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Dad’s Very Best Recipes

March 11, 2022 by Abby Mallett 18 Comments

As a member of the Joy the Baker community since 2010, her dad, Mr. Wilson, has a steady presence here.  His Sweet Potato Pie recipe is a foundational pillar of this blog. I feel honored to give an outsider’s perspective on how wonderful he is. From what I have seen over the years, Mr. Wilson seems like a man who doesn’t need a lot of words to fill the space. You can talk, or not talk, and his demeanor is the same. In my mind, he’s going to get you to the airport insanely early, almost annoyingly so, but you’re grateful because LAX is a constant nightmare. He knows the short cuts to the restaurant but won’t bug you with them if you’re driving, just to instill confidence in your direction skills. He understands the cool subtleties of choosing the right tie with a suit jacket, but prefers walking shoes above all else. And because he is not my dad, all of this coooould be entirely incorrect, but my gut tells me I’m not far off.

Now, I’ve clearly adopted him as a father in my mind from reading about him over the years, never having once met him. (This coming from the same person that has “I think Barack Obama is my dad,” in her dating profile bio.) I can assuredly say that Mr. Wilson provides a safe space here. His recipes feel like gentle advice – stay steady, don’t rush, be patient. It produces food with love folded into it and amazing daughters like Joy, who knows how special her father is and  unselfishly chooses to share his magic with us. I think Mr. Wilson has a lot of readers who have adopted him, too.



Here are a few recipes from Joy’s dad (and ours!) and the best scenarios to use them:

•Dad’s Lemon Chess Pie – With its classic roots and bright notes this pie provides two things at once – it impresses and offers extreme balance. Serve this to your in-laws, your next door neighbor, or your best friend who is visiting from out of town. They’ll “ooh!” and “ahh!” before nodding satisfactorily, knowing you’ve clearly got your life together. Your taxes were filed in February! Strong coffee to accompany is recommended.

•Dad’s One-Pot Hawaiian Chicken – Cool and retro, this updated 70’s staple gives you confidence. It is quick and versatile enough to make for last minute guests or for yourself the night before a big presentation. It says, “you’ve got this!” with effortless ease, and minimal clean up after. Make sure your dinner playlist includes Earth, Wind & Fire.

Dad holding a plate of browned butter chocolate chip cookies by the window.

•Dad’s Best Browned Butter Cookies – To me, this cookie is the all encompassing confection. It can heartily celebrate with you, just as easily as it can soothe a bruised heart. It is both the stern advice and the hug afterwards, an apology and a thank-you. What I’m really trying to say is, you can have this cookie at any time, on any day, and know you’ve made the right decision.

•Dad’s Sweet Potato Pie – 2 New Ways! – Mr. Wilson’s Sweet Potato Pie is the sleeper hit of any holiday party, but these 2 pies see your 10 and gracefully turn the volume to 11. They know their worth on a dessert table. Decadent pecan pralines cover one and artistically torched egg white swirls cover the other. These pies are the deal sealers of holidays – subduing even the faintest doubt that you’re anything less than amazing. Heck, this might earn you a handshake from Mr. Wilson himself (if this was me, I would sob openly).

See also: Simple Jam Handpies made with Mr. Wilson’s pie crust and Tomato Cobbler with Mr. Wilson’s biscuits (+ blue cheese). He’s everywhere.

Happy baking, friends!

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  1. Stacey

    April 4, 2022 at 1:03 pm

    Your Dad’s biscuits are a must. They have to make the list! My dad doesn’t make biscuits but he certainly enjoys them and we love your recipe.

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Your mission this weekend, should you choose to ac Your mission this weekend, should you choose to accept it: turn little slices of 🍌🍌 into cinnamon sugar topped pancakes. 💖 Full recipe linked in the bio mmmkay enjoy!
The To-Do List can wait until after cookies, amiri The To-Do List can wait until after cookies, amiright? 
⁣
Two Giant Peanut Butter Cookies⁣
(or four smaller cookies) ⁣
⁣
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted⁣
1/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed⁣
1 large egg yolk⁣
A splash of vanilla extract⁣
1/4 cup peanut butter⁣
1/2 cup all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour blend⁣
1/4 teaspoon baking soda⁣
1/4 teaspoon salt⁣
Coarse sugar and/or sea salt for sprinkling, optional⁣
⁣
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees f. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. ⁣
⁣
I’m a medium bowl, whisk together warm melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk in the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Add the peanut butter and mix to combine. ⁣
⁣
Add the dry ingredients and use a spatula to fold all the ingredients together. Divide in two big portions (or four smaller portions) onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with sugar and salt if you’d like. ⁣
⁣
Bake two giant cookies for 12-14 minutes, or four cookies for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving with cold milk.
You know those particularly messy sandwiches that, You know those particularly messy sandwiches that, when you pick up, you know you can’t put down until they’re good and gone? These Milk and Cereal Bars are the ice cream version of that sensation. So crunchy creamy sweet, with a hint of salt and spice. ⁣
⁣
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Raise you hand if you secretly love a boxed cake m Raise you hand if you secretly love a boxed cake mix? Me: 🙋🏻‍♀️
⁣
My favorite version is this Easy Strawberry Sheet Cake baby topped with cream cheese frosting and extra fresh 🍓🍓. Perfect for the holiday weekend amiright? ⁣
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Full recipe linked in the bio!
I woke up a year older and wiser today and the onl I woke up a year older and wiser today and the only advice I have for you is this: stay busy makin’ your own dreams come true. ⁣
⁣
xo
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