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
You Should Add a Pudding Cup to Your Muffin Mix
This simple move adds a little bounce and extra hydration to your morning quick bread.
You're Seasoning Your Potatoes at the Wrong Time
Prepared spuds straight from the fridge are nice for convenience but not for flavoring.
How to Make Your Own Oat Flour (and Why You Should)
With a couple household items, you can explore an entire world beyond oatmeal.
These Salt and Vinegar Freezer Fries Have All the Flavor and None of the Wetness
Enough with the sad, wet fries—use this method to get tons of flavor without a slippery mess.
You Should Be Freezing Chickpea Liquid
You can use it as an egg substitute or to thicken up soups and sauces.
Why You Should Never Skip the Egg Wash
For finishing, sealing, and acting as an edible adhesive, just one egg can save the day.
This Indian Shortbread Cookie Will Melt in Your Mouth
Nankhatai is a cookie you need in your life. And there's always room in our lives for more cookies.
Why You Should Freeze Your Pop-Tarts
Just grab some ice cream, you say? A popsicle? That’s quaint.
The Best Way to Get Every Last Bit of Hot Sauce Out of the Bottle
Don't let congealed bits of pepper seed stop you from setting your mouth on fire.
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.