Hi Reader!

Friend!

May is basically nature's way of saying bake something beautiful!

The strawberries are popping off in the garden, the sun is staying longer and a leisurely weekend brunch feels practically mandatory.

I've pulled together 10 of my favorite recipes (including the fluffy lemon yogurt pancakes above!) that are absolutely perfect for this moment — whether you're hosting a crowd, baking for someone you love or just treating yourself on a slow Sunday morning (which is to say, my favorite type of Sunday morning). 🌸

🍰 FOR THE BRUNCH TABLE

​Classic Sour Cream Coffee Cake — Soft, plush crumb + a cinnamon-brown sugar swirl + a buttery streusel lid. This is the one everyone asks for. Every. Single. Time.

​Strawberry Scones — Tender, buttery, bronzed edges and loaded with fresh strawberries. Spring in every bite. Drizzle with glaze and call it a day.

​Lemon Greek Yogurt Pancakes — Light, fluffy, one bowl, and packed with lemon flavor. The breakfast you deserve.

​Raspberry Lemon Loaf Cake — Sunny, gorgeous, loaded with juicy raspberries. It puffs up beautifully and the crackly top is everything.

🎂 FOR A SHOWSTOPPER MOMENT

​Lemon Meringue Cake — All the fabulousness of lemon meringue pie, but make it cake. Bright, tangy, stunning and can mostly be made ahead. Win.

​Banana Cake with Espresso Buttercream — Banana cake is deeply underrated and this one will change minds. The espresso buttercream is chef's kiss.

​Dark Chocolate Cake with Champagne Buttercream — Because a late-spring celebration absolutely calls for chocolate and champagne. (Honestly, any day calls for this.)

🍪 FOR THE COOKIE & TREAT LOVERS

​Everyday Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies — My back-pocket, can't-stop-making-them chocolate chip cookie. Simple, perfect, obsession-worthy.

​Strawberry Scone-Cakes with Whipped Orange Blossom Cream — Fancy enough for a celebration, easy enough to actually make. The orange blossom cream is next level.

​Blueberry Loaf Cake — Bright, beautiful, and the kind of cake that looks like you really tried (even if it came together in no time).

Whatever your weekend looks like, I hope there's something delicious in it. Happy baking! 🌸

Brown Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies Incredible toasted pecan chocolate chip cookies loaded with brown butter, dark brown sugar and vanilla for a flavor explosion you'll love! RECIPE

Light & Moist Chocolate Cupcakes This ultimate not-too-sweet chocolate cupcake that's the perfect canvas for all of your favorite frostings and buttercreams! RECIPE

Dirty Chai Snickerdoodles These are the best easy Dirty Chai Snickerdoodles you'll ever bake! Soft, chewy snickerdoodle cookies infused with warm chai spices and a kick of espresso powder—no chill time needed for this dough! RECIPE

Fudgy Malted Chocolate Brownies Brown butter, malted milk powder and malted milk balls come together to make the most delicious Chocolate Malt Brownies ever! RECIPE

Salted Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Peanut butter cup lovers unite! You're going to love this one-bowl, super soft Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Recipe! RECIPE

Rich & Moist Chocolate Madeleines Foolproof, easy chocolate Madeleine recipe that comes out perfect every time! These rich cookies are delicious as is or dipped in a fresh strawberry glaze. RECIPE

Lemon Poppyseed Muffins Bright, zingy and impossibly fluffy! These One-Bowl Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins are loaded with fresh lemon and finished with a dreamy glaze. RECIPE

Toasted Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies Thick, Gooey Toasted Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies are ample, bakery-style cookies (read: big!) that are loaded with chopped, toasty walnuts, lots of chocolate chips and a gooey, slightly underbaked center. RECIPE

Lemony Greek Yogurt Pancakes This simple, delicious Lemon Greek Yogurt Pancake recipe comes together quickly using one bowl, two lemons and less than 30 minutes. You will love these light, fluffy and thick pancakes! RECIPE

Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins These moist, tender Chocolate Chip Muffins topped with crunchy brown sugar-cinnamon come together quickly in an easy, one-bowl recipe. You will not be able to stop with these addictive treats! RECIPE

​ "Following up on her acclaimed debut, The Cookie Book, writer, photographer, and recipe developer Rebecca Firth tackles cake in her new book. You may have trouble picking which recipe to start with: Chocolate Stout Cake with Champagne Buttercream or a tart, sticky Glazed Tangerine Donut Cake?” ― Epicurious, 25 New Baking Books for Cozy Fall Treats THE CAKE BOOK

​ "Writer, photographer and queen of cookies, Rebecca Firth teases my sweet tooth and I am not mad about it. Love following her and her tempting creations and can't wait to see what she comes up with next." ―Tiffani Thiessen, actress and author of Pull Up a Chair ​ ― Food & Wine, Best Baking Cookbooks to Own Right Now THE COOKIE BOOK