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
Tuck Into a Bowl of This French Onion Soup Pasta
It's all the best parts of French onion soup, with the warm carby embrace of pasta.
The Fastest Way to Thaw Frozen Pizza Dough Without Ruining It
This fool-proof method is how you can thaw pizza dough fast and without risking "hot spots" in the microwave.
Tangzhong Is the Key to Making the Softest Bread You’ve Ever Had
Use this simple technique to make tall, soft and fluffy, stale-resistant rolls.
The Secret Ingredient That Will Make Your Hot Chocolate Ultra-Decadent
Your homemade hot cocoa recipe can rival even the creamiest drinking chocolate with this trick.
Celebrate New Year's Eve With a Crunchwrap Supreme Baked Brie En Croûte
The new year deserves a weirdo baked brie with seasoned ground beef and taco fixings.
The One Ingredient That Separates Good Sandwiches From Great Ones
With this simple trick, your sandwiches will never again be boring.
Give Pigs a Break With Pickles in a Blanket
Sorry pigs, but roasted pickles wrapped in pastry dough might have you beat.
How to Make Thicker, Crunchier, Better Granola at Home
For clumpy granola clusters that don't hurt the roof of your mouth, try these tricks.
You Should Make Nutella Hot Chocolate Right Away
Do you love Nutella so much you wish you could drink it? Well, now you can.
Allie's Christmas Pudding Chronicles: Flambéing and Serving
Christmas is here, and it's finally time to light your pudding.
Make This Easy Ham and Cheese Monkey Bread on Christmas Breakfast
When coated with garlic butter, ham, and cheese, canned biscuit dough transforms into something special.
Whipped Ricotta Is the Easiest Way to Upgrade Your Holiday Appetizer Spread
Use this easy restaurant technique to make the fanciest cheese toast for Christmas or New Year's Eve.
Faux Stroopwafels Are the Laziest Christmas Treat
This homemade-ish treat is ideal for anyone allergic to effort.
Cuccidati Are the Colorful Italian Christmas Cookie You've Been Missing
This Cuccidati recipe is a major glow up from the packaged Fig Newtons of your childhood.
Allie's Christmas Pudding Chronicles: Making a Hard Sauce
Whipping up a bowl of hard sauce made me wonder, "what other frostings should I add brandy to?"
Forget Roasting: Air Fry Your Chestnuts
Why wait to get your holiday vibes on when you can air fry a bowl of chestnuts in 10 minutes?
‘Marinating’ a Diet Coke in the Fridge Is Not a Thing
There's a way to get even colder soda, but "marinating" ain't it.
Make This Quick Eggnog With Ice Cream
This easy eggnog hack allows you to make a chilled, delicious batch in mere minutes—and you can make it vegan, too.
Christmas Morning Is Better With Cookie Dough Pancakes
While these pancakes aren't made with raw dough, crushed cookie crumbs create a similar effect.
These Cute Christmas Candies Are Easy Enough to Make at Home
Complete your Christmas cookie spread with a sprinkle of homemade nonpareils.