Autumn is the perfect time to break out your mixing bowls, aprons, and cast iron to whip up dishes that feel like home. Trace Barnett, the host of our original series Garden Party, specializes in cozy, Southern comfort food for the soul, filled with ample amounts of love (and butter). Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a total beginner, here are 6 delectable hand-picked recipes to try in your kitchen.

1. Peach & Blueberry Cobbler

Photo Credit: Kalli Cain / Garden Party with Trace Barnett

Fresh peaches, plump blueberries, and that tender, caramelized crust baked right in a cast iron skillet? Yum! An unfussy, forgiving dessert, this Peach and Blueberry cobbler is a great make-ahead dish for potlucks and holiday gatherings. Get the recipe or watch the video!

2. Grandmommie’s Lane Cake Cupcakes

Photo Credit: Sage Lucia / Garden Party with Trace Barnett

Alabama’s official state cake in a four-layer, bourbon-spiked, raisin-filled delight, and Trace’s recipe turns it bite-sized! This extravagant holiday showstopper will be welcome at any southern table. Get the recipe or watch the video!

3. Lunchroom Lady Rolls

Photo Credit: Heather Daniels-Whitson / Garden Party with Trace Barnett

Soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet, this soft yeast roll recipe is reminiscent of the ones served in school cafeterias, lovingly made from scratch. Serve them as a classic dinner roll recipe or enjoy them as a quick treat with a pat of butter. Get the recipe or watch the video!

4. Cheddar Apple Crisp

Photo Credit: Sage Lucia / Garden Party with Trace Barnett

Sharp cheddar and crisp apples? This surprising combination will be the BEST dish you’ll make all fall! Serve as a dessert or a side with roast chicken or tender pork. Get the recipe or watch the video!

5. Trace’s Tomato Pie

Photo Credit: Jake Bennett / Garden Party with Trace Barnett

This tomato pie recipe is a cherished dish that embodies Alabama’s love for fresh, locally grown produce and southern comfort food traditions. In the episode, Trace is joined by Birmingham’s award-winning caterer Kathy G of Kathy G & Co., who dishes out tips and tricks every Southerner should know. Get the recipe or watch the video!

6. Classic Southern Cornbread

Photo Credit: Heather Daniels-Whitson / Garden Party with Trace Barnett

All crunch and no lumps! A staple of southern cuisine rooted in the region’s agricultural and culinary history, this cornbread will shine in your seasoned cast iron skillet. Get the recipe or watch the video!

Want to try your hand at more recipes from Trace’s kitchen? Check out Garden Party on YouTube, follow us on Pinterest and tag Alabama Public Television in your foodie adventures!