I am really into icebox cake now, after coming up with two summer versions (lemon speculoos and ginger peach). It is such an easy way to create an impressive dessert. So it seemed natural to come up with an idea for the busy holiday season. Because the best thing about an ice box cake is that it can be made – indeed must be – made ahead. And it is a blank canvas for … [Read more...] about Peppermint Bark Ice Box Cake
desserts
Blueberry Almond Tosca Cake
Tosca Cake is something I used to find a French bakery here and have seen it in other places around the world. In its simplest form is an almond cake with a crispy, syrupy sliced almond topping. I always rather thought it was a secret type of super complicated recipe that only trained pastry chefs could execute so never really had it on my home cooking radar. It always looked … [Read more...] about Blueberry Almond Tosca Cake
Chocolate Blackberry Cake with Red Wine
In summer, I tend to gravitate toward desserts that are fruit forward and maybe a little lighter. I am not going to try and claim Peach Bourbon Pound Cake or Blueberry Buttermilk Bread Pudding are diet food, they are just less intense. But I go all out here with a deep, decadent chocolate cake tinged with dusky blackberries and rich red wine. The I top it off with a thick, … [Read more...] about Chocolate Blackberry Cake with Red Wine
Cranberry Gingersnap Pie
It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is about to roll up again, but I am ready. I love Thanksgiving. As the food holiday I have claimed it pretty much as my own. I start thinking about decorations and menus pretty much the minute the dishes are cleared away. I test Thanksgiving recipes in the middle of summer! I freeze farmers market green beans and corn in at the height of … [Read more...] about Cranberry Gingersnap Pie
Strawberry Caramel Cake
I don’t know if necessity is the mother of invention here so much as desire. I had beautiful strawberries. I needed to make a dessert. I knew I needed to make something new and exciting, but I really craved my strawberry caramel sauce - it’s a favorite of mine. I thought maybe I could make a strawberry cake and serve it with the sauce and have it both ways. While the … [Read more...] about Strawberry Caramel Cake