For Joanna Gaines, food has always been more than a meal -- it's a way to gather, create memories and carve out space for connection in the midst of busy schedules.
That philosophy is at the heart of her new Magnolia Table frozen baked good collection, designed to bring the warmth of homemade cooking to families who crave convenience without compromise.
"Food is one of the easiest ways to host well -- you want people to stay, to linger, to feel cared for. And part of that experience is feeding people, and feeding them well," Gaines told "Good Morning America."
The new line, which includes biscuits, cookies and other comforting staples, reflects Gaines' own journey as a mom and home cook.
She recalled the early years of raising four children under the age of 4 while also building a business.
"Going out to eat was harder than making a meal at home," she said. "At first, a lot of recipes were flops. But then my kids started loving them, craving them, asking for them. That fueled me to do more."
She said that shift in mindset transformed cooking from a chore into a creative reset.
"I don't have to do this -- I get to do this," she said. "It's a gift I get to provide for my family and friends. That hour in the kitchen after a long day is grounding for me. And sometimes, that's when the best business ideas come -- when I'm creating with my hands."
Still, Gaines knows that life today is hectic. With five kids in sports and a calendar full of commitments, she said she wanted this new food line to help families find balance.
"It's about those little cheats," she explained. "If you're making chicken and rice, you can throw in our biscuits. Or after dinner, add ice cream to the cookies and call it dessert. These are ways to make a meal feel full without having to start from scratch."
Authenticity, she added, was the guiding principle. Recipes in the frozen line match the ones from her cookbooks -- right down to the ingredients.
"If the cookie recipe calls for two cups of brown sugar, that's exactly what we used," Gaines said. "We wanted it to taste the same, whether you make it from scratch or pull it from the freezer."
Beyond flavor, she said she hopes people feel something bigger when they bake these foods at home.
"I want mom to feel like the hero in her kitchen," she said.
"When your kids walk in and smell cookies in the oven or cinnamon rolls on a Saturday morning, those scents bring comfort and remind us of home, she added. "My hope is that these products make it easier to create those moments -- the ones we remember long after the meal is over."
By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave Goodmorningamerica.com. These e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies than Goodmorningamerica.com. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Influencers may receive a commission or have business relationships with a recommended brand. SOME PRICES ARE DYNAMIC AND MAY CHANGE FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Have questions about ordering or a purchase? Click here.
