Gwyneth Paltrow Still Treasures Her Late Dad’s Pancakes: 13 Family Recipes and Kitchen Favorites to Make at Home

Before she was an Oscar winner, Gwyneth Paltrow was a kid in her dad’s kitchen, waiting for his thin, tangy Sunday pancakes. Her father, director and producer Bruce Paltrow, taught her to cook, and after he died in 2002 she wrote a whole cookbook for him, My Father’s Daughter (2011). Here are the family dishes she has talked about, from his pancakes to her mom’s blueberry muffins, plus a few easy twists of our own, clearly marked, so you can cook them at home. Grab your apron..

Her Dad Bruce’s Thin and Tangy Pancakes, Which Gwyneth Paltrow Calls the Best

In a 2011 interview with NPR, Gwyneth Paltrow described her father’s pancakes as thin and tangy rather than fluffy, made with flour and buttermilk for the whole family. “They are honestly the best pancakes,” she said. His version appears in her cookbook as Bruce’s World-Famous Pancakes. Ours below is a simple buttermilk recipe made thin on purpose, with blueberries for a little extra joy.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 cups buttermilk, 2 eggs, 3 tbsp melted butter, butter for the pan, maple syrup and blueberries to serve.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl. 2. Whisk the buttermilk, eggs and melted butter in another. 3. Stir together until just combined; the batter should be thinner than usual, so add a splash more buttermilk if needed. 4. Cook 1/4 cup at a time on a buttered griddle over medium heat until golden on both sides. 5. Stack and serve with butter, syrup and blueberries.

Her Mother Blythe Danner’s Blueberry Muffins

Gwyneth Paltrow’s mother is actress Blythe Danner, and her blueberry muffins are a family favorite. Gwyneth told NPR that nothing tastes as good as her mother’s rich, sugary original. This is our classic bakery style version in that spirit: buttery, tender, loaded with berries and topped with a sugary crust. Best eaten warm on a Saturday morning.

You will need: 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 cups blueberries, 2 tbsp coarse sugar for the tops.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F and line a 12 cup muffin pan. 2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 3. In another bowl whisk the butter, eggs, milk and vanilla. 4. Stir wet into dry until just mixed, then fold in the berries. 5. Fill the cups, sprinkle with coarse sugar. 6. Bake 20 to 24 minutes until golden.

The Lighter Muffins Gwyneth Paltrow Put in Her Cookbook

In her cookbook, Gwyneth Paltrow included a lighter take on her mom’s muffins, using soy milk and vegetable oil instead of the richer original, and she admitted the original tastes better. Our lighter version uses oil, a mix of whole wheat and white flour and less sugar. They are still moist and full of blueberries. Which would you bake, the classic or the lighter one?

You will need: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup white whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup unsweetened soy milk, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 1/2 cups blueberries.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F and line a muffin pan. 2. Whisk the flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. 3. Whisk the oil, soy milk, egg, vanilla and lemon zest. 4. Stir together until just combined and fold in the blueberries. 5. Fill the cups and bake 20 to 22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

The Family Brisket Gwyneth Paltrow Kept for Old Times’ Sake

Gwyneth Paltrow does not eat red meat, but she told NPR she kept the family brisket in her book because of happy childhood memories. Relatives said the old secret was a packet of onion soup mix, and she wrote a more homemade version. Ours braises low and slow with lots of onions, garlic and broth until it is fork tender.

You will need: 3 to 4 lb beef brisket (flat cut), 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp oil, 3 large onions (sliced), 4 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 cups beef broth, 1/2 cup red wine or extra broth, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp thyme.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 325 F. 2. Season the brisket and brown it on both sides in oil in a Dutch oven, then remove. 3. Cook the onions 10 minutes until golden, add garlic and tomato paste. 4. Add broth, wine, brown sugar, bay leaves and thyme. 5. Return the brisket, cover and bake 3 1/2 to 4 hours until tender. 6. Rest, then slice against the grain.

