About My Recipes
(and scroll down for some good ones!)
hen I was trying to figure out how to write a cookbook all those years ago, I knew I wanted to decorate the pages with my watercolors and put in my favorite quotes — I knew I would handwrite it; I wanted it to be “real,” like the recipes in an old family recipe box. But that meant my recipes had to be the best in the world (I was reaching for the moon) — they had to be delicious and dependable, many times tried and true — because no one cares about a pretty cookbook if the recipes don’t work, right? A cookbook should be something a person depend on kind of like a dictionary. 
The dishes should be so good they might go all the way, to the highest of all accolades: “family favorite,” and therefore passed down to sons and daughters, sisters and best friends, creating generations of wonderful dinner parties, homey kitchens and successful cooks, providing a great big heart of the home for the whole world! That was what I wanted. Good cooking carries magic in it; a house, big or little, that smells good from cooking, is the place everyone wants to be.
Easy, quick, elegant, and delicious” — I said it to myself over and over. I only ignored that phrase a couple of times and it was always with “quick” — because there are a couple of cakes in my books, some with three-layers, with delicious filling and amazing frosting, that had to be included no matter how long they took — my Orange Cake for example; people love it; always worth it for the bonus “kissing of the cook” that goes on after they taste it. Here is the recipe for that, and a few other favorites you’ll find in my books. They’re guaranteed to please, and make your kitchen the heart of your home.
Remember, Life is short, eat dessert first.
p. 105 Autumn Book
Soft, bendy, old-fashioned, gingery, frosted cookie my Grandma was famous for.
p. 98 Christmas from the Heart of the Home
Really, after the title, need I say more? OK, yes, there are also cranberries in this!
p. 82 Christmas from the Heart of the Home
Perfect butter cookie, useful for so many kinds of cookies, including cookie cutter cookies and candy canes. Plus suggestions for nice ways to give them away.
p. 103 The Autumn Book
This frosting hardens as it dries making it perfect for decorated cookies and as “glue” to hold gingerbread houses together.
p. 141 Vineyard Seasons
Smooth and spicy with a crunchy pecan topping.
p. 123 Heart of the Home
p. 124 Heart of the Home
The crust is a combination of crushed chocolate wafer cookies, fresh coffee granules and butter. The mousse has bittersweet chocolate and creme de cacao in it.
p. 114 Christmas from the Heart of the Home
Everyone’s go-to for Christmas morning (Valentine’s Day too!), walnuts, spices, cranberries, apple. Powdered-sugar-dusted. Yum.
p. 132 Vineyard Seasons
Chocolate covered almond brittle you can mail.
p. 61 Autumn Book
Crusty on the outside, tender on the inside, serve it hot with Bee Butter, delicious with ribs, pork chops, or chili. Or for chilly-day tea.
p. 35 Heart of the Home
Long-time simmering makes your house smell wonderful on blustery days. Delicious soup, good all winter.
p. 44 Autumn Book
Gorgeous, buttery crisp potatoes, covered with “fall leaves” made from colored potatoes..
p. 77 Heart of the Home
For any special dinner.
p. 103 Girlfriend’s Forever
To make this faster, get all your veggies at the salad bar, already chopped. Wonderful meat loaf, good for sandwiches too.
p. 75 Autumn Book
One of my favorite things to make, everyone loves them, baked with apples and sweet potatoes, all in one pan.
p. 47 Autumn
With pomegranate seeds, blue cheese, red onion, and a balsamic dressing.
p. 27 Autumn
Make some and give some away.
p. 45 Heart of the Home
This is something you could serve in shot glasses as an appetizer at a dinner party…beautiful color, light and creamy.
p. 43 Autumn Book
Serve with roasts, chops, whole roasted chickens with the Caramelized Onion Sauce.
p. 59 Heart of the Home
Hot baked fruit with walnuts, butter and brown sugar, to serve as side dish for turkey, pork chops, ham… not too sweet but if you pour over some cream, you could serve it for dessert.
p. 60 Vineyard Seasons
p. 84 Autumn
How can something so classic be this easy?!
p. 94 Heart of the Home
This turns into a fun party when you add the Margaritas!
p. 82 Autumn
Twice-baked potatoes with shrimp, green onion, cheese, and parsley.
p. 11 Heart of the Home
Stuffed red potatoes, Artichoke Dip, and Bubbly Cheese Bites.
