Jennifer Garner Recipes: 12 Cozy Pretend Cooking Show Dishes, From Christmas Beef Stew to Grandma’s Pudding

Jennifer Garner recipes have a warm, homey charm that makes you want to cook right along with her. The actress started her Pretend Cooking Show on Instagram and moved it to her own YouTube channel in December 2025, where episodes now draw tens of thousands to more than 300,000 views each. Many of them are perfect for the holidays: a Christmas beef stew she makes every year from Ina Garten’s beef bourguignon, creamed corn and cozy cakes, plus her grandmother Exie Mae’s sweet potato pudding, which she shared with Ina for a Thanksgiving episode. This gallery gathers 12 of those dishes, with rounded view counts from her channel and simple home versions you can make in your own kitchen. Pull up a stool, because the show is about to start..

Christmas Beef Stew, a Jennifer Garner Recipes Tradition

Her Christmas table starts here. In her beef bourguignon episode, which has drawn about 136,000 views, she explains that she has made Ina Garten’s version every Christmas for years, and she admits she once almost lit the kitchen on fire. This home version is a rich, slow-cooked beef stew with mushrooms, carrots and pearl onions, made with beef broth. The tip: brown the beef in small batches so it sears instead of steaming, which builds the deep flavor of the stew. Make it a day ahead if you can, because the flavor deepens overnight and Christmas morning stays calm while it gently reheats on the stove. Love cozy dinners? See fall-off-the-bone comfort dinners. Mashed potatoes or crusty bread..

You will need: 3 lb beef chuck (cubed), salt, pepper, 2 tbsp oil, 4 slices bacon (chopped), 1 onion, 4 carrots, 2 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 3 tbsp flour, 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp thyme, 8 oz mushrooms, 1 cup pearl onions

How to make it: 1. Cook bacon, then brown seasoned beef in batches. 2. Cook onion, carrots and garlic, then stir in tomato paste and flour. 3. Add broth, thyme, beef and bacon. 4. Cover and bake at 325 degrees F for 2 1/2 hours. 5. Brown mushrooms and onions, stir in and simmer 15 minutes.

Cacio e Pepe Scrambled Eggs, the Top Jennifer Garner Recipes Episode

The most watched episode on her channel, at about 331,000 views, is cacio e pepe scrambled eggs, a cozy twist on the Roman pasta. Soft eggs get a big hit of black pepper and grated cheese. It makes a lovely Christmas morning breakfast. The tip: toast the coarse pepper in butter for 30 seconds before adding the eggs, which releases its flavor. Cook low and slow for creamy curds. Use freshly cracked pepper and finely grated cheese so everything melts into the eggs instead of clumping, and pull the pan off the heat while the curds still look a little wet. Love celebrity kitchens? See celebrity mom recipes. Pepper ready..

You will need: 6 eggs, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper, 1/2 cup finely grated Pecorino-style cheese, pinch salt, toast for serving

How to make it: 1. Melt butter over low heat and toast the pepper 30 seconds. 2. Whisk eggs with a pinch of salt. 3. Add eggs and stir constantly until soft curds form. 4. Stir in the cheese off the heat. 5. Serve on toast with more pepper.

Empanadas, a Fan-Favorite Jennifer Garner Recipes Episode

Her empanadas episode is one of her biggest hits, with about 313,000 views. Flaky pastry half-moons are filled with a savory beef, onion and spice mixture and baked until golden. They are great for holiday parties and freeze well. The tip: let the filling cool completely before assembling, so the dough stays firm and the edges seal tightly. Crimp with a fork. Make a double batch, freeze half on a tray, and bake them straight from the freezer for surprise guests; they just need a few extra minutes in the oven. Love savory pastries? See savory empanadas. Baked or fried?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, salt, 1/4 cup chopped olives, 2 hard-boiled eggs (chopped), 2 packages refrigerated pie dough or empanada discs, 1 egg (beaten)

How to make it: 1. Brown beef with onion, garlic and spices to 160 degrees F, then stir in olives and eggs and cool. 2. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. 3. Cut dough into 5-inch rounds and fill. 4. Fold, seal and crimp with a fork. 5. Brush with egg and bake 20 minutes until golden.

