd-pleaser that will be loved by adults and children alike. The cake needs to be made at least eight hours before your party so the cookies have time to soften, so allow for plenty of chilling time. (via Sweetest Menu)

Crockpot Corn On The Cob

Give yourself at least two hours before your dinner to make this dish. The key to making a corn on the cob that everyone will remember until next summer's cookouts is the garlic herb butter. Yummmm. (via Brit + Co)

Honey Strawberry Basil Margarita

Not only is a marg one of our favorite poolside sips, but strawberries, basil, and honey just all hit different in the summertime. This recipe only makes sense. (via Brit + Co)

Hailey Bieber's Air Fryer Chicken Wings

These drool-worthy wings have a secret ingredient in them for maximum crispiness: avocado oil. You can prep the buttermilk marinade and refrigerate the wings in brine for a few hours before they're ready to quickly cook in an air fryer. (via Brit + Co)

Mexican-Style Hot Dogs Cookout Recipe

With tomatoes, avocados, and corn, this cookout recipe is making us seriously consider chopping up a hot dog the next time we make burrito bowls. (via Brit + Co)

BLT Deviled Eggs

Sundried tomatoes, green onions and bacon are the delicious threesome that makes up the filling of these delightful deviled eggs. Be sure to make extra, because these will fly off of the platter as soon as you set them out. (via Ketogasm)

Cowboy Caviar

If you’re interested in testing out your knife skills, this dip is great for practice. It’s full of hearty beans, cilantro, chopped peppers and onion. You can even try adding a chopped avocado if you’re a major guac fan (and who isn’t?). (via Culinary Hill)

Homemade Hamburger Buns

If you really want to impress a crowd, show up to a party with homemade hamburger buns. They’re not at all as difficult as you would think, and they’re the best accompaniment to a gourmet burger. (via Domestic Dreamboat)

Your Summer Won't Be The Same Without These Cookout Recipes

Cucumber Lemon Orzo Salad

Pasta salad is a must-have cookout recipe, but you may not have had it with orzo. It’s just the right size to mix with finely chopped veggies and goes great with the fresh flavors of lemon and cucumber. Allow this to sit in the fridge overnight so the pasta can absorb all that delicious flavor. (via Give Recipe)

Fruit Salad With Lemon Dressing

By the time everyone has scarfed down their burgers and potato salad, dessert might be an afterthought. This fruit salad is a wonderful post-dinner treat that eases your sweet craving without being too heavy. (via Paleo Leap)

Vegan Bacon + Cheese Loaded Potato Skins

With spicy cashew cream sauce and mushroom bacon, these potato skins might just become your favorite summer dish. We'll be making these for every cookout forever and always. (via Brit + Co)

Boozy Sangria Popsicles

We love sangria. We love popsicles. This is a match made in heaven. You'll definitely want to make these ahead of time so that they have enough time to freeze, but make sure you wait to take them out of the freezer so they don't melt ;). (via Brit + Co)

Make-Ahead Layered Picnic Salad

Your mom will be so proud when you bring out this dish she made when you were a kid. There’s a reason this type of layered salad has stood the test of time: It’s easy, delicious and can be assembled way before your barbecue. (via The Kitchen Is My Playground)

Grilled Maple Sriracha Chicken Skewers

These simple skewers have only four ingredients, but pack some intense flavor. The chicken is best marinated overnight and takes only 15 minutes to grill the next day. Score! (via Table for Two)

Minty Pea Salad

We’ve all had those moments when we forget about a barbecue until the day before. Those times call for this easy salad that can be made on the fly or ahead of time. (via Budget Bytes)

Potato Salad Bites

It’s just not a Memorial Day cookout without potato salad, but the same-old-same-old can get a bit boring. These little two-bite potatoes are a mix of potato salad and a twice-baked potato. They’re perfect as an appetizer or as a cute hand-held side dish. (via The Recipe Rebel)

Blow Your Own Mind With These Tasty Cookout Recipes!

Prosciutto Wrapped Melon With Sage and Black Pepper

Class up any outdoor party with these sweet and salty prosciutto-melon bites. The mix of flavors is addictive, but there’s no cooking involved. That means you can wrangle in just about anyone to help you assemble. (via The Homemade Haus)

Shrimp Boil Foil Packets

Put together all of these shrimp boil packets whenever you have a spare moment — that way, all you have to do is throw them on the grill come party time. Did we mention there’s also ZERO cleanup involved? (via Damn Delicious)

Vegan Barbecue Baked Beans

When hosting a cookout, it may be tempting to grab a can of baked beans from the store and call it a day. Refrain from that temptation and you will *not* be sorry you took the time to make your own. The flavor is unreal, and you can even mix everything up and throw it in your crockpot if you like. (via A Virtual Vegan)

Easy Cheesy Hot Corn Dip Cookout Recipe

This dip is chock full of enough cheese to please the kids, and enough veggies to please the parents. Everyone will be happy! Serve with chips or just dig in with a spoon. (via Brit + Co)

Healthy Pepperoni Pasta Salad

This pasta salad could be a whole meal in itself. It’s packed with veggies, protein and whole grains that will keep you energized for all the fun outdoor games (lookin’ at you, volleyball). (via Well Plated)

