Hi baking friend, You probably know by now I love chocolate chips. I fully stock up anytime my favorite brands (Ghirardelli and Guittard) go on sale at the grocery store. Here are 10 of my favorite ways to bake with chocolate chips (and yes... not just cookies 😉). Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies Crispy edges, gooey centers, and puddles of melty chocolate. This one's a must. Get recipe ✨ Pro Tip: If you want to take these over the top... make my Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!...
4 days ago • 1 min read
If I were to open a bakery... It would smell like browned butter and chocolate before you even opened the door. There'd be a few worn wooden tables and a shelf with books and games to share. On the left, a glass case full of warm muffins, bread rolls, and scones catching the light, with a tray of freshly baked brownies on the counter, somehow already half gone. Fresh coffee brewing, something chocolatey in the oven, and a little bit of chaos happening behind the scenes in the best way. And...
11 days ago • 2 min read
Hi friend, What are you baking for Mother's Day? If you need a little inspiration, I put together a list of reader favorite recipes: Brunch (lots of make-ahead options!) Easy and no-bake desserts Plenty of chocolate A few fresh, fruity options too ✨ See All The Recipes ✨ And keep an eye out, I've got a no-bake favorite coming your way soon, just refreshed with new photos and extra tips to make it even easier!
13 days ago • 1 min read
Hey friend, Did you see the site got a fresh new glow-up? ✨ We also added something really fun: a recipe selector that helps you find exactly what to bake based on what you're craving. To show you how it works, here's a quick email version! 👉 Just tap an option below and we’ll send you straight to a recipe. What are you in the mood for right now? I need something EASY I don't have a MIXER I'm craving something bright + CITRUSY I need CHOCOLATE immediately I've got overripe BANANAS I'm NOT...
18 days ago • 1 min read
Hi baking friend! I recently made these cookies after not having tasted them for a few months... WOW. I had forgotten just how incredible they are. So much caramelized, nutty, toasty, sweet goodness with puddles of chocolate throughout. Not to mention they're delightfully crisp at the edges, a little gooey in the center, and chewy throughout. They deserved their own email, with tons of tips & tricks! After you read this, you'll become known as the master cookie baker among your friends and...
20 days ago • 3 min read
Hi baking friend, In case you missed it, this month marks 17 YEARS of Handle the Heat! That's right, I started the website back in April of 2009. I was about to graduate high school and had nothing but a passion for food, access to the internet, and a neon blue digital camera I had received as a present. What started as a hobby slowly morphed into a full-time business thanks to your support. My 18-year-old self would be stunned to learn I've even published a cookbook. To celebrate, I'm...
25 days ago • 2 min read
When people who find out I'm a baker & cookbook author, they assume my favorite desserts are elaborate... layer cakes, laminated pastry, or macarons... In reality, I want something that feels nostalgic, homemade, and can be made quickly & easily. Which is why brownies & cookies are my go-to. I had originally combined them in a brownie-blondie recipe 10+ years ago, and recently went back to the drawing board to reimagine the recipe to be prettier and easier to make! ✨ NEW ✨Brookies These...
27 days ago • 2 min read
Hey friend, Handle the Heat just turned 17 (!!) 🥹🎉 To celebrate, we gave the site a major glow-up, packed with goodies for you! EXPLORE THE NEW SITE! P.S. On mobile, you can find all these tools in the menu 😉 We’ve been working behind the scenes with an amazing team to make everything easier, more helpful, and MORE FUN for you when you bake. Check out these before and afters: When you explore the site, you'll now find: ✨ Recipe index filter to search by category, occasion, or flavor ✨...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Have you ever wished you could just eat the middle piece of a bunch of cinnamon rolls? That's my personal culinary fantasy, and I'm happy to say I've made it a reality. (Next is to figure out how to make from scratch the bottom piece of the ice cream waffle cone filled with chocolate...) You'll want to save this one for a special Mother's Day or Father's Day breakfast or brunch treat (check out the make-ahead tips below)! ✨ NEW ✨Cinnamon Bun Bites These are so easy and fun. You just shape the...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read