(For the recipe, please visit Ulrike’s fabulous blog, Küchenlatein.) I run hot and cold when it comes to sugar cookies. I don’t like thick and doughy cookies. I do like soft cookies–not too soft, but not crispy either. I like them thin, buttery, and of course, sweet. This week I was happy to try out […]

As promised months and months ago, I give you a how-to for making the most delicious guajillo chile (enchilada) sauce…(Click here for a how-to about working with dried chiles.) These pictures almost make me miss my old kitchen where they were taken. Almost. I have mentioned before how much I love Rick Bayless’s cookbook Mexican […]

(Note: I didn’t take how-to photos because I made the dough late at night and baked it early in the morning–not enough light. And because there’s already a great how-to over at Smitten Kitchen.) I remember first hearing about the “Foolproof Pie Dough” with the secret ingredient–Vodka. It sounded crazy until I really thought about […]

Dennis, a.k.a. Noskos made a great choice this week. Please visit his blog, Living The Life, for the recipe. ‘Tis the season for baking cookies. I was so excited to try these cookies. I have fond memories of my friend making some Linzer cookies during the Holidays and generously sharing a few with me. They […]

  This pie…there are almost no words adequate to describe how wonderful it is. Dorie Greenspan calls this pumpkin pecan pie a “Twofer” Pie. Basically it’s pumpkin pie and pecan pie rolled into one. And it is genius! The pie consists of a buttery crust, followed by a a layer of thick, rich pumpkin pie […]

I joined another baking group call the Cake Slice Bakers. Each month we bake a cake chosen from the book Sky High: Irresistible Triple Layer Cakes by Alisa Huntsman & Peter Wynne. The cake that was chosen for November is a sweet potato cake made with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, filled with orange cream cheese […]

(Isabelle of Les gourmandises d’Isa chose Dorie’s Arborio Rice Pudding. Please visit her blog for the recipe.) Better late than never, right? I did actually make this on Tuesday, but only got around to posting it today. Let me start by saying that I am not a fan of rice pudding. Never have been. I […]

It’s that time of the month! Time for Cooking Club. This month Hannah chose “Cranberries” as the theme. I’m fudging a little and using Lignonberries to make Phyllo Cups with Brie, Preserves and Pecans. I’ve been making my own phyllo cups because it’s time to economize! We’ll also be having these little dainties on our […]

(For the recipe, please visit Yolanda’s The All-Purpose Girl) I was prepared to write about how much I disliked Kugelhopf and all yeasted cakes, for that matter, but then I changed my mind. I loved the Kugelhopf fresh out of the oven. I couldn’t wait until it cooled to room temperature. I dug in as […]

(Please visit Iheartfood4thought for the recipe. Great choice, Clara!) Last Tuesday as I was reading Tartelette’s post about her Bittersweet Chocolate and Cardamom Cupcakes, I knew I was going to add cardamom to my Chocolate-Chocolate Cupcakes for TWD. I have fallen head over heels in love with cardamom this past year and could add a […]