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for the time-starved or curious culinary adventurer

Dessert Recipes & Other Sweet Treats

It’s no secret that I love sweets.  But not just any sweets…really good homemade ones, none of that store-bought nonsense for me.  So I have a huge arsenal of the best dessert recipes across a wide spectrum—from more traditional cakes, pies, puddings, and cookies, to slightly more exotic babkas, biscotti, pavlovas, and choux.

I’ve got some great family secret recipes (like my mom’s amazing molasses cookies), a bunch of great gluten-free desserts if you need them, and desserts that are perfect for summer parties or holiday gatherings.

Not sure where to start??  Here are a few of my faves:

You can browse my full recipe index or a more visual index here, or explore the archives below…

The (IMO) Best Homemade Key Lime Pie

I’ve always loved key lime pie, and I have no earthly idea why I’d never tried making it myself.  But *then* a few months ago I did an awesome roadtrip through the Florida Keys and made it my mission to try and find the best key lime pie in the Keys.  I succeeded, and it inspired me to search for the best homemade key lime pie recipe.  

The Best Key Lime Pie Recipe | How to make the best homemade key lime pie...it's so easy! This is a traditional recipe, only a few ingredients & the perfect balance of tart & sweet. Easy key lime pie that doesn't take long to make, how to make key lime pie. A perfect dessert recipe any time of year, dessert ideas for party. #keylime #pie #dessert #grahamcracker #citrus

What makes the best homemade key lime pie? 

Traditional key lime pie has only six ingredients—graham crackers, butter, sugar, key lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk. 

I am a key lime pie purist, when it comes to it.  I want my filling to be a perfect balance of tart and sweet, with the lime flavor really punching through.  I like a creamy custard-y texture, rather than something more solid (like a cheesecake), or super light (with a whipped texture).

Then, I want a graham cracker crust that is buttery and a little sweet, with a bit of crumble to it.  Beyond that…I don’t love piling on meringue or whipped cream or whatever.  I feel it detracts from the flavor, rather than enhances.  But you do you.

See my ranking of the best key lime pies in the Florida Keys!

The Best Key Lime Pie Recipe | How to make the best homemade key lime pie...it's so easy! This is a traditional recipe, only a few ingredients & the perfect balance of tart & sweet. Easy key lime pie that doesn't take long to make, how to make key lime pie. A perfect dessert recipe any time of year, dessert ideas for party. #keylime #pie #dessert #grahamcracker #citrus

To figure out what the best homemade key lime pie recipe is, I sifted through a number of different recipes and also dug into Pancake Princess’s key lime pie bake-off.  And, like her, I ended up going with the O.G. recipe, from Cooks Illustrated.  Why mess with perfection??

I made this pie twice, once with fresh regular (Persian) lime juice and once with bottled key lime juice.  First off, I realize it’s not *technically* key lime pie if it’s made with regular limes but it tastes almost identical and most of us can’t get fresh key limes.  SO DON’T COME AT ME INTERNET! 

But my ultimate conclusion was that I couldn’t tell a major difference between the two types of juice.  Maybe if I’d tried them side-by-side, but generally speaking you can go with whichever you prefer.  I think I have maybe a slight preference for the fresh regular lime juice, but go with your heart.

You can make this key lime pie recipe with either fresh regular lime juice or key lime juice (bottled is usually what people can find)

So what you’ll see through this recipe is a combination of photos from both pies.  You can ignore variations of color in the photos, it was hard to get the lighting exactly right, but they were basically identical. 

Because mine has 4 egg yolks, it might be a bit more yellow than some, but all key lime pies should be some shade of pale to medium yellow—never green!

I was also honestly surprised how easy this key lime pie is to make.  I feel like, in my head, key lime pie was tricky (maybe because of the custard texture), which is why I never tried it before.  But it is wicked easy.

Easy Homemade Key Lime Pie - the best recipe aroundREAD THE POST

Super Easy 10-Minute Stovetop Orange Curd

It now seems tradition to start the spring season with a sweet and tart citrus curd (see last year’s grapefruit delight).  So when I got the hankerin’ for something bright, tart, and sweet, I decided to whip up some crazy easy orange curd.

Super Easy 10-Minute Orange Curd | This easy orange curd is made on the stovetop with just a few minutes and no special ingredients or techniques. A fast & simple stovetop curd that is great for cakes, crepes, swirling in whipped cream, and more! #orangecurd #citrus #orange #easydessert

And when I say “whip up”, I really mean that…sometimes people are intimidated by curds, but this stovetop curd recipe that I’ve been adapting to different citrus fruits is seriously the easiest thing ever!  Once you have your citrus juiced and zested, it only takes 5 minutes to cook.

Easy orange curd with berries in crepes

Rather like with my grapefruit and blood orange versions, this orange curd is a little less thick and a tad sweeter than the original lemon version, since the fruit itself is a bit more sweet and floral, less tart. 

The recipe below backs off the sugar a bit to account for that, and you could even sub in a couple tablespoons of lemon juice to up the acidity a bit.   

Super Easy 10-Minute Orange Curd | This easy orange curd is made on the stovetop with just a few minutes and no special ingredients or techniques. A fast & simple stovetop curd that is great for cakes, crepes, swirling in whipped cream, and more! #orangecurd #citrus #orange #easydessertREAD THE POST

Peanut Butter Balsamic Caramel Sauce

This is the caramel for people who hate caramel.  *raises hand* 

I’m not remotely joking…when I first stuck my finger in this peanut butter balsamic caramel and tasted it, I said out loud (to myself, and the cats) WHOAAA. 

Peanut Butter Balsamic Caramel Sauce | This amazing & easy peanut butter caramel sauce is brightened with a high-quality balsamic vinegar, and a bit of savory. It's the caramel for people who hate caramel. A great cake glaze, filling, & so much more! #caramel #balsamicvinegar

For me, caramel is usually way too sickly sweet.  But the addition of the peanut butter and balsamic vinegar bring a salty umami or savoriness plus a brightness and acidity that completely elevate this.  And I am on board!!

GOOD balsamic vinegar is key here, because you want something that is really bringing flavor to the party.  I used this Brightland balsamic from California that’s double fermented with zinfandel grapes and ripe Triple Crown blackberries.  It is SO GOOD!!!  I love their products and highly recommend!

Peanut Butter Balsamic Caramel Sauce | This amazing & easy peanut butter caramel sauce is brightened with a high-quality balsamic vinegar, and a bit of savory. It's the caramel for people who hate caramel. A great cake glaze, filling, & so much more! #caramel #balsamicvinegarREAD THE POST

Amazing Intense Dark Chocolate Sable Cookies

These “intensely” chocolate sables are the ultimate “don’t judge a book by its cover” experience.  These cookies are like being punched in the face with rich, bittersweet dark chocolate.  I felt like I had to lead with that. 

Intensely Amazing Dark Chocolate Sables | These cookies don't look like much, but they are the best chocolate cookie recipe ever...complex, rich, bittersweet chocolate-y, crisp and melt in your mouth. One of my favorite Smitten Kitchen recipes, perfect for keeping in the freezer for a craving. #chocolate #sables #cookies #cookierecipe

Read next:  The Kitchen Tools Everyone Needs

These dark chocolate sables bring such an intense flavor and it kind of explodes when you take a bite.  In my opinion this is the best chocolate cookie recipe, FULL STOP.  Yes, it’s unorthodox, but trust me on this.

Now, if you prefer super sweet milk chocolate type cookies, then I’ll tell you upfront that these are not the ones for you.  But if you gravitate toward rich, dark, complex, bittersweet chocolate flavors that aren’t sickly sweet…then keep reading! 

These dark chocolate sables are the best chocolate cookie recipe ever, and so simple!

So a few notes about the dough for these dark chocolate sables…I have to level with you, the dough is not the easiest to work with.  Rolling was HARD because the dough kept coming apart. 

But that’s okay!  They still turned out delicious and looked fine.  I’ve found that chilling it too long made it hard to work with, and I tend to use my palms quite a bit (for warmth to make the dough more pliable, which is counterintuitive with dough, I know). 

Rather than rolling it like bread dough, I made very small, light movements with the rolling pin, kind of little wiggles.  My bamboo rolling pin was perfect, and then my scraper tool was critical for picking up the cut-out dough.

Intensely Amazing Dark Chocolate Sables | These cookies don't look like much, but they are the best chocolate cookie recipe ever...complex, rich, bittersweet chocolate-y, crisp and melt in your mouth. One of my favorite Smitten Kitchen recipes, perfect for keeping in the freezer for a craving. #chocolate #sables #cookies #cookierecipeREAD THE POST

The Best, Easy Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes (Naturally Gluten-Free)

These chocolate molten lava cakes are a dangerous thing.  Why, you ask?? 

Well, when you find the best chocolate lava cake recipe and it only takes a few ingredients, plus it’s the best texture, plus it’s naturally gluten-free, PLUS it only takes like 15 minutes from start to finish…yeah, that’s dangerous.  I may or may not have made it multiple times just this week.

The Best Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes Ever (& Naturally Gluten-Free) | These easy chocolate lava cakes are crazy easy (only 15 minutes) and naturally #gf, made with only a few ingredients & endlessly adaptable. Keep as just chocolate or add a flavor in the center or to the batter! Easy unleavened dessert, gluten-free dessert, bittersweet chocolate recipe. Easy dessert recipe. #chocolate #lavacake #easydessert #unleavened

This recipe uses some of my must-have kitchen tools!

I got the recipe from the always-reliable Smitten Kitchen…she calls them chocolate puddle cakes, and she’s not wrong, because they are ooey gooey. 

Texturally they’re more along the lines of my flourless chocolate cake or a more sturdy chocolate soufflé, rather than cake-y or “fondant” as the Brits say (which I’m not mad at).  It’s a beautiful delicate texture that’s a blast to cut into.

The Best Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes Ever (& Naturally Gluten-Free) | These easy chocolate lava cakes are crazy easy (only 15 minutes) and naturally #gf, made with only a few ingredients & endlessly adaptable. Keep as just chocolate or add a flavor in the center or to the batter! Easy unleavened dessert, gluten-free dessert, bittersweet chocolate recipe. Easy dessert recipe. #chocolate #lavacake #easydessert #unleavened

I’ve included a lot of notes along with the molten lava cake recipe below, not because it’s difficult but because there are a few choices you can make based on your tastes.

