I consume a lot of figs when they are in season. I get to the farmers market early to make sure I get them – and I have been known to buy them all! One of my favorite uses is Fig, Bourbon and Vanilla Bean Jam, which I give as gifts and get many, many requests for. It is fantastic on a cheese or charcuterie board! So when I set out to make a lovely fig cake, I knew adding … [Read more...] about Fig, Bourbon and Vanilla Bean Upside Down Cake
Fruit
Peach Buttermilk Cake with Peach Whipped Cream
Peaches and buttermilk are a wonderful summer combination (seriously - sweet, sliced peaches in a bowl drizzled with thick buttermilk are a revelatory treat). And baked into a simple cake is a great delight. But to be honest, this is what I think of as a template cake. Because the possibilities are endless. Top with strawberries, plums, nectarines, blueberries or other fruit. … [Read more...] about Peach Buttermilk Cake with Peach Whipped Cream
Caramel Blueberry Dumplings
I’ve created here a hybrid of two great Southern desserts – caramel dumplings and blueberry dumplings. I’ve made them both, one a caramel sauce alone with simple dumplings and one with a plain blueberry sauce. This is an over-the-top rich and sweet dessert that is comforting and old fashioned and altogether charming. Fresh in season blueberries burst in a classic caramel and … [Read more...] about Caramel Blueberry Dumplings
Maple Blueberry Loaf
I love the combination of blueberries and maple. I know it may be a little incongruous, sweet summer berries and a flavor more associated with fall, but it is a fabulously deep and sweet combination. I tinkered around with various ideas for a loaf of quick bread or cake combining the two, and with this recipe absolutely hit the jackpot. Dense maple-y cake with pops of berry in … [Read more...] about Maple Blueberry Loaf
Strawberry Lemon Delicious
Strawberries are the harbinger of brighter days ahead and I make the most out of them for the brief time they are in season. And this is a favorite dessert of mine, combining tart lemon and the sweetest fresh in season berries. There are several names for a dish like this – pudding cake, self-saucing cake – but I love the name used in Australia, lemon delicious. It really just … [Read more...] about Strawberry Lemon Delicious
