Hi! I’m Christina…

Hi there! I’m Christina – welcome to my kitchen! I’m a recipe developer, cookbook author, and the creative mind behind Cake Mix Recipes.

If you’ve ever stared down a boxed cake mix and wondered, “Can I make this more exciting?” — you’re in the right place.

I started this site because I know what it’s like to juggle a busy schedule and still want to bring something fun, delicious, and homemade(ish) to the table. With a little creativity and a few pantry or fridge staples, that humble cake mix can turn into an irresistible dessert, a crowd-pleasing casserole, or a weekend breakfast the whole family raves about.

Over the years, I’ve tested hundreds of recipes (yep, my oven gets a workout), and I’m passionate about sharing the best ones — the ones that actually work, taste amazing, and make you feel like a kitchen rockstar without spending hours over a hot stove.

You won’t find complicated steps or hard-to-pronounce ingredients here. Just smart shortcuts, tried-and-true tips, and a whole lot of sweet, simple goodness.

Whether you’re baking for a party, prepping a quick dinner, or just need a last-minute dessert for the bake sale, I’ve got your back.

Thanks for stopping by — I hope you find something here that makes you say, “It’s a keeper!”

More About Me

I live in beautiful northeast Pennsylvania with my husband, son and our cat, Bo.

When I’m not binging true crime shows or podcasts, you’ll find me in the kitchen.  It’s my happy place.  Nothing makes me happier than feeding people.

My Books

I’m also a published author. I published my first cookbook, The Super Easy Teen Cookbook, in 2020. I loved coming up with delicious recipes that would get more kids in the kitchen.

In 2021, my second cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for College, was published. This book was created for young adults who may be cooking with limited resources and/or ingredients.

Just the Basics Cookbook was published in 2022. This book is chocked full of essential techniques and fundamental cooking tips.

You May Have Seen Me

You might have seen me on TV – I’ve done quite a few television cooking segments.  Or, maybe you came across me in a magazine, like Taste of Home. Or, you might have stumbled on It is a Keeper from another website, such as BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, Woman’s Day or Reader’s Digest.  

I’ve also been a featured speaker at various summits and conferences, including:

In addition to co-hosting The Smart Influencer Podcast, I’ve been interviewed on several other podcasts:

A Little More About Me

Here are 21 things about me that you probably don’t know…

  1. I read cook books cover to cover like most people read novels. ????
  2. I am named after two of my great-grandmothers.
  3. My middle name has a letter that is not in our alphabet.
  4. I graduated from Penn State with a BS in Management Science and Information Systems and a minor in Operations Management.
  5. I am a HUGE Penn State football fan! ????
  6. I’m the proud mom of an Eagle Scout. ????
  7. We live in the Scranton, PA area — you know, the city from The Office.
  8. I’m an Aries and I pretty much fit the profile to a T.
  9. Toast is on my list of top 5 favorite foods.
  10.  My favorite song of all time is Convoy by CW McCall (most people have never heard of it).
  11. My favorite movie is a tie between Footloose (it’s also my second favorite song) and Spaceballs.
  12. I am obsessed with true crime podcasts and TV shows.
  13. I have never had a mosquito bite. Or, if they do bite me (I don’t know ????‍♀️), I don’t get the itchy, red bumps. Weird, I know. But my mom and maternal grandmother were the same.
  14. My favorite flowers are hydrangeas.
  15. I am petrified of snakes.
  16. I am fascinated by all things Southern – I think I was born on the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon line.
  17. I’m very clumsy – I once fell off the end of Norway.
  18. I’m a huge spreadsheet nerd!
  19. My dad was like a walking GPS, however, I didn’t inherit that skill. I am ALWAYS getting lost. 
  20. I live with not one, but two drummers – my house is loud! ????
  21. I have a soft spot for veterans – they are true heroes. ????????

I hope this helped you get to know me a little better.