For instance, I prefer them less sweet (closer to 1 tablespoon of sugar rather than 2 tablespoons) and I do prefer to put a little dollop of something in the middle to cut the intensity of the chocolate. 

I give you a bunch of ideas on that in the recipe notes, but some of my favorites are peanut butter, my unique peanut butter balsamic caramel, and tart cherry jam (with lemon zest in the batter).  It’s endlessly adaptable!

This molten lava cake has an ooey gooey center

Check out some other of the best gluten-free dessert recipes around! 
READ THE POST

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies (Levain Bakery Copycat)

Yeah, that’s a mouthful.  But these double chocolate peanut butter chip cookies deserve all of that name and more.  They probably are the best cookies I’ve had in my life.

Levain Copycat Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies | These amazing cookies are the best ever, absolutely addictive and super easy to make. After trying several, this is the best Levain copycat recipe around. These chocolate cookies are the bomb! #levain #copycatrecipe #chocolatecookie

So…this all goes back to December several years ago, when a media sales rep sent us a box of cookies at work from Levain Bakery in New York.  These cookies weighed like 5 pounds each and were the size of your fist.  

Now honestly I’m rarely that tempted by store-bought or bakery cookies.  I’m a homemade girl all the way.  But I was stressed and there were these chocolate ones with chocolate and peanut butter chips that were calling my name.

So I broke off a piece of one and took it into a meeting with me…GAME OVER.  I became instantly obsessed (and I ate the rest of that cookie, duh).  We decided to order more and then found out it was $75 for four cookies, which…NO.  So I decided that, hell or high water, I was going to find my perfect Levain copycat cookie recipe.

Levain Copycat Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies | These amazing cookies are the best ever, absolutely addictive and super easy to make. After trying several, this is the best Levain copycat recipe around. These chocolate cookies are the bomb! #levain #copycatrecipe #chocolatecookie

And I believe I’ve gotten like 99% of the way there.  I tried a couple different copycat recipes and this was definitely the closest.  I also read through a lot of the comments and suggestions and found a couple that make a big difference, so I’ve incorporated them into my recipe below.  

One other thing I’ve found is that I actually like them better the next day, vs. fresh.  The texture sets and they become moist and amazing and dense, and a little less rich than fresh out of the oven.

Fair warning, each cookie is like 550-600 calories.  But it’s definitely worth it on occasion.  Trust me and make these NOW.

Levain Copycat Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies | These are the best cookies around

READ THE POST

How To Make the Best, Creamiest Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)

For some completely inexplicable reason, kheer is one of my ultimate comfort foods.   I didn’t grow up with it at all.  In fact, I didn’t grow up with any kind of rice pudding.  But now it instantly transports me to a cozy happy place.

The Best, Creamiest Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding) | Kheer is the ultimate comfort food, & this recipes makes the thickest, creamiest, most delicious kheer you'll find. It's super easy too. A great winter dessert, perfect easy dessert. #kheer #ricepudding #indianfood #easydessert

In 12 or so years of falling in love with the amazing Indian, Thai, and Chinese takeout that surrounded me in Atlanta, kheer became one of my shorthands for a “treat yo self” moment.  Sadly, where I live now kheer is harder to find, as Indian takeout is an hour away roundtrip.   

So I assumed it would be simple to recreate myself, and I’d been mildly offended that every single recipe and technique I tried had fallen short. 

Then I stumbled upon this kheer recipe from Chetna (of GBBO fame!) on YouTube and was intrigued.  After trying it a couple times, this is definitely my ONLY recipe for kheer! 

The Best, Creamiest Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding) | Kheer is the ultimate comfort food, & this recipes makes the thickest, creamiest, most delicious kheer you'll find. It's super easy too. A great winter dessert, perfect easy dessert. #kheer #ricepudding #indianfood #easydessert

How can I made my kheer thicker?

My early tries at kheer were thinner than I wanted, and the texture just wasn’t great.  The way I’ve made my kheer lovely & thicker with a creamier texture came from a few techniques Chetna’s recipe gave me. 

The first is crushing the rice so it’s in small even pieces, letting it thicken evenly.  The second is not starting with ghee and rice, but rather by heating the milk.  Thirdly, using sweetened condensed milk rather than just sugar.

There are a couple variables I’ve tested out, including trying it in both a big saucepan (like a stock pot) and a wider shallow pan (Chetna uses a giant bowl-shaped pan). 

I also have played it by ear on whether or not I needed the extra milk at the end.  If I’m serving it and eating it mostly right away, I don’t always use it because I do like my kheer on the thicker side.  But it does really thicken in the fridge over a few days, so if you’ll be eating it mostly as leftovers you may want to add it.

I also always add a couple drops of either rose water or orange blossom water, because that’s just the flavor profile I find nostalgic…but JUST literally a drop or two.

The Best, Creamiest Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding) | Kheer is the ultimate comfort food, & this recipes makes the thickest, creamiest, most delicious kheer you'll find. READ THE POST

Smitten Kitchen’s Mind-Blowing Date Cake with Toffee Sauce

All this cold weather has me craving COOOZZZZYYY food, and this sticky date cake with toffee sauce absolutely fits the bill.   

Moist Date Cake with Toffee Sauce | This delicious toffee date cake from Smitten Kitchen is a perfect cozy dessert, super easy to make, & great for a crowd. This is like a simpler take on sticky toffee pudding, a great fall & winter dessert. #toffee #datecake #medjooldates

I’ve shared a “traditional” sticky toffee pudding recipe that is also absolutely amazing, but couldn’t keep this date cake a secret from you any longer.  It’s got some similarities, but is definitely not identical.

Date cake with toffee sauce, a perfect cozy winter dessert

I’ve made this toffee date cake twice, and the batter looked pretty different each time…one was very dark (likely more date-forward) and the other much lighter.  But both baked up deliciously.

Pro tip:  splurge on the medjool dates without pits, to save yourself some time.

A delicious sticky date cake with toffee cakeREAD THE POST

Simple & Amazing Chocolate Brioche Babka

We’re going “back to basics” with this chocolate brioche babka…why mess with perfection?? 

Now, I say “basics” not because it’s plain but because this marries two traditional dishes—buttery brioche and a chocolate babka—and executes them perfectly.  We’re not trying to get fancy here, no exotic flavors or crazy techniques.  Simplicity is the goal.  

Amazing & Easy Chocolate Brioche Babka | This chocolate babka is perfect in its simplicity, a marriage of traditional babka with a brioche dough. It's also surprisingly easy, perfect for both new and experienced bakers. How to make brioche dough, how to make chocolate babka. #chocolate #babka #brioche

For this I’ve used Smitten Kitchen’s recipe, and she never steers me wrong.  She made a few tweaks to hers that I’ve mostly picked up here as well.

I agree with her on the orange zest front (not that lemon’s bad, it’s delish, but orange is perfect).  I also skipped the optional pecans and extra sugar for the filling, because I didn’t feel it was necessary (and I’m not a nut person).  This brioche babka isn’t super sweet, so if you want it sweeter you could sprinkle some sugar on top of your filling.

Because this makes two loaves, you also could experiment with other flavors…make one loaf the traditional chocolate babka, then play around with the other.  The sky’s the limit.  I recently tested a cherry-apricot one with white chocolate which will be coming your way soon.

Amazing & Easy Chocolate Brioche Babka

While you don’t really *need* special tools to make this, there are a few that will help a lot.

  • First off, I STRONGLY recommend using a stand mixer for this, vs. doing by hand.  The dough has so much butter worked in that it would be very challenging by hand.
  • This scraper tool is super helpful for everything, and I use it to cut my dough logs in half.
  • I like a nice thin rolling pin to better control the dough, these bamboo ones are perfect.
  • These silicone basting brushes make it easy to brush the glaze on (and clean up well).
  • The quality of your cocoa powder and chocolate is critical.  I use this Hershey’s special dark cocoa powder and either these Ghiradelli chocolate discs or Trader Joe’s dark chocolate bars.
  • Similarly, the quality of your butter is essential.  Kerrygold is amazing, or look for some other very high fat percentage butter.

The lovely chocolate swirls in this brioche babkaREAD THE POST

Citrus Poppyseed Babka with White Chocolate

I’m on a weird kick when it comes to soft twisty breads, but this citrus poppyseed babka is definitely the most unique of the bunch.  And it’s a total winner…featuring super soft, pillowy, fragrant dough with a slightly crunchy filling, studded with bits of melty white chocolate.

What’s not to love???

Citrus Poppyseed Babka with White Chocolate Chunks | This super unique babka is full of flavor and texture, but isn't difficult to make. A lemon & orange poppyseed babka is perfect for any occasion, whether brunch or dessert. Made with a homemade poppyseed filling and chunks of white chocolate. #babka #poppyseed #citrus #twistybread #whitechocolate

I only made one small tweak to the original poppyseed babka recipe, adding in orange zest to the lemon zest for a more robust and sweet citrus punch.  

And that citrus blend goes so well with the gooey pockets of white chocolate…you don’t really taste the white chocolate (which is good, since I’m not a huge fan), but rather it adds some sweetness and moisture to the overall loaf as it melts in.

Citrus Poppyseed Babka with White Chocolate Chunks

This dough was really fun to work with as well.  You want it really sticky to start with, and that can be a bit terrifying. 

But avoid the temptation to add too much flour—both in the initial mix and while rolling it out—and you’ll be rewarded with this super stretchy, soft dough that becomes an amazing fluffy loaf.

Citrus Poppyseed Babka with White Chocolate Chunks | This super unique babka is full of flavor and texture, but isn't difficult to make. A lemon & orange poppyseed babka is perfect for any occasion, whether brunch or dessert. Made with a homemade poppyseed filling and chunks of white chocolate. #babka #poppyseed #citrus #twistybread #whitechocolateREAD THE POST

Lemon-Cherry Almond Tart with Rosemary Shortbread Crust

WHOA, is all I can say about these dreamy lemon-cherry tarts.  This was my first time attempting anything like this—on a very last-second timeframe, no less—and I was blown away.

