Hi Reader,

If you have been part of the A Mind "Full" Mom community for a while, you have basically watched my kids grow up right alongside the recipes.

You have seen me pack school lunches, work around food allergies, feed some very picky eaters, and share more than a few stories from our kitchen.

And somehow, one of those picky little eaters is turning 18 this week. EIGHTEEN. I am still trying to figure out how exactly that happened.

So, in honor of Layla's birthday, I thought I would skip my usual roundup and share some of the recipes that have earned a permanent spot on her favorites list.

18 of Layla's Favorite Recipes

• ​The ALL-TIME Favorite: This one has held the top spot for years. Give my Southern girl a warm biscuit with sausage gravy, butter, or jam, and she is very happy.
• ​The Recipe She Wants Every Fall…and Winter…and Spring: Apparently pumpkin season is more of a suggestion in our house. She would happily eat these year-round, and I can't really argue because I love them too.
• ​Her Favorite School-Morning Breakfast: Oatmeal disguised as pancakes is apparently the superior form of oatmeal. I support this logic. 🥞
• ​The Lunch That Still Surprises Me: There was a time when English Muffin Pizzas ruled her lunchbox. Now she willingly requests noodles loaded with vegetables. Growth comes in many forms. 😂
• ​The Dinner She Is Over Sharing: As most of you know, I make it my mission to stock Tate's college freezer. And one thing he always wants in his freezer is my chili. Well, Layla is tired of me making it and freezing some for him (even if I double the batch) -- she wants it all to herself! Sibling jealousy at its finest.😵‍💫
• ​Her Make-It-Herself Snack: She has loved these for years and now regularly makes a batch herself. Occasionally, she even remembers the rest of us live here.
• ​One of Her Favorite Party Foods: Hot, cheesy, loaded with pizza flavor…there was really never much question about whether Layla would approve of this one.
• ​Another Party Favorite: These disappear FAST whenever I make them. They're cheesy, savory, bite-sized, and perfect for parties. But Layla will tell you they should be on every holiday brunch menu from here to eternity...I am quoting directly😂
• ​Her Favorite Dinner Mash-Up: Tacos + pasta. Two of Layla's longtime favorites decided to join forces, so this one never really stood a chance of being anything but a hit.
• ​The Easiest Way to Convince Layla She ACTUALLY Loves Broccoli: A rich and cheesy broth never hurts.😉
• ​The Dinner That "Tastes Like Home": That is actually how Layla describes it, which may be one of my favorite compliments a recipe has ever received. It has also been a longtime reader favorite, so clearly she is onto something.
• ​Layla's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies: Technically, this started as my recipe. But Layla helped test and retest it until we got those cookies just right. Now her friends request them, and her brother and his college roommates expect a few dozen whenever we visit. At this point, I think she has taken ownership.
• ​The Recipe She Is Actually Famous For: If you remember the video of Layla making this with me, you may also remember the tremendous enthusiasm on her face. 😂
• ​The One That Gave Mac and Cheese A Run For Its Money: She still loves her mac and cheese, but this one has become serious competition.
• ​Our Favorite "Girl Dinner": When it is just the two of us at home, her #1 request is a loaf of bread and this bread dipping oil. Oftentimes, I add a can of rinsed and drained cannellini beans so I can say we had protein and fiber as well. And just so we are clear, it's my favorite girls' night dinner too.❤️
• ​The Healthy Food She Treats Like Dessert: You would honestly think I had made her brownies from the reaction I get when there is fresh applesauce in the fridge.
• ​The Only Reason She Supports Ohio State: We may not have raised any Ohio State fans (Dad has a hard time swallowing that fact!), but Layla will agree they have the best mascot...at least when it is made with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate.
• ​And Her Birthday Cake: Forget a traditional layer cake. For her 18th birthday, Layla requested cheesecake, and I fully approve of this decision -- in fact, unbeknownst to her, my Nana's cheesecake is the SAME cake I requested for my 18th birthday! Rich, creamy cheesecake feels like a pretty great way to celebrate becoming an adult.

It is a little surreal to look back and realize how many stages of Layla's life have made their way into the recipes I share here.

And while her tastes have definitely changed over the years, biscuits, cheesy pasta, cookies, and cheesecake remain very reliable ways to make her happy.

I hope you find a new favorite for your family somewhere on Layla’s list. And happy 18th birthday to my girl. ❤️