Recipes and Baking Tips by Janice Thompson

Whip up the dreamiest cinnamon cream cheese frosting—perfectly spiced, silky smooth, and just the right balance of tang and sweetness. Ideal for cakes, cupcakes, and cinnamon rolls!

These soft, pillowy gingerbread cookies are full of warm holiday spices and topped with a sweet cinnamon glaze. Perfect for Christmas cookie trays, they’re a festive twist on the classic.

This rich and creamy Coffee Buttercream is smooth, fluffy, and full of bold espresso flavor. Perfect for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and more, it’s an easy recipe that brings coffeehouse charm to your favorite desserts. 

Warmly spiced gingerbread meets a coffee-kissed buttercream — your kitchen will smell like a holiday coffee shop.

Discover how easy it is to turn a simple box of cake mix into delicious cookies! This quick guide will show you tips, tricks, and flavor ideas for making bakery-style cookies with just a few ingredients.

Easy Gingerbread Whoopie Pies made from a white cake mix, filled with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. A simple, festive holiday dessert that’s soft, spiced, and irresistible!

These cheesy, savory Keto Crack Biscuits are low-carb, packed with flavor, and perfect for breakfast, snacking, or alongside your favorite keto meal.

These easy Almond Cake Mix Cookies are soft, buttery, and full of almond flavor. Just a few simple ingredients and no mixer required — a perfect quick treat for any almond lover!

These Classic Lemon Blueberry Scones are buttery, tender, and bursting with fresh flavor! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, they’re topped with a tangy lemon glaze for the ultimate sweet-tart bite.

Discover 75+ irresistible bakes from around the world with these international baking recipes — from classic European pastries to comforting American and global treats.

Inspire unforgettable birthday themes for girls—with cakes, cookies, decor, and fun ideas! From unicorns to literary parties, there’s something for every personality.

These soft and chewy German Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies are packed with coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips — plus a can of coconut pecan frosting baked right in! An easy, no-fail recipe with big bakery flavor.

If you’re looking for a simple but delicious vanilla cupcake recipe, one that doesn’t require a box of cake mix, this is the perfect one for you! This yummy vanilla cake is easy to whip up and very adaptable! 

Discover 20+ easy and foolproof cake mix cookie recipes! From chocolate chip to crinkle to creative combos, these simple recipes guarantee sweet success every time.

This cozy Apples and Bananas Dump Cake blends sweet apple pie filling, fresh bananas, creamy swirls of cream cheese, and warm cinnamon, all topped with banana cake mix and buttery crumble. A quick, comforting dessert made with just a few simple ingredients!

Beat the heat with these irresistible icebox desserts! From creamy puddings and no-bake cheesecakes to chilled trifles, pies, and cakes—these cool treats are perfect for summer.

Discover 75 easy bake sale recipes that are quick to make, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to sell out fast at any school or community event.

Whip up a tropical treat with this easy 3-ingredient Dolly Parton Pineapple Coconut Cake! Bursting with bold coconut flavor and juicy pineapple, it’s a simple, delicious dessert perfect for summer—or any time you're craving something sweet and sunny.

Discover the ultimate list of irresistible pastries—from sweet, flaky favorites to savory, buttery bites. Whether you love light fruit danishes or hearty hand pies, this round-up has something delicious for everyone!

Discover 150 irresistible desserts made completely from scratch, from cakes and cookies to pies and puddings. These homemade recipes are perfect for bakers who love using real, wholesome ingredients—no boxed mixes here!

This Simple Hash Brown Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, made with shredded potatoes, creamy soup, melty cheese, and a buttery topping. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, holidays, or potlucks, it’s an easy, make-ahead dish everyone will love!

This Black Forest Banana Bread is a rich, chocolatey twist on classic banana bread, loaded with sweet cherries and melty chocolate chips. Moist, flavorful, and easy to make, it’s the perfect dessert loaf for chocolate and banana lovers alike!

This Chocolate Banana Bread is made completely from scratch with ripe bananas and rich cocoa powder, creating a moist, tender loaf with deep chocolate flavor. Perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert, it’s an easy recipe that satisfies every chocolate lover’s craving!

If you’re looking for a quick homemade cornbread muffin, one that comes together in minutes, this is the recipe for you! It’s both simple and delicious!

If you’re looking for the perfect moist, fruity muffins, this is the treat for you! These muffins are full of red and blue berries, and packed full of flavor and moisture! 

If you’re looking for the world’s simplest 4th of July cake, this is the recipe for you! I’m going to show you how to make a simple patriotic cake with ingredients you likely have on hand! 

If you're a pound cake lover, this is most assuredly the post for you! Keep reading to discover more than 20 of our favorite pound cakes--some from scratch, others from doctored cake mixes.

If you’ve got a cake mix on hand, as well as half a cup of sourdough discard, you can whip up a cake that’s delicious, moist, and aerated with that lovely “bounce’ you see in sourdough bread. Keep reading for the recipe! 

If you’ve got leftover sourdough discard and you’re in the mood for something sweet and delicious, this recipe is for you! In this post I’m going to tell you how I made a terrific Sourdough Discard Pound cake. . .from scratch. 

These homemade sourdough discard Cheez-Its are crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor! A fun and easy no-waste recipe that turns extra starter into the ultimate crunchy snack.

Packed with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and ranch seasoning, this Bacon Cheddar Ranch Sourdough Bread is the perfect savory twist on a classic artisan loaf. What is it About Bacon Cheddar Ranch, Y’all?  I don’t know how or why these flavors work so beautifully together, but they most certainly do! This flavor combination is a …

This Heavenly No Bake Oreo Dessert is rich, creamy, and irresistibly layered with crushed Oreos, fluffy whipped topping, and smooth pudding. Quick to assemble and perfect for any occasion, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing treat!

Want to make your boxed cake mix taste homemade? Discover 40 of the best boxed cake mix add-ins and upgrades—easy ways to enhance flavor, texture, and add that all-important wow factor!

This Copycat Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf is bursting with fresh lemon flavor, featuring a moist, buttery crumb and topped with a sweet, tangy glaze. It’s the perfect bakery-style treat to enjoy with coffee, tea, or as a refreshing anytime snack!

These Strawberry Lemonade Pastry Puffs are made with flaky crescent dough and filled with tangy lemon and sweet strawberry pie fillings. Baked to golden perfection, they’re the ultimate easy summer treat—perfect for brunches, parties, or just because!

This rich and flavorful Italian Cream Cake sourdough loaf combines the tang of sourdough with toasted pecans, coconut, and pockets of cream cheese. Made with a touch of yeast for a same-day bake, it’s a unique twist on a Southern classic!

Discover my favorite sourdough recipes, all baked and tested right here in my kitchen at Out of the Box Baking! From crusty loaves to discard-friendly muffins, crackers, and pancakes, this collection brings together the best of sweet and savory sourdough bakes in one easy-to-find place.

This Delicious Black Forest Sourdough Bread is a sweet chocolate loaf packed with juicy cherries and rich dark chocolate chips. A beautiful bake that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert—no yeast required!

Looking to level up your sourdough baking? Discover dozens of delicious sourdough inclusions—from jalapeño cheddar to cinnamon swirl to coconut chocolate chip—plus tips, variations, and answers to common questions.

Unlock the secrets to better sourdough with tips on building a strong starter, feeding and storing it properly, and adding flavorful inclusions like cinnamon, herbs, and cheese. Perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike!