Harry Potter Fans, Listen Up. You Can Now Take Free Virtual Classes at Hogwarts.
Updated: Apr. 14, 2021
Accio computer!
If you’re still a little bummed that your acceptance letter from Hogwarts never came, this is the news you’ve been waiting to hear.
Well, OK—we’re not going to transport you to a magical castle filled with secrets and mystery. (And, at a time like this, even the Hogwarts students would be social distancing). But we can let you know about an awesome program that’ll inspire your inner Potterhead.
Through Hogwarts is Here, a Harry Potter fan website, you can take magical classes like Defense Against The Dark Arts, Potions and more. And best of all, it’s totally free.
Check out our favorite Harry Potter kitchen gear, too.
You’re a Wizard!
That’s right, Potterheads: At Hogwarts Is Here, you can enroll in classes for all grade levels. First-years, for example, typically enroll in seven iconic wizarding courses—Charms, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, Herbology, History of Magic and Transfiguration—and you’ll complete assignments, quizzes and exams. You’ll also be excited to hear that yes, you can play Quidditch.
Sound fun? We certainly think so. And if you don’t want to be a student, you can be a House ghost, Auror or several other roles.
If you’re concerned about the authenticity of it all, rest assured that the experience is created by those who are as passionate about the Wizarding World as you are. The site’s been running since 2014, offering us Muggles the chance to experience the magic that captured us all.
Take Me to Hogwarts
So, how do you get to Hogwarts? Well, start by pouring yourself a glass of pumpkin juice. Then, head over to Hogwarts is Here and create a user profile. You’ll decide which house you’re in—no Sorting Hat here, tragically—and join a dorm with your classmates. It’s the perfect quarantine boredom-buster.
And if you need to take a break from History of Magic, you might be able to tune in to a brand-new Harry Potter TV show real soon.
Glazed Lemon Chiffon Cake
This fluffy cake is a real treat drizzled with the sweet-tart lemon glaze. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Classic Pumpkin Pie
Nothing says Thanksgiving like a slice of pie. And you can relish every luscious bite of this pumpkin pie recipe since the tender crust is made with canola oil and a mere hint of butter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Don't swap evaporated milk with condensed milk—they're not interchangeable. Here's what makes them different. 
Chicken and Asparagus Bake
Greet guests with a taste of springtime when this chicken asparagus bake is on the menu. It cooks in just half an hour. People savor the rich cheesy sauce, and it freezes well, too. —Ramona Ruskell, Columbia, Missouri 
Holiday Eggnog Snickerdoodles
Eggnog flavor is infused into the cookie and the glaze with this yummy recipe, perfect for the Christmas season.—Bonnie Massimino, Brookeville, Maryland 
Beef Enchiladas Verdes
These beef enchiladas verdes are easy to make ahead and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. After quickly cooking the tortillas in hot oil, I layer them between paper napkins to soak up excess oil. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas 
Raspberry Lemon Cake
Want a change from chocolate cake? Try this elegant lemon raspberry cake packed with refreshing citrus flavor, from the cake to the homemade lemon curd and creamy frosting. It won a blue ribbon at the Alaska State Fair and it's definitely a winner with me. —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin 
Party Meatballs
These meatballs in a sweet, tangy sauce can be made a day in advance and reheated. We usually serve them at birthday parties. - Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. 
Holiday Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Family and friends can't seem to get enough of this deliciously different cheesecake that combines my two favorite desserts—sweet potato pie and cheesecake. I think the dessert tastes best if made 24 to 48 hours prior to serving. —Melanie Bauder, Manlius, New York 
Southern Mac and Cheese
No down-home meal is complete without Southern mac and cheese. Three types of cheese and a squirt of mustard make this comforting dish sing! —Katie Sloan, Charlotte, North Carolina 
Gob Cake
This gob cake recipe has been passed down in our family for generations. We always eat it at our gatherings. —Kristina Hershey, Columbia, Pennsylvania 
Stroganoff Soup
My husband and I share a love for all kinds of soup and came up with this delicious recipe together. It really does taste like beef Stoganoff. With a crusty roll, it's a satisfying meal in itself. Triple Chocolate Fudge
This recipe makes more than enough to share with family and friends. It's the ultimate yummy gift! —Linette Shepherd, Williamston, Michigan 
Pumpkin Spice Custard
Here's a traditional slow-cooker pumpkin spice custard with some espresso powder for a latte effect. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
Caramel Tassies
These buttery, smooth caramel tassies make a nice addition to a dessert tray. These are ones that my family looks forward to every year. —Jane Bricker, Scottdale, Pennsylvania 
Golden Clam Chowder
This is comfort food at its best! Yes, you can have a warm bowl of homemade clam chowder for dinner tonight or any night. The soup is seasoned expertly and thyme adds a great dimension of flavor. —Amanda Bowyer, Caldwell, Idaho 
Old-Fashioned Oat Bread
When this old-fashioned oat bread is baking, it reminds me of childhood and the warm, inviting aromas that greeted me after school. The light sweet flavor, crispy crust and hearty texture of this bread made for a special treat when Mom baked it for us. —Gloria Murtha, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania 
Mexican Chicken Bake
I've had this Mexican chicken bake recipe for 30 years. Since my kids, grandkids and guests of all ages request it often and it takes only about 30 minutes to make, I have it at least once every other month! —Linda Humphreys, Buchanan, Michigan 
No-Bake Peanut Brownies
You can enlist the kids to help make these chocolaty peanut butter brownies. I like
the fact that I can enjoy them but keep my kitchen cool, especially in summer. —Connie Ward, Mount Pleasant, IA 
Best Banana Ice Cream
My son-in-law says this is the best banana ice cream he’s ever had. It’s always requested at family gatherings. —Donna Robbins, Skiatook, Oklahoma 
Best Seafood Chowder
My husband is an avid fisherman. When a family get-together was planned and we had to bring something, we created this recipe using fish from our freezer. The chowder got rave reviews from the relatives! —Heather Saunders, Belchertown, Massachusetts 
Sweet Potato Souffle with Pecans
My grandmother makes this sweet potato souffle recipe every Thanksgiving. It's just so full of love and memories (and pecans!) that it needs to be shared. —Natalie Gray, Moreland, Georgia 
Broccoli Rice Casserole
This hearty broccoli rice casserole is my usual choice to make for a potluck. With the green of the broccoli and the rich cheese sauce, it's pretty to serve, and it makes a tasty side dish for almost any kind of meat. —Margaret Mayes, La Mesa, California 
Cake Mix Brownies
These cake mix brownies are a mashup of two of my favorite desserts. A woman I worked with gave me a recipe for chocolate caramel brownies, and I had a recipe for yellow cake mix bars. I wondered what they would taste like together, so I tried it. I've been making them ever since! —Staci Mergenthal, Verdi, Minnesota 
Creamy Caramel Flan
A small slice of this impressively rich, creamy, caramel flan dessert goes a long way. What a delightful finish for a special meal or holiday celebration. —Pat Forete, Miami, Florida 
Slow-Cooked Creamy Rice
This wonderful side dish goes well with any meat stew. I use whatever fresh herbs I have on hand along with the chopped parsley to add even more flavor. —Laura Crane, Leetonia, Ohio Chocolate Caramel Candy
This dazzling treat tastes like a homemade Snickers bar and has flavor beyond compare. When I entered it in a recipe contest at our harvest festival, it won five ribbons, including grand prize and the judges' special award. —Jane Meek, Pahrump, Nevada 
Comforting Tuna Patties
My grandmother and mother made these tuna patties on Fridays during Lent. I'm not the biggest fan of tuna, but it's perfect in this dish. These patties are even good cold the next day, if there are any leftovers. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington 
New Orleans Beignets
These sweet, square and holeless French doughnuts are known as beignets. New Orleans’ traditional breakfast always includes a few of these powdered sugar delicacies. —Beth Dawson, Jackson, Louisiana 
Contest-Winning German Chocolate Cream Pie
I've won quite a few awards in recipe contests over the past 10 years, and I was delighted that this luscious pie sent me to the Great American Pie Show finals. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan Ribbon Fantasy Fudge
I developed this recipe especially for my husband, who likes anything that has chocolate and peanut butter together! 
Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
This creamy recipe brings two of my absolute favorite foods together in one! The tomato, fresh lettuce and crisp bacon toppers make this soup taste as if it's burger time. —Geoff Bales, Hemet, California Classic Swedish Meatballs
I'm a "Svenska flicka" (Swedish girl) from northwest Iowa, where many Swedes settled at the turn of the century. This recipe was given to me by a Swedish friend. It's obviously a 20th century version of a 19th century favorite, since back then they didn't have bouillon cubes or evaporated milk! I think you'll agree that these modern-day "Kottbullar" are very tasty. —Emily Gould, Hawarden, Iowa
Fluffy Waffles
A friend shared this fluffy waffle recipe with me a few years ago. The cinnamon cream syrup is a nice change from maple syrup, and it keeps quite well in the fridge. Our two children also like it on toast. —Amy Gilles, Ellsworth, Wisconsin Creamy Chicken Rice Soup
I came up with this creamy chicken rice soup recipe while making some adjustments to a favorite stovetop chicken casserole. We like this soup for lunch with a crisp roll and fresh fruit. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado 
Chocolate Cream Pie
Our teenage son, John, has done lots of 4-H baking. This old-fashioned chocolate cream pie recipe with a flaky crust was his favorite thing to make. —Mary Anderson, De Valls Bluff, Arkansas 
Cheesy Chile Casserole
A short list of ingredients packs full flavor in this easy-to-assemble casserole. Serve it as the star of your next southwestern meal. —Phyllis Bidwell, Las Vegas, Nevada 
Broccoli-Mushroom Bubble Bake
I got bored with the same old breakfast casseroles I'd see at our monthly moms' meetings, so I decided to create something new. Judging by the reactions of the other moms, I think I have a winner. —Shannon Koene, Blacksburg, Virginia Garlicky Cheddar Cheese Bisque
I came up with a cheddar cheese soup a while ago and decided to give it a boost with a variety of root vegetables. Crushed pita chips and fresh parsley make fun garnishes. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania 
Butterscotch Pumpkin Fudge
Each one of these creamy, heartwarming treats is like a bite-sized pumpkin pie. —Kathleen Henne, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 
Chunky Potato Leek Soup
My family and I crave a steaming bowl of potato leek soup on a cold winter evening, but we don't want the butter and fat content of regular soup recipes. So I created this lighter version. I have shared it with many folks, and everyone who has tried it loves it for the robust, satisfying flavor. —Christine Frye, Odessa, Missouri
Homemade Irish Cream
Add some creamy goodness to your cup of joe with a splash or two of this nonalcoholic Irish cream. —Marcia Severson, Hallock, Minnesota 
Saucy Scalloped Potatoes
For old-fashioned flavor, try these scalloped potatoes. They cook up tender, creamy and comforting and chopped ham adds a hearty touch. —Elaine Kane, Keizer, Oregon 
Cranberry Orange Pancakes
As special as the holidays, these fluffy pancakes are drop-dead gorgeous, ready in just minutes and brimming with sweet, tart and tangy flavor. Seconds, anyone? —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey Farmer's Casserole
Between family and friends, we average 375 visitors a year! This casserole is handy—you can put it together the night before, let the flavors blend, then bake it in the morning. —Nancy Schmidt, Center, Colorado No-Fuss Potato Soup
For a busy-day supper, my family loves to have big steaming, delicious bowls of this soup, along with fresh bread from our bread machine. —Dotty Egge, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota 
Raspberry Ribbons
I make these attractive, buttery cookies to serve at our remote guest lodge, and all the cooks in the kitchen are addicted to them! —Patsy Wolfenden, Golden, British Columbia 
Ravioli with Snap Peas & Mushrooms
Topped with the toasty texture and flavor of hazelnuts, this pasta makes an easy, earthy weeknight dinner. I serve it with an herb and lettuce salad and white wine. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida Pretzel-Topped Sweet Potatoes
Friends I've shared this recipe with say it's their favorite way to serve sweet potatoes. I like to make it for brunch as a colorful go-with dish. The mingled sweet, tart and salty tastes are an unusual treat. —Sue Mallory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania Pumpkin Patch Pie
If you'd like to make pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin, here's and easy recipe that eliminates the guesswork. Use a pie pumpkin for maximum flavor.—Jane Van Deusen, Oneonta, New York 
Shrimp Chowder
I simmer my rich and creamy shrimp soup in the slow cooker. Because the chowder is ready in less than four hours, it can be prepared in the afternoon and served to dinner guests that night. —Will Zunio, Gretna, Louisiana
Short a can? You can always use a substitute for evaporated milk. 
