Growing up in the South, fall was always just a short little respite from the heat, before the dull, dark cold winter. The leaves turn quickly and fall fast. The weather is only really sweater-worthy for a few days. The mass-marketed Halloween costumes were always hideously hot, and eating outside on Thanksgiving is usually a possibility. I love everything about fall. … [Read more...] about Spiced Cider Pound Cake
Sweets
Sweet Tea Cookies
The flavor of sweet tea is the flavor of the South. With the wafting aroma of mint and the tang of lemon, with that tooth-achingly sweet depth. I love to transform those flavors into many forms, from bourbon punches to sorbet to these cookies. They are redolent with those iconic flavors. The texture of these cookies is really that of a classic Southern tea cake, but I just … [Read more...] about Sweet Tea Cookies
Fresh Fig Cake with Buttermilk Glaze
A friend recently posted on Facebook that she had some figs lying around and was looking for suggestions on how to use them. Almost all the comments involved wrapping them with bacon, drizzling them with honey, or slicing them on a pizza. All of which are delicious suggestions, but a little one-note. But it got me thinking about the many uses of figs. … [Read more...] about Fresh Fig Cake with Buttermilk Glaze
Watermelon, Cucumber and Mint Sorbet
I generally think a cold slice of watermelon is the most refreshing treat on a hot summer’s day. I also cool myself off with a tall glass of water infused with cucumber. Blend these two together, add the summer taste of fresh mint and freeze them and consider yourself refreshed. This is just plain good, but also makes an elegant simple dessert for a dinner party. And you can … [Read more...] about Watermelon, Cucumber and Mint Sorbet
Blueberry Country Tart with Buttermilk Whipped Cream
I love a dish that looks elegant and skillful, but in actual fact is a breeze to knock together. And this tart fits the bill. It plays into that fantasy of one those supposedly last minute dinner parties pictured in glossy magazines, where a pair of perfectly matched hosts and a group of soigné guests, none of whom appear to have eaten a dessert their entire life, … [Read more...] about Blueberry Country Tart with Buttermilk Whipped Cream
