Last year, for the big family Christmas Eve celebration, I was tasked with providing a dessert. It’s a little tough to figure out the right dessert for a great big gathering, one that serves enough and pleases everyone. In the past I’ve made cakes and pies, but you always need to make two or three, plus someone has to evenly slice and serve them. And transport can be a … [Read more...] about Peppermint Black Bottom Cupcakes
Christmas
Hot Chocolate Pops
I was in a very fancy grocery store and saw a lovely, beautifully wrapped box of hot chocolate-on-a-stick. My first thought was “I can do that.” And those babies with their cellophane and ribbon and fancy label were selling for $10 apiece. Yea, I can do much better than that. These pops are basically block of chocolate ganache on a stick. You can flavor … [Read more...] about Hot Chocolate Pops
Red Velvet Polka Dot Cookies
Red Velvet Cake is a real childhood memory for me. I have an aunt who makes a great one. But it was definitely not trendy or cool or in. Red Velvet was seriously down-home, real country food. It wasn’t even a standard on diner menus. But that all seems to have changed. I am dubious about this hipsterfied version. I have had some really, really bad red velvet made by … [Read more...] about Red Velvet Polka Dot Cookies
Tourtière – French Canadian Meat Pie
I am tempted to say that this is an old family recipe, but my family has no connection with French Canadians whatsoever. But it is a recipe my family has been making for years. The story goes like this: my grandparents had tourtière on a trip to Canada, and enjoyed it so much, that my aunt wrote to Gourmet magazine to ask for a recipe. Gourmet did not print her request in … [Read more...] about Tourtière – French Canadian Meat Pie
Gingerbread Pillows
I set out to make a cookie reminiscent of good-old fashioned gingerbread cake. When I managed to achieve this, it occurred to me that if I called them gingerbread cookies, it would bring to mind the crispy, crunchy type - like gingerbread men or tree ornaments. That is not what these lovelies are at all. These little pillowy cushions of cakey, gingerbread goodness are … [Read more...] about Gingerbread Pillows