Butter Pecan Layer Cake
Pecans and butter give this cake the same irresistible flavor as the popular butter pecan ice cream flavor. —Becky Miller, Tallahassee, Florida 
Polynesian Meatballs
With pretty bits of pineapple, these meatballs are sure to attract attention—and the sweet-tart sauce brings people back for seconds. —Carol Wakley, North East, Pennsylvania Butternut Squash Bake
If I ask our two girls (ages 7 and 14) what to fix for a special meal, this dish is always requested. I discovered this slightly sweet and crunchy-topped casserole at a church dinner about 10 years ago, and now I take it to potluck dinners and come home with an empty dish!
-Julie Jahn, Decatur, Indiana 
Makeover Slow-Cooked Mac 'n' Cheese
This recipe is a clear example of comfort food at its finest; it's rich, hearty and extra cheesy. And because it's made in the slow cooker, it's also extremely easy. —Shelby Molina, Whitewater, Wisconsin Cherry & Spice Rice Pudding
I live in Traverse City, the Cherry Capital of the World. What better way to celebrate our wonderful orchards than by using plump, tart dried cherries in my favorite desserts? This slow-cooked rice pudding recipe always turns out wonderful. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan 
Italian Sausage & Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Flavor-packed sausage and sun-dried tomatoes are sure to liven up any simple pasta dish. I have a feeling that once you've tried it, it'll become a family favorite!—Dawn Singleton, Eighty Four, Pennsylvania 
Homemade Potato Salad
This homemade potato salad recipe doesn't have many ingredients, so it isn't as colorful as many that you find nowadays. But Mama made it the way her mother did, and that's the way I still make it today. Try it and see if it isn't one of the best-tasting potato salads you have ever eaten! —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York 
Three-Chocolate Fudge
I make this fudge at Christmastime to give to friends and neighbors. That tradition started years ago when I made more candy than my husband, three sons and I could eat, so we shared it. It's a tasty tradition I'm glad to continue. —Betty Grantham, Hanceville, Alabama Cream of Wild Rice Soup
Tender cubes of chicken, fresh vegetables and wild rice make this soup hearty enough for a meal. You can't beat the down-home comfort of a warm bowlful. I like to serve it with whole wheat rolls. —J. Beatrice Hintz, Neenah, Wisconsin 
Overnight Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
Recipes that don't tie me to the kitchen—that’s what I’m all about. I make this luscious dish the night before breakfast or brunch with guests. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania 
Coconut Clouds
Coconut lovers will have extra reason to celebrate when they taste these cakelike drop cookies. The generous frosting and coconut topping make them a hit at holiday cookie swaps. —Donna Scofield, Yakima, Washington 
Pumpkin Pie Smoothies
My pie-flavored smoothie is loaded with fruit. The spices make it all come together. —Karen Sikora, Dayton, Nevada Spiced Sweet Potato Pudding
One of my favorite fall desserts, this treat's rich flavors are well-suited to the chillier months. I like to serve it over a slice of pound cake or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho Gingersnap Sweet Potato Praline Pie
This luscious mix of sweet potatoes, spices and nuts is like serving pecan pie and sweet potato pie together. Bake it and watch everyone devour it. —Emily Hobbs, Ozark, Missouri Chocolate-Caramel Rum Coffee
This decadent coffee drink can stand alone as a final course or as a delightful complement to any chocolate or caramel dessert. Our family loves it after a special dinner or just for sipping in front of the fireplace. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
