Cakes

“Flourless”  Pistachio Cake

“Flourless” Pistachio Cake

Do you love pistachios? Do you love a decadent cake? If you’ve answered “yes” to both of these questions, this is the cake for you.  Plus, if you love food trivia, here is a bit of pistachio trivia to regale your friends when you serve…

A Keeper: Buttermilk Banana Cake

A Keeper: Buttermilk Banana Cake

I had buttermilk I needed to use. I had over-ripe bananas. (I ALWAYS have over-ripe bananas.) And, after a stressful couple of weeks, I needed cake.  So, this Bon Appetit recipe for Buttermilk Banana Cake called my name and it is (was) excellent. The sweet…

Oldies But Goodies: Blueberry Cornmeal Shortbread Tart

Oldies But Goodies: Blueberry Cornmeal Shortbread Tart

Every month Blue Cayenne features recipes from our archive of more than four hundred recipes. These recipes are our “Oldies But Goodies.”  Today’s Oldie But Goodie recipe is for a spectacular Blueberry Cornmeal Shortbread Tart . You can find the  original recipe here. You don’t want…

Reine de Saba Cake

Reine de Saba Cake

Ah, Julia! I had friends over for a party recently and decided to delve into Julia Child’s classic Mastering the Art of French Cooking for something special to bake. And there it was! Reine de Saba cake! The cookbook is part of a two-volume masterpiece…

Giving Thanks for  Carrot, Banana and Cardamom Cake

Giving Thanks for Carrot, Banana and Cardamom Cake

It’s the season for gift giving.  Here’s an idea: Gift a snacking cake.  Your gift will be as unique as it will be delicious. This recipe is adapted from a recipe in Chetna Masan’s great cookbook, The Cardamom Trail. You can find the book at…

Holiday Pumpkin Cravings: Pumpkin Bars

Holiday Pumpkin Cravings: Pumpkin Bars

Whoa! It’s Christmas at my local Costco! I haven’t even embraced the idea of Halloween yet, let alone considered spending $1000 (Yikes!) for an artificial tree. (For that price, maybe the tree comes complete with the presents!)  Pumpkin is beginning to sound good to me, though.…

A Honey of a Honey Cake

A Honey of a Honey Cake

Happy belated new year to those who celebrate. Last week, the Internet was rife with recipes for Honey Cake to celebrate Rosh Hashanha. Some of the postings were ebullient paens to the cake and its spicy flavors. I couldn’t resist and selected a recipe from…

Oldies But Goodies: 40th Anniversary! Marion Burros’ Plum Torte

Oldies But Goodies: 40th Anniversary! Marion Burros’ Plum Torte

    Every month Blue Cayenne features recipes from our archive of more than four hundred recipes. These recipes are our “Oldies But Goodies.” Today’s Oldie But Goodie recipe is for Marion Burros’ iconic Plum Torte. This month marks the 40th anniversary of that recipe…

Pretty as a Picture: Lemon Berry Yogurt Cake

Pretty as a Picture: Lemon Berry Yogurt Cake

  Lovely. Such a nice word. This cake is lovely. It’s pretty. The swirl of berries inside makes it beautifully appetizing. And, most importantly, it is delicious.  Right now, we are in the midst of a bountiful berry season here in Southern California, so this…

Plum Yogurt Cake

Plum Yogurt Cake

  Suddenly, the scent of plumson a mountain path:sunrise!—Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch     Plums are in!  I’ve got to agree with the delightful Basho haiku above. Plums are all good things–even sunrises. As you know if you read this blog,…