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Pumpkin Pecan Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

November 19, 2011 By 29 Comments

“I WOULD RATHER SIT ON A PUMPKIN AND HAVE IT ALL TO MYSELF, THAN BE CROWDED ON A VELVET CUSHION.”  Henry David Thoreau

I often walk this fine line of trying to be creative and walking off the deep end!  And what I’ve learned is that sometimes you just have to leave well enough alone.  Keep things simple and let the ingredients speak for themselves.  And for me, this applies most to baking cupcakes.  Maybe I’ve been watching Cupcake Wars too much!  And if you’ve ever seen that show….they combine some funky flavors in one cupcake!  What works well with pumpkin?  For me, it was the warming spices of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice combined with the cool tang of cream cheese, the toasty crunch of pecans and the sweetness of a drizzle of maple syrup.  If these speak to you then……. [Read more...]

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Red Velvet Cake Balls

November 13, 2011 By 63 Comments

“WE CAN ONLY BE SAID TO BE ALIVE IN THOSE MOMENTS WHEN OUR HEARTS ARE CONSCIOUS OF OUR TREASURES.”  Thornton Wilder

I was recently asked by Karina, a friend and former co-worker,  if I had a recipe for red velvet cake balls.  While I knew I had a recipe for red velvet cupcakes, I had never attempted to try and form them into cake balls until now.  Karina and I share a love for baking. (Especially on Sunday mornings!)  And she also told me that she wanted to make these to bring to her family on Thanksgiving.  So I was definitely up for the challenge!  Karina has so many wonderful qualities about her.  But the thing that I’ve always admired the most is that while she considers herself happy and lucky in her life, she has such a sense of gratitude about it and never seems to take it for granted.  So Karina….I hope you enjoy these.  And I wish you a lifetime of happiness and a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!  I have never been a huge red velvet fan ……until now!  And I think what has made all the difference for me is………. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Little Cakes, Petite sweets Tagged With: , , , ,

Candy Cream Tart

July 31, 2011 By 37 Comments

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

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...]

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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

 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...]

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Chilled Blueberry Soup with Honey Lemon Mascarpone

July 4, 2011 By 16 Comments

“I’M SICK OF SOUP OF THE DAY. IT’S TIME WE MADE A DECISION.  I WANT TO KNOW WHAT SOUP FROM NOW ON IS.”  Mitch Hedberg

 

Well I know what soup I’m having from now on!  I may not know the flavor, but I  can tell you it’s going to be chilled!  This is really a lightly sweet, summer dessert soup.  Just a few small ladles in a shallow bowl or dish is perfect.  I topped this with a savory honey and lemon mascarpone cheese and adorned it with a couple of toasted cream cheese pound cake croutons.  Okay….I won’t lie.  I had this for lunch after I took the picture!  Well someone had to eat it!!!  And it was delicious!!!  Now don’t get me wrong.  I love ……… [Read more...]

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Cream-Cheese Pound Cake

July 3, 2011 By 15 Comments

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

I could very well be a vanillaholic!  And it is a good thing that this recipe makes 2 pound cakes!  Because I simply couldn’t stop eating this!  You know how it is when you begin to photograph food like this.  You start munching on the ‘unsightly’ pieces that will never make it before the camera!  And the next thing you know…..half of the cake is gone!!!

This sweet vanilla cake is moist and savory.  And it forms a kind of chewy, crunchy crust that is addictive!  I think this 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...]

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Velvet Hearts

June 20, 2011 By 23 Comments

“WHEN YOU ARE SORROWFUL LOOK AGAIN IN YOUR HEART, AND YOU SHALL SEE THAT IN TRUTH YOU ARE WEEPING FOR THAT WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR DELIGHT.”  Kahlil Gibran

 These simple vanilla cookies are buttery and light.  But with the addition of cream cheese in the mix, they are substantial and almost savory.  I hope you will try them and jazz them up in any way you like.

Sadly today, my son said goodbye to his good friend who was taken from us much too soon and way too young.  The kitchen is always my solace.  I baked these with the most heartfelt thoughts of this young man, and in loving support of all the friends and family he left behind.  I hope that soon, we will all find peace in our own hearts again.  But I hope this…..especially, for my son Matt.

Hold tight to those who mean the most to you….and bake these for someone you love…….. [Read more...]

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Blondies with Dark Roots

May 16, 2011 By 21 Comments

“IT TAKES A SMART BRUNETTE TO PLAY A DUMB BLONDE.”  Marilyn Monroe

Sometimes I am in the mood for something more substantial than a cookie.  Something chewy that I can sink my teeth into.  But believe it or not….I am just not in the mood for the fudgyness of a brownie.  These blondies fit the bill!  The brown sugar and coconut make them chewy and sweet. While the bit of cream cheese gives them a rich quality.  And the bits of chocolate feel just right!  This recipe called for hazelnuts, but I used pecans.  (The first time I made these, the flavor of the hazelnuts was pretty predominant.)  You can definitely adjust this recipe to suit your  ‘color’!

What’s your favorite shade?…….. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bars Tagged With: , ,

Blueberry-Vanilla Cream Cheese Hand Pies

May 7, 2011 By 6 Comments

“A MOTHER IS A PERSON WHO SEEING THERE ARE ONLY FOUR PIECES OF PIE FOR FIVE PEOPLE, PROMPTLY ANNOUNCES SHE NEVER DID CARE FOR PIE.”  Tenneva Jordan

 Well the bad news is, it is Mother’s Day weekend and my guys are once again away at school.  The good news is, this recipe makes 10 hand pies and there’s only one of me!!!  This is a perfect Saturday morning recipe.  It is quick and easy and amazing in flavor!  I love, love, love blueberries!  And I will be using them a lot as spring turns into summer.

But this recipe is simple and  delicious!  The pies are incredibly light given the buttery, flaky crust and the amount of blueberries and cream cheese packed inside of them.  They come together quickly, but the end result is something pretty special.  I hope you will give them a try and feel free to mix and match berries and liqueur.  Yum! [Read more...]

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Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

April 24, 2011 By 8 Comments

“LARGE, NAKED, RAW CARROTS ARE ACCEPTABLE AS FOOD ONLY TO THOSE WHO LIVE IN HUTCHES EAGERLY AWAITING EASTER.”  Fran Lebowitz

 

Actually, I like carrots.  Though I prefer them cooked than raw.  And even so much better when nestled in sweet cakey goodness! Yet somehow, I still feel healthy when I eat any baked good containing carrots!

These are a cinch to make and very very moist and flavorful.  It was originally a cake recipe and the tops came out kind of flat.  But that was actually the best part.  It taste like a carrot cookie on top of a carrot cake! [Read more...]

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