Hi, I’m Jen! Welcome to The Modern Gram! 👵🏻
I learned how to cook standing on a stool in my Grandma Dottie’s kitchen back in the 1970s. She was the kind of woman who always had a pie cooling on the counter and a potluck casserole tucked in the oven, just in case company stopped by.
Her kitchen wasn’t fancy, but it was full of love, laughter, and the smell of something delicious baking.
As a little girl, I remember stirring cookie dough with her heavy wooden spoon, sneaking extra marshmallows into her famous fluff salads, and watching in awe as she turned simple pantry staples into the most incredible meals.
Those moments in Grandma Dottie’s kitchen shaped how I see food today: it’s not just about recipes, it’s about memories, connection, and the joy of gathering around the table.
The Modern Gram is my way of bringing those nostalgic recipes back to life, think Jell-O molds, vintage cakes, fluff salads, and old-fashioned casseroles - while adding a fresh, modern twist.
I especially love sharing the holiday recipes that have been passed down through many generations in my family: the pies that show up every Thanksgiving, the frosted cookies we decorated each Christmas, and the creamy potato dishes that never fail to appear at Easter.
These aren’t just recipes to me, they’re traditions that carry the story of family gatherings year after year.
Today, I share the same kind of recipes that made my grandma’s kitchen special. Some are classic retro favorites, and some are updated with lighter swaps, but all are easy, approachable, and made to bring a little bit of nostalgia (and a lot of joy) to your table.
Whether you grew up eating these dishes at church potlucks, saw them at family holiday parties, or are discovering them for the first time, I’m so glad you’re here. ❤️