About June
Hi, I’m June! ♥️
Practically Homemade is a food blog focused on easy, comforting desserts—especially cake mix cookies, bars, and freezer-friendly recipes for everyday baking.
And if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s this:
feeding people is my superpower.
This is the year I turn 50, and more than anything, I’m choosing to make life delicious…especially in the kitchen. Not complicated. Not fussy. Just really good food made for real life and meant to be shared.
How It All Started
I decorated my first cake at nine years old and fell in love with home economics in high school. I’ve been in and around kitchens ever since—professionally and personally—as a former restaurant owner, culinary teacher, and a lifelong home baker.
But the truth is, it’s never been about perfection or what’s trending for me.
It’s always been about the feeling food creates.
The comfort of a familiar dessert, like my Texas Sheet Cake Cookies.
The joy of baking something simple that everyone loves.
The quiet way food says, I thought of you.
Over the years, that love of baking has turned into a published cookbook filled with simple, approachable cookie recipes that use cake mix to make everyday baking easier and more fun.
What You’ll Find at Practically Homemade
At Practically Homemade, I focus on approachable, dependable recipes, built on cake mix as a smart starting point.
Cozy, Reliable Desserts
Made with shortcut ingredients that actually make sense.
Cake Mix Treats
Cake mix cookies, bars, and cakes that taste homemade (because they are).
Recipes For Everyday
Recipes meant for everyday moments, gifting, and gathering.
This is the kind of food you make when you want people to feel welcome.
My Baking Philosophy
♥️ I believe baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.
♥️ I believe cake mix is a tool—not something to feel bad about.
♥️ I believe having something homemade ready—whether for today or tucked into the freezer—is one of the simplest ways to care for the people you love, like having a batch of Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies ready when you need them.
♥️ And I believe the kitchen is one of the best places to slow down and connect.
Whether you bake from scratch or from a box, you’re always welcome here.
If You’re New to Practically Homemade
You’re in the right place if you:
- Love desserts-like Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake-but don’t want unnecessary steps
- Want recipes that work for real life
- Believe food is meant to be shared
- Want to make everyday moments feel a little more special
If you’re new here and wondering where to begin, I’ve created a Start Here page that walks you through my cake mix baking philosophy and shows you the best places to start.
More About June & The Blog
The great news is that almost any recipe on Practically Homemade would be perfect. Each of the recipes on this site is simple to make with great instructions, easy to find ingredients and lots of tips. New bakers would also love my cookbook, Practically Homemade Cookies & Bars.
I am lucky enough to have a few people who made a big impact on my love of the kitchen. First of all, my mom, who always had a meal on the table every night and made it look effortless.
Secondly, my high school home economics teacher. Not only was she an excellent teacher but she also became my mentor when I went on to teach.
Lastly, my grandmothers. Grandma Anna Mae and Grandma Pearl were both people who cooked from their hearts and always had an extra seat at the table.
While I don’t have any gluten free recipes on my site, a gluten free cake mix can be substituted for any cake mix recipe with great results!
My best advice is two parts. First, read the recipe and then read it again. Be sure that you have all of the ingredients and that they are exactly how you need them {for example: softened}. Second, have fun!! Don’t stress out and have a good time.
Connect With Me!
My Work
I have been featured at Parade, Food Network, Food Gawker, Yummly, The Pioneer Woman, Eat Blog Talk, MSN and I do a bi-weekly recipe column for my local newspaper, Lake County Examiner.
I have also created recipes for brands and photographed content for companies like Carol’s Cookies.
If you’re interested in collaborating, you can reach me at [email protected].
