I have a friend who loves Almond Joy candy bars. She is not much a sweet eater, but these are her secret indulgence. So I look for fun ways to recreate those flavors in a more celebratory, and maybe a little more sophisticated, treat. I hope you get the title of the recipe now, because I am pretty sure there is a trademark on the original and I don’t want to get in trouble! … [Read more...] about Joyful Almond Tart
Sweets
Peppermint Bark Ice Box Cake
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
Montana Jam and Oat Bars
I am a book club lady. I am in two, and each has been meeting for well over 20 years. Members who had young kids when we first got together have included us in the childrens’ weddings. And we’ve travelled together. One sweet fried invited us all to her family home in Montana a few summers ago and it was an amazing trip. We waded in the river, soaked in a hot spring, visited … [Read more...] about Montana Jam and Oat Bars
Margarita Ice Box Cake
In the heat of late summer, I am all about the ice box pie. No ovens, no stoves, minimal work. This margarita version is a riff on a Mexican Carlota cake, using sweetened condensed milk for sweetness and body, and a nice dose of tequila to rev things up. This really couldn’t be easier and the payoff if fantastic. I usually serve it just with a sprinkling of lime zest and maybe … [Read more...] about Margarita Ice Box Cake
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
