Desserts

Blueberry-Buttermilk Pie Bars

Blueberry-Buttermilk Pie Bars

Blueberry Custard. Does that sound good or what? These Blueberry-Buttermilk Custard Bars are all that and more. There’s the slightly sour bite of the blueberries, the sandy crunch of the shortbread crust, and the glorious eggy custard.  This recipe is from Dorie Greenspan’s epic cookie…

It Gets An “A” Grade: Pear Fritter Cake

It Gets An “A” Grade: Pear Fritter Cake

My neighbor Sarah gives this little cake an “A.” I have to agree with her. I’ve been testing it all morning (a bite here, a bite there…you know how that goes!). It’s spicy delicious with all the right fall flavors.  This recipe is adapted from…

Esta es La Pera: Pears Poached in Red Wine and Cassis

Esta es La Pera: Pears Poached in Red Wine and Cassis

In Spain,  Esta es La Pera is a popular idiom used to describe a particularly enjoyable experience. Literally translated, it means “This is the pear.”    So, in the spirit of this season when pears shine, here is a “no fuss” dessert that showcases one of the best…

Banana Cake With Malted Milk Ball Garnish

Banana Cake With Malted Milk Ball Garnish

Milk Duds. Abba Zaba bars. Sugar Daddies. Atomic Fireballs.  (Atomic Fireballs?! Yikes!) Candy memories and Retro Candy. Who knew it was a thing?  I didn’t. But, then, I recently came across this recipe for a Banana Cake With Malted Milk Ball Garnish. Malted Milk Balls!…

Stay Calm and Carry Strawberry Basil Crumb Bars (in your purse “for later”)

Stay Calm and Carry Strawberry Basil Crumb Bars (in your purse “for later”)

  In the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, news sources are filled with colorful anecdotes about her life. One such story describes wild strawberry picking in the pine forests that surround Balmoral Castle. (No. Wait.  That sentence didn’t come out right. “Wild strawberry picking”…

From Breakfast to a Late Night Snack, This is An Exceptional Spice Cake

From Breakfast to a Late Night Snack, This is An Exceptional Spice Cake

  This is a spectacular little spice cake for just about any time of the day. (I’ve done personal research.)  The spices in the cake really sing, reminding me of the spicing in a good cup of chai. The cake is moist with a fine texture.…

Blueberry Cornmeal Shortbread Tart: It’s a Cinch!

Blueberry Cornmeal Shortbread Tart: It’s a Cinch!

Pie crust.   Let’s see a show of hands from those of you who love love love the taste of a crisp and flaky homemade crust but find making  it challenging–particularly during these hot summer months when those pea-sized balls of butter that are critical…

Lemon Raspberry Cornmeal Cake

Lemon Raspberry Cornmeal Cake

This Lemon Raspberry Cornmeal Cake is a sweet little dessert. It’s easy to prepare and I can personally attest to the fact that it is delicious any time of the day.  It’s pretty, too, with tart jewel-red raspberries suspended in the pale yellow cake. It’s…

Raspberry Shortbread Bars

Raspberry Shortbread Bars

These Raspberry Shortbread Bars are sublime! The shortbread melts in your mouth and the raspberry jam is, well, raspberry jam.  This recipe comes from Joanne Chang’s cookbook, Flour. You can buy the cookbook at your local bookstore or on Amazon here. Chang is also the author…

America Doesn’t Have a Monopoly on Chocolate-Chip Cookies: Chocolate-Chip Oatmeal Cookies With a Middle-Eastern Twist

America Doesn’t Have a Monopoly on Chocolate-Chip Cookies: Chocolate-Chip Oatmeal Cookies With a Middle-Eastern Twist

Every place in the world deserves a good chocolate chip cookie. Am I right? These Chocolate Chip Cookies With Ras el Hanout are right out of the Middle East. The recipe comes from New York Times Food Writer Nargisse Benkabbou and can be found on…