Easily turn some liquid tempera paint into glossy craft paint perfect for painting everything from wooden signs to rocks. Just a couple household staples will do the trick.
Time: under 30 minutes
Everyday Cooking
These are the basics, the simple meals, the make ahead recipes. Everyday cooking for every one.
These are the recipes you sometimes forget even are available. Like, making homemade cleansers and beauty products. Or, convenience items like croutons or coffee creamer. While so easy to buy, they are also easy to make.
Also check out our "make ahead" section for recipe-saving ingredient substitutes.
jump to the recipes
Homemade Shiny Craft Paint
Grand Marnier Marmalade
This marmalade is so good, it will make you pucker up and say "ooh la la!" Grand Marnier gives this marmalade a wonderfully complex flavor.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Sugar Free Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
No fat or sugar in this version of homemade sweetened condensed milk
Time: 2-5 hours
Beer Pancakes
Pancakes are just the excuse you need to have beer for breakfast. A bit of brew make these flapjacks fluffy and flavorful. Try different beers - maybe a vanilla porter or spiced holiday...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
15 Minute Chicken Parmesan Risotto
Tender chicken serves as hidden treasure amongst the creamy rice with pops of peas. This can be served as a side item or a main course.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
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Slow Cooker 7-Up Chicken
7-Up soda works as a tenderizer and sweetener in this chicken crock pot recipe.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Authentic Italian Sausage
Don't buy Italian sausage for a recipe, make it. This authentic pork sausage has fennel seeds, paprika, and thyme for flavors that'll beat store bought Italian sausage any day...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Spiced Rhubarb Jam
Made with ground cardamom, cinnamon stick, rhubarb, sugar, water, ginger root
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Spicy Croutons
These homemade croutons are perfect on salads or used in other recipes. They have an Italian flavor with a kick of cayenne.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork With Root Beer Barbecue Sauce
Root beer isn't just for floats anymore. This pulled pork recipe uses root beer twice: once to tenderize and again in a tangy sauce.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Fancy Covered Meatballs
A beefy version of pigs in a blanket. Savory meatballs are wrapped in crescent roll dough and baked until golden brown. Makes a great appetizer.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Mix and Match Casserole
Mix and match with your favorite ingredients. Choose a sauce base, a vegetable, pasta or rice, a protein, add-ins, and one or more toppings to customize this casserole.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Sardine Cat Cookies
Homemade sardine cat treats? Yes, please. Simple ingredients and an easy recipe make these biscuits a purrfect delight for your feline companion.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Butter Biscuits
These simple biscuits are extra buttery with chilled butter mixed into the batter and melted butter brushed on top after baking.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Dr. Pepper Roast Turkey
Dr. Pepper is the secret ingredient for getting a rich glaze on the turkey. Works great for turkey or chicken.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Rhubarb and Fig Jam
Much maligned rhubarb rarely gets the love it deserves, but one spoonful of this rhubarb and fig jam will change your mind on the vegetable for good.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Peanut Blossom Cookie Mix In A Jar
The classic peanut butter chocolate kiss cookie is a snap to make when you pre-mix the ingredients. Keep on hand for yourself, or give the cookie mix as a gift.
Time: under 30 minutes
Braunschweiger
Think you can't make homemade sausage? Think again. This braunschweiger recipe with pork, liver, and onions might just change your mind.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Cranberry-Raspberry Jam
Get ready to spread some magic on your toast with this Cranberry-Raspberry Jam, a berry blast that's all about the zing and the zang.
Time: 1-2 hours
7-Up Layer Cake With Coconut Pineapple Frosting
Made with shortening, sugar, eggs, lemon extract, all-purpose flour, 7-UP, crushed-pineapple, butter
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Pie Crust Mix
Save some prep time with this pie crust mix. Flour, salt, and shortening are mixed together ahead of time (and can be frozen) to help make your pie baking a breeze.
Time: under 30 minutes
All-Purpose Biscuit Mix
Use this simple DIY mix in any recipe calling for Bisquick or any other baking mix. It's not just for biscuits!
Time: under 30 minutes
Dr Pepper Short Ribs
These short ribs are just what the doctor ordered! Meaty ribs braised in Dr Pepper with ketchup, vinegar, and Worcestershire for a meal with some real pop to it.
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Apple Pecan Skillet Pancakes
These loaded apple and pecan cinnamon pancakes are what dreams are made of. Well, if your dreams are breakfast related (and after a couple of these flapjacks, they probably...
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Pancake Mix in a Bag
With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of dry pancake mix that can be stored for weeks and used whenever you crave fluffy and delicious pancakes.
Time: under 30 minutes
Julia Child's Lobster
Learn how to cook lobster from the master! Julia shares her methods for both boiling and steaming fresh lobster to perfection.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Bread Machine Raspberry Jam
This is a simple way to make jam - in your bread machine! If you use other fruits you may have to adjust the amounts used to account for different sweetness levels.
Method: bread machine
Time: 1-2 hours
Homemade Baking Powder
Turns out baking powder is just baking soda, cornstarch, and cream of tartar. So next time you need baking powder in a pinch, you might already have it on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Making homemade sun-dried tomatoes is a fantastic way to preserve the best tomatoes of the summer and use them for pizzas, pastas, and salads for months to come.
