Cakes, Cookies, Breads and Holiday Gifts

Brown Sugar and Chocolate Chip Pound Cake with Maple-Espresso Glaze

Brown Sugar and Chocolate Chip Pound Cake with Maple-Espresso Glaze April 25, 2011

This was one of those moments when all I had to do was see the photo and I was hooked. Line and sinker. Well, the name didn’t hurt. I love cakes made with brown sugar, what’s NOT to love about chocolate chips in a pound cake and then…the pièce de résistance. Maple Espresso Glaze. Done [...]

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Espresso-Chocolate Layer Cake with White Chocolate-Mascarpone Frosting

Chocolate Espresso Cake with Mascarpone and White Chocolate Frosting April 7, 2011

I was honored to have my sweet friend Lora, the Cake Duchess herself, ask me to help her with a post while she is going through some personal stuff. Every now and then I’m reminded of just how real our relationships are in this globally connected world and I’m not just happy to help; I’m [...]

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‘Irish Coffee’ Cake and a Great Cause for Children – St. Baldrick’s Foundation

Irish Coffee Cake with Irish Whiskey and Espresso March 8, 2011

St Patrick’s Day will be here soon and I’ve got enough Irish in me to start thinking about a celebration. Not a big party but an opportunity to pay homage to a part of my ancestry (My Dad’s parents were German and Swiss; my Mom’s English and Irish). I’ll usually make corned beef for dinner, [...]

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Salted Chocolate Toffee Squares

toffee squares February 5, 2011

If there is one thing I’ve been in love with forever, it’s toffee. I think a Heath Bar resulted in my first need to have a cavity filled when I was a girl and nothing has changed. I love a brand of toffee made locally called Enstrom’s (though miss the days before they become so [...]

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Raisin Walnut Bread

Rum Raisin Nut Bread December 20, 2010

A simple but satisfying bread with raisins and toasted walnuts that is an old family recipe. I already make Pecan Butter Ball cookies every year for the holidays and I attribute that recipe to my Grandmother Bathe. They are a favorite of mine and I recall fondly helping her as a girl and making them [...]

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The Best Sugar Cookies

Holiday Sugar Cookies - Festive, Easy and Fun to Make with Friends December 16, 2010

For many years I would spend days each holiday season making decorated sugar cookies. I started the tradition in my twenties with a girlfriend and we made hundreds of cookies that we rolled, cut out, decorated and gave to friends. I continued on with that tradition for many years when my kids where small and [...]

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French Fridays with Dorie – Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts

French Fridays with Dorie - Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts December 10, 2010

I’ve been wanting to join this group for weeks now but it began to feel as if it was not meant to be. First, my copy of Dorie Greenspan’s ‘Around My French Table’ was the victim of a shipping snafu with Amazon so I missed the inaugural event. Once I finally received the book my [...]

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Cranberry Glazed Orange Layer Cake

Thumbnail image for Cranberry Glazed Orange Layer Cake November 28, 2010

I make this cake every year for a holiday meal. This year it was for Thanksgiving but more often it’s for Christmas Day. The flavors are just fantastic and it is so beautiful. The combination of the orange flavored cake, the brown sugar/cream cheese frosting and the cranberry sauce make a spectacular presentation for this [...]

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Pecan Butter Balls, Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies?

Thumbnail image for Pecan Butter Balls, Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies? November 19, 2010

These cookies were made for our family by my Grandma Lizette every year that I can remember.  I continued the tradition growing up and have made them with my children and for holiday gifts every year. No matter how busy the holiday season, not one has gone by that this cookie isn’t at the top [...]

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Bananas Foster Cinnamon Rum Caramel Sauce

Thumbnail image for Bananas Foster Cinnamon Rum Caramel Sauce November 6, 2010

The first part of November is never about holiday shopping plans for me; it is about gift giving preparation. Every year, I make a basket of goodies for my best friends and family. I’ve learned over the past several years that I had better not wait as it’s best to get things done and in [...]

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