Staff Writer
Allie has been Lifehacker’s Food Writer since 2021. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Ithaca College in drama and studied at the Institute of Culinary Education to earn her diploma in Pastry and Baking Arts. Allie worked professionally as a private chef for over a decade, honing her craft in New York at places like Balthazar, Bien Cuit, The Chocolate Room, Billy’s Bakery, and Whole Foods. She spent evenings as a chef instructor, and also earned a master’s degree at Hunter College for teaching English. Allie’s YouTube channel, Thainybites, features recipes and baking tricks. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.
MORE BY Allie
What Breads Work Best for French Toast?
Ask yourself a few questions before choosing your French toast bread.
How to Take a Giant Pill Without Throwing Up
You shouldn't have to choose between nausea and absorbing vital medication.
Make Candied Orange Peel the Quick Way
This one-step technique simplifies the tedious traditional method.
How to Make a Fancy Breakfast From a Jar of Salsa
The salsa company did all the vegetable prep for this brunch-worthy dish.
Easy Ways to Decorate a Cake When You Suck at Decorating
You can create an impressive cake without any decorating tools or skills.
You Need a Different Ice Box in Your Freezer
You deserve more than half empty ice trays with food crumbs on top.
You Should Pour Hot Water on Your Cake Batter
Hot sugar crust is cake's new frosting. Just trust the process.
How to Make Silky Sous Vide Eggs Without a Sous Vide
Don't let sous vide snobs intimidate you. You can do without their fancy techniques.
You Need These Yogurt Cup Biscuits
If you thought the old buttermilk biscuit recipe couldn't get better, you'd be wrong.
Four Ways to Use Your Leftover Amarena Cherry Syrup
It's sweet cherry magic for your waffles and cocktails.
You Deserve This Fancy No-Bake Dessert
A dessert recipe for those who use their oven as storage space.
You Need Spoon Cake This Summer
Enough with slices; here's a heaping bowl of spoon cake.
You Need a New Sheet Cake in Your Life
Feeding a crowd or just yourself for three days? Consider these sheet cake choices.
It's OK to Make Ramen With Spaghetti, Actually (and How to Do It)
Forget the haters, when you can't get fresh ramen noodz, make your own.
We Should Be Eating More Savory Cookies
This means more than just sprinkling flaky salt on top.
The Easy Way to Roll Your Dough Into the Shape You Actually Need
Cut down on wasted dough trimmings by shaping before you start rolling.
The Crucial Step You're Missing With Fruit Pie
You shouldn’t have to put your pie in the oven and worry it’ll be fruit soup when you take it out.
How to Roll Out Pie Dough Without Ruining It
Get the perfect roll-out the first time—without all the sticking, cracking, and tearing.
Your Baking Needs More Jam, Actually
Jam has been the ride or die in your fridge this whole time.
How to Bake With More Booze, 'Cause Life Is Short
There's a world of untapped flavors in your bar cart.