eat dessert first
Tiramisu is a dessert I first tasted in Little Italy in New York City, when I was a kid in the 1970s. At the time, I felt as if I was getting away with something a little scandalous because of the coffee-and-booze-soaked cake; it all seemed so grown-up and sophisticated.
Did you know it’s possible (and easy!) to make vegan meringue? That’s right. Fluffy, toastable vegan meringue is achievable with a humble can of chickpeas. You simply use the aquafaba (or chickpea water) and whip it to perfection with cream of tartar, vinegar, sugar, and vanilla, much like you would […]
Happy New Year! We all say it every year—the days flew by! My 2025 was packed with more amazing experiences, recipes and fun. I hit a personal milestone with my Substack (thank you for subscribing!), led trips in Italy and Paris, and am planning several others for next year.
This homemade marshmallows recipe is perfect for hot chocolate, s’mores or just snacking. You’ll find ways to add extract flavors to your marshmallows, too. And don’t forget my homemade graham crackers recipe to go with them! I really, really wanted to start this post by bitching about the weather. Something […]
When I think of fall flavors, it’s the spices that really set this time of year apart. There is something warm and inviting about baking with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, clove and so many more. Sometimes one spice is featured and other treats have a combination. Pumpkin spice mix may […]
Celebrate the unofficial holiday that is pumpkin season with these 15 favorite pumpkin desserts and be sure to head to my pumpkin basque cheesecake recipe at the bottom of this post. Are you like me and feel that every season is starting to creep into the last? What I mean […]
The unofficial end of summer is here, so why not ease into the start of fall? The weather is still warm, and you hopefully still have some fresh fruit on hand to make some of these Labor Day Desserts for one last summer blowout. More Late Summer Favorites
Whether you’re looking for breakfast ideas before the kids head off to the bus stop, back to school treats to pack in their lunch boxes, after school snacks for kids, or a treat to wrap in a care package for your college student, I’ve got ideas for every palate (yes, […]
Don’t be fooled into thinking you can’t put together a beautiful dessert table when the weather is hot. Summer days call for cool treats, but also anything with fresh berries. Here are some of my favorite red, white and/or blue 4th of July desserts. More Summer Favorites
Father’s Day is a holiday that doesn’t seem to be tied to any specific food. A nice BBQ, perhaps? But the lack of a traditional meal is kind of nice because it means you can make exactly what your dad loves. To help, I’ve put together this guide of Father’s […]
Chocolate ganache is a simple, versatile recipe that every baker should have in their repertoire. All you need is some chocolate (this recipe uses bittersweet) and heavy cream for a smooth, delicious ganache. When I walk into a pastry shop, the glossy, perfectly smooth chocolate cakes covered with poured ganache […]
When the first warm days of spring and early summer hit, it’s time to make rhubarb desserts. Start with the classic roasted rhubarb recipe below, and then try one (or all) of my 9 favorite rhubarb recipes. The rhubarb is short, so whether your grow your own or head to […]