First off, they’re so pretty!!!

Lemon-Cherry Almond Tarts with Rosemary Shortbread Crust | These delicious lemon tarts with cherry jam swirl are way easier than they look, perfect for a special occasion (including last-minute). Sweetened condensed milk, homemade cherry jam, and lots of tart lemon, with a hint of almond extract. #lemon #tarts #cherryjam #rosemary #shortbread #desserts

I’ll be honest, I kind of flew by the seat of my pants on these.  At the last minute I decided I wanted to bring a gift with me for a friend’s surprise 40th birthday party, but couldn’t think of what.  A special dessert!  Okay, with only a few hours and the ingredients on hand, what could that be??

After quite a bit of poking around I found a great recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction that was just right for tweaking.  Add a dash of fresh rosemary to the buttery dough, a little almond extract to the filling, and a thick swirl of tart cherry jam…and voila, birthday greatness! 

rosemary shortbread crust

These lemon-cherry tarts use a simpler filling based on sweetened condensed milk rather than a true custard, and even with the fresh lemon juice and zest was *just* this side of too sweet for me.  Along with the jam, a few sea salt flakes help balance this out.

I used my amazing bourbon cherry jam in these tarts and highly recommend it, but any similar jam will do (for instance, Bonne Maman makes a delicious cherry or four-fruits that is perfect).

Lemon-Cherry Almond Tarts with Rosemary Shortbread Crust | These delicious lemon tarts with cherry jam swirl are way easier than they look, perfect for a special occasion (including last-minute). Sweetened condensed milk, homemade cherry jam, and lots of tart lemon, with a hint of almond extractREAD THE POST

Caramelized White Chocolate & Coffee Tarts (Happy Birthday Part 2)

I have to say, these 100% met my criteria for birthday desserts.  Unique, totally delish, and something that was a bit more complicated than my usual…stretched my skills a bit.  Yep, these caramelized white chocolate and coffee tarts are a WINNER on every level.

Coffee & Caramelized White Chocolate Tarts | These surprisingly easy (though a bit time consuming) coffee tarts are quite unique with the addition of caramelized white chocolate...the slightly burnt toffee notes cut the overwhelming sweetness. Perfect for a special occasion, great make-ahead dessert. #coffeetarts #tartrecipe #caramelizedwhitechocolate #blondechocolate

I was a bit all over the place when it came to choosing my birthday dessert this year, partly because my birthday fell during our Feast of Tabernacles so I was out of town. 

I also just had trouble deciding…so I didn’t.  Just like my 30th birthday when I made BOTH a whole lemon tart and chocolate stout cake, I gave myself a two-fer.  First I tackled this complicated and insane 10-layer Russian burnt honey cake (which my sister declared should make all other cakes feel embarrassed).

And now I’ve got something for you that just captured my imagination.  When I first read about caramelizing white chocolate, I was intrigued since I hate white chocolate.  The science of it was really interesting, so I gave it a try and was obsessed!

And I’d been toying with the idea of a coffee tart, so when I realized that the recipe I was considering had white chocolate as the base, I knew I needed to mash up the two.  The caramelized white chocolate adds such depth to the overall flavor, bringing a slightly bitter note of burnt toffee that cuts the sickly sweetness.

Making a pate sablee dough for caramelized white chocolate & coffee tarts

These coffee tarts are the perfect make-ahead dessert as well, since they require several hours of chilling once you pour the filling in.  So you can make them a day or two ahead of when you need them, as long as you have the fridge space for them to hang out.

They’re also not difficult.  The main thing is planning ahead enough for the various stages, since both the tart dough and the filling require chilling.  

Caramelized white chocolate & coffee tarts - a sprinkle of sea salt balances the sweetnessREAD THE POST

Pear Fritters with Maple-Honey Glaze

It seems fitting that this recipe blends two of my greatest loves—pears and fritter donuts.  I’ve been a massive apple fritter obsessive for years, but when I saw this recipe for pear fritters my internal monologue went YUP THAT’S HAPPENING.

Easy Pear Fritters with Maple-Honey Glaze | A perfect fall twist on the classic apple fritter, these pear fritters are super easy, fried on the stove, and dipped in an amazing glaze. And they're ready in less than 30 minutes! Best brunch recipe ideas, how to make apple fritters, breakfast ideas. #pear #applefritters #breakfast #brunch

The daunting thing that’s always kept me from trying to make them myself has been the deep-frying part.  It just terrifies me.  These side-step that slightly, frying in a skillet vs. a deep fryer.  But it’s still kind of disconcerting for me.

And I also gravitate toward the ones that are dough-based (like a donut) rather than batter.  However, the major upside to batter is that it comes together so fast…no time to rise, cut, re-rise.  These are ready to devour in less than 30 minutes, which is BOMB.

And then there’s the absolutely crave-worthy glaze.  It was originally just a honey glaze, but maple and pear are such good friends that I couldn’t resist.  If you’re feeling really EXTRA, you could swap bourbon for the milk, because…why not??

Easy Pear Fritters with Maple-Honey Glaze | A perfect fall twist on the classic apple fritter, these pear fritters are super easy, fried on the stove, and dipped in an amazing glaze. And they're ready in less than 30 minutes! Best brunch recipe ideas, how to make apple fritters, breakfast ideas. #pear #applefritters #breakfast #brunchREAD THE POST

Happy Birthday to Me + Russian Burnt Honey Cake

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that making my own birthday cake has become an unbreakable tradition.  In particular I like to use it as an excuse to try something indulgent and a bit more complicated than my usual…and BOY does this Russian burnt honey cake qualify! 

This year we’re going QUITE belated, since my birthday was in late September and I’m just now getting this posted (and even later now have posted these caramelized white chocolate and coffee tarts, birthday dessert part 2).

This is one of those intriguing foods that I see and think…wouldn’t that be cool??  But then I kind of avoid and delay tackling it because it seems so complex.  But the important thing to know on this Russian honey cake (also called medovik) is that it’s complicated but not difficult. 

It takes time and focus and a lot of steps, but none of them are hard.  It’s a very cool thing to try for a special occasion, and would be great with an extra set of hands as well. 

This post is really long because I’ve tried to be super detailed on the techniques, and I’ve also put a list of kitchen tools at the bottom of the post by the recipe that will make this much easier.

I looked at like 6 different recipes for Russian honey cake and narrowed it down to one main one that has a couple small changes and uses burnt honey for depth of flavor. 

But then also decided to use sour cream in my filling (like this one), and then also took a couple things from Nadiya’s (specifically adding in some chopped toasted hazelnuts and a bit of salt to the outer crumb covering).

The result is both traditional and a little unique, and 100% delicious.  Mine was also incredibly tilty, not the most beautiful thing, but that’s life.

READ THE POST

How To Make Caramelized White Chocolate (“Blonde Chocolate”)

I hate white chocolate.  HATE.  It sits on a throne of lies because it is not even chocolate.  I feel like that’s a confession I have to make at the outset of this journey together, because when I heard about this whole caramelized white chocolate trend (also known as “blonde chocolate”), I’ll admit I was intrigued.

How to Make Caramelized White Chocolate (or "Blonde" Chocolate) | Step-by-step instructions and photos on how to caramelize white chocolate yourself. It's so easy, just takes about 45 minutes and some stirring, but brings delicious & complex notes to regular sickly-sweet white chocolate. #whitechocolate #chocolate #blondechocolate #caramelizedwhitechocolate #desserts

(side note, apparently I’m incorrect on it not being chocolate but I stand by my hatred)

As the white chocolate slowly caramelizes, it loses some of its sickly sweet flavor (blech) and begins to give off some much more complex notes of toffee, butterscotch, and caramel…there’s a bit more acidity or bitterness that offsets the cloying nature of white chocolate. 

Some people describe the tastes and smells as also having nutty notes (like toasted nuts) or almost shortbread-like scents, and I can definitely see how you get both of those as well.

Step-by-step instructions for how to make caramelized white chocolate that can be used in many different desserts

And it’s SO easy!  Plus, the overall process of the color changing and deepening is super pretty and kind of mesmerizing. 

The colors in my photos below are all over the place due to lighting, but it shifts from the original cream to such a gorgeous butterscotch-like color.  DREAMY.

How to Make Caramelized White Chocolate (or "Blonde" Chocolate) | Step-by-step instructions and photos on how to caramelize white chocolate yourself. It's so easy, just takes about 45 minutes and some stirring, but brings delicious & complex notes to regular sickly-sweet white chocolate.

The most important thing to know is that you MUST use high-quality eating (not baking) white chocolate.  I used Valrhona 35% white chocolate (Valrhona actually invented this technique) and it was perfection.  Some other good brands are Green & Black’s, Lindt, Cacao Barry, Fruition, and Guittard.  Do not use white chocolate chips or baking white chocolate.

Yes, the Valrhona is a little pricey (though I bought 2 pounds and didn’t use nearly that much for my blonde chocolate adventures so have a ton left), but it’s worth it.

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Sweet Corn Cake with Tart Lemon Glaze

Somehow I’ve gone all summer without making a recipe using fresh sweet corn.  And that is a travesty.  To be fair, it’s been a strange summer with foot surgery laying me up the last six weeks (and thereby no baking), but my corn-less summer can’t stand.  So when I got an email from Bill Clark about his sweet corn cake, I was intrigued.

Sweet Corn Cake with Tart Lemon Glaze | This olive oil cake with fresh sweet corn is a delicious, moist, easy treat, the perfect way to use up all that fresh corn during late summer. Subtle & lightly sweet, a great afternoon pick-me-up. #sweetcorn #freshcorn #corn #cake #snackcake

This recipe was from his A Piece of Cake newsletter #36, but Clark recommends—and in fact it’s the main reason for the recipe, I think—a Crisco and Country Time lemonade powder frosting.  I don’t keep Crisco on hand (or lemonade powder), and it didn’t feel up my alley as much.

I’m really not a frosting person in general, and “grease icing” doesn’t make me go MMMM!  But I liked the idea of some tart lemon (citric acid) to play a balancing role between the rich, moist, lightly sweet corn flavor, so whipped up a super easy lemon glaze.  

A fresh sweet corn cake perfect for snacking

I also made one other big change to the original recipe, subbing in oil for half of the butter.  I don’t tend to favor butter cakes as much, as they’re denser and drier, and in this case I was really craving a moist, lightly sweet cake that would be an afternoon snack with a cup of tea.

While the recipe already called for a tiny bit of oil, I wanted to up that quite a bit, but still maintain some butter for flavor.  The result is a perfect balance of flavorful and moist, with the subtle sweetness of the fresh corn shining through.

I was tempted to add an herbal note to either the batter or a bit to the lemon glaze, such as a little basil, rosemary, thyme, or tarragon.  I ended up deciding not to mess with the recipe more in my first time making it, but would definitely play around with that in the glaze the next time.

Sweet Corn Cake with Tart Lemon Glaze | finding time for cookingREAD THE POST

Easy Bourbon Cherry Jam (With or Without Pectin)

I look forward to cherry season all year.  For a month or so I buy as many dark sweet cherries as I can get my hands on, and absolutely gorge myself.  But sometimes I go a bit overboard and have to figure out what to do with the rest of my bounty.  Enter…delicious bourbon cherry jam!

Easy Bourbon Cherry Jam (With or Without Pectin) | This amazing cherry jam recipe is a great way to use up dark sweet cherries, and you can make this cherry jam without pectin if you want. Ready in an hour, an easy jam recipe for beginners | finding time for cooking

The great thing about this recipe is that if you’re looking for a cherry jam without pectin, this one has got you covered…but if you’ve got pectin on hand and you’re looking for a thicker, more “set” jam then this recipe is perfect as well. 

dark sweet cherries

As with most jam recipes, this one is really forgiving on quantities.  Basically, you want roughly a 2:1 fruit-to-sugar ratio, so a kitchen scale will be helpful. 

So for this batch I had 570g (a little over half a pound) of dark sweet cherries, and so used around 280g of sugar (I backed off just a tiny bit because my cherries were quite sweet). 

It will seem like way too much sugar, but that ratio is really important…if you cut back too much, the jam won’t set well (especially if you’re not using pectin).  The sugar plays a critical role in the jam science.  JAM SCIENCE!

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Best-Ever Banana Cake With Peanut Butter Frosting

It might look like I’m on a “peanut butter and banana” roll (see these cream puffs), but I actually first made this banana cake with peanut butter frosting at the very beginning of the quarantine.  Yep, back in March 2020 when we thought we were having a little two-week blip. 

Sighhh, those were simpler times….

Best-Ever Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting | This cake recipe is full of childhood peanut butter & banana nostalgia, using maybe the best banana cake recipe paired with intense peanut butter frosting. Super easy to make, perfect way to use up ripe bananas!

This cake is perfect for using up all those overripe bananas sitting on your counter, but when you’re like UGH I cannot deal with more banana bread!

One important note, this is not the healthiest form of banana cake, but it IS maybe the best banana cake recipe out there.

And then pair that banana cake with AMAZEBALLS peanut butter frosting, and you have a total winner.  Childhood, in cake form.

Best-Ever Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting | This cake recipe is full of childhood peanut butter & banana nostalgia, using maybe the best banana cake recipe paired with intense peanut butter frosting. Super easy to make, perfect way to use up ripe bananas! READ THE POST

Sweet & Gooey Lemon Cardamom Buns

I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but these gooey, sweet lemon cardamom buns popped into my head as a full-blown “I must make this now” idea.  

Sweet & Gooey Lemon Cardamom Buns | Whether dessert or breakfast goodies, these delicious citrus and warm spice chelsea buns are perfect & addictive. A very different take on a cinnamon roll, these are amazing for brunch, and not hard to make! #lemon #cardamom #cinnamonroll #pastry #greencardamom #brunch

This flavor combo is super interesting and not terribly common…I’m guessing that in my many MANY hours of watching Great British Bake-Off, I’ve soaked in the idea of using fresh green cardamom with lemon or orange from a few of my favorite bakers (hi, Nadiya!). 

I’ve been really into citrus or fruit plus herbal or warm spice flavors lately, particularly in cocktails (like this basil gin gimlet) but a bit in baking too (helloooo orange cinnamon twist bread!). 

As I was spreading on the amazing lemon-cardamom filling in this recipe, I had another brainwave and realized that lemon basil would be absolutely delicious too!

I initially tried this with a different dough, but it didn’t rise and turned out super dense…I’m not sure why since I’ve had success with that dough before (I may have killed the yeast with too-hot liquid). 

So I switched to using the dough from Paul Hollywood’s chelsea buns, which is simple but I know is delightfully soft.  I added a little sugar and tweaked the flavorings to infuse both fresh and dried cardamom and some lemon zest. 

The result is a fascinating, addictive flavor combo and a soft, sticky, sweet, gooey breakfast-maybe-dessert bun.

Sweet & Gooey Lemon Cardamom Buns | Whether dessert or breakfast goodies, these delicious citrus and warm spice chelsea buns are perfect & addictive. A very different take on a cinnamon roll, these are amazing for brunch, and not hard to make! #lemon #cardamom #cinnamonroll #pastry #greencardamom #brunchREAD THE POST

13+ Delicious Desserts For Any Summer Party

Soooo…last spring I had started a post that pulled together my best summer desserts for parties. 

And then COVID hit, so the *last* thing that people were doing last summer was having large gatherings.  I decided to hold off.  And so here we are again, and it’s time for awesome summer get-togethers!

13+ Desserts for Summer Parties | These dessert recipes are great for any summer gathering, including desserts for large groups...from crisps to cakes to pavlovas to strawberry shortcake for a big group, these are flavors the whole group will love! #desserts #summerrecipes #dessertrecipes #partyideas

What makes for a good summer party dessert??  Well, to me it’s 1) amazing and addictive, 2) great for hot weather, and 3) ideally can be made pretty easily in a large quantity.  This rules out anything fussy, requiring long baking times (wow, the heat!), or that can’t deal with sitting around for a while (lookin’ at you, chocolate).

Because let’s face it, when you’re at a summer gathering—be it a pool party, family gathering, picnic, whatever—those desserts sit out for a while!  So without further ado, here are some of my favorite desserts for summer parties and get-togethers!

Strawberry Shortcake for a Big Group

We’ll start with my all-timer—strawberry shortcake for a big group.  Strawberry shortcake is truly my ultimate summer dessert, but often harder to do for more than a few people. READ THE POST

How To Make An Easy Pouring Dark Chocolate Ganache For Cakes

Ganache.  It sound so fancy, but in reality is one of the easiest and versatile weapons a baker can have in their arsenal.  So I’m going to share how to make ganache—in fact, two different methods—and specifically, my favorite dark chocolate ganache.

How to Make Ganache...2 easy methods for a delicious pouring dark chocolate ganache (for cakes) | It sounds fancy but is super easy, you can make chocolate ganache with just a couple ingredients and a few minutes. I show you two different easy methods. #ganache #darkchocolate #bakingtips

This is the pouring ganache that I use for my epic chocolate stout cake (and the gluten-free version), and it’s become my go-to any time I need this particular consistency.  The key to chocolate ganache is in the proportions…more or less chocolate will impact how solid it gets once set. 

For instance, this recipe is 6 ounces to 6 tablespoons for a pouring consistency to top cakes, while I used a more chocolate-heavy ratio of 2/3 cup chocolate to 1/2 cup cream for a filling solid enough to sit between cake layers (like in this peanut butter cake).  You can see more on how the ratios work here.

How to make a pouring dark chocolate ganache for cakesREAD THE POST

Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Ganache & Peanut Butter Frosting

I have allllllll the peanut butter for you today!  It is one of my favorite flavors in desserts, and today we have a one-two punch of peanut butter with a chocolate surprise in the middle.

This peanut butter cake with chocolate ganache and peanut butter frosting is indulgent and packed with flavor, but NOT too sweet.  It’s perfect for any occasion, and somewhat strangely I’ve now made it for two separate baby showers.

Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Ganache & Peanut Butter Frosting | This delicious peanut butter chocolate cake is perfect for any occasion. Fluffy peanut butter cake recipe with a salted dark chocolate ganache filling, and then slathered with super peanut butter-y frosting! Maybe the best cake ever! #peanutbutter #cake #ganache

It starts with an easy and super moist, fluffy peanut butter cake.  Then we whip up a dark chocolate ganache (which like, sounds fancy, but is seriously the easiest thing in the world) and sandwich that in the middle.  

Top that all off with my most amazing peanut butter frosting ever, and you’ve got a winner!

Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Ganache & Peanut Butter Frosting | This delicious peanut butter chocolate cake is perfect for any occasion. Fluffy peanut butter cake recipe with a salted dark chocolate ganache filling, and then slathered with super peanut butter-y frosting! Maybe the best cake ever! #peanutbutter #cake #ganache

For me, this is everything I want in a cake.  And that moistness is a big part of it…I just find so many cakes dry and unappetizing.  But between using oil (instead of butter), the peanut butter, and buttermilk, everything about this peanut butter cake recipe ticks my boxes.

You could even experiment with other fillings and frostings (I have plans for my salted honey custard…).  A chocolate glaze would be delicious, or maybe a Chambord-flavored icing??

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Tahini Pistachio Biscotti with Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt

I kind of forget about biscotti a lot of the time.  In fact it’s been almost three years since I last posted a new biscotti recipe.  But that accidental streak breaks here and now…because these tahini pistachio biscotti are the BOMB.

Add a drizzle of dark chocolate and a sprinkle of sea salt, and you’ve got a winner.  

Tahini Pistachio Biscotti with Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt | These super unique tahini biscotti are dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt...a perfect treat with coffee or tea! Easy biscotti recipe you'll love. #biscotti #tahini #darkchocolate

The thing about making biscotti is that, while the overall time from start to finish can look daunting, the actual hands-on time is pretty minimal. 

The dough comes together in just a few minutes, you make dough logs (nothing fancy!), then some slicing.  Chocolate dipping if you like.  Bing bang boom.

Tahini Pistachio Biscotti with Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt | These super unique tahini biscotti are dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt...a perfect treat with coffee or tea! Easy biscotti recipe you'll love. #biscotti #tahini #darkchocolate

Biscotti dough can sometimes be a little temperamental from a texture standpoint, and in this case I had to add an extra egg to the original recipe (and that’s reflected in my recipe below). 

