Meet Denea from @bitsycakes_! Let her latest posts inspire you, both in the kitchen and with your finances with her unique blend of delicious recipes and IRL financial advice. 

Baking up the perfect budget

Here’s how to whip up the perfect budget that’s as sweet as it is simple.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients (aka Your Statements & Bills) Just like any great recipe, you need to start with the essentials. For baking, it’s flour, sugar, and eggs. For budgeting, grab those bank statements, bills, and any financial documents you have. These are the basics you’ll need to mix together to set yourself up for success.

Step 2: Build Your Base with Rent & Groceries Think of your base ingredients like flour and sugar—absolutely necessary for a solid foundation. In budgeting, your base expenses are things like rent and groceries. These are your non-negotiables, the foundation of your financial stability.

Step 3: Add in the Wet Ingredients—Your Income Just as eggs and milk bring your batter to life, your income is what makes your budget work. Without it, things just won’t mix properly. It’s essential to know exactly how much is coming in so your budget stays realistic and well-balanced.

Step 4: Sprinkle in the Fun Ingredients—Self-Care & Savings Now it’s time to add a little flair! These are the extras that make life sweet—like gym memberships, self-care routines, or saving for something special. While they aren’t strictly necessary, adding them in moderation can make your budget more enjoyable.

Step 5: Bake It—Let Your Budget Cook for a Month Just as you’d let a cake bake to perfection, your budget needs time to come together. Give it about a month to see how it works out. It might not be perfect on the first try, but that’s okay! Take notes, make adjustments, and keep improving.

Step 6: Frost It—Splurge Spending Here comes the fun part—the frosting! In budgeting, this is your splurge spending. Whether it’s a vacation, a fancy dinner, or a shopping spree, these are the indulgences that make all your hard work feel worthwhile. But remember, too much frosting can overpower the cake, so indulge wisely.

Step 7: Put It All Together—Review Your Budget Now that all the elements are in place, it’s time to step back and review. Just like you’d smooth out the frosting on a cake, make sure your budget is balanced and everything is in order. A little tweaking here and there can make a big difference.

Step 8: Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too! Finally, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. A well-planned budget lets you enjoy life without the stress of financial worry. With the right recipe, you can absolutely have your cake and eat it, too!

As always, we’re here if you need a little help making ends meet or a financial cushion for those unexpected expenses. And while Bitsy might not share her cake, she’s more than happy to share these budgeting tips!

A budget-friendly Thanksgiving feast

Enjoy a hearty meal without spending a fortune. For under $75, you can whip up a feast that’s sure to impress.

Main Course: Breaded Turkey Breast with Savory Stuffing

Skip the stress of a whole turkey and opt for a breaded turkey breast wrapped around delicious stuffing. Bake it to golden perfection and finish with a rich gravy for a hassle-free, savory centerpiece.

Sides: Green Bean Casserole, Candied Yams, and Potatoes Galore

Complement your main course with all the classic sides. Enjoy a creamy green bean casserole topped with crispy onions, sweet candied yams drizzled with brown sugar syrup, and a perfect mix of au gratin and mashed potatoes.

Dessert: Pumpkin Pie

No Thanksgiving is complete without dessert! Round out your meal with a traditional pumpkin pie—smooth, spiced, and perfect for ending your feast on a sweet note.

Get Ready for Game Day with @bitsycakes’ Winning Recipes

If you're hosting a party for the big game or just hanging out with friends, these delicious eats from @bitsycakes are sure to be a hit. From hearty pretzel sliders to spicy boneless wings and a creamy shrimp dip, this menu has everything you need for a winning spread.

Pretzel Sliders: A Bite-Sized Victory

These pretzel sliders are the perfect handheld snack, combining juicy beef patties with caramelized onions and melted Colby jack cheese, all tucked into buttery pretzel buns. Here’s how to score with these sliders:

Ingredients:

1 lb 80% ground beef
1 pack King’s Hawaiian pretzel slider buns
1 Vidalia onion
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 large dill pickle
Colby jack cheese
Melted butter

Instructions:

Form the ground beef into 6-8 mini patties and season with salt and pepper.

Sauté or grill the patties to your preferred doneness.

In a pan, sauté sliced onions with butter, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce until they are soft, translucent, and caramelized.

Brush the pretzel buns with melted butter and toast them lightly.

Assemble the sliders with a layer of onions, followed by the burger patty, cheese, and your favorite condiments.

Garnish each slider with a thick slice of dill pickle on top, secured with a toothpick.

These sliders are small in size but big on flavor—perfect for keeping everyone satisfied between plays.

Boneless Wings: A Spicy Touchdown

No game day spread is complete without some wings. These boneless wings are crispy, spicy, and totally addictive.

Ingredients:

1 pack chicken tenderloins
¼ cup buttermilk
1 large egg
All-purpose flour
Adobo seasoning
Hot sauce
Buffalo sauce
Oil for frying

Instructions:

Cut the chicken tenderloins into thirds and marinate them in a mixture of buttermilk, egg, Adobo seasoning, and hot sauce. Let them soak up the flavor for 30-60 minutes.

Shake off the excess marinade and dredge the chicken pieces in seasoned flour, giving them a gentle squeeze to ensure a crispy coating.

Fry the chicken in 350°F oil for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown. Let them drain on a wire rack.

Once fried, toss the chicken in buffalo sauce for that classic spicy kick.

Serve these wings with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing to cool things down, and watch as they disappear fast.

Shrimp Dip: A Creamy Crowd-Pleaser

This shrimp dip is rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor—perfect for dipping with toasted naan bread or pita chips.

Ingredients:

12 oz cooked shrimp
8 oz cream cheese
4 oz sour cream
12 oz cheese of choice (Parmesan and Colby jack are fan favorites)
1 cup chopped spinach
1 onion
3 garlic cloves
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Chop the shrimp into small pieces, reserving some for garnish.

Sauté the chopped onion and garlic until fragrant, then set aside to cool.

In a bowl, mix the cooled onions and garlic with cream cheese, sour cream, spinach, shrimp, and your choice of cheese. The mixture will be thick.

Press the mixture into a baking dish, top with more cheese, and bake at 375°F for 30-40 minutes.

Once out of the oven, top with the reserved shrimp and serve warm with toasted naan bread or pita chips.

This dip is a surefire hit, offering a rich and satisfying flavor that pairs perfectly with the crunch of chips or bread.

Celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day with a Budget-Friendly Recipe

What better way to celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day than by baking up a batch of delicious, homemade cookies? @bitsycakes has the perfect low-cost recipe that’s big on flavor but easy on your wallet. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone.

Ingredients:

1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped chocolate (optional)

Steps to Baking Perfection:

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F. This ensures your cookies will bake evenly and develop that perfect golden brown color.

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is creamy. Add the egg, and mix well. Gradually incorporate the flour mixture and chocolate chips, folding in until just combined. For an extra chocolatey treat, you can also add some chopped chocolate at this stage.

Step 3: Chill and Bake

Scoop the cookie dough into even portions using a cookie scoop, and place them on a baking sheet. For the best texture, freeze the dough for about 15 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and results in a perfect, chewy center. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

These chocolate chip cookies are not only easy to make but also cost-effective, making them the perfect treat to celebrate #NationalChocolateChipCookieDay. 

🟦 Stay tuned for more food & finance videos from @possiblefinance @bitsycakes_