Whipped Cream Cake From Jennifer Garner Recipes

The whipped cream cake episode has about 219,000 views, and it is easy to see why. Whipped cream replaces butter in the batter, giving the cake a soft, tender, almost cloud-like crumb. Among Jennifer Garner recipes, it is a lovely old-fashioned surprise. The tip: whip the cream only to soft peaks before folding in the eggs and dry ingredients, so the batter stays light. Baked in a loaf pan, as pictured, it slices beautifully, and a little lemon zest is a lovely extra. It keeps well for two days wrapped at room temperature, and a spoonful of fresh berries on each slice turns it into a pretty holiday dessert. Love simple cakes? See buttery madeleines. With berries?

You will need: 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan. 2. Whip cream to soft peaks. 3. Beat in sugar, eggs and vanilla. 4. Fold in flour, baking powder and salt. 5. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Chocolate Chip Bread, a Holiday Gift Loaf

Her chocolate chocolate chip bread episode has about 196,000 views, and among Jennifer Garner recipes it makes the best holiday gift. The rich, moist loaf is loaded with chocolate chips and tastes like a brownie in bread form. The tip: toss the chocolate chips in a spoonful of flour before folding them in, so they stay suspended throughout the loaf. Her loaf is double chocolate; for a lighter loaf like the one pictured, skip the cocoa, add 1/4 cup more flour and a mashed ripe banana. Wrap in parchment and ribbon for gifting. The loaf tastes even better the next day, once the crumb has settled, so it is a smart one to bake ahead of a busy weekend of visits. Love quick breads? See easy quick breads. Who will you give one to?

You will need: 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup butter (melted), 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup sour cream, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup chocolate chips

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a loaf pan. 2. Whisk butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream and vanilla. 3. Stir in the dry ingredients. 4. Fold in flour-tossed chocolate chips. 5. Bake 55 to 60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Grandmom’s Cornbread for Stuffing, From Jennifer Garner Recipes

The Grandmom’s Cornbread episode has about 158,000 views and brings a family touch to the holiday table. Golden cornbread is great on its own and perfect crumbled into Thanksgiving stuffing. The tip: bake it a day ahead if you are making stuffing, so it dries slightly and soaks up broth without turning mushy. A hot skillet gives the best crust. Leftover squares are lovely split, toasted and buttered for breakfast, or drizzled with a little honey while they are still warm from the oven. Love cornbread? See cornbread recipes. Sweet or savory?

You will need: 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup melted butter

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 425 degrees F with a greased cast iron skillet inside. 2. Whisk dry ingredients. 3. Whisk buttermilk, eggs and butter and stir in. 4. Pour into the hot skillet. 5. Bake 20 minutes until golden.

Peach Crumble

With about 139,000 views, the peach crumble episode is a crowd favorite. Juicy peaches bubble under a buttery oat crumble, and frozen fruit works perfectly in winter. The tip: toss the peaches with a little cornstarch and lemon juice, which thickens the juices so the crumble is jammy instead of runny. Tossing in a handful of blueberries, as in the crumb pie pictured, adds a pretty purple color. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. It is one of the easiest Jennifer Garner recipes for a holiday dessert. Frozen sliced peaches work beautifully here, so there is no need to wait for summer; just thaw them first and pat away some of the extra juice. Love fruit desserts? See fruit crumble and cobbler recipes. Ice cream on top?

You will need: 6 cups sliced peaches (fresh or frozen), 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp lemon juice. Topping: 3/4 cup flour, 3/4 cup oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup cold butter

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. 2. Toss peaches with sugar, cornstarch and lemon and spread in a dish. 3. Mix topping until crumbly. 4. Scatter over the fruit. 5. Bake 40 to 45 minutes until bubbly.

Jennifer Garner Recipes for Meatballs in Red Sauce

Her meatballs episode has about 138,000 views, and a pot of meatballs in red sauce is always a comforting family dinner. Tender meatballs simmer gently until they soak up the tomato flavor. The tip: soak the breadcrumbs in milk for a few minutes before mixing, which keeps the meatballs extra tender and juicy. Brown them first, then finish in the sauce. Make a big batch on Sunday, because the meatballs freeze well in their sauce and reheat into an easy weeknight dinner with almost no effort. Love Italian classics? See Italian Sunday pasta bakes. Spaghetti or subs?