Method: oven
Time: over 5 hours
Maple Pork Sausage
The sweet maple flavor pairs perfectly with the savory pork in this homemade sausage. Serve it with pancakes, eggs, French toast or use it in other recipes calling for breakfast...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Make-Ahead Red Beans And Rice Mix
This is a great mix to keep on hand when you want to make some old-school comfort food. With the seasoning ingredients pre-measured, the recipe comes together with...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Black Raspberry Jam
You can use this black raspberry jam for more than just toast. How about for topping a melty brie grilled cheese?
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Easy-Bake Oven Rice Krispies Treats
Skip the stove top method for Rice Krispies treats and let the kids make their own marshmallow cereal bars using the Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven.
Time: 30-60 minutes
Raspberry Jam (No Pectin Version)
Raspberry jam is a delicious and versatile spread that can be enjoyed on a variety of items, from toast to scones. What many people don't know is that this jam can be...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Low-Fat Heavy Cream Substitute
A perfect low fat cream substitute for soups, sauces, and baked dishes.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Febreze
This delightful homemade Febreze is sure to leave your fabrics smelling fresh and fabulous. Simply spray on any fabrics that need a little refreshment and enjoy the amazing smell.
Time: under 30 minutes
DIY Lemon Extract
Homemade lemon extract: because sometimes, life gives you lemons and you make something awesome. A perfect project for when you're feeling a little extra zesty.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Friendship Tea Mix
Combining an orange breakfast drink, lemonade mix, instant tea, apricot gelatin, and spices, this mix makes a comforting beverage that's perfect for gifting.
Time: under 30 minutes
Al Dente Make-Ahead Rice
Rice is simple to prepare but it takes time. Use this method for making it ahead of time so all you need to do is reheat... and eat!
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Creamy Flavored Coffee Sweetener
This simple recipe nails the ratio of skim milk with the sweet stuff for a satisfying coffee creamer that can be modified to whatever seasonal flavor desires strike...
Time: under 30 minutes
Cappuccino Mix
Made with chocolate drink mix, powdered sugar, instant nonfat dry milk, instant coffee, non-dairy creamer
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Chocolate Cake
There's nothing more satisfying than teaching your kids to bake from scratch using their own toy oven. The Easy-Bake Oven chocolate cake recipe is the perfect way to get...
Time: under 30 minutes
One Pan Banana Bread
Is there anything better than freshly baked banana bread? A great way to use up those ripe bananas in this Bisquick-based recipe.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Jell-O Finger Paint
A fun and edible finger paint. Good for craft projects, can be made in a variety of colors, and it smells great.
Time: under 30 minutes
Fix And Freeze French Onion Soup
This fix and freeze French onion soup recipe has you do the hard work ahead of time. When ready to serve, all you have to do is heat the soup and add the bread and...
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
11 Minute Strawberry Jam
This 11 minute strawberry jam recipe is so easy. It's the perfect way to use up fresh strawberries, and it only takes a few minutes to make.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
How To Make Rice
Once you understand the ratio of water to rice you'll be a pro at cooking rice. If you use a different kind of rice (other than long grain) you may have to adjust the ratio and/or...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Impossible Cheeseburger Pie
Made with eggs, milk, ground beef, onion, salt, cheddar cheese, Bisquick
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Carpet Spot Cleaner
A homemade carpet spot cleaner recipe is an easy and affordable way to get your carpets looking new again. Made with just 3 simple ingredients that you may already have in your...
Time: under 30 minutes
Impossible Pumpkin Pie
A crustless pumpkin pie made with pumpkin pie filling, evaporated milk, butter, eggs, sugar, Bisquick, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Green Tomato Jelly
Who knew unripe tomatoes could taste this good? Green Tomato Jelly with a raspberry twist. Boil, blend, jar. Done.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Edible Clay
A fun craft for kids, that they can eat too. The clay won't harden completely so it's fun to mold into shapes and decorate with dried fruit or cereal.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Ceramic Tile Cleaner
No need for harsh chemicals, this homemade tile cleaner will do the trick and save you money.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Silly Putty
A fun, homemade craft putty for your kids. Just two ingredients and optional coloring will yield hours of fun.
Time: under 30 minutes
Make Your Own Self-Rising Flour
Use this homemade self-rising flour recipe for all your baking needs. Works for breads, cakes, muffins, and more.
Time: under 30 minutes
Venison Sausage And Seasoning Mix
This sausage recipe cuts the venison with ground pork to keep the flavor rich without being too gamey, and throws in a flavorful seasoning mix for a little extra...
Time: under 30 minutes
An Apple a Day Dog Treat
Imagine the wagging tails as you whip up these delightful apple-infused dog treats. With just a few simple ingredients, your furry friend will be eating like royalty.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Warm up quickly when you keep a batch of this homemade hot cocoa mix on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
Keeping a can of frozen orange juice concentrate in the freezer means you can make more than just orange juice. Try it in a variety of orange-flavored recipes.
What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!
The name, vodka, comes from the Russian phrase zhiznennaia voda, or "water of life". It can be made from everything from potatoes to beets. It's considered to be fairly flavorless which makes it a great liquor for mixed drinks.