Even though desserts have become complicated over the years, sometimes we all just want something simple, like a chocolate cookie with some milk, or a fresh-outta-the-oven brownie with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

My husband swears that Grammy’s Chocolate Cookies taste store bought. Now, I know what you’re thinking…just last week I said that homemade treats taste better than the store bought ones, and I wasn’t lyin’. I admit, every now and then I head over to the bakery section of my local grocery store and pick up a tasty cookie, but it hardly satisfies my sweet craving; these chocolate cookies are definitely in the lead as far as freshness goes.

Brownies are everyone’s best friend on a bad day. I think we all need to own a shirt that says “hand over the chocolate brownie, I’m having a bad day” - they are always sure to chase the blues away, especially this brownie recipe. It has simple ingredients, but when you add just a tiny teaspoon of coffee or espresso, it takes these brownies to a much higher level - I’m talking about a supernatural one. Your very happy mouth will definitely agree with me after you give this rich and chocolatey recipe a try!

When I’m lazy, I fill my rice cooker with two and a half cups of water and 1 cup of brown rice, and maybe even a sprinkle of olive oil. But most days, I hate eating plain old rice, even if it’s healthy brown rice. I like my food to look and taste colorful, even if it’s just the side dish. Luckily, I found some recipes that aren’t too complicated; so even on lazy days, I can still serve up a far from boring dinner.

GrandmaFred shares a recipe for Greek Caponata that’s easier to make than pronounce. I love recipes like this that allow me to throw a bunch of different ingredients together in a bowl so that what results, after a short time baking, is a feast for the easily-bored palate.

Teesmith’s Orzo Salad with Shrimp is a fresh and summery concoction that sounds like it could be a meal on it’s own.

If you’re a fan of meat and potatoes, you’ll probably enjoy Verfaillie’s Potato Patties that take on the form of pancakes after they’re browned in butter over a hot skillet.

Though I love having potatoes with my steak, I’d definitely be willing to trade out a simple baked potato for wpolumbo’s rich and dessert-like, but still healthy Praline Whipped Sweet Potatoes. This recipe would definitely fly with the kids, I bet you could even fool them into thinking they were eating candy!

You may have heard of Kolache, which is a Czech dessert, but have you ever had Kolachke? Notice the “k”, along with the smaller size of this cookie-like pastry. Kolachke is an addicting, almost bite-sized Polish dessert. I used raspberry jam for the filling, but the possibilities are pretty endless. Unleash your creativity; maybe even make your own preserves! I got a little creative in my decision to use only one stick of butter instead of two. I added a few tablespoons of canola oil to give the dough some of the moisture that the second stick of butter would’ve provided. I also sprinkled in a bit of salt, to bring out the dough’s flavor. This is a dessert nearly everyone can enjoy; even if you’re on a special low-fat diet, you can still savor these. As far as the wise “everything in moderation” saying goes, it doesn’t apply to these Polish pastries!

I am convinced that anything homemade tastes better than anything store-bought. Despite this belief I have, it’s never occurred to me that I could make a candy bar right here at home. With a few simple ingredients, anyone can! These Congo Bars put marshmallow treats to shame, they basically include every tasty ingredient you’d want in a perfect candy bar: buttery macadamia nuts, sweet chocolate, a little bit of a cookie crust, and even some coconut thrown in for fun. Aside from being absolutely scrumptious, they also have an amazing texture…and, of course, the added caramel sauce on top gives them the stickiness they need to be considered an officially delicious candy bar. After you try these, I guarantee you’ll never again consider giving in to your chocolate craving by purchasing one of those dinky little bars at the cash register; you’ll actually have the patience to wait and make these yourself at home :). I brought them into the office yesterday and everyone loved them!

Most of the time I put jam on my toast. Since jelly is made with fruit juice and tends to be lighter, I prefer something a little thicker, but not as chunky as marmalade. Then there’s butter, not the sweet and creamy substance that makes baked goods oh so mouth-watering, but the kind that’s made from fruit, like apple butter. It’s heavier and spicier than a jelly or jam, but it does not contain one bit of butter. So why the peculiar name? Well, it has a tendency to spread like butter, which makes it great to use in a recipe for something like fig bars. I speak from experience!

I baked these bars just this morning. And because I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m somewhat of a food snob, I didn’t buy an already-made jar of fig jam. I might’ve taken the second easiest step, by using Dr. Oetker’s Jam Express, but it made me feel a little better that I even tried making the filling myself. It was fun and easy! I didn’t process the fig butter after I placed it in the jar, because I was going to use it the next morning. Dr. Oetker says you don’t have to! However, I’m always skeptical of doctors - I suggest processing it anyway, in case you plan on keeping it out of the fridge.