P. 29
Killer Football Game Food
p. 92 Heart of the Home
Lightly floured boneless chicken breasts (or thighs), served with lemon-butter parsley sauce.
p. 24 Heart of the Home
(Can look like a Christmas present!)
You can make this without the bread and serve with chips, it’s good either way!
Love the recipes on line. That way I can share without anyone ever borrowing my books:)
Just thought I would take the opportunity to tell you that I make your carrot cake (exclusively) for many a birthday or event. It is absolutely, hands down, the most favorite cake I make. Double -dee -licious! My nursing co-worker gets one every December, on her birthday, and will have no other. We have a smaller core staff of 10 in our medical office and that cake is GONE the day I bring it in. Just the best carrot cake recipe ever. Thought you would like to know about that – even thought you already know it’s the best carrot cake, ever.
I do love to hear that!
Oh……..I am so happy to see you put the book and page reference on these. It will save a ton of work…….how brilliant………..thank you so so much Susan! This is so handy for us. Not to mention the fantastic recipes and ideas that are endlessly joyful and so so delicious to make and to share with our family and friends !…………
I think that was one of the girlfriend’s ideas, that I do that, so glad it will help!
Hi Susan,
Wanted to let you know I made you carrotcake cupcakes, so delicious!! The
first time I baked them for my family. The second time, for a bake sale at our
church. The woman that bought them said that they where the best cupcakes
she had ever had and wanted to know who baked them. She eventually found me and I shared your recipe. I also told her it was Susan Branch’s recipe.
One thing I wanted to pass on to you about the recipe. When recipes have a lot of oil, I have started to use 1/2 applesauce and 1/2 oil. When I made them again, you could not tell the difference in flavor or texture. The cupcake
papers didn’t get as wet. I will continue to use recipes from your books, always
so good. Love your blogs. Marion Rose of Cape Cod
Mmmm, I like your idea about the applesauce, very smart. Than you Marion!
Susan, best pack some warmer clothes too……..this is todays headline – sorree if I dampened your day…….but best ya know – you can dilete this one before posting for sure………..
APRIL 19, 2012
“Coldest May in 100 years”, forecasters predict
Britain could be facing the coldest May for 100 years, with snow, bitter winds and freezing temperatures putting summer on hold.
This is because when my English girlfriend Rachel told me the bluebells were coming into bloom, about a month ago, I said OH NO, and then a prayer, save the bluebells for me! And Voila, prayer has been answered.
I want that beautiful English spring, so I think this makes me very happy!
Oh Joy ……..what a relief. so so happy your prayers were answered……..xx
Here in Arundel, West Sussex the bluebells are not fully out yet, so it looks like you may be lucky! The weather has been damp and chilly but the sun does come and go no matter what the weather picture says. You will love every minute of your time here. We are Yanks with over 20 years here on and off. Love it down to my damp socks!
My girlfriend sent me a photo yesterday, up, but not fully open … we don’t get there until May 11 so it’s going to be close! I need another lifetime so I can come live in England when I’m 24.
One of my very favorite cookbooks is your Heart of the Home book. Everything I’ve made from those recipes has come out perfect, and people rave. Thank you.
My first, thank you Cheryl!
Hi Susan,
I am backing your peach & plum crisp from your Sweets to the Sweet cookbook. The recipe tells you the temperature BUT not how long you actually bake it. Help!!!
Diane
25 minutes, till lightly browned and bubbly, so sorry, forgot it!!