You don’t want your dough too wet, but you DO need it to hold together in your dough logs.  But obviously that extra egg (plus the tahini in the recipe) makes these a little more moist even after the second bake. 

So you won’t get these tahini pistachio biscotti truly dried out and crunchy like some biscotti recipes, but that doesn’t matter—they’re delicious.

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Mini Pavlovas with Grapefruit Curd & Berries

For whatever reason, pavlovas feel super fancy, and I always have to remind myself that they’re actually really simple.  And these mini pavlovas piled high with tart grapefruit curd, berries, and pillowy whipped cream are sheer heaven no matter the occasion.

So whether you want an easy make-ahead dessert for a dinner party, or just want to treat yourself, you need these in your life.  

Simple Mini Pavlovas with Grapefruit Curd & Berries | These individual pavlovas are super easy to make, and can be made the night before. I make the mini pavlova recipe topped with tart citrus curd and fresh berries plus plenty of whipped cream, they're an indulgent and easy dessert for a dinner party, Passover, Easter, Mother's Day, or any special occasion...or any night of the week! #pavlova #unleavened #glutenfree #gf #dairyfree #dessertrecipes #gfdessert

What’s pretty great is that they’re also naturally gluten-free, dairy-free (though you’d need to top them with something else), and unleavened.  WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE???

If you’re wondering how the chemistry works in this mini pavlova recipe, here are a few things to know about it:

  • The vinegar (or some recipes use lemon juice, cream of tartar, some kind of acid) helps stabilize the egg white foam, and interferes with clumping; it helps prevent the effects of “overbeating” as well, usually where the egg whites collapse and weep (boy, don’t we all).  Ultimately, it helps make the meringue a little chewy.
  • Adding cornstarch to the egg white foam interferes with the egg proteins and provides a buffer to prevent overcooking.  But too much cornstarch can make it almost chalky and too chewy, so don’t overdo it.
  • The cornstarch and vinegar both act as stabilizers and help create that soft marshmallow-y center that the pavlova is known for.

Delicious mini pavlova recipe for any occasionREAD THE POST

Most Amazing Peanut Butter Frosting Ever

I’ve found it, guys.  A frosting that I adore…I guess I shouldn’t be surprised it’s peanut butter.

I really hate frosting.  I actually had a co-worker at my last job that was my perfect match—whenever there was cake around, she’d eat the frosting and I’d eat the cake.  But this peanut butter frosting is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.  Crazy peanut butter-y, some good saltiness, not too sweet.  

I could eat it by itself with a spoon.  Until I look at the calorie count, but still…

The Best Peanut Butter Frosting Ever | This super peanut butter-y icing is delicious and packed with flavor, super easy to make and great on tons of different cakes. If you're looking for a peanut icing recipe, this is the one.

It’s packed with flavor and a little goes a long way.  If you’re wanting to frost a cake more traditionally (which takes a LOT of frosting) then this may not be quite the right frosting…a truly traditional buttercream or cream cheese frosting might be better. 

The Best Peanut Butter Frosting Ever | This super peanut butter-y icing is delicious and packed with flavor, super easy to make and great on tons of different cakes. If you're looking for a peanut icing recipe, this is the one. #peanutbutter #frosting #cakeicingREAD THE POST

Paul Hollywood’s Chocolate Cherry Bread

I’m obsessed with this pink, shaggy mess!  Ever since seeing Paul Hollywood make his chocolate cherry bread with Mary Berry on Great British Bake-Off Masterclass, I knew I needed it in my life.

Paul Hollywood's Chocolate Cherry Bread | This indulgent loaf of bread is full of sweet dark cherries and white and dark chocolate, but not too sweet or rich. From GBBO Masterclass, this delicious sweet braided bread is perfect for any occasion. I use Morello cherries. #chocolate #cherries #bread #paulhollywood #gbbo #breadrecipes

I *have* thrown in the towel on trying to make my loaf look beautiful and neat, though.  That shaggy mess becomes this golden, messy monster, and despite making it like 10 times at this point, nothing I do changes that.

But it is DELICIOUS and so its “informal” nature (to use a Mary Berry term) can be forgiven. 

Delicious loaf of Paul Hollywood's chocolate cherry bread, not difficult at all!

What elevates this from a basic loaf of bread is the incorporation of dark sweet cherries and a lot of dark and white chocolate. 

The dark chocolate and cherries pair wonderfully, and the white chocolate ends up kind of melting away into gooey sweet pockets of sweet that burst in your mouth.  I’M OBSESSED.

I have always started this in my stand mixer, but have tried mixing in the chocolate and cherries both in the mixer and kneading in by hand.  Personally the mixer is way better and less messy, so I recommend going that way.

This chocolate cherry bread is full of sweet dark cherries and white chocolate and dark chocolate chips

This sweet bread from Paul Hollywood is perfect for any occasion - chocolate cherry breadREAD THE POST

Traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding (Cake)

Despite being a massive Great British Bake Off superfan, I often find myself underwhelmed with a lot of Brit desserts (as they’re often a bit less moist than I prefer myself).  But as I discovered on a trip to Scotland several years ago, sticky toffee pudding does NOT fall into that category.

In fact, I’m obsessed.  This has a very “fall” feel to it (and that’s when I first made it), but this is true cold weather comfort food all winter long.

Addictive & Easy Traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding (Cake) | This traditional British dessert is so warm and comforting, a delicious treat during chilly weather. Made with dates and very easy, it's perfect for any occasion. How to make sticky toffee pudding. #stickytoffeepudding #britishdessert #gbbo #dessertrecipes #falldesserts

The thing is, I don’t like “toffee” at all, so I’d never paid this dessert any attention.  I was excited to find that it doesn’t actually include any toffee, and instead is a moist treacly cake doused with buttery, sugary sauce. 

(And even describing it like that would make me think I wouldn’t like it…BUT I DO.  The world is a mystery.)

So is it a pudding or a cake??  Yes.  British people call desserts “pudding”, which is baffling, and it’s definitely a cake.  And if I understand correctly, it’s considered a “pudding” due to being more moist and having a sauce, rather than being super cake-like?? 

Brits, hit me up in the comments and help me understand…I’m reading between the lines of GBBO episode critiques.

Perfect traditional sticky toffee pudding cake...and easy!

As I’m one person and didn’t want to gain 32 pounds just from this recipe, I halved the recipe and it made 4 small ramekins.  Halving is tricky with some of the amounts, but for any time I need to half a “3/4” amount, I shoot for halfway between 1/3 and 1/2.

Addictive & Easy Traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding (Cake) | This traditional British dessert is so warm and comforting, a delicious treat during chilly weather. Made with dates and very easy, it's perfect for any occasion. How to make sticky toffee pudding. #stickytoffeepudding #britishdessert #gbbo #dessertrecipes #falldessertsREAD THE POST

How To Make a Cute (& Easy) Onesie Cake For a Baby Shower

I am known for many things, but my cake decorating skills (or generally making desserts that are aesthetically pleasing) is NOT one of those things.   I make delicious things, but they’re not always pretty and that’s okay.  When I try cake decorating, it looks like a two-year-old did it.

And I still didn’t do an *amazing* job on this adorable onesie cake, but I’m PRETTY DARN PROUD OF IT and also think the idea/technique is awesome.

Easy, Cute Onesie Cake - Baby Shower Cake Ideas | Even if you're terrible at cake decorating, this onesie cake is really easy and perfect for any baby shower (or 1st birthday cake). If you're planning a baby shower you should use this cake. It can be as fancy or simple as you want. #babyshower #cakedecorating

For this shower, the mom-to-be had requested her favorite cake—regular yellow box cake with chocolate frosting.  And what mama wants, mama gets.  

HOWEVER, this hurt my baker’s soul, so I tried to figure out some way to make it special.  Well, and I also made a second (delicious) cake 🙂

While sifting through baby shower cake ideas, I stumbled upon this onesie-shaped cake, and it actually looked super easy so it felt I could tackle it.  It’s mainly just some simple cutting or carving of a 9×13 cake and then doing the frosting and just a bit of piping. 

Mine is definitely not perfect (definitely looks wonkus in the diaper region especially), but I’ll talk about a few of the techniques I used below.

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One-Bowl Easy King Cake

I kind of have to preface this post by saying that this is not much like a traditional king cake.  But it IS easier and faster.  And delicious.  It might make NOLA peeps upset, but sometimes you just need an easy king cake recipe that bucks tradition a bit. 

An alternative king cake, if you will.

An Easy King Cake Recipe (One-Bowl) | It's definitely not traditional, but this alternative king cake idea is much easier and faster than the traditional recipe is...more like a lovely coffee cake (but yeast-based), you can whip it up in just a few minutes! #kingcake #coffeecake #cinnamonsugar

Listen, a real king cake is awesome (and I’ve got one coming your way).  But it’s a lot of work to make, and a lot of store-bought ones are just NOT GREAT.  I don’t celebrate Mardi Gras or know tons about it, but I’ve always loved the flavor profile and textures of a really good king cake.

So when Joy the Baker (a New Orleans-ite and king cake connoisseur herself) offered up this one-bowl easy king cake recipe that’s…actually more like a cake…I was intrigued.  

Delicious swirled cinnamon-sugar mixture - easy king cake recipe

And it’s delish!  I think of it as a fancy coffee cake-like thing that also can claim some king cake DNA??  And you know I’m always 100% IN on coffee cake (see this, this, and this).

An Easy King Cake Recipe (One-Bowl) | It's definitely not traditional, but this alternative king cake idea is much easier and faster than the traditional recipe is...more like a lovely coffee cake (but yeast-based), you can whip it up in just a few minutes! #kingcake #coffeecake #cinnamonsugarREAD THE POST

“Elvis” Banana, Salted Honey, & Peanut Butter Cream Puffs + A Super Late Happy Birthday

Every year I make my own birthday cake, using it as an excuse to try something indulgent and a bit more complicated than my usual.  But this year’s orange and salted honey cake was a disappointment.  Just kind of meh.  So about a month later I decided I deserved a re-do…and THUS these peanut butter, banana, and salted honey cream puffs were born!

