Jennifer Garner’s mom joins her in the kitchen for childhood-favourite cookies

Jennifer Garner has returned to the kitchen with her mom, Patricia Ann "Pat" Garner, for another playful episode of her Pretend Cooking Show. 

The mother-daughter duo has delighted fans once again, this time demonstrating how to bake Meringue Chews, a treat the actress said, “tastes like growing up.”

The 87-year-old Pat began the segment by sharing the cookie’s backstory. “Shall I tell the history of the Meringue Chews?” she asked. “I used to live in Rolling Hills subdivision, and we published a cookbook. 

In the first issue, Marge Aldredge put Meringue Chews. I made it dozens of times, and then I made a failure. I’d opened the oven door to check on them—you absolutely have to keep the oven door closed! Instead of coming out light and fluffy, it comes in a puddle.” 

Jennifer chimed in, jokingly dramatic: “Can you imagine? A Marge Aldredge Meringue Chew in a puddle?”

As they got to work, the playful banter continued. Jennifer cracked eggs for her mom to beat, but when a yolk broke, she exclaimed, “Oh hells bells!” Pat immediately instructed, “We have to throw that out and start over. 

We can’t have any egg in there.” Jennifer responded with a grin, “I know, woman,” while Pat suggested, “Maybe my job should be cracking the eggs.” Jennifer groaned, insisting, “I’ve got it, Mom.”

Throughout the episode, Jennifer kept the energy light and fun, dancing while whipping egg whites, sugar, and cornstarch, while Pat lent her seasoned guidance. 

When Jennifer chopped pecans and dates, Pat reminded her, “You should have your nuts,” to which Jennifer quipped, “Yes, I think anyone would see that there’s wisdom in having all this done before you start your egg stuff.”

Once the ingredients were folded into the whipped egg whites, the cookies went into the oven. Jennifer assured viewers, “Hey guys, you’re not getting touched,” referencing her mom’s previous baking mishaps, before closing the oven door. 

She later sampled two cookies, adding with a smile, “They taste like church, they taste like growing up, they taste like Marge.”

Pat has previously joined Jennifer for Pretend Cooking Show episodes featuring chicken enchiladas, “Grandmom Corn,” and other beloved childhood recipes, bringing both expertise and warmth to the series.