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Hi Reader!

Before you panic that I'm requesting you do something (anything!) hot right now, give me a minute to explain myself.

I've been making some version of this Strawberry Jam for forever! Let me give you some of its very strong selling points:

• It requires zero canning equipment
• Needs no pectin! Fruit naturally has pectin and the trio of strawberries, apple & lemon, coupled with the sugar, thickens it perfectly!
• Uses only four ingredients (five if you want jazz hands👋🏼): 3 pints strawberries, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1/4 apple, sugar and the optional jazz hands ingredient: dried hibiscus
• The flavor is bright and very berry-licious, without being overly sweet
• The consistency is perfectly easily spreadable
• Ready in under an hour!

It will last for 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge and up to a year in the freezer...it's such a great way to capture juicy summer berries. I love pulling it out of the freezer in the cooler months to top creamy oatmeal, crispy waffles...

I made a batch recently to give to my cousin after she had a baby (congratulations Isa!). I paired it with my Blueberry Scones that I swear are now my favorite way to make scones (they're so fluffy!).

Then one of my oldest dearest friends came to town and we had it with scones for breakfast (both days) and at happy hour with a cheese and charcuterie plate. I can't say enough good things about it with an oozy brie or tart goat cheese.

And while it does require your attention to stir it (so it doesn't stick and burn to the bottom of the pan), it doesn't require much brain power or effort and the activity pairs well with a cocktail.

In other news, I can't get enough of Downton Abbey. I want an entire book devoted to Grannie quotes ("Why does every day involve a fight with an American?").

Two Things I'm Loving This Week!

Easy Overnight Sourdough Bagels I took this photo this morning and I re-fell in love with this recipe. I've updated the photos on this post that has over 180 comments -- people love these bagels! The warm weather is GREAT for the overnight countertop rise. ​ RECIPE

Go-To Mega Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookies One bowl, minimal fuss, no rest and MEGA flavor! I freeze the dough balls and yes, I've been eating one nightly! The above photo was taken last night while watching...Downton Abbey. It's my entire personality now. 🫠 ​ RECIPE

I can't wait to hear what you think and let me know what you serve it with! 🍓

PS The dried hibiscus can be had from hibiscus tea. One of my favorites is the Republic of Tea Hibiscus SuperFlower Tea. These are my two favorite jars for gifting homemade jam in: Le Parfait (I gifted all of mine in the past few weeks!) and these mini Weck Jars.

Moist & Fluffy Lemon Blueberry Loaf Cake Bake the ultimate easy, one-bowl lemon blueberry loaf cake (quick bread) – perfectly moist, plush, and bursting with zesty lemon and juicy berries! ​ RECIPE

Rich & Moist Chocolate Cake Fluffy, moist and bouncy, this cake tastes even better the next day! Loaded with chocolate flavor, this one-bowl recipe can be mixed and baked in an hour! ​ RECIPE

Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies Loaded with a delicious combination of flavors (brown butter, dark brown sugar, vanilla and malted milk powder), these cookies are the ultimate chocolate chip cookie experience! ​ RECIPE

Creamy Dreamy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Your new go-to herby buttermilk ranch dressing is a FLAVOR BOMB that's a breeze to throw together and is perfect with your favorite green salad, pasta salads or simply crudite! ​ RECIPE

Mega Vanilla Classic Bundt Cake Imagine the perfect vanilla bundt cake recipe: bouncy, moist, buttery, mega vanilla-flavored and a breeze to throw together. ​ RECIPE

Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies This one-bowl recipe yields PB cookies that are soft, chewy and basically the ideal bendy cookie texture (bonus: they're ready in 30 minutes!). ​ RECIPE

Dreamy Buttermilk Lemon-Blueberry Scones You will love this easy Lemon Blueberry Scone recipe! The dough is made with tangy buttermilk, heaps of fresh lemon zest and bursting with blueberries. These scones can be mixed & baked in under an hour! ​ RECIPE

Juicy Blackberry Scones These are an absolute dream of a scone! These Blackberry Scones are moist, bursting with juicy blackberries, moist from rich cream and butter and subtly scented with cozy cinnamon and bright citrus zest (lemon or lime!). ​ RECIPE

Bubbly Pizza Focaccia Bubbly focaccia dough is covered with my favorite pizza sauce, some low-moisture mozzarella and finally spicy pepperoni. See recipe for overnight focaccia instructions. ​ RECIPE

Fluffy & Fabulous Focaccia The most perfectly Bubbly Focaccia Recipe has same-day and overnight recipe instructions (you can also freeze this dough!). This airy and pillowy focaccia is topped with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh rosemary and flaky sea salt. ​ 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