"Elvis" Cream Puffs - Banana, Peanut Butter, & Salted Honey Cream Puffs

"Elvis" Banana, Salted Honey, & Peanut Butter Cream Puffs | They look complicated but these delicious cream puffs or eclairs are really quite simple, and absolutely amazing. Salted honey cream puffs with banana and peanut butter glaze. A perfect flavor combination for cream puffs or eclairs, and for any special occasion. How to make choux pastry, easy cream puffs. #creampuffs #choux #eclairs #peanutbutter

This idea came out of two different things…I had wanted to to try my hand at choux pastry for quite a while.  It’s an entirely new baking technique for me, and my obsession with the Great British Bake-Off had finally pushed me to needing to try it.

Secondly, the one bright spot in my sad birthday cake debacle was trying out pastry cream (custard) for the first time and falling in love with this subtle, addictive salted honey pastry cream.  So I wanted that to play a role in this recipe somehow.

These banana, salted honey, and peanut butter cream puffs are delicious and easy!

So then I thought, what goes with honey??  Peanut butter, of course!  And if you’re a lover of the traditional “Elvis” sandwich, then banana as well.  I liked that the banana brought a fresh flavor and different texture to the whole thing.

Overall, making the choux was really easy!  Like, shockingly easy.  Piping it was a bit tricky since I’m terrible at piping.  My biggest frustration was that I didn’t have a piping tip big enough for good-size eclairs.  So I mostly went with the cream puffs since those turned out awesome. 

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Fresh Orange Ricotta-Mascarpone Tart with Rosemary Crust

Yeah, I know that’s a mouthful.  But while this orange ricotta-mascarpone tart feels fancy, and like it should be fussy and difficult, it’s actually really simple.

While it’s not a traditional holiday dessert, I think it would be a perfect addition to Thanksgiving or other holiday meals because it’s so light…the opposite of the desserts you usually have.

Simple & Delicious Orange Ricotta-Mascarpone Tart with Rosemary Crust | While that's a mouthful and sounds complicated, this citrus tart is quite simple and is a perfect addition to any dinner party or holiday meal. Silky and creamy, buttery and tart, a perfect special dessert option. It's elevated by some fresh rosemary in the crust as well. #orange #ricotta #mascarpone #tart #rosemary

The star in this ricotta-mascarpone tart is the fresh orange zest and juice giving a great citrus flavor.  I add the zest of half a lemon as well though, which brings a bit more of the tart citrus through…otherwise it can be a bit sweet.  

And while it’s totally optional, adding fresh rosemary in the pastry crust really elevates the entire tart, and the rosemary and orange are a match made in heavy.  The herb flavor isn’t strong, just a hint that balances everything really nicely.

Simple & Delicious Orange Ricotta-Mascarpone Tart with Rosemary Crust | While that's a mouthful and sounds complicated, this citrus tart is quite simple and is a perfect addition to any dinner party or holiday meal. Silky and creamy, buttery and tart, a perfect special dessert option. It's elevated by some fresh rosemary in the crust as well. #orange #ricotta #mascarpone #tart #rosemaryREAD THE POST

Subtle & Delicious Salted Honey Custard

Y’all, I feel so fancy.  After a billion hours of watching Great British Bake-Off, I actually undertook the omnipresent pastry cream or “creme patissiere” myself with this absolutely delish salted honey custard.  

And here’s the thing—IT’S SHOCKINGLY EASY.  (Side note, why don’t American desserts have more pastry cream?? Missed opportunities…)

Salted Honey Custard...Dreamy & Mind-Blowing | This delicious salted honey pastry cream (or "creme patissiere") is super easy to make, and is an amazing filling for cakes, crepes, cupcakes, cream puffs, eclairs, and so much more. An easy pastry cream and amazing flavor...move over, salted caramel! #honey #pastrycream #custard #cakefilling

Now granted, this recipe uses cornstarch (or “corn flour”, as the Brits call it), which Mary Berry seems to consider a cheat for the skill levels of GBBO contestants. 

But it’s normal in most pastry cream recipes, and is definitely our friend here in achieving a thick, pipe-able pastry cream that is great for filling cakes, cream puffs, and more (you can see it trying to spill out of the cream puffs below).

The salted honey custard really makes these "Elvis" cream puffs

And let’s talk about this flavor, which is so DREAMMMMMY.  It’s sweet enough, but the salt balances it out nicely.  Quite subtle.  I’m not a caramel person and so have never really understood the appeal of salted caramel.  Now I know that *this* is my own personal salted caramel.

I discovered this salted honey custard as a component in the cake I initially made for my birthday…”salted honey orange cake” sounded right up my alley.  But I ended up finding that neither the cake nor the frosting really did anything for me. 

This custard on the other hand was my everything, and so I did a birthday cake re-do recently—“Elvis” peanut butter, banana, & honey cream puffs with this as the filling.

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Easy, Awesome Homemade Caramel Popcorn

It’s weird because I don’t really like caramel, and I’m not super into popcorn…but I’m ALL IN on this homemade caramel popcorn. 

My mom’s been making it since I was a kid, and it’s a must-have on Thanksgiving for my family.  It’s just SO GOOD!  She makes a massive tub and we munch on it all afternoon while playing cards and watching .

Easy, Awesome Homemade Caramel Popcorn | This is a Thanksgiving and holiday must-have recipe, the best holiday snack. The best caramel popcorn, and it's super easy to make. Thanksgiving recipes, holiday recipes for the family, good holiday snacks! #holidayrecipe #caramelpopcorn #popcorn #thanksgiving

It’s also so easy…caramel can feel quite daunting.  I’ve watched approximately 1,250 hours of Great British Bake-Off and caramel is always tripping up the bakers. 

But the caramel we’re making today is the opposite of fiddly.  And the actual hands-on portion of this recipe is quite minimal.

Easy homemade caramel popcorn

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The Best Thanksgiving Recipes: 20+ Of My Family’s Favorites

Thanksgiving is a BIG deal in my family.  And that includes the food…which is why I feel like I have some of the best Thanksgiving recipes around.  You know, the tried-and-true ones that the family requests over and over. 

See, I have a big extended family, and we spend the day before baking, cooking, and prepping.  The morning of Thanksgiving is always insane—my mom’s up super early with the turkey, then leaves around 10:30 to get down to my grandma’s.  I get up a little later, go for a run, finish up all the remaining dishes, and head down around noon.

We eat a huge lunch, then graze all afternoon and have leftovers for dinner.  We play football, watch football, play cards, and talk.  Chase the kids around.  

When you’re cooking for a big crowd (anywhere from 25 to 50 in past years; usually around 25-30 these days), there are some realities in the kinds of dishes that make sense.  Anything super time-intensive that doesn’t yield a lot of servings is automatically out.  

So these are some of my favorite relatively easy Thanksgiving recipes that I’ve contributed over the years, and it’s all about the sides, breads, desserts, and cocktails.  Turkey just…exists.  Hope you enjoy and everyone has a safe, happy (American) Thanksgiving with family and friends!

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10-Minute Stovetop Blood Orange Curd

It’s like I’m sandwiching the seasons with curd, somehow.  I talked about falling in love with my easy pink grapefruit curd as the cool, sunny spring days gave way to summer.  And now I’m clinging onto that feeling with this unique blood orange curd, as I cling to denial in a chilly, rainy fall taking a nosedive into true winter.

Easy 10-Minute Blood Orange Curd | A more unique citrus curd recipe, made easily on the stovetop without a double boiler. Just 5-10 minutes will give you an amazing blood orange curd. Perfect for cakes, crepes, cupcakes, eclairs, and more. #bloodorange #curd

This recipe is similar to my pink grapefruit curd, in that I use a little less butter and go scant on sugar so as to not overpower the more delicate citrus flavor of the blood orange.  While a lemon or lime can really punch through, I find that orange, grapefruit, and blood orange are a little more subtle and need a lighter hand.

I ended up using 2 blood oranges…just the zest of one but most of the juice of both (about 1/3 cup total).  A little bit of extra lemon juice can help brighten just a bit, and a tiny pinch of salt just brings everything into balance.

The natural color of this curd will be a duller dark pink, possibly closer to a light brown.  You can add a tiny bit of pink or red gel coloring if you want it to be a brighter pink, red, or orange…I didn’t here, but it would be super easy.

Easy Blood Orange Curd on the Stovetop | You don't need any fancy equipment for this easy citrus curd, and less than 10 minutes | finding time for cookingREAD THE POST

Addictive Peanut Butter & Jelly Babka

Y’ALL.  Peanut butter and jelly babka.  This is just such an all-time flavor combo, and I’m kind of obsessed with it right now to be honest (stay tuned for a boozy pb&j milkshake comin’ at ya…).

Addictive Peanut Butter & Jelly Babka | This amazing twisted bread with pb&j filling is like your childhood favorite but made even better for grown-ups. It's not difficult to make, and is so delicious, a perfect nostalgic dish. #pbandj #peanutbutter #babka #dessertrecipes #bread

It’s no secret I’m into basically peanut butter anything, but there’s something so comforting about a classic pb&j…this peanut butter and jelly babka is basically a fancy, addictive pb&j sandwich from when you were a kid.  It’s what you WISH your sandwich had been.

A slice of childhood, peanut butter & jelly babka

Don’t be put off by the seemingly-long list of instructions…I’ve been super detailed to help make everything go well, but while this needs plenty of time in rising and baking, the actual *hands-on* parts are not difficult or time-consuming at all.

There *will* be a point when you’re trying to twist the two cut parts together where everything is falling apart, jelly and peanut butter oozing everywhere, and you’re like WHAT HAVE I DONE???  But just push through, the mess doesn’t matter.  It’ll be fine.  Lick your fingers when you’re done.

One other note of importance, I found I only needed just over 2 1/2 cups of flour to get the right consistency, as I didn’t want to make the dough too dry and tight.  Personally I often find babkas drier and denser than I prefer, so I wanted to keep this one light and soft.

Childhood nostalgia...peanut butter & jelly babka

So let’s dive in, shall we??READ THE POST

Snickerdoodle Banana Bread

I have accidentally been keeping this recipe secret waaaaay too long.  I know, it’s not the deal we’ve made.  So without further ado, I bring you this cinnamon sugar banana bread goodness…that’s right kids, today we’re talking snickerdoodle banana bread!

