Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Twirled Frosting

Posted on May 15, 2013 • 25 comments

I have been enjoying the sweetest of days. My niece’s Bat Mitzvah gathered family in beautiful bucolic Sonoma County, California – a place that stole a piece of my soul many years ago. A second niece celebrated the pivotal milestone of turning twenty-one. And, to add icing to my cake, Jael was able to join us from New York for the weekend. Few things in life provide more joy and warmth than family gatherings, the kind when multiple families from the same tree collect in one place for the singular purpose of sharing another’s accomplishments and successes. And that is how I spent this past weekend, nourished with both the love of family and more food than was reasonable to eat. Continue reading →

Posted under Baking, Chocolate, Cupcakes, Desserts

Ingredients butter, buttermilk, cake flour, cocoa powder, confectioners sugar, miniature peanut butter cups, peanut butter, peanut butter cup minis

Strawberry Pie Purses

Posted on May 2, 2013 • 12 comments

Almost a year ago to the day, I brought you this strawberry pie recipe that I made with my Mom during a trip home to Kentucky. Spring again, home again, and my fancy turns again to strawberries. These petite purses, each one housing a single, lightly sweetened whole strawberry, are a delightful individual alternative to a strawberry pie. Continue reading →

Posted under Baking, Desserts, Pastries, Pies

Ingredients butter, flour, strawberries, sugar

Atlantic Beach Pie – “Oh My God”

Posted on April 26, 2013 • 16 comments

Many thanks Jacob for introducing me to this recipe!

I received an email from my nephew recently with a link to an article from NPR’s Found Recipes series. It had peaked his interest even though he admittedly isn’t fond of citrus pies. Nevertheless, he was enticed by a couple aspects of the recipe. A crust made from saltine crackers was most intriguing to him, and I too found the crust alone was enough of a reason to try this pie. Also, the recipe seemed like such a cinch to make that it made it even more attractive. I’m not sure if he was baiting me or simply sharing, but I jumped to it immediately. When a nephew takes the time to follow my blog and suggest a recipe, I am happy to oblige whatever the reason. Continue reading →

Posted under Baking, Pies, Quick and Easy

Ingredients egg yolk, lemon juice, lime juice, saltine crackers, sweetened condensed milk

Cranberry Pecan Cream Scones with Orange Glaze

Posted on April 16, 2013 • 6 comments

I tend not to toss the word “perfect” around lightly. In fact, I did a post where I shared my feelings on perfectionism. Yet, there are those times when no other words seems to suffice. I have tasted and made many scones in my baking lifetime and I tell you – these are perfect little scones. Continue reading →

Posted under Baking, Breakfast, Scones

Ingredients butter, confectioners sugar, cranberries, eggs, heavy cream, orange zest, pecans, sugar

Chocolate Malt Cake with Malted Milk Frosting

Posted on April 13, 2013 • 16 comments

I was betwixt and between, one foot lingering in San Francisco, while the other was inching its way back into my kitchen some 350 miles away. I attended a conference in the City by the Bay this past week, and as I sat taking notes during the final session, I found myself more and more distracted by the longing to get back to baking. San Francisco is not lacking in fabulous bakeries, and I certainly sampled a few of them during my stay. I wasn’t in need of a cupcake, tart, or eclair. What I needed was to sate my creative soul, something that baking satisfies so well. Continue reading →

Posted under Baking, Cakes, Chocolate, Desserts

Ingredients butter, Dutch-process cocoa, eggs, half & half, malt powder, milk chocolate, powdered sugar, sugar