Our Twist: Leftover Brisket Sandwich

This one is our idea, not hers, but every brisket deserves a second act. Thin slices of leftover brisket warmed in their own onion gravy, piled on a toasted bun with crunchy coleslaw, make the best lunch of the week. The cool, tangy slaw balances the rich beef. Do you love leftovers as much as the first meal?

You will need: 1 1/2 cups sliced leftover brisket with some of its onions and juices, 4 brioche buns, 2 cups coleslaw mix, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp cider vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, pinch of salt, pickles.

How to make it: 1. Warm the brisket gently in a covered pan with its juices. 2. Toss the coleslaw mix with mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and salt. 3. Toast the buns. 4. Pile on the brisket and a spoon of onions. 5. Top with slaw and serve with pickles.

The Duck Ragu Gwyneth Paltrow Shared With Her Father

Gwyneth Paltrow told NPR this was the most meaningful recipe in her book. She ate duck ragu with her father at a trattoria in Cortona, Italy, on the first night of a trip for her 30th birthday, and it was their last real heart to heart. Our version braises duck legs in tomato and wine until they fall apart over wide pappardelle.

You will need: 4 duck legs, salt and pepper, 1 onion, 1 carrot and 1 celery rib (all finely chopped), 3 garlic cloves, 1 cup red wine, 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 cup chicken broth, 1 sprig rosemary, 1 bay leaf, 1 lb pappardelle, grated Parmesan.

How to make it: 1. Season the duck and brown it skin side down in a Dutch oven 8 minutes, then turn and brown 2 minutes. 2. Remove and pour off most of the fat. 3. Cook the vegetables and garlic 8 minutes. 4. Add wine and simmer 2 minutes, then tomatoes, broth, herbs and the duck. 5. Cover and simmer gently 2 hours. 6. Shred the meat, discard skin and bones, and toss with the cooked pappardelle and Parmesan.

Our Twist: Weeknight Chicken Ragu

Duck ragu is a weekend project, so here is our easier weeknight version with the same cozy feel. Boneless chicken thighs simmer in tomato sauce with a little wine and herbs, then get shredded right in the pot. It is ready in about 45 minutes and tastes like it cooked all day. Perfect for a family dinner on a Tuesday.

You will need: 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, salt and pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 onion and 1 carrot (finely chopped), 3 garlic cloves, 1/2 cup white wine or broth, 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 lb tagliatelle or pappardelle, basil and Parmesan.

How to make it: 1. Season and brown the chicken in oil, then remove. 2. Cook the onion, carrot and garlic 5 minutes. 3. Add the wine, then the tomatoes, oregano and chicken. 4. Simmer covered 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken reaches 175 F and is tender. 5. Shred the chicken in the sauce. 6. Toss with the pasta and top with basil and Parmesan.

The Boyfriend Breakfast Frittata Gwyneth Paltrow Makes at Home

In a 2022 Vogue video, Gwyneth Paltrow made what she calls her boyfriend breakfast frittata, a favorite she shares with husband Brad Falchuk. It has turkey bacon, potato, spinach and onions caramelized in ghee. Here is our version of that combo. It is great for brunch, and leftovers make an easy lunch the next day.

You will need: 8 eggs, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 2 tbsp ghee or butter, 1 onion (thinly sliced), 1 medium potato (diced small and microwaved 3 minutes), 4 slices turkey bacon (chopped), 2 cups baby spinach, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional).

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Cook the onion slowly in ghee in an oven-safe skillet 15 minutes until caramelized. 3. Add the potato and turkey bacon and cook until golden. 4. Stir in the spinach until wilted. 5. Whisk the eggs, milk, salt and pepper and pour over. 6. Cook 2 minutes, add cheese, then bake 12 to 15 minutes until set.

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

In a 2020 Harper’s BAZAAR Food Diaries video about what she eats in a day, peanut butter protein bars were one of the highlights. Homemade bars are easy and need no baking. Ours use oats, peanut butter, honey and protein powder, pressed into a pan and chilled. Wrap them one by one for grab and go snacks all week.