Vegan Mexican Sweet Potato Salad With Avocado Dressing

You’ve never had potato salad like this before. If you’re dying to switch it up, go for this Mexican version with corn, avocado and chipotle. Everyone will be begging you for the recipe. (via Food Faith Fitness)

Cajun Crawfish Queso

When you think of queso you might not think of seafood, but you'd be surprised how tasty this crawfish cheese dip actually tastes. Don't forget the cajun mix! (via Brit + Co)

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Greek Yogurt Popsicles

Cold treats on a hot day are absolute summer perfection. These pops last in the freezer for weeks, so don't be afraid to make a big batch… just in case. (via Tastes of Lizzy T's)

Healthy Coleslaw

A coleslaw recipe is a pre-req for any Memorial Day or cookout bashes! Carrots and celery come together with a healthy swap for the classic mayonnaise dressing made with yogurt. You'll love it and so will your guests. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Carrot Hot Dogs

Prep your carrots with maple syrup and coconut aminos to give them a surprisingly meaty flavor. Whip up some BBQ sauce and aioli, and throw your favorite hot dog toppings into tiny bowls for everyone to serve themselves. (via Brit + Co)

Breakfast Burger

There's a chance you've had an egg on a burger before, but have you had an egg *and* sausage *and* hash browns?! If your answer is no, it's never too late to try it out. (via Brit + Co)

Decadent Potato Chip Brownies

This cookout recipe is an amazing addition to any #TreatYourselfThursday. There are lots of sweet and salty combos we love, and these brownies take the cake! (via Brit + Co)

The Making of a Romance Novel Empire 

I know besties when I see them, and this writing duo has all the makings of two friends whose bond has been deepened by more than time. Still, curiosity get's the best of me when I mention what certainly feels like an empire to me before asking, "How did you two meet?" Their knowing smile says it all — they've clearly been locked in for a while, and they remember the exact moment things clicked for them.

"In 2009 we were both writing fanfiction and reading each other's stories online. Then Lo (Lauren) was putting on a panel at San Diego Comic Con on fanworks and she invited me to be on it. So, I came out and we met for the first time, and we got along really well," says Christina.

From there, they wrote a one shot — quick fanfiction story — together, and eventually decided it was worth taking a chance on writing an entire book. The fact that both Christina and Lauren have experience writing fanfiction not only helped them prepare for their pivot into authorship, but it also got them accustomed to the honesty of online book reviews.

As far as people not knowing that Christina Lauren is actually two people, that's basically the point. "We want it [our books] to feel like they're written by one voice. We spend a lot of time editing to make sure it doesn't sound feel like two very distinct, combative voices in there," Lauren says while excitedly adding, "I mean everyday we get DM's that are like, 'I didn't know there were two of you!'"

Peeling Back the Layers of The Paradise Problem 

Warning: May contain some spoilers.

I have a deep appreciation for books that immediately call my imagination to the forefront and that's just one of the many things The Paradise Problem does as soon as you begin reading the first page. We're immediately introduced to Anna Green and "West" going their separate ways after choosing to amicably end their marriage. The kicker? See, they don't actually know each other.

How can two people essentially be strangers while they're married? Realistically, Anna and West's marriage was one of convenience. Each found themselves in a situation where their very survival relied on marriage, so they decided to become husband and wife solely on paper.

That seems pretty straightforward right? Wrong. Based on the first impressions of Anna and West, one has it together while the other is a hot mess. But, Christina Lauren is challenging us to rethink our approach to first impressions because they're not always everything. Once you start peeling back a person's layers, you can really start to understand their choices, reactions, family dynamics (and there are plenty of awkward encounters in this story on that front), and more.

Christina and Lauren knew what they wanted for these two characters in the end, but they had to figure out how to fully thread the needle for it to work — particularly when it came to West and his relationship to his family. They had his backstory, but they needed to figure out how to fully flesh out his world, parents and all. What they went with was jaw-dropping IMO, full of shady behavior, cocky attitudes, and beyond. But how does West's background and personality relate to Anna's?

"We always try to think about who's the perfect person for the characters — not who will complete them. Anna is very different. She does not come from a wealthy background, she's not super polished," says Lauren. But, there's more to her than meets the eye. She's a genuinely good person who has a loving heart that no amount of status can compete with once the layers are peeled back.

This is what begins winning West over, and the two soon begin to find there's some truth to the fictionalized relationship they have on display for West's family. Ultimately, The Paradise Problem begs readers to ask if opposites really do attract, confronting us — and our main characters — with this one scenario at a time.

In my humble opinion, The Paradise Problem feels like one of Christina Lauren's best books because it encompasses all the elements that fans of their work love. Christina says, "They love characters they either want to be or want to be friends with, heroes they want for their own, a lot of the settings..." She continues, saying, "The great thing about having a large catalogue of books is that there's something for everyone. Do you like funny books? We got you. Do you want super saucy books? We got you. Do you want something that's gonna rip your heart out? We got that too."

In case you have any doubts about that, check out all of the duo's books now and get your copy of The Paradise Problemtoday!