Welcome

Welcome to Crystal McCole, a recipe blog for home bakers and cooks. I share from-scratch cake recipes, homemade desserts, Southern classics, and the weeknight meals I actually cook for my family. Every recipe is tested in my own kitchen, with the tips and troubleshooting you need to get it right the first time. Pull up a chair and find something to bake.

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Cookies and Cream Cake: Moist Oreo Cake From Scratch

The secret to the best cookies and cream cake? Leave the Oreo filling in. Get my from-scratch recipe with white cake layers and creamy Oreo buttercream.

Crystal Burns

10 min read

Fluffy Moist Vanilla Cake From Scratch (Bakery-Style)

There’s nothing like a soft, buttery homemade vanilla cake that melts in your mouth and this vanilla cake will become your go-to recipe.

Crystal Burns

6 min read

Sweet Potato Pie with Orange and Lemon Juice (Southern Style)

Take a look at this classic Sweet Potato Pie dessert, made extra special with a touch of fresh lemon and orange juice.

Crystal Burns

7 min read

Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie

Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie with a golden, patchwork top. A creamy chicken filling loaded with bold seasoning, wrapped in flaky puff pastry.

Crystal Burns

3 min read

Mini Sweet Potato Pies (Easy Muffin Tin Recipe)

Mini sweet potato pies made in a muffin tin with a citrus spiced filling and buttery crust. Perfect bite sized pies for the holidays, no slicing required.

Crystal Burns

3 min read

Strawberry Cheesecake Pudding Dessert (A Strawberry Twist on Banana Pudding)

This strawberry cheesecake pudding dessert layers vanilla pudding, cream cheese, fresh strawberries, and cookies, built the same way you'd make banana pudding. A cool, creamy crowd-pleaser with no oven needed.

Crystal Burns

5 min read

How to Make Box Cake Mix Taste Homemade (4 Swaps That Actually Work)

Four simple swaps that make any box cake mix taste like it came from a bakery — extra egg, milk instead of water, vanilla extract, and a pudding packet. From a from-scratch baker who knows both sides.

Crystal Burns

5 min read

The Best Chocolate Birthday Cake (Rich, Moist, and Completely From Scratch)

This chocolate birthday cake uses Dutch process cocoa, espresso powder, and hot water for an ultra-moist, deeply fudgy crumb with rich chocolate buttercream frosting. From scratch and showstopping.

Crystal Burns

9 min read

The Ultimate Birthday Cake Guide — Recipes, Ideas & Tips for Every Celebration

Everything you need to make the perfect homemade birthday cake — classic recipes, showstopper cakes, fruity options, tips, and FAQs all in one place.

Crystal Burns

8 min read

Vanilla Cake Troubleshooting Guide — 5 Common Problems and Exactly How to Fix Them

Vanilla cake turning out dense, dry, or sunken? This post covers the most common vanilla cake troubleshooting problems and exactly how to fix them — plus a free guide.

Crystal Burns

5 min read

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