You will need: 2 cups old fashioned oats, 1 cup natural peanut butter, 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup, 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, 1/4 cup ground flaxseed, 1 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips.

How to make it: 1. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment. 2. Warm the peanut butter and honey for 30 seconds and stir. 3. Mix in the vanilla, salt, oats, protein powder and flax. 4. Fold in the chocolate chips. 5. Press firmly into the pan. 6. Chill 1 hour, then cut into 12 bars.

A Cozy One-Pot Chicken Dinner

The same Harper’s BAZAAR video talked about simple one-pot dinners, and that is the kind of cooking busy families love. Our one-pot chicken uses bone-in thighs, potatoes, carrots and herbs in a single Dutch oven. Fewer dishes, more time at the table. What is your favorite one-pot meal?

You will need: 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, salt and pepper, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 lb baby potatoes (halved), 3 carrots (chunks), 1 onion (wedges), 4 garlic cloves, 1 cup chicken broth, 2 sprigs thyme, 1 lemon (sliced).

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Season the chicken and brown it skin side down in oil 6 minutes, then remove. 3. Add the vegetables and garlic to the pot and stir. 4. Pour in the broth, add thyme and lemon, and set the chicken on top skin side up. 5. Roast uncovered 35 to 40 minutes until the chicken reaches 175 F.

Homemade Pizza From the Garden Oven

A 2019 report said Gwyneth Paltrow cooks most of her family’s meals herself and loves making breads and pizza, with a wood-burning pizza oven in the garden. You do not need one to make great pizza at home. A very hot oven and a preheated pan or stone give you a crisp, bubbly crust. Want more family favorites? Try our pancakes from around the world next.

You will need: 1 lb pizza dough (room temperature), 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 8 oz fresh mozzarella (torn), fresh basil, 1 tbsp olive oil, flaky salt, cornmeal for the pan.

How to make it: 1. Put a pizza stone or upside down sheet pan in the oven and heat it to 500 F for 45 minutes. 2. Stretch the dough into a 12 inch round on a floured surface. 3. Move it to a cornmeal dusted board. 4. Spread the sauce and add the mozzarella. 5. Slide onto the hot stone and bake 8 to 10 minutes. 6. Add basil, olive oil and salt.

Easy Rustic Homemade Bread

Bread is the other thing she reportedly loves to bake for her family. This no-knead loaf is the easiest place to start: stir it together, let it rise, and bake it in a hot Dutch oven for a crackly crust and soft middle. The whole house smells amazing. Tear it warm with good butter and you will see why bakers get hooked.

You will need: 3 cups bread flour, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp instant yeast, 1 1/2 cups warm water.

How to make it: 1. Stir the flour, salt, yeast and water into a shaggy dough. 2. Cover and let it rise at room temperature 12 to 18 hours. 3. Shape into a ball on a floured surface and rest 30 minutes. 4. Heat the oven to 450 F with a covered Dutch oven inside for 30 minutes. 5. Drop in the dough and bake covered 30 minutes, then uncovered 12 to 15 minutes until deep golden.

Our Twist: Sunday Roast Chicken for the Whole Family

“The family dinner was very, very important,” Gwyneth Paltrow told NPR about growing up. In that spirit, we end with a simple roast chicken, the kind of meal that gets everyone around one table. Lemon, garlic and herbs inside the bird keep it juicy. So, which of these Gwyneth Paltrow family recipes will you try first..

You will need: 1 whole chicken (4 to 5 lb), 2 tbsp soft butter, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 lemon (halved), 1 head garlic (halved), a few sprigs thyme and rosemary, 1 onion (thick slices).

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 425 F and pat the chicken very dry. 2. Rub with butter, salt and pepper. 3. Stuff with lemon, garlic and herbs. 4. Set it on the onion slices in a roasting pan. 5. Roast 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, until the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 F. 6. Rest 15 minutes before carving.