Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 4

Apple Cider Coffee Cake.

Apple cider coffee cake is the perfect fall treat! A spiced apple cake topped with crumble and cider glaze, it makes a lovely breakfast, brunch or perfect dessert with coffee. Tastes amazing and is easy to make too!

I have your weekend treat! 

This apple cider coffee cake will become your new fall love. It’s a great breakfast, ideal for an afternoon snack with coffee and great for brunch with friends. I also really love serving this for a holiday because you can easily make it ahead of time. 

It will stay fresh and fabulous and you can serve it with ease the next morning. Plus, it will make you look all fancy! 

I am a firm believer in apple cider over pumpkin this time of year. I live for apple cider everything! The flavor and even the scent are so much more nostalgic for me than pumpkin is.

Plus, I just like apple cider better. It’s less spiced. It’s more appley. 

Wow. I know – great descriptions. 

But I think it’s because apple cider is so FRESH and tart. It’s a bit refreshing and thirst-quenching, whereas pumpkin is just so warm and cozy. I like apple bits a whole lot more. 

Then, we have the whole idea of coffee cake.

Cake for BREAKFAST?

Why yes, of course. That’s the best idea ever.

We all know that coffee cake is just a perfect excuse to eat cake for breakfast. 

Here’s how I make it! 

The base of this cake has grated apple in it and a touch of apple cider. It’s so delicious and moist! This cake base is from my blueberry peach coffee cake and everyone loves that so much. So I kept the fruit in it and it’s delish.  (more…)

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All The Drinks You Need For Fall! 35 Mocktails, Cocktails, Coffees & More.

The best fall drink recipes are here! From coffee and tea, to punch and sangria, mocktails and hot toddys. Can’t get any better than this – be sure to bookmark this post! You’ve just hit the fall drink jackpot!

Fall is officially here!

Finally. I’ve got you covered with the best of the best when it comes to fall drinks! These fall drink recipes are so good, I could never just choose one. Whether you need something cozy or icy, boozy or comforting, I’ve got it! Below you’ll find a bunch of my favorite fall drinks, like hot chocolates, teas, non-alcoholic punches, sangrias, mimosas and more!

Fall cocktail season is seriously the best. I mean, I guess I could argue that fall is the best time for ANY sort of drink. And I can’t even tell you how many delicious ones I have here on the blog. Don’t make me choose a favorite! I worship at the altar of apple cider, but there are lots of delish pomegranate, maple and pumpkin flavors here too.

35 Of The Best Fall Drink Recipes

We’re starting with warm coffees and ciders (with one icy exception!), then on to mocktails! Scroll down for all the fall cocktails you need every weekend of the season. What’s on your list for this first official weekend of fall?! (more…)

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Caramelized Zucchini Pasta Salad.

This zucchini pasta is one of my favorite things to make, whether it’s lunch, dinner or even a party dish. Caramelized zucchini and tender pasta come together under a lemon vinaigrette with toasty pine nuts for crunch and shaved parmesan. It’s delicious and can be made ahead of time too!

Is it too late in the season for pasta salad?!

Never! I think not. This caramelized zucchini pasta salad is a great way to use up any leftover garden zucchini and a way to make a delish side dish. 

This is the exact kind of dish I love to make for my own lunches. I will also serve it as a side dish for dinner and it’s one of those salads that is wonderful to have in the fridge.

It tastes a little different and special because of the caramelized zucchini, which always makes things more interesting on your lunch or dinner plate. 

I am forever searching for non-boring meals and this fits in perfectly. As long as dishes seem a bit exciting, unique, different but not flat out weird, I call that a win! 

This is a great dish to make in the summer since it can be served filled or at room temperature. But it’s also amazing in the fall and winter – it definitely has a bit of a cozy vibe!

Here’s what we’re working with:

Caramelized zucchini, which cooks down in a skillet until it’s toasty and melty and delicious. 

A lemony herb dressing, which adds some zing and zip, along with some diced shallots right in the dressy which takes away the bite.

Toasty pine nuts, because I adore their buttery flavor and crunch. 