Hi Susan, not sure where to ask this so thought I’d try here. I don’t see the honey for sale at the webstore anymore and was wondering if it will be available again. It is the best honey I’ve ever had!! I love it mixed with yogurt and blueberries from my garden, with peanut butter, scones, tea, ect. hope it will make a comeback
It was good, I don’t know, I’ll ask Kellee to see if we can get more!
Thanks
Susan, I thought I had your cookbook that featured a sandwich for weekend guests (thought it was roast beef). I looked through the five cookbooks I have but did not find it.
A friend of our is starting a Sandwich Club next month for couples and I would love to serve that sandwich when the club comes to our home. Could you let me know what book it is in and then I can buy it right away.
Thanks!
Dot Beams
polkadot19@sbcglobal.net
Hi Dot, I think I know the one you want . . . on page 44 of Summer. It’s a wonderful sandwich!!!
Susan,
Today my daughter and I were out exploring the town in NC where she has
just moved. It’s a very small town so there isn’t a lot to explore, but
we had fun and ended our expedition at an “antiques” store. (Not everything
was antique, but there were lots of delightful finds!) While looking through some
shelves of books I spied a special book – Heart of the Home! Well, needless to
say, buying that book made me very happy! I love recipes and have a favorite which I saved from a long-ago issue of Country Living for cut-out cookies – lettered and illustrated by Susan Branch! It’s the best cut-out recipe ever.
Delicious with sugar and milk glaze and one my daughters ask for before any others. Thanks!!!
You are so welcome, thank you back Carla.
Thanks for sharing such wonderful recipes. I really like your blog. It is so pretty and interesting.
Thanks so much, happy to see you here!
Have made so many of your wonderful recipes. The Summer Bean Salad is my favorite for this summer! Thanks Susan ! <3
You are so welcome Janis!
I love your cookbooks and have most of them. It is a joy cooking with them. The art teacher from my school introduced them to me and I have prepared many wonderful dinners with your recipes. Thank you.
Nice of you to tell me Dorothy, thank you!
Help Susan! I saw your zucchini bread recipe somewhere on the website yesterday and now I can’t locate it! Can you guide me to it?
Thank you!
Where can I order your cookbooks? I love reading your site and the recipes!!!!
Thank you Susan!
This year, all my books went out of print . . . they had a good run, and one of these days I my do my own reprint of some of them. We have a very few new ones left in our webstore . . . I think maybe only 6 Summer Books in all, and I believe they are all signed … you can find them in used bookstores, and the like, also.
Hello Sweetie, Thank you for sharing some of the memories of your trip, i felt like i had gone too with out all the walking. Can i ask what it cost to rent a home in England for two weeks? i would probley rent one for 1 week. Also what brands of watercolor do u use i saw several brands could u please tell me, i like the colors of the watercolor.I also would like to get some of the mugs like the fox are u going to carry it? if not can i get it through Emma the factory in England i def want to go there i adore China and i worked at Royal Daulton in Las Vegas the out let store.I have a collection of China and adore it. Thank you ahead of time i also have two fur babies that are the same color as Jack they could be related. I had 5 now have 2 some are in Heaven like urs are sure do miss them though .Love to you and Joe belated Happy Birthday his 60th woo hoo it sure looked fun wished i could have come to it. Also are u in CA at all any more?? Where can i send Snail mail to ? San Luis Obisbo or MV let me know ok love u xxx come visit in Las Vegas and stay with Robert and I . we will talk more and the best time to come is Feb or later its so awesome here lots to see besides casinos n stuff great shows though would love to have u come and visit since im Auzzie i know how to make a propper cuppa and nice biscuits or bickies love Cheyenne my birhtday is Oct 6th and my wish is to go to MV and see where u call home, i will let u know so u can meet for a cuppa ok wont be this fall prob when its a great time to visit the vineyard. Id love to see John Bullucci s grave from Animal House , he died way too young he was so funny in a crazy way.
I want to make the spiced pecans in your Autumn book. Can I leave out the 4tsp of hot sauce, or do I need to replace it with another liquid ?
