I’m joined by Darla Bakker and her three daughters—Andrea Kolstad, Danielle Brandt, and Laura Feller. Darla and her husband, Jeff, live on a farm near Ruthton, Minnesota, where they raised their girls. Today, their daughters are raising families of their own in Minnesota and Nebraska—but one thing hasn’t changed: their love of gathering around the table.
This spring, Darla published her third cookbook—Darla Bakker’s Family Favorites, 3rd Edition—and this one is truly a family project. Her daughters helped organize, edit, and contribute recipes of their own, making it a generational reflection of Midwestern cooks. Within 349 spiral bound pages, they share more than 830 recipes. What a treasure to be handed down to generations to come.
From classic Midwest comfort foods to gluten and dairy free updates for a new generation, this episode celebrates the love and laughter that fill the Bakker family kitchen. And stay tuned for a surprise message from Darla’s seven grandchildren that’s sure to melt your heart.
You’ll find all of Darla’s recipes in her cookbook, but here are a few we talked about in the episode that are on my website randomsweets.com:
The Bakker family’s story is a reminder that recipes aren’t just about ingredients—they’re about community and connection. Whether it’s rhubarb slush on a summer day or hot dish in the dead of winter, food is how we remember, celebrate, and love one another.
And if you ever wonder whether one of Darla’s dishes made it into the book…well, just ask her: “Is this recipe in your book?”
Order Your Copy of Darla Bakker's Family Favorites
Copies are available for $20 plus $5 shipping by emailing Darla at jdbakker@woodstocktel.net, or you can pick one up at Johnson Flower Box, 155 N. Tyler Street, Tyler, MN.
Meet Your Host and Producer, Staci Mergenthal
#ourSweetMidwestLife
Website randomsweets.com
Instagram @potatoesandmittens
Instagram @randomsweets
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Email: staci@randomsweets.com
Midwest Food Podcast