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup milk, 1 egg, 1/2 cup grated hard Italian cheese, 2 garlic cloves, 2 tbsp parsley, salt, pepper, 1 jar (24 oz) marinara

How to make it: 1. Soak breadcrumbs in milk 5 minutes. 2. Mix with meat, egg, cheese, garlic, parsley and seasoning. 3. Roll into balls and brown in oil. 4. Add marinara and simmer 25 minutes until 160 degrees F. 5. Serve with pasta.

Roast Chicken

The roast chicken episode has about 133,000 views, and it is one of the most comforting Jennifer Garner recipes there is. Crisp skin, juicy meat and pan juices make it perfect for a cozy weeknight or a small holiday dinner. The tip: pat the chicken very dry and salt it the night before, uncovered in the fridge, which gives the crispiest skin. Roast until the thigh reaches 165 degrees F. Save the carcass and any pan juices after dinner, since they make a rich homemade broth for soup on the next cold evening. Love chicken dinners? See easy chicken dinners. Lemon or herbs?

You will need: 1 chicken (4 lb), 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 2 tbsp soft butter, 1 lemon (halved), 1 head garlic (halved), fresh thyme

How to make it: 1. Pat the chicken dry, salt it and chill uncovered overnight. 2. Heat oven to 425 degrees F. 3. Rub with butter and pepper and fill with lemon, garlic and thyme. 4. Roast 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes until the thigh reaches 165 degrees F. 5. Rest 15 minutes and carve.

Breakfast Cookies

With about 124,000 views, these Jennifer Garner recipes for breakfast cookies start a busy holiday morning. Packed with oats, banana, nuts and dried fruit, they taste like a treat but feel hearty. The tip: press the dough into thick rounds before baking, since these cookies do not spread much. Bake until just set so they stay soft. They make a lovely grab-and-go breakfast. Store them in an airtight tin for up to four days, or freeze them and warm one in the toaster oven on a busy morning. Love breakfast treats? See make-ahead Christmas morning bakes. Raisins or chocolate chips?

You will need: 2 ripe bananas (mashed), 1/3 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups oats, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, pinch salt, 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries, 1/2 cup chopped nuts

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet. 2. Mix bananas, peanut butter, honey and vanilla. 3. Stir in oats, cinnamon, salt, fruit and nuts. 4. Shape into thick rounds. 5. Bake 14 to 16 minutes until set.

Exie Mae’s Sweet Potato Pudding

Her grandmother Exie Mae Garner’s sweet potato pudding is a true family heirloom, shared on her show and on a Thanksgiving episode with Ina Garten. It is soft, sweet and custardy. Many families finish it with mini marshmallows, though it is just as good baked plain and golden, as pictured. Of all Jennifer Garner recipes, it is the most personal. The tip: grate the raw sweet potatoes finely, which gives the pudding its tender, custardy texture as it bakes. It can be baked a day ahead and reheated gently, which frees up the oven on the big day for the turkey and the rolls. Love sweet potatoes? See sweet potato casserole. Is it on your Thanksgiving menu?

You will need: 3 cups finely grated raw sweet potatoes, 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups mini marshmallows

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a baking dish. 2. Beat sugar, eggs, milk, butter, spices and vanilla. 3. Stir in grated sweet potatoes. 4. Bake 1 hour, stirring once halfway. 5. If you like, top with marshmallows and bake 5 minutes more until golden.

Creamed Corn

The creamed corn episode has about 69,000 views, and this sweet, buttery side is a holiday classic. Fresh or frozen corn simmers with cream until thick and silky. For the freshest flavor, scrape the kernels and milky pulp straight off the cob into the pan, as shown. The tip: blend about a cup of the corn and stir it back in, which thickens the dish naturally and gives it a creamy texture without much flour. A pinch of sugar brings out the sweetness. This is one of the easiest Jennifer Garner recipes to bring to Thanksgiving. Leftovers make a cozy filling for baked potatoes or a quick base for corn chowder the next day, so do not worry about making too much. Love holiday sides? See corn side dishes. Will it make your table?

You will need: 6 cups corn kernels (fresh from about 8 ears, or frozen), 3 tbsp butter, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp flour, salt, pepper

How to make it: 1. Melt butter and add corn. 2. Whisk cream, milk, sugar and flour and pour in. 3. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring. 4. Blend 1 cup of the corn and stir it back in. 5. Season and serve.