You are here: Home / 2011 / Archives for July 2011

Candy Cream Tart

July 31, 2011 By + 37 Comments

“SWEET LIKE CANDY TO MY SOUL…..SWEET YOU ROCK AND SWEET YOU ROLL…..”  Dave Matthews

Candy Cream Tart | From My Sweet Heart

Who doesn’t like candy???  I do!!!  But oddly, I’m just not one to sit down and eat a whole candy bar.  Sometimes I will go to the Godiva store and put together a box of chocolates for myself, choosing the pieces that look interesting and appealing to me.  I sneak into that box for a little reward; or if I want a little pick me up.  But I can make that box last a really  long time!  Well this candy tart really rocks!  And here’s why……. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tarts Tagged With: , ,

Honey Figs with Sweet Mascarpone Cream

July 27, 2011 By + 36 Comments

“BUILDING A DESSERT ON AN UNLIKELY FLAVOR CAN ALSO BE RISKY BUSINESS.  IF IT’S WARM AND CHOCOLATE, IT’S NIRVANA FOR MOST PEOPLE.  BUT I CAN’T GIVE AWAY PRUNE DESSERTS.”  Claudia Fleming

Honey Figs with Sweet Mascarpone Cream | From My Sweet Heart

 Claudia Fleming is an amazing pastry chef from New York City.  But I think I know how she feels!  From birthday cakes to figs!  Will I have any takers???   But you know, sometimes a sweet treat, for me,  is as simple as a fig.  I imagine this is a fruit that one loves or hates….or feels ambivalent about!  But for me….I LOVE them.  And while I love them fresh and unadulterated; when I cook them….I always enjoy adding a savory component like mascarpone cheese.  Even so…it makes for a very light dessert (or breakfast or lunch even!)   Let me tempt you with a pretty plate of them……. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Exotic, Figs, Fruity & Fun Tagged With: , , ,

‘I Wish It Were My Birthday’ Cake

July 25, 2011 By + 40 Comments

“IT TAKES AS MUCH ENERGY TO WISH AS IT DOES TO PLAN.”  Eleanor Roosevelt

I Wish it Were My Birthday Cake | From My Sweet Heart

Yesterday, I picked up a fabulous cookbook by Sherry Yard.  And in it, she talked about her earliest memories of baking.  And then I realized, there is no history of baking in my family.  In fact, my history of baking starts with me!  And it started rather late in my life.  So I tried to search back on any memories I had of instances where my curiosity about baking was piqued.  And I recalled a bakery near my home that I would go to for the most amazing cakes!  They only sold 4 or 5 different kinds.  But they were the kind of cakes I can only imagine a grandmother would bake!  And there was one in particular.  A yellow cake with chocolate frosting and pieces of penny candy and confetti and bows all over it.  Every time I saw that cake in the bakery I would think to myself…..‘awwww….I wish it were my birthday’!

And so yesterday, when I realized I was the beginning of the baking history in my family…I decided to start a tradition.  If you feel like celebrating your life….don’t wait till your birthday to do it! And so I give you…..‘I Wish It Were My Birthday’ Cake!  This is an adaptation of Sherry Yard’s recipe and one of the most delicious yellow cakes I have ever tasted!  The thing about making your own celebration cake is…….. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cake Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Key Lime Pie Martini

July 22, 2011 By + 12 Comments

Key Lime Pie Martini | From My Sweet Heart

  • 2 ounces of vanilla vodka
  • 1 ounce of coconut rum
  • 1 ounce of key lime juice
  • 1 ounce of heavy cream

Fill your cocktail shaker 2/3 way with ice cubes.  Add all ingredients and shake well.  Pour into a martini glass.  Garnish with a lime twist or wedge and finely crushed graham crackers ( or rim the glass with crushed grahams mixed with sugar).  

Today I was rescued!  So I’d like to make a toast to my son, Jeff, who came to my aid.  But also to the really kind gentleman from AAA who replaced my car battery in the middle of an unshaded parking lot at high noon in 103° heat!!!