You can just leave it out, but I should just say, these are not hot at all. Just lightly spiced. FYI
I have really enjoyed your site, I have collected cookbooks for almost twenty years. I once was looking for an original coconut cake like my granny’s and I found it, and it ended up being my neighbors elderly moms recipe,just like my granny’s. He was delighted and so was I. I made 10 or more of these, as Christmas gifts:-) one more note, the grape etched glasses on your site, I have a wine server that matches. Its very unique.
Hi Susan, I’m going to try your cream gravy recipe from HOTH cookbook and I’d like to check with you on how much butter to add. It says 3tbls of pandrippings and butter so I’m guessing it’s also 3tbls of butter but want to be sure. It sounds so yummy I can’t wait to make it!! Thanks
Hi Susan,
Here is the long awaited pumpkin chocolate chip muffin/bread recipe.
4 eggs, 2 c. sugar, 1 can (16oz.) pumpkin, 1.5 c. vegetable oil (canola), 3 c. flour, 2 tsp. baking soda, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. salt, 2 c. (12 oz.) chocolate chips. ~ 24 standard size muffins or 2 loaves or 4 small loaves
Beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt; add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Fold in chips. Fill greased or paper lined cups 3/4 full. Preheat to and bake at 400* for 16-20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing.
Dear Susan–How can I get my hands on one of your Autumn cookbooks?
I’m not sure as they are out of print. You can try Amazon, sometimes they sell used books.
I would love to try Joe’s recipe for German Pancakes. Is the recipe available?
It’s in my first book Heart of the Home on page 147 … but if you don’t have it, let me know, and I will post it soon!
Hi Susan……I’m sitting down again with the “Autumn” book reviewing the recipe for sesame ginger shrimp……dinner tonight. Also planning the harvest stew for one night next week. Yum! My eye caught the pages of gift baskets and got my mind whirling. The cookie man is perfect to make with my granddaughter for some of the neighbors and our family. She’ll love doing it. I’m also thinking about all my friends and how much they would enjoy a basket of items personalized just for them. A big basket of gourmet treats is one of my husband’s favorite things.
Happy Saturday!
Hugs…..Nettie
Absolutely love the stuffing recipe and make it every Thanksgiving. I have slightly deviated and will share that here. In stead of soaking in the sink of hot water – I soak in hot Turkey Stock. I make the stock the weekend before Thanksgiving and use it for gravy and stuffing and basting. Gives the bread a really nice flavor. And – I add sausage and apples.
Thanks for a great, old fashioned recipe
Do you wring it out then?
Susan – can you bake the dressing separately or does it need to be stuffed in the turkey?
We bake whatever we have left over, but what we cook inside the turkey, tastes the best.
Hi Susan
We’re celebrating thanksgiving here on the 18th before so all our family can be together. I’m hoping you have an apple pie recipe to share? Love to add it to our tradition
I do have an apple pie recipe in my second book Vineyard Seasons, but to be honest, I have never tasted an apple pie that I liked as much as my Cranberry Apple Crisp . . .
My Mom’s stuffing recipe is much the same as yours, she would add two beaten eggs to her mixture before stuffing the turkey. I think it gives it a nice moist fluffy texture. Of course I always loved the extras that got roasted off in the casserole dish, it would be crunchy on top & so soft & moist in the middle. Can’t wait until next week to make it. It always reminds me of my mommy. Thanks for the reminder Susan, Happy Thanksgiving to you & Joe!!!
I’m so excited to have found your website! I have been a fan for years. I have all of your cookbooks and have tried many of your recipes and have loved them all! You are the homemaker I have always wanted to be. I love all your cute and great ideas on everything in your books, calendars, etc. Your cookbooks are beautiful and so fun just to look through and I do love the recipes! I have seen pictures of your house, yard, and garden and they’re exactly what I love!
Do you still make stickers or anything else I might not know about?
Thank-you for sharing your talents with the world!