Shaved parmesan, simply because everything is better with parmesan.  (more…)

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Tuesday Things.

1. Desperately need to reorganize my kitchen junk drawer, because I can’t live without a junk drawer. But I also hate my junk drawer.

2. Making the most amazing chocolate chip cookies today.

3. My favorite fall color palette is full of jewel tones or muted mauve-y neutrals.

4. A few weeks ago I discover Olivia Dean’s music and we are all obsessed. We’ve been listening non stop!

5. Hello, I need to find an errand friend.

6. TV things!! I started The Girlfriend and oh my gosh! What a wild ride.

7. Tips to stick to an at home workout routine.

8. Also, how to keep your brain sharp!

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Salmon Aglio e Olio with Lemon Parmesan Orzo.

This salmon aglio olio is so delicious! The seasoning is garlicky with a hint of heat. Served with lemon parmesan orzo, it’s such a lovely weeknight meal and one that we all love.

I have the best weeknight dinner for you!

This salmon aglio e olio is so satisfying and delicious, filled with garlicky, herby flavor and served with lemon orzo. It’s a comforting, cozy weeknight meal that is light but filling at the salmon time. 

I like to serve this with my parmesan roasted broccoli and it’s quickly become a family favorite. This is the exact sort of meal we love to have: a delish entree and two sides!

It reminds me of dinners that my mom made when I was growing up. Her dinners almost ALWAYS had a main entree and two sides (a starchy carb + a vegetable) and possibly even a salad to start. This is huge because sometimes I can’t even find the time to make ONE side dish!! She always had the weeknight dinners DOWN. So good at it. 

I created this recipe after falling in love with the Trader Joe’s aglio olio seasoning! This spice mix is absolutely incredible and I always have a jar on hand.

However, if you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you? It’s not hard to make either!

It’s basically a mixture of:

Parsley

Garlic 

Crushed red pepper

Salt and Pepper

It’s such a simple mixture but the flavors work so well together. They taste incredible, especially when the salmon is seared in olive oil. If you happen to have a jar of the TJ’s version, you can sprinkle it all over your fish or chicken before searing or grilling. 

And if you don’t have it, I just made you a version that tastes fabulous.

Serving it with lemon parm orzo is also a major flex! 

I already have a parmesan orzo that we like to make often. It’s one of my family’s favorite side dishes. Almost like a light parmesan orzo mac and cheese!

This side dish is just like that, but with lots of lemon. Fresh lemon zest for the win!

The orzo comes together in one pot and it’s so easy to make. I love how thick and creamy it becomes. Think orzo risotto, but a little lighter. 

The lemon pasta complements the garlicky seared salmon so well. It’s one of the best combos I’ve ever made together. Natural complementary flavors that taste incredible and come together quickly! (more…)

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A Week In The Life, Vol 37.

Another week with the little loves of our life!

September is jam packed and this is how this week looked.

A sunset cross country practice.

A sunset tennis lesson.

Snuggly mornings.

My mom and I had a show this week! It was really good and I don’t know much at all about Neil Diamond. It was definitely her demographic, haha. She loved it!

The kids could wear red/white/blue to school on Thursday in honor of 9/11. Jordan wanted them to all get a pic together.

And he was being so silly that everyone couldn’t stop laughing.

Max’s face gets me!

Very sneaky, naughty and cute.

Also very tired!

Eddie and I went to the Eric Church concert.

Max had a few hockey games!

These two were like peas in a pod.

They make up their own games during his games.

At one point I turned around and saw this!

Love seeing this.

Don’t be fooled. They were just playing “nap time” here.

Cross country today!!

Max had a hockey game an hour before his race, still made it to the race and ran so hard!

Little runner girl coming in strong.

I think she had more fun in the dirt.

Third place today!!

Third place with her BFF. Love these kids so much!

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What To Eat This Week: 9/14/25.

We’re moving into fall deliciousness this week!

What’s on your menu this week?!

