Like many lovers of pie, my favorite part of a pie, is its crust, followed closely by a gratuitous amount of filling. With that in mind, this Deep Dish Blueberry Pie easily becomes the ideal ratio for enjoyment. Its flaky lard and butter crust is pressed across a springform pan for easy handling and filled to its brim with a freshly made blueberry filling. A very small part of me thought bringing this recipe to a barbecue with only a few people would leave a few slices to be eaten (by me) later ... but I underestimated how much people love their pie. Enjoy!!
Can't eat gluten but love cornbread? These gluten-free Corn Cakes rely on a cauliflower puree to complete this pancake version of the delicious treat. A shallow fry completes the fluffy corn cake, which pairs as a great side with dinner or on its own as a warm buttery snack. Enjoy!!
Whether you're craving a tropical flavor or decadent dessert, even if you don't yet know you have such a craving, this three-layered Coconut Cake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream is sure to satisfy! The simple white cake stacked on heaping layers of 'fancy frosting' remains light and fluffy with each bite. The sweetened flakes within the batter suggests what its coconut flaked exterior provides: a deliciously classic coconut cake. This was another dessert eaten up in less than 24 hours, so be sure to save a slice for later if you want seconds! Enjoy!!
If you loved the Cream Cheese Pound Cake, then you may love this one a bit more. This alteration takes the same recipe and repackages it for a tasty morsel of sweet. The miniaturized Chocolate Stuffed Pound Cakes are baked in a miniature muffin tin, with a piece of chocolate placed into the center of each. It makes for a great bite-sized surprise for those not wanting to commit to a full slice of a cake. Enjoy!!
When I was growing up, Cream Cheese Pound Cake was a family favorite for a smidgeon of sweetness to go with a warm cup of (decaffeinated) coffee. Dense by nature, the cake is also soft, moist, with a nice spring in its form. It bakes into a soft buttery yellow and hits the right spot(s) each and every time! Enjoy!!
I wanted to stray from the cookie tray, but these Salted Chocolate Drop Peanut Butter Cookies kept calling me back! This classic cookie was not laden with peanut butter, but rather teased the tastebuds with only a hint. Don't worry! The peanut butter does permeate, in the subtlest fashion, its cake-like container under a drop of dark chocolate and sprinkle of coarse sea salt to finish. A variation on a traditional treat, but for me, far more preferable to eat. Enjoy!!
If you were ever wondering how to make Homestyle Hamburger Buns to serve with a juicy barbecued burger, you’re in luck: I wondered the same thing! Playing with dough can be instructive: some tinkering with egg led me to forming these buns, readily mistaken for a bag of freshly baked buns at a local bakery. The buns were light and fluffy with a sprinkle of sesame seeds sealing the look and eliciting the doubt-laden question: “Wait, you made these?!" Bake to impress. Enjoy!!
If anyone wonders where to put the extra jam leftover from an earlier recipe, these Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars may be the solution. When I make fresh jams, I usually make more than I can actually use, resulting in some alternative applications (think: sweet meets savory). In this dessert, the wonderfully tangy raspberry jam swirled into the vanilla cheesecake filling is a great blend of silky sweet atop a buttery shortbread crust. Another sharable treat that makes for a charmingly sized barbecue bite. Enjoy!!
This fresh Raspberry Jam is a perfectly tart addition to the growing collection of jams, jellies, and compotes. Serving up heaping flavor in a small spoonful, it works wonderfully as a glaze, atop breads, or as a filling. Enjoy!!
Besides their signature flaky layers, croissants are best known for their buttery taste. The chilled butter worked into the dough separates it from a basic bread and forms the layers many of us have come to appreciate. These Almond and Plain Croissants were inspired from a local pastry shop that makes some of the best croissants I've enjoyed in Los Angeles. The almond paste and glaze permeate the croissant with a delicious almond flavor and each buttery layer is thoroughly enjoyed with no need for additional condiments. Of course, if you want a croissant absent the sweetness, simply remove the almond paste and glaze from the mix. Enjoy!!
Years ago I met a wonderful French chef who baked some of the tastiest desserts, with Tarte Tatin being among my favorites. Forming the method from memory, coupled with my experience in classic southern pies, I shaped the dessert I thoroughly enjoyed. The caramelized apples flipped perfectly onto the golden crust and formed beautifully along the top of the apple tart. The dessert was just as delightful as I remembered and welcomed quite warmly by friends. Enjoy!!
A cook rarely complains when any particular dessert is incredibly easy to make, especially with a party on the horizon. These Almond Butter Truffles are a simple morsel of confection offering up what their name suggests: almond butter pressed into a rich chocolate. Served chilled, these truffles are lightly sweetened mouthfuls for dinner guest enjoyment. Enjoy!!
Sometimes on those warm, sunny days, you just don't want to share your afternoon treat with anyone. Paired with a refreshing iced tea, an individually portioned Peach Cobbler will satiate any summer afternoon! Each cobbler combines fresh peaches with a cloud of buttery cake, satisfying when served warmed or chilled. Why not brighten the afternoon with a portion for one; what began as yours, can remain yours! Enjoy!!
Now here's a simple treat that will take minutes to make and only seconds to finish. Peanut Butter Fudge is the disappearing dessert, combing popular flavors, packaged in its seducing fudge format. I made this particular recipe to use up a few ingredients and simplify down from all of the baking I have a tendency to do. The deliciously smooth fudge is something many learn in their pre-teens, and it remains just as delicious now as it was then! Enjoy!!
Have you ever been to a picnic or potluck and stumbled upon a tray of Lemon Bars? At the end of the event, were any left? With how often I have seen them around, it seemed time to put a version of the tart treats on eatTALK. With a buttery shortbread cookie crust to soften the zesty intensity of the lemon filling, wanting more becomes more certain with each bite. Enjoy!!
Until I was gifted with a madeleine tray, I never imagined I would make my own batch of these fancy miniature cakes. These Almond Glazed Chocolate Madeleines took some experimentation in their making, but thankfully the process yielded that worthwhile spongy finish. If you're looking for another coffee companion, perhaps a light almond glaze around chocolate purity is just what you need! Enjoy!!
A warm muffin can make a morning and these Eggless Banana Muffins may do just that. The blended banana permeates the moist cake with a surprisingly light cinnamon finish. Eaten fresh from the oven or cooled to room temperature, a dollop of butter will pair perfectly but is certainly not necessary. Good luck keeping people at bay, as these treats will surely disappear from any tray. Enjoy!!
