About The Happier Homemaker
Welcome to The Happier Homemaker, where making delicious meals for your family doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Founded in 2011 by Melissa Riker, this space is all about creating recipes that are simple, satisfying, and achievable for everyday cooks. From busy weeknights to special occasions, we believe that good food doesn’t require hard-to-find ingredients or complicated techniques—just a little inspiration and a whole lot of love.
As a mom living in South Georgia, Melissa understands the challenges of planning meals and getting dinner on the table amidst the hustle and bustle of family life. That’s why the recipes you’ll find here are designed with real families in mind—think cozy classics like Stovetop Cornbread and Cinnamon Apple Bread, alongside time-savers like Instant Pot Beef Stew. Whether you’re craving Southern comfort food or looking for practical ways to make weeknight cooking easier, we’ve got you covered.
At The Happier Homemaker, we believe that food is more than just nourishment; it’s a way to bring people together and create memories. With every recipe, our goal is to help you feel confident and stress-free in the kitchen so you can spend more time enjoying meals with the people you love. We’re so glad you’re here—let’s make dinnertime a little happier, together.
Meet Melissa
Melissa has been sharing tasty recipes online since 2007 when she started her first blog as a military wife and mother stationed far from friends and family. What started as a hobby led to the growth of a full-fledged business! Click below to learn more about her story!
In the Media
The Happier Homemaker has been featured in BuzzFeed, Good Housekeeping, Martha Stewart, CNN, Mashable, Country Living, HGTV, Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Today.com, The Huffington Post, Womens Health, AnaWhite.com, and Woman’s Day among many others.
Work with us
Interested in partnering with The Happier Homemaker? Check out our opportunities and sponsorships.
Connect with us
Find us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest.
For Recipe Questions and Feedback
Have a question about a recipe? Many answers can be found in the blog post, recipe notes, or previous comments—searching the post or using a quick web search might save you time! Still need help? The fastest way to get an answer is by leaving a comment directly on the recipe.
Just want to say hello or share your feedback? You can always email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you and do my best to respond to every email, but I appreciate your understanding if it takes me a little time to reply.
Work with Me
Interested in partnerships, recipe development, sponsorships, or freelance work? Please send inquiries to [email protected].
Media Inquiries
For media requests, interviews, or collaborations, reach out to [email protected].
General Inquiries
Not sure where to send your message? Email [email protected], and I’ll make sure it gets to the right place.
Looking for a Recipe?
Use the search bar on my site or type “The Happier Homemaker” plus the recipe name into Google. Don’t forget to check out my recipe index—it’s sorted by meal type, occasion, and more for easy browsing!