You know that feeling when you're standing in the kitchen, staring at a bag of potatoes and a slightly-too-old lemon, wondering how on earth you're going to turn them into a meal that doesn't taste like cardboard? We’ve all been there. Most cookbooks on my shelf are basically museum pieces—gorgeous photos of food I'll never make with ingredients I can't find at the local Kroger. But then there’s Barbara Costello. If you’ve spent five seconds on TikTok or Instagram, you know her as "Babs," the internet’s resident grandmother who seems to have a hack for literally everything. When the Everyday with Babs cookbook (officially titled Celebrate with Babs: Holiday Recipes & Family Traditions) hit the scene, it wasn't just another influencer cash-grab. It felt like getting a hand-me-down binder of recipes that actually work.
Honestly, it’s refreshing.
Babs—or @brunchwithbabs to her millions of followers—didn't start her "career" as a chef. She was a preschool teacher and a mom who just happened to know how to roast a chicken without setting the smoke alarm off. That’s the vibe of this book. It’s grounded. It’s practical. It’s mostly about the stuff we actually do in real life, like hosting a chaotic Thanksgiving or figuring out what to bring to a neighborhood potluck without overthinking it.
What's Actually Inside the Everyday with Babs Cookbook?
The first thing you notice when you crack open the Everyday with Babs cookbook is that it’s organized by the calendar. This is a smart move. Instead of the usual "Appetizers," "Entrees," and "Desserts" structure that leaves you flipping back and forth like a maniac, Babs breaks it down by occasion. We’re talking New Year’s Day brunch, Game Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, and all the way through to Christmas.
It’s about traditions.
The recipes aren't trying to reinvent the wheel. You aren't going to find molecular gastronomy or foam here. You'll find "Mother’s Famous Crumb Cake." You’ll find her "Sheet Pan Easter Dinner." The genius of her approach is that she assumes you have a life. She knows you're busy. She knows you might have kids running around or a dog barking at the mailman while you're trying to sear a steak.
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- The Signature "Babsisms"
Each section is peppered with her "Babs’ Bits"—those little nuggets of wisdom that make her videos so viral. It might be a tip on how to keep your deviled eggs from sliding around the plate (use a bed of arugula, by the way) or how to properly store leftovers so they don't get soggy. It's like having a mentor in the kitchen who doesn't judge you for using store-bought broth.
I think the standout for most people is the "Family Favorites" section. These are the recipes that Babs has been making for forty years. There’s a certain level of trust that comes with a recipe that has survived four decades of picky eaters and changing food trends. The "Sunday Sauce" is a legitimate labor of love, but she explains it in a way that doesn't feel intimidating. She makes you feel like you can actually do it. And you can.
Why This Book Actually Ranks Above the Rest
Let’s be real: the cookbook market is oversaturated. Everyone with a smartphone thinks they can write one. But the Everyday with Babs cookbook works because it bridges the gap between old-school homemaking and modern convenience. It’s not "tradwife" content; it’s just efficient.
Babs focuses on "The Three E’s": Effortless, Entertaining, and Every day.
Most people struggle with the "Entertaining" part. We get stressed. We want everything to be perfect, so we end up hiding in the kitchen while our guests have fun in the living room. Babs’ whole philosophy is about getting out of the kitchen. She advocates for prep-ahead meals and "assembly-style" hosting. Her "Build Your Own" bars—tacos, baked potatoes, sundaes—are featured prominently because they work. They take the pressure off the host.
The Technical Side of the Recipes
If we look at the actual mechanics of the writing in the Everyday with Babs cookbook, the instructions are remarkably clear. There’s no "chef-speak." She doesn't tell you to monter au beurre without explaining that it just means whisking in some cold butter at the end to make the sauce shiny.
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The ingredient lists are also accessible. You can find everything at a standard grocery store. No trips to specialty markets for obscure spices you’ll use once and then let expire in the back of the pantry. This accessibility is a huge part of why the book has stayed relevant. It’s a "working" cookbook. Mine already has oil stains on the pages, which is the highest compliment you can pay to a recipe book.
Addressing the "Influencer Cookbook" Skepticism
There is a fair bit of skepticism whenever a social media star releases a book. We’ve seen the "aesthetic" books that look great on a coffee table but have recipes that don't actually work because they weren't properly tested. However, Babs (and her daughter Liz, who helps run the brand) clearly put the work in here.
The Everyday with Babs cookbook feels tested.
When a recipe says it takes twenty minutes to prep, it actually takes twenty minutes. It doesn't take forty minutes of "secret" chopping that the author forgot to mention. This transparency is rare. It builds a level of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust) that Google loves, but more importantly, that home cooks love. You trust Babs because she reminds you of your own mom or grandmother, but with better lighting and a microphone.
Not Just for Holidays
While the subtitle mentions holidays, don't let that fool you. The Everyday with Babs cookbook is very much for Tuesday nights. Her "One-Pan Wonders" section is a lifesaver for anyone working a 9-to-5. She understands the "mental load" of cooking—the decision fatigue that hits at 5:30 PM.
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- Her "No-Fuss Roasted Chicken" is a weekly staple for me now.
- The "Skillet Lasagna" saves you from boiling noodles separately.
- She even includes cleaning hacks, because Babs knows that cooking creates a mess.
It’s this holistic approach to the home that sets her apart. She isn't just giving you a recipe; she's giving you a system for managing your kitchen.
Practical Takeaways for Your Kitchen
If you're sitting there wondering if you should actually buy another cookbook, here is the bottom line. The Everyday with Babs cookbook isn't going to teach you how to make a 12-course tasting menu. It isn't going to win a Michelin star. But it will help you get a hot, tasty meal on the table without a nervous breakdown.
To get the most out of Babs’ methods, start with these three steps:
- Audit Your Pantry: Babs is a big believer in having the basics on hand. Stock up on high-quality olive oil, kosher salt, and a few versatile spices. If you have the "Babs Basics," you can make half the book without a grocery run.
- Embrace the Prep: Many of the recipes include "Do Ahead" tips. Use them. Chop your onions on Sunday. Make the sauce the night before. It changes the entire energy of the cooking process.
- Don't Fear the Shortcuts: If Babs says it’s okay to use a rotisserie chicken or a bag of frozen peas, believe her. Life is too short to shell fresh peas on a weeknight unless you really want to.
The real magic of Barbara Costello isn't just in the ingredients. It’s in the confidence she gives people. She makes you feel like you belong in the kitchen, even if you’ve burnt toast every day for a week. That’s the true value of the Everyday with Babs cookbook. It’s an invitation to stop worrying about being a "chef" and start enjoying being a cook.
Grab a copy, find the recipe for the "World’s Best Blueberry Muffins," and just start there. You’ll see exactly what the hype is about. Focus on the "Babs’ Bits" in the margins; they’re often more valuable than the recipes themselves. Learn how to properly cut an onion without crying (chill it first!) and how to keep your wooden spoons from smelling like garlic (lemon juice rub!). These are the small wins that make daily life just a little bit easier. That’s the Babs way. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s honestly just good food.