Bananas have always been on my list of “Love-Hates.” I love them. I hate them. I love them. Nah…I hate them. And so on. It started when I was a little preschool girl some 25+ years ago. My preschool teacher made us healthy banana shakes. She made me drink a glass of it. I don’t know to this day what was in that, but it churned my stomach in a big way. And also to […]
Sorvete de Doce de Leite (Dulce de Leche Ice Cream)
This is a re-post with a few, slight modifications…and new pictures! I made it for my Brasilian mother-in-law’s birthday party on Sunday afternoon. All our Brasilian relatives were there and gave it a big thumbs up. So, I’m taking it on good authority that if you make it, people will like you. It may not surprise anyone that I love Dulce de Leche. After all, it’s sweet and caramely, and delicious. I wish I could […]
Valentine’s Treats: Homemade Turtles
When I told my daughter we were going to make homemade turtles, she asked if they were going to have “feet and arms and a little head poking out.” She thought it was pretty great that we were going to make turtles out of chocolate and caramel. As I was getting ready to post this, I thought I’d try and find out a history of turtles. Alas, I couldn’t find anything other than that have […]
Valentine’s Treats: How To Make Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
The combination of peanut butter and chocolate, for me, are pure joy. I can’t get enough. My blog archives will testify to that! My other half thinks it’s so common. (Wink, wink.) And then he consumes pb & choc in obscene quantities with me. We are huge fans of Homemade Peanut Butter Cups. Don’t get me wrong, I like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups along with the rest of the universe, but there has always been this part […]
Valentine’s Treats: Cherry-Almond Divinity
My grandmother was the master divinity maker. Her divinity was heavenly. She would tint it pink and add chopped nuts, usually walnuts. It was always a treat. And I think of her every time I make a batch. I made my first batch years ago when I first got my KitchenAid mixer. It is still one of my favorite candies to make and eat. While divinity is very easy to make, it can also be […]
Valentine’s Treats: Cream Filled Strawberries
A long time ago, my neighbor brought my family the most delicious treat – cream filled strawberries. Not only were they pretty, they tasted fantastic. I’ve looked all over trying to find a recipe that tasted just like my neighbor’s. The filling was made with sweetened cream cheese and stayed nicely piped inside the strawberry “flowers.” So I looked around and finally found one that came close from The Joy of Baking. Her recipe calls for […]
Peppermint Bark Brownies (The Updated Version)
Peppermint Bark Brownies are a wonderful holiday treat. A dark fudgy brownie is topped with a thick layer of homemade peppermint bark. I still remember the first time I had Peppermint Bark as a child. It was long before it became as popular as it is today. But I was smitten at first bite. What’s not to love? Dark chocolate, white chocolate, and crushed candy canes? Mmm…I love brownies, too. It has taken me a […]
Kitchen Q and A: Peppermint Bark Brownies
(Click HERE for the updated recipe.) Peppermint Bark Brownies have one of my most asked for and popular recipes. People love these! The idea for Peppermint Bark Brownies came from my friend, Tania, who brought me brownies topped with a layer of melted (and cooled) Andes Mints when I had my second baby. The following Christmas, after making her brownies several times, I decided to try to make brownies with peppermint bark on top instead. […]
Caramel Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Streusel
Caramel Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Streusel is a revelation. I didn’t think I liked pumpkin pie until I had this pie. It has a deep, dark caramel flavor, which by itself would be enough. By itself, you find yourself asking where this pie has been all of your life. But then you have a slice with buttery, crunchy pecan streusel on top and that’s when you reach pumpkin pie nirvana. This really is THE best […]
Roasted Plum-Cardamom Ice Cream
For about five years, we lived in a little house with a plum tree in the front yard. Every other year there was a bounteous harvest of tiny, juicy plums near the end of August. We would pick as many plums as we could. I made jam, smoothies, cakes, and pies. One day I decided to roast a bunch of the plums and turn them into ice cream. Truthfully, it was out of desperation – what […]