Snickerdoodle Banana Bread | An easy and delicious cinnamon-sugar banana bread that's perfect for breakfast or a snack. Quarantine banana bread, fancy banana bread that only takes a few minutes to whip up. #snickerdoodle #bananabread #cinnamonsugar

It’s a long-established fact that I am a sucker for a cinnamon-sugar combo.  Seriously.  I have a deep, abiding love affair with both cinnamon and almond extract, and I tend to add them to recipes with abandon if I feel it’s warranted.  

So it was a no-brainer when I ran across this recipe, was definitely going to happen at some point.  And “some point” was definitely going to be during the early days of quarantine.

The original recipe had way too much sugar for my taste, so the biggest change I made to the recipe was backing that off quite a bit.  I really like the cinnamon to come through in this banana bread, and the sugar will tend to overpower it if you’re not careful.

With that change made, this bread is basically perfect…not too sweet, warm cinnamon shining through, a ripple of the cinnamon-sugar winding around, and with a really tender crumb.  

Slice of delicious snickerdoodle banana breadREAD THE POST

Classic Hummingbird Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

This is a true Southern classic—the hummingbird cake.  It is sweet and dense and spiced and subtle, with a wonderful lightly-lemony cream cheese frosting.  There’s a lot happening, and you need this in your life right now.

Hummingbird Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, a Southern Classic | This delicious cake originated in Jamaica and has become a southern U.S. cult classic. A spiced banana pineapple cake, it's so easy and so good. Classic southern cake recipe. #hummingbirdcake #southernclassic #classicrecipe #bananacake #pineapplecake #spicecake

What is a hummingbird cake?  It’s the ultimate hyphen combo…a banana-pineapple-spice cake.  I mean how can you not love that?!  Its origins are in Jamaica, and the island eventually used it in a marketing campaign designed to bring visitors there.  It’s become a cult classic in the southern U.S., something I’d never even heard of til I lived in Atlanta.

And it is DELISH.

Hummingbird Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, a Southern Classic | This delicious cake originated in Jamaica and has become a southern U.S. cult classic. A spiced banana pineapple cake, it's so easy and so good. Classic southern cake recipe. #hummingbirdcake #southernclassic #classicrecipe #bananacake #pineapplecake #spicecakeREAD THE POST

Fresh Grapefruit Cake With Mascarpone Icing

This cake is a REVELATION.  I’ve had the idea stuck in my head since first watching the Great British Bake-Off episode where Beca makes grapefruit cake, since I’m a complete sucker for anything grapefruit flavored.  

Fresh Grapefruit Cake with Mascarpone Frosting | This delicious, buttery fresh grapefruit cake recipe is light and summery, and has tart grapefruit curd and a creamy icing. A wonderful citrus spring dessert with pink grapefruit. #citrus #grapefruit #cake #mascarpone #grapefruitcurd

This cake has a little of everything…light and buttery cake, tart but sweet grapefruit curd, and creamy not-too-sweet frosting.  It’s spring incarnate, my guilty pleasure, and heaven on a plate.

Delicious fresh grapefruit cake recipe - finding time for cooking

You’ll need a few pink grapefruit for this recipe, because it’s a more subtle flavor and you really want to pack it in.  

pink grapefruit zest

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Paul Hollywood’s Chelsea Buns

It’s hard to tell you how magical these chelsea buns are.  Fragrant spices, tart and chewy fruit with a whiff of bourbon, citrus tang.  Soft, pillowy dough.  Sweet icing.  It was truly revelatory.

I’ve wanted to try these out, and decided that Paul Hollywood’s recipe had to be where I start…I only know about them from the Great British Bake-Off, so feels fitting.

Paul Hollywood's Chelsea Buns | This traditional chelsea buns recipe is from the man himself, and lives up to his amazing skills. I've made a couple small tweaks, and completely fell in love with this British classic! #gbbo #chelseabun #baking #brunchrecipe #british

What is a chelsea bun??  Chelsea buns aren’t really a thing in the U.S…at least as far as I’m aware.  I’d certainly never heard of them before I started watching the Great British Bake-Off.  

They are a currant sweet bun from the 1700s, once favored by royalty.  Made basically the same way as a cinnamon roll, but stuffed with dried fruit instead and usually with some citrus zest in there.  They’re a real British staple.

(Side note, I just went down a rabbit hole about the difference between currants, raisins, and sultanas, soooo…)

Paul Hollywood's Chelsea Buns | This traditional chelsea buns recipe is from the man himself (with a few small tweaks) | finding time for cooking

And I’m so glad I’ve tried them out, because they were so worth it!

If you’re looking at the ingredients list and thinking “whoa, that’s intense!”…don’t be put off by it.  It’s not nearly as complicated or intense as it looks, I promise.  I just like to write detailed instructions because I think it makes life easier…and I have step-by-step photos throughout the post so you can see how everything should look. 

Paul Hollywood's Chelsea Buns | This traditional chelsea buns recipe is from the man himself, and lives up to his amazing skills. I've made a couple small tweaks, and completely fell in love with this British classic! #gbbo #chelseabun #baking #brunchrecipe #britishREAD THE POST

10-Minute Stovetop Pink Grapefruit Curd

Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I am a lover of all things grapefruit.  Citrus things in general are up my alley, but there’s something special about a ruby red or pink grapefruit flavor.  So after I first tried my hand at a lemon curd and was blown away by its ease and flavor, I knew that a pink grapefruit curd was in my future.

Beautiful pink spring flowers

The bright, sweet, soft flavors of this curd are inextricably associated with early spring for me. 

As I fiddled with getting this recipe just right, we got a stretch of cool but sunny days, pink flowers popping out on the trees, and the neighborhood lawns turning a rich green.  It’s a happy flavor tied to a happy time.

Pink spring flowers

This pink grapefruit curd is a super simple adaptation of this simple lemon curd recipe.  The technique is exactly the same, but I had to tweak the ingredient amounts slightly for both this and my blood orange and regular orange versions. 

Because the grapefruit and the blood orange are softer, sweeter citrus flavors vs. the intensity and tartness of lemon, you need to back off slightly on both the sugar and butter in order for the real flavor of the fruit to shine through.  It pairs really well with strawberries, raspberries, and the like.

Pavlova with pink grapefruit curd and berries

Naturally this curd will be yellow, because the pink juice can’t win out against the egg’s yolk.  If you want it to be pink, just add a TINY drop of food coloring (I prefer this gel coloring set and use it all the time). READ THE POST

Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake With Peanut Butter Glaze

One day I had a day dream.  I dreamed of a dark, moist, bittersweet chocolate bundt cake paired with an intensely peanut butter glaze.  Like SUPER peanut butter-y, that kind of sweet/salty combo that’s amazing. 

Problem was, finding a glaze that matched my vision was way harder than I thought it would be.  Finally after quite a bit of digging, this came onto my radar, and with a few tweaks it was absolutely perfect.   

Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake with Peanut Butter Glaze | This delicious bundt cake is light, moist, and not-to-sweet, and pairs perfectly with a thick and peanut butter-y glaze. Super easy cake recipe, and great for a special occasion. #chocolatecake #bundtcake #peanutbutter #chocolate

This was one of the first things I baked after the “shelter in place” orders started, and I quickly realized how dangerous my stress baking habit was going to be.  Thankfully I dug up the willpower to take two pieces for myself and gift the rest to a co-worker…with a 6-foot distance 🙂

I often find bundt cakes dense and dry, but this cake is the complete opposite…rich but light, super moist, almost fluffy.  The glaze is a little sticky, but keeping it from getting too sweet helps the textures and flavors balance out.  And the chocolate and peanut butter combo can’t be beat.

Delicious dark chocolate bundt cake with peanut butter glaze slice

I love how easy this cake is to whip up as well!  Other than just mixing up the chocolate portion ahead of time, this cake batter comes together in just a few minutes, then is in the oven with very little hands-on effort.READ THE POST

10-Minute Stovetop Lemon Curd

The real question for this week is, why have I not made lemon curd before?!

I feel like you all are terrible friends for not making me try this earlier.  Because, GUYS, this lemon curd is so easy and so delicious, and takes less than 10 minutes.  You can do it while you’re waiting for your coffee to brew, or…other things that take around 10 minutes?  I don’t know at this point.  Regardless, it’s fast.

10-Minute Stovetop Lemon Curd | No need for store-bought! This super easy lemon curd recipe takes less than 10 minutes and is made on the stove with just one pan. It's sharp, delicious, and creamy, and perfect as a topping, on cakes, and anywhere your heart desires! #lemoncurd #lemon #recipe

This lemon curd is quite sharp, but light and creamy.  It’s perfect as a filling in simple crepes, topping a pavlova, or swirled through yogurt.  Go nuts…layer it between cakes, spread it on toast, top coconut milk ice cream with it.  

Delicious 10-minute lemon curd on top of a pavlova

You might also like this pink grapefruit curd, regular orange and blood orange curd!

In doing some research, I picked up a couple tips that were helpful (and mentioned in the recipe card below).  First, don’t use aluminum cookware because it reacts with the lemon juice.  I used a small stainless steel saucepan, which works perfectly.  It’s important not to use too much heat…a good medium flame should work.

And then I recommend stirring together the sugar with the egg, and then add the juice right as you’re putting on the heat.  If you add the juice to eggs without the sugar, the acid in the juice will “cook” the eggs and you’ll get those little white bits.

Lemon zest in the curd amps up the flavorREAD THE POST

Dark Chocolate & Whiskey “Irish Coffee” Cake

This is a story of what happens when someone makes a casual suggestion and I go down the rabbit hole.  And end up with a delicious, dark, complex cake modeled off an Irish Coffee cocktail.

Dark Chocolate & Whiskey "Irish Coffee" Cake | The complex flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, a rich Irish whiskey, vanilla, and a hint of orange make this cake absolutely amazing...whether around St. Patrick's Day or just because, this cake is super easy and absolutely delicious! #stpatricksday #irishcoffee #whiskey #darkchocolate #cakerecipe

It started with a co-worker asking if I could make a Guinness chocolate cake but with Irish Whiskey instead.  Intrigued, I dug into various stout and whiskey cake recipes to get a sense of proportions, textures, flavors, and more.

