My guest this week is Stephanie Pixley, Executive Food Editor with America's Test Kitchen. 

If you love baking cookies, this is the book you need in your kitchen.

America’s Test Kitchen Ushers in a New Era of Cookie Baking. Irresistible recipes that bring bold flavor, foolproof techniques, and bakery-style appeal within

reach for home bakers. From the trusted team at America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) comes The New Cookie: Creative Takes on the Classics You Love, a deliciously modern collection of cookies, bars, blondies, and more that reflects the way people want to bake now.
Packed with nearly 150 recipes, this new cookbook takes the comforting appeal of classic cookies and gives it fresh life with vibrant flavors, smarter techniques, and the kind of texture and visual payoff that today’s bakers love.

Executive Food Editor Stephanie Pixley shares a few recipes:

Black/Pink Cookies

Salted Malted Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Marble Butter Cookies 

Ginger Citrus Sweet Potato Pie Bars

A follow-up to the bestselling The Perfect Cookie, this new volume captures what makes cookie baking so exciting right now: the mix of nostalgia, creativity, and pure pleasure. These are recipes that feel current without being fussy, impressive without being intimidating, and ambitious without losing the reliability America’s Test Kitchen is known for.

As always, the recipes are backed by America’s Test Kitchen’s rigorous testing process, giving bakers the confidence to try something new and know it will work. Alongside the recipes, the book offers technique-driven guidance and foundational baking know-how that make it just as useful for beginners as it is inspiring for experienced bakers.

Stephanie Pixley is the deputy food editor for ATK's books team and culinary producer of the Cook's Country TV show. She attended the New England Culinary Institute and is most at peace when she's in the middle of a good baking project.

Leading women’s performance scientist Dr. Sasha Hamdani joins me to talk about the LiveLong Women's Health Summit. She exposes common myths, reveals which popular trends may do more harm than good and explain why women need health, nutrition and fitness guidance designed for their bodies. 

Livelong Women’s Health Summit, a two-day event open to the public September 25–26 in New York City, featuring Jane Fonda, Bobbi Brown, Dr. Mary Claire Haver and more than 100 leading doctors, researchers, and women’s health experts.

From hormone “fixes” and anti-aging supplements to fasting, cold plunges and intense workout routines, women are flooded with advice about how to feel better and live longer. But how much of it is supported by science—and how much is simply clever wellness marketing?

Justin Ellen is a baker and the creator of Everything Just Baked, where his fun, chaotic, and personality-filled approach to baking has captured the attention of millions across social media. Known for his viral recipes, custom cakes, and signature belief that baking should be just as enjoyable as indulging in the results, Justin has built a platform centered on making people laugh, learn, and get inspired in the kitchen.

Justin shared a few recipes with me:

Yellow Cake

Chocolate Hot Fudge Cookies

Apple Fritter Cake

Through Everything Just Baked’s social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube) and blog, Justin shares his love for baking with an ever-growing community, proving that with the right recipe (and no box mixes!), anyone can create something worth remembering. Justin lives outside of NYC in Passaic, NJ. Better Than Grandma's is his debut cookbook.

In Celebration Boards, bestselling author and entertaining expert Maegan Brown (@thebakermama) shows how a simple board can turn an ordinary Tuesday night into something memorable.

Moving far beyond traditional charcuterie, Maegan introduces 50 creative, easy-to-build boards for every occasion—from Pajama Party Breakfasts and Book Club gatherings to Build-Your-Own Ramen, Baked Potato Bars, Espresso Martini Boards, and decadent dessert spreads. These interactive, family-friendly creations make entertaining effortless, affordable, and fun.

With stunning photography, step-by-step guidance, and practical hosting tips, Celebration Boards embraces the growing trend of everyday “micro-celebrations,” proving that the best moments don’t require a special occasion—just good food, great company, and a board worth gathering around.

Maegan shares a few board recipes:

Mac n Cheese Board

Dessert Board

Celebration Board

Game Day Board

About the Author:
MAEGAN BROWN (a.k.a. The BakerMama) is the bestselling cookbook author of Beautiful Boards, Spectacular Spreads, and Brilliant Bites.

Through her popular blog, TheBakerMama.com, she shares easy, family-friendly recipes, creative food boards, and festive ideas that make everyday moments feel worth celebrating.

Maegan is passionate about helping others create beautiful, delicious experiences with ease. Her love for gathering around good food began at a young age and continues today in her own home, where she creates meaningful, joy-filled moments with her family and friends while inspiring others to do the same.

I had a fun conversation with Justin Scerbo, Director of Brand Strategy with Java Factory.

Java Factory announces Ice Cream Truck Season, the second and largest chapter of Flavor 52, the ambitious year-long innovation program introducing 52 new coffee flavors over 52 consecutive weeks. 

Launching Late August and running through October,  Java Factory Flavor 52 Ice Cream Truck Season 2 transforms beloved frozen treats into a nine-week series of limited-edition coffees inspired by Creamsicle®, Breyers® Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Klondike®, Popsicle® Firecracker, Good Humor® Chocolate Éclair, and every dad's favorite, Good Humor® Toasted Almond, alongside original Java Factory creations inspired by the neighborhood ice cream truck. The journey concludes with one final mystery flavor, kept under wraps until its October reveal just before Halloween.

Justin Scerbo, Director of Brand Strategy

The campaign also supports Java Factory's effort to establish a Guinness World Records title for the most unique coffee flavors launched by a coffee brand within a single year. Flavor 52 will conclude at the 2027 Summer Fancy Food Show with the unveiling of the campaign's final flavor release.