I would hazard a guess that for many people, the image that comes to mind with the words strawberry shortcake are those electric yellow sponge cake cups with the little crater on the top that are sold as “shortcakes,” usually next to the berries in the produce section. Maybe served with fresh berries, maybe with frozen berries in syrup or maybe even gel-glazed pie filling. … [Read more...] about Strawberry Shortcake
Sweets
Cane Syrup Cupcakes
Any good Southern cook has a supply of sweetening syrups that would put Willy Wonka to shame. Corn syrup, light and dark, and generally known by its brand name Karo (pronounced KAY-Ro). Molasses, regular and blackstrap. Sorghum. Cane syrup. Maybe even maple syrup, though that smacks somewhat of the Yankee. I use them all. Corn syrup for chess pie and pecan pie, molasses … [Read more...] about Cane Syrup Cupcakes
Rhubarb Crumb Cake
Every time I buy rhubarb at the grocery, at any store, the cashier has to ask me what it is and then struggles to find it on the produce code chart. Is it a vegetable or a fruit (technically a vegetable, by the way)? Once a cashier suggested I memorize the code to make it easier on everyone. Inevitably, this leads to the question “What do you do with it?” And on the … [Read more...] about Rhubarb Crumb Cake
Kiss Me, I’m Irish Cookies
St. Patrick’s Day is a silly holiday – in the best possible way. Grown folks dressing in green fuzzy wigs and big hats. Pinching co-workers and friends who forget to wear green. Drinking green beer. Singing Irish songs as if you just came over from the old country. In fact, celebrating a holiday largely based on snake-driving has an element of silliness to it from the get … [Read more...] about Kiss Me, I’m Irish Cookies
Buttermilk Pie
For some reason, I tend to think of pie as a summer or spring dessert. Maybe I hold that image of picnics and outdoor parties where the loaded summer fruit pies come out, peach and strawberry and fresh, juicy fruit – with a pecan pie thrown in for good measure. But pie is really an all-round treat, and a perfect, creamy, tangy winter Southern pie is classic Buttermilk … [Read more...] about Buttermilk Pie