I wanted to make sure the complex flavors of the whiskey came out—my sister insists that anything made with alcohol *taste* like it—but not ruin either texture or flavor of the cake.  I tried two different cakes and two different glazes before settling on this.

Between them, there was a clear winner on glaze, but I waffled on the cake.  I ended up going with the one that’s a more traditional bundt cake texture (a bit denser and richer), but I did love the other one (lighter, so fell apart easier).

A dark chocolate whiskey cake using Slane Irish whiskey for St. Patrick's Day

I had trouble figuring out what to call this cake.  Specifically, I was translating Slane’s take on the iconic Irish Coffee cocktail, which meant ensuring that hints of vanilla and orange come through without overpowering the coffee and whiskey taste.  I also wanted to make sure that the chocolate flavor didn’t completely take over.  But it’s not a “coffee cake” like most people think…

I also chose a beautiful decorative bundt cake because I can’t decorate cakes to save my life!  I can make delicious cakes but if I try to frost and decorate them, it looks like a 5-year-old did it.  So I’ve been playing around with gorgeous bundt molds for built-in aesthetics 🙂

Delicious fudgy chocolate whiskey cake batter

I thought Slane was amazing in this cake, because it’s such a rich, complex whiskey.  I’ve found most Irish whiskies to be much lighter and one-note than I’m into, and I’d recommend using one with a bit more flavor.  Whether it’s Slane, something like Jameson Caskmates, or even a good bourbon…something that brings flavor other than just “alcohol”.

So let’s do this, shall we???READ THE POST

The Most Amazing, Moist Lemon-Orange Pound Cake

We’ve reached that point in the late-winter-almost-spring-dear-goodness-let-it-be-spring where I desperately need warmth and sunshine.  And this lemon orange pound cake is basically the pastry embodiment of sunshine, so it will just have to do.

Super Moist Lemon-Orange Pound Cake | This delicious, fragrant pound cake is also moist and fluffy. Full of lemon and orange zest and juices, it's easy to make ahead as well. #poundcake #citrus #dessertrecipe

I’ve adapted this recipe from a lemon pound cake that A Beautiful Plate posted.  While I love lemon with my whole heart, I thought that the addition of orange would bring a balance with a milder and sweeter citrus.  And boy, does it ever!  I also upped the citrus in the glaze in particular.

fresh lemon and orange zest

Besides the amazing flavor, the other thing to love about this cake is the texture—it’s so moist!  In my experience, pound cakes are denser and drier, but the greek yogurt helps keep this super soft and fluffy.  Basically, this cake is a winner!

(On a side note, I absolutely love the stunning Magnolia bundt cake pan I made this in…was my first time trying it out!).

Beautiful finished lemon orange pound cakeREAD THE POST

Apple Butter Cinnamon-Sugar Babka

This is one of those places where I cram a lot of my favorite things into one recipe and see how it comes out.  Apple butter, check.  Cinnamon-sugar, check.  Soft delicious challah dough in a twisty babka bread??  Check.

And I’ll be honest…halfway through making this I was pretty sure it was going to be a disaster.

Apple Butter Babka with Cinnamon Sugar

Delicious apple butter babka with cinnamon-sugar, baked

I can’t remember what gave me this particular brainwave, but it was very likely when I made a new batch of my amazing homemade apple butter and was thinking of all the different ways it could be used.

I’d been browsing challah and babka recipes including peanut butter and jelly, tahini and pistachio, and so many more, and thought…why not apple butter??

apple butter babka dough spread ready to roll

This babka would make amazing small-batch french toast!

So I started looking for apple butter babka recipes and really kind of came up empty.  Which I found surprising, because it feels like such a logical and beloved flavor combo.  So after finding a few different things that were in the right direction, I set out to figure out something on my own.

I think you’re going to like it…

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Raspberry Skyr Cake With White & Dark Chocolate

When I went to Iceland last year, I was delayed for 24 hours and so my friend V had a whole day on her own to explore.  When I picked her up in the rental car, she greeted me with coffee and pastries (smart girl!) and the first thing she said was “Wow, Iceland men are like real MEN!”  The second thing she said was “Also, the milk here is so good!”  True story on both counts.

She was seriously obsessed with all their dairy products (and apparently there’s a scientific reason), and we drank and ate a ton of it while in the country.  Skyr is one of the most well-known of their dairy products, a lot like Greek yogurt (though interesting, produced more like cheese).

Raspberry Skyr Cake with White & Dark Chocolate | This yummy cake made with skyr (like Icelandic yogurt) is so moist and flavorful, and EASY! It's packed full of fresh raspberries plus white and dark chocolate. #skyr #raspberries #dessertrecipes

You’ll find skyr cake in Iceland but it will be more like a no-bake cheesecake.  And DELICIOUS.  But I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of gelatin sheets and all, so I decided to make a slightly different kind of cake with skyr…using it the way you’d use sour cream or yogurt to give some tang and moisture.

(Side note, if you’d like to see some of the AH-MAZING things we saw and did in Iceland, I’ve got you covered!)

fresh raspberries in my skyr cake

This skyr cake is packed full of raspberries and both white and dark chocolate chips, and is even better than I thought it would be.  The white chocolate isn’t really present as a flavor, but kind of melts into cake to provide extra moistness and texture.  I sliced myself off a few pieces and then called my sister to come take it away from me and have her family eat it!

Raspberry Skyr Cake with White & Dark Chocolate | This yummy cake made with skyr (like Icelandic yogurt) is so moist and flavorful, and EASY! It's packed full of fresh raspberries plus white and dark chocolate. #skyr #raspberries #dessertrecipes

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Bing Cherry Pie With Streusel Topping

I love pie.  Pie is the best.  But for a holiday where pie plays a major role, I don’t really love Thanksgiving pies.  Thanksgiving’s a big deal in my family. We always come home. We get together not only all day on Thanksgiving, but pretty much every other day that weekend. We play football. We play cards. There are glorious sunsets. There is SO much food. This year I think we actually set a record.

Easy Bing Cherry Pie with Streusel Topping | An easy dark sweet cherry pie recipe that's as great for everyday as it is for a holiday gathering! #pie #cherries #holidayrecipes

[Note: I edited and republished this in December 2019 with refreshed photos]

Every year I make a fruit pie or two, because pumpkin, German chocolate, and chocolate chip pie are just not for me. There’s usually a pear-apple pie with streusel topping, or some similar combination (I’ve been on a roll with this bourbon pear crumble pie).  A couple years ago, though, I was really at a loss for what else to make, and then my mom found a bag of dark cherries in the freezer.

bing cherry pie filling in the pie crust

After looking up a number of recipes on Pinterest, I had to basically make up the recipe and hope it would work (I had visions of it just being this giant pool of juice, the soggiest pie ever). It was actually super simple and so easy to throw together.

This bing cherry pie ended up being my favorite dessert that year, and I had it for lunch, dinner, breakfast the next morning, and the tiny sliver that was left the next morning as well. This pie is my everything. I have no idea why, but it’s amazing.

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Pear-Apple Pie With Streusel Topping

I’ve been on a kick of re-making some of my all-time favorite recipes, many of which I’ve (inexplicably) never posted on this site.  Completely on a whim this week, I whipped up this pear-apple pie (and proceeded to entirely eat it myself over the course of a few days…) and fell in love with it all over again.  I made up this recipe several years ago and it definitely holds up over time.

I think streusel topping is totally underrated as a pie topping.  I’m a sucker for the crumbly-crunchy-spiced-sweet texture and flavor it adds, and it’s so much easier than putting a pie crust topper on.  I have a basic streusel formula I use and adapt as needed for different recipes, and it couldn’t be simpler.

easy pear-apple pie with streusel topping finished

I almost always make this for Thanksgiving when I go home to visit my family (and we eat on it for several days), so I have a strong association with the flavors here and fall in Kansas.  In particular, the beautiful (and chilly) sunsets, quiet runs on our dirt road, and a breakfast of pie and coffee the next morning.

I also love that this recipe is reasonably healthy (as desserts go) and super easy to make.  Other than dealing with pie crust dough (something I’m not terribly skilled with), the filling and topping are crazy simple and don’t require any special skills.  You can throw this together while making dinner or doing other things, and it’s pretty forgiving if you don’t do something exactly right.  In fact there isn’t really an “exactly right” with this recipe.  You do you.

Slice of pear-apple pie with streusel topping

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15+ Amazing Holiday Dessert Recipes

It’s that time of year…when you’re needing to figure out what to make for Thanksgiving or some other holiday gathering.  This is kind of my jam.  I’m that person who always gets asked to bring desserts to things, so I’ve developed a list of fool-proof recipes for every type of group, taste, and size of event.  So below are some of my all-time favorite holiday dessert recipes, dishes that I think will become traditions for you as well.

If you’re needing to bake for gluten-free guests, I have a separate post on some of my favorite gluten-free breads & desserts.  I’m not GF, but I still totally love every single one of these recipes and sometimes make them just because.

Traditional Holiday Dessert Recipes (Pies, Cakes, & Tortes)

These are perfect for the main event…the big meal, an office party, Friendsgiving.  They feel fancy and are super season-appropriate, but (don’t tell anyone) take minimal effort and most can be made ahead of time.

Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie

This is a true Thanksgiving staple…taken up a notch.  I’m notorious for finding boozy versions of everything (even before I worked for a spirits company), and this is one of my favorites.  The maple flavor really shines through, and the bourbon just elevates things a little bit more.  Recipe here.

maple bourbon pecan pie

Bourbon Pear Crumble Pie

The first time I made this, my dad said, “This is the best dessert I’ve ever eaten.”  It’s become a Thanksgiving staple ever since.  Somehow the addition of bourbon provides an incredible depth, and (I know this sounds weird) that tiny bit of black pepper is revelatory.  This is also an insanely easy pie to make.  I recommend making it the day before, because it’s better when it has time to totally cool and set up vs. fresh out of the oven.  Honestly, this filling mixture would make the world’s best fruit crisp as well.  Recipe here.

Bourbon Pear Crumble Pie - 15+ Amazing Holiday Dessert RecipesREAD THE POST