Did you know macaroons are popular sweet treats during Jewish holidays, like Hanukkah and Passover? They don't contain any of the forbidden foods for traditional Jews during these sacred celebrations. That's just a bonus, however, to the fact that they're absolutely delicious! Even though I'm not Jewish, I plan to make them every December and … Continue reading Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons
Desserts
Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
Sometimes, a wicked craving for one of those huge Costco chocolate muffins hits you out of nowhere. In those times, I believe in preheating the oven, grabbing a bowl, and addressing that craving head on! This batter isn't excessively sweet; it's a good balance to all the ooey, gooey, melty chocolate chips. But don't underestimate … Continue reading Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
Maple-Glazed Blueberry Muffins
This is the first in our new series of Healthier Baking, exploring the idea of making delicious sweet treats without compromising too much of our health. Indulgence without the guilt! These aren't fitting for specific restrictive diets such as Keto, Paleo, Celiac, or Candida. However, they are sugar free, lower fat, and higher in fiber. … Continue reading Maple-Glazed Blueberry Muffins
Jacques Torres Chocolate Chip Cookies
Upon learning about the legendary New York Times/Jacques Torres chocolate chip cookies, I knew I had to taste them! However, I live rather far from Manhattan. So it was up to me to create them! The original recipe is a bit more complicated than your average cookie. It uses equal weight of bread + cake … Continue reading Jacques Torres Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Ganache
Chocolate ganache sounds much more complicated than it actually is. Basically, it's stabilized melted chocolate that can be used as frosting, filling, icing, drizzle, hard shell on ice cream, or whatever chocolatey goodness you can dream up. Once you've mastered this basic technique, you can add homemade chocolate to all kinds of baked goodies! Chocolate … Continue reading Chocolate Ganache
Pastry Cream (Crème Pâtissière)
Do you like to binge Great British Bake Off as much as I do? I've been watching since it began over a decade ago. Back when I had no idea what they were referring to when they would make a "creme pat", though it looked tasty! Turns out that term is short for Crème Pâtissière, … Continue reading Pastry Cream (Crème Pâtissière)
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
It's time for our February installment of Birthday Celebration Desserts! February's Birthday Guy chose his all-time favorite: Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. The result was a deliciously spiced cake with a perfectly moist crumb and creamy, tart frosting that I will definitely be making again in the future! I also decided to try fondant … Continue reading Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Peanut Butter Butterscotch Crispy Rice Bars
This is one of those simple recipes you teach your kids to get them excited about cooking, which is precisely where I learned it! Staying at a friend's house during summer vacation in middle school, we felt accomplished making these easy treats for ourselves. Decades later, I still crave these bars from time to time … Continue reading Peanut Butter Butterscotch Crispy Rice Bars
Healthy Flavored Stovetop Popcorn
Did you know bags of microwave popcorn are coated with the same stuff they use to coat Teflon pans? It's really not good for our bodies. But good news: delicious popcorn is easy to make on the stovetop. And with a plethora of flavor ideas to enhance this favorite movie-watching snack, you won't miss those … Continue reading Healthy Flavored Stovetop Popcorn
Lemon Sour Cream Pie
Last year, we lost an immediate family member. He loved lemon, and I mean loved lemon! He would always ask restaurant waitstaff for an entire bowl of lemon wedges for his drinking water, and if that menu offered any lemon desserts, that's the one he would choose. To commemorate what would have been his 76th … Continue reading Lemon Sour Cream Pie
Mainstay Kitchen & Home 