Cheers everyone and TGIF!!!  Enjoy this lovely cocktail while listening to a favorite song of mine by TRAIN.  It just seemed appropriate for my day!

 

Filed Under: Dessert Drinks, Martinis Tagged With: , ,

Macarons Au Cafe-Creme

July 17, 2011 By + 31 Comments

“THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS, YET THERE IS A METHOD.”  William Shakespeare

Macarons au Cafe Creme | From My Sweet Heart

Well this is my first attempt at making macarons!  You know, for such a perfect little cookie, you hear so many horror stories about how difficult it is to make them!  But actually, it really wasn’t so difficult after all.  You simply must follow the instructions as exactly as you can.  I let my egg whites age for several days.  I measured everything (in grams)!  I even purchased thermometers for both ovens!  The only thing I would do differently is pipe them smaller.  (I know my piping skills are sorely lacking, so I should have measured here, too)!

But all the effort you will put forth will be worth it.  This delicately sweet, chewy cookie filled with rich coffee cream is like no other baked good in all this world!  While my first love is for cupcakes, I believe I am developing a passion for these amazing and special little cookies!  And I can see how some are inspired, by the most ordinary visual stimulus, to create these little sensations!  The possibilities are endless!  And here’s how you can be inspired, too…….. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cookies, Great Kitchen Reads Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Blueberry Pie Ice Cream

July 9, 2011 By + 46 Comments

“I GO RUNNING WHEN I HAVE TO.  WHEN THE ICE CREAM TRUCK IS DOING SIXTY.”  Wendy Liebman

Blueberry Pie Ice Cream | From My Sweet Heart

This is so far the BEST  ice cream I have ever tasted in my life!  I love it because it truly is a great combination of pie and ice cream.  I’ve seen other recipes include graham crackers in their version of ‘pie ice creams’.  But pie to me, is crust, not crackers.

This ice cream has all the components of pie a la mode.  Sweet cream ice cream with a hint of cinnamon, fresh blueberry compote, and chunks of sweet and savory cream cheese pie crust.  You won’t be running for the ice cream truck with a pint of this in your freezer!  Check out how easy it is to throw together…….. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Creamy Ice Cream Tagged With: , , , ,

Coconut Irish Cream Truffles

July 6, 2011 By + 15 Comments

“IF NOT FOR CHOCOLATE, THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR CONTROL TOP PANTYHOSE.  AN ENTIRE GARMENT INDUSTRY WOULD BE DEVASTATED.”    Author unknown

Coconut Irish Cream Truffles | From My Sweet Heart

I have been wanting to make some form of candy for some time now.  What better way to start than with TRUFFLES!!!  I had a few fits and starts.  The first batch a few weeks ago to include my old nemesis the strawberry….turned out like bubble gum!  And today, though the cream center had set quite nicely….I initially scooped them out a little bit large!  And after rolling the first few in chocolate and then coconut…..well they ended up looking more like meatballs than truffles!  (Hey!  I’m all for eating a Coconut Irish Cream Meatball!!!)

The recipe really is quite easy and you can make them any size you’d like ……. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Candy Tagged With: , , , ,

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

July 3, 2011 By + 15 Comments

“HOW DO THEY TASTE?  THEY TASTE LIKE MORE.” H. L. Mencken

Cream Cheese Pound Cake | From My Sweet Heart

I could very well be a vanillaholic!  I always add more vanilla to a recipe than what it calls for.  The vanilla gave this pound cake the right amount of sweetness and flavor.  And the cream cheese kept it moist and savory. Before I photograph anything I make, I naturally taste some of it, to be sure it is something I want to share.  And I usually taste the ‘less than perfect’ slices, that would not make it before the camera.  So I munched, and I munched, and I munched some more.  And the next thing I knew…..half of the cake is gone!!!  It is a good thing that this recipe makes 2 pound cakes!

This sweet vanilla cake has a moist but light texture.  And it forms a kind of chewy, crunchy crust that is addictive!  I think this cream cheese pound cake is a great canvas for all of the summer’s fresh berries (or ice cream, or chocolate sauce….you get the picture!)  But obviously….since half of my cake is gone……. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cake Tagged With: , ,