There are a few things in my webstore that you might like; right at the top of the blog where it says “shopping.”
‘SweetSusan’ you are a tradition ! We intermingle in our thoughts and are communications’; Come what may. Our lives touch and bless. We share a universal love of life and home and family. We give and we get back blessings in return. Our words find each other at a common place,and that units us as ‘Family’. What a wonderful world this internet has become to bring us to a place where our lives can reach out and touch. This makes the impossible,possible. Possibilities are ours for the excepting. We love,we laugh,we cry; We grow, ‘together’.
I give you much thanks for the sharing of joy and gladness that you have brought to me and to so many others that long for home; or even a sense of home if one cannot be there. For it is in the ‘Heart’. Blessings to you and Joe and the kitties this glorious season of ‘Thanks’. Veronica/Sumerduck
Thank you Sweetie, that was very beautiful. xo
Hi Susan
Love to read your blog, cookbooks, etc. Is your book Autumn available to purchase? It is the only one I cannot find. Loved reading about your trip with Joe to England. Looking forward to the book when it comes out.
Blessings to you and yours
Patricia
It’s out of print, but you should still be able to find it — did you try Amazon?
Hi Susan, I have a quick question about the molasses cookie recipe. You describe them as soft and bendy but mine were also a bit cakelike and I just want to make sure that they came out the right way and that I didn’t do something wrong. Thanks
You are right, they are a little cake-like, but bendier I think, with the molasses, less likely to crumble apart the way a cake does.
Yes, that’s it!! They are so delicious!! Thanks xoxo
I am trying to find the recipe for the Hot Milk Cake that you once published. It is delicious! I do not find a search bar on the website. Could you direct me to it and/or tell me how I can find past recipes I may have seen? Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Here you go … HOT MILK CAKE . . .♥
Hi Susan
Just wanted to let you know here in England in my family your pumpkin cheesecake is a big favourite amongst my family and friends. I always save some puree so I can make it anytime of the year when we need a cheer-up.
Another favourite is your 3 layer carrot cake this also is very popular anytime I feel in need of a slice of yummyness.
Thankyou again for your lovely recipes
That makes me happy to hear Chris! Thank you!
I am late at finding your beautiful site. Last Saturday I bought your beautiful recipe book and tomorrow my daughter will buy a different one for me. Thank you so much and I love your site. Bless you. Now I have to make your recipes too and add them to my new cookbooks that I plan to leave it as a family treasure.
Glad to have you here Lucile!
Susan, I just wanted you to know that I made your pumpkin cheesecake for Christmas dinner this year (got the recipe from the 2012 November calendar), and it was a HUGE hit. I do think it is perhaps the best pumpkin dessert I have ever tasted and it was so easy to make! It came out exactly right, the first time, no tweaking the recipe. It will be a family favorite for now on. Are you putting out a 2013 calendar, btw?
I made the Pumpkin Cheesecake for CHristmas and my son in law says of all the wonderful things i bake, this is the absolute best. I just put one in the oven for his 40th birthday tomorrow . We really loved it and i have made a lot of different cheesecakes . Thanks so much for the lovely calendar my husband bought for me for 2012. I loved every month, so positive and uplifting. I would like the recipes for the May month for mothers day tea. I will keep looking online for them . the coconut cake and scones look marvelous. thanks again .You have a new very excited fan!
Happy to hear that Jacquie! Thank you!
Susan Branch – THE Susan Branch – has a website?! The things my mother never told me! I grew up with your books and recipes, and I am so sad the books are out of print. Mom still gets one of your calendars every year for Christmas and hangs it above the kitchen sink. I would thumb through her cookbooks as a child, imaging magical parties with enchanting menus. She made this one cake, and neither one of us can find it in any of her books. It was light, sponge-y orange layers frosted with something like orange meringue. Does that sound familiar?
Oh yes, my favorite cake of all, and that’s saying something. It’s called (as you might think) Orange Cake — here’s the RECIPE. Nice to meet you Cat!