Okay…so the 80s might be over, and your kitchen counters are probably covered with the latest gadgets, but I’m sure you have one of these little life-savers hidden away in one of your cabinets. When was the last time you plugged-in your slow cooker? If you’re like me, then it was probably some time last week, on a hectic day when you were just too busy to cook a wonderful meal on the stove. Or maybe it was last Summer, when the thought of turning on the oven brought a drop of sweat to your brow as you anxiously pondered the upcoming electric bill.

Even though slow cookers tend to be these nasty looking counter space hogs, they can actually help you put together a tasty meal when time and energy levels are low. Stews are perfect for slow cookers, especially the hearty ones like egreco’s beef stew. This is a recipe that can easily be cloned and reinvented, just throw in a couple of your favorite chopped vegetables and, in a few hours, you can have a dinner that’s all your own.

If you’re finding it impossible to stay on your feet for more than a few minutes, because you’ve come down with a cold and mom’s not around to bring you a comforting bowl of chicken soup, there’s no need to worry! With ginasheppard’s crock-pot friendly Spinach, Chicken, and Wild Rice Soup, you’ll be able to catch some extra Zs as your soup practically makes itself.

But more than just a soup or stew can come together in a slow cooker. Almarsh has a Sloppy Joes recipe that can also be made in a one-pot wonder device. It only uses a few ingredients, so even the kiddos can help you put this classic meal together.

Despite the fact that I adore fruit, I just can’t seem to squeeze the daily recommended amount into my diet. But thanks to the many healthy and fruity recipes posted on Key Ingredient, that’s about to change. Though most dessert recipes include large amounts of flour and butter as their base, it is possible to create a tasty, after-dinner treat that uses other ingredients. jakkelley shares a recipe for Citrus Salad with Ginger Yogurt that sounds like it could easily silence even the loudest sweet tooth. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like my sweet tooth has a mouth of its own, always making requests for desserts like lizzie2000’s Baked Apples with Cranberries, Raisins, and Apricots. I wouldn’t mind giving in to this dessert, it’s loaded with nutrients from fruits that are naturally sweet and savory. But on a hot Summer day, or a sweltering Texas Spring day like today, I could definitely use something like StephanieKim’s Sherbet Fruit Pops. These colorful and fresh popsicles are easy to make; they’d make a great dessert for those days when you can fry an egg on your driveway.

If you’re looking for an affordable meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor, then 1SWEDEGIRL’s recipe for Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Turkey Sausage will leave you with enough change left over to bake a batch of julidee’s $250 Cookies. They might taste like they cost a fortune, but don’t let the title fool you of their actual worth! Unlike the standard oatmeal cookie, julidee’s recipe calls for 5 cups of oatmeal that actually gets blended into a fine powder; no need for flour here!

Instead of finishing off these far-from costly cookies with a glass of milk, you should consider washing them down with loriarnold’s Cherry Cordial Hot Chocolate. Loriarnold’s recipe gives hot chocolate a much-needed but very affordable make-over with just a 1/2 cup of maraschino cherry juice. I bet the expression on your face after trying one of these comfort foods with a kick will be priceless!

1SWEDEGIRL already did the math, check out her dish below. Don’t forget about the cornbread! Rouxcrew promises Mom’s Southern Cornbread tastes authentic, and with 3 Tablespoons of tasty bacon grease in the recipe, I bet it does!

This week was Heather’s turn to volunteer and share a delicious recipe with us here at Key Ingredient. The Moosewood inspired Caribbean Stew she spent a few hours preparing is a veggie-loaded meal that will have you asking for seconds after the first bowl. The sweet potato and kale are just two of the many nutrient-rich vegetables that give this stew its color and complex flavor. Despite having used water instead of vegetable broth, Heather’s recipe didn’t taste like it was missing anything. As the vegetables simmered on the stove, they created a broth that was taken up a few notches when a few chilis were later added to the mix. Though the stew can be eaten alone, Heather mentions that it can be served with brown rice or tofu Jaimaican jerk. I had a small taste of this stew, and after the first spoonful, my taste buds were convinced that I HAVE to make it this weekend! They command, I obey!

At one point or another, we’ve all had the munchies. Whether it’s right before bed time, or an hour or two before lunch, sometimes we just want something tasty to munch on, even if we’re not that hungry for a full meal. Snacks come in all shapes but usually similar sizes, the small and tasty kind. Whether you’re in the mood to grab a handful of something traditional like kdsorgen’s fun and simple Chex Mix recipe or you’re craving something exotic like bronxie’s versatile Lamb Samosas you can have your craving satisfied with recipes like these, no matter how specific it might be. Rpeters9568 has a recipe for Game Time Snack Burgers that’ll bring a smile to any meat-lovers face after the first bite. But if you prefer a meat-free treat, wpolumbo has a recipe for Mini Hummus Pitas that will put boring chips and salsa to shame; her version of this snack offers “a tasty twist on a classic finger food”. I have a feeling you’re already thinking about that afternoon snack. I’m sure these recipes will tickle your taste buds more than that stale candy bar in your desk ever will, so give them a try!