What To Eat This Week

Smoky chipotle tomato soup

Crispy cheesy chicken tacos

Chili lime salmon bites

Brussels puff pastry pizza

Creamy feta greek burgers

Spaghetti squash parmesan

Lemon chicken caesar wraps

Baked pumpkin oatmeal cups

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Currently Crushing On.

Hello weekend!

This week on the blog, I shared these creamy feta burgers on homemade pita. I also shared this cinnamon swirl zucchini bread, 60 of our favorite fall dinners and this cheesy spicy garlic bread.

If you haven’t joined my substack newsletter yet, you can do so here! I also have shared all our favorite back to school items here.

There’s a new menu for the week and a new peek inside our everyday life.

You can find all my favorites in my amazon store front and LTK shop!

Thank you for continuing to make the launch Easy Everyday absolutely amazing . If you haven’t got your book yet, you can order here! xo

WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

Tiramisu pound cake! Oh yes please.

I want to make this baked chicken broccoli alfredo.

Fig salad is perfect this time of year.

It’s time for pumpkin pie ice cream.

These carnitas are the best ever.

Dying to try spicy pickled carrots.

Gooey cinnamon rolls are calling my name.

A crispy salmon taco is delish.

This green goddess dip looks incredible. Love it.

Chocolate espresso icebox cake. Oh yum.

Who wants cottage cheese mac and cheese! Looks fab.

Harvest spritz cocktail looks AMAZING!!!!

I love this grilled chicken sandwich.

Homemade apple butter is perfect right now.

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Toasty Spicy Cheesy Garlic Bread.

This cheesy garlic bread is golden and toasty and so delicious! Topped with lots of melted cheese and fresh herbs, it’s great served with just about any meal. We all love it so much!

Here’s a weekend treat for you! 

This cheesy garlic bread is super golden and toasty, made with loads of fresh garlic, herbs and spices and tastes fabulous. 

Now here’s the thing: I already have an INCREDIBLE garlic bread recipe in Everyday Dinners. It uses my garlic confit and it’s spectacular, definitely one of the best I’ve ever had.

But it does call for the garlic confit, which is an extra step.

So let’s say that I don’t have the garlic confit on hand nor do I have time to make it! This is what I make. 

You still make a fabulous garlicky spicy cheesy butter and spread it on the bread. Which alllllmost makes up for the fact that we’re skipping the confit entirely. 

I can get behind it! 

I first shared a sneak peek of this recipe in my friday newsletter a few months ago! These days, I love substack so much because it feels like old school blogging in the best way possible. I share a newsletter each week but additional content as well, so subscribe here if you’re interested! 

Back in spring, I shared a recipe for bruschetta salmon and I served this garlic bread with it. Those are the kind of recipes I love to make with this. Sure, it’s great with the traditional pasta dishes. But what I find really special is serving it with a grilled meat or even some roasted vegetables.

Seriously – give me a pan of roasted vegetables and this bread and I’m in heaven. 

Garlic bread works during any season, with any sort of meal. It’s one of the best things about it.  (more…)

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60 of Our Favorite Fall Dinners!

These are my best fall dinner recipes! Lots of cozy, comforting dishes here, including hearty salads, soups, pasta and more. Make a list and enjoy them through this entire lovely season!

It’s my favorite dinner season!

So I know it’s a little bit early. And we’re still fully immersed in cobs of corn and juicy tomatoes over here. But! If you’re anything like me and love to plan your dinners ahead, I’ve got you covered. I wanted to share my favorite fall dinner recipes today so you can get that list going! I’m even considering planning out my meals for an entire MONTH so we get everything in.

I love doing this post every year because it gives me so much dinner inspiration. There are so many good flavors. I mean, yes, it’s definitely a squash appreciation post. But still! There is a ton of variety here.

You’ll find lots of my favorite pasta dishes, salads, sheet pan meals and soups. I already have everything on my list for the next few months and I can’t wait to get these going in my kitchen. Savory pumpkin, crispy sage, brown butter, maple, roasted squash – you name it, it’s here!

What’s your favorite fall dinner recipe?!

60 of Our Best Fall Dinner Recipes

(more…)

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