Pawpaw is the super-yummy native fruit most people have never heard of. It is the largest fruit native to North America and grows abundantly in midwestern forests. It’s the only fruit in its family that grows in our temperate climate. The rest, like the custard apple, are tropical. And the best, most delicious way to enjoy pawpaw is Pawpaw Ice Cream.
I used to work for a wedding photographer back in the day, before digital photography was a thing. He was very eccentric, had a lot of odd habits and some very strong opinions. He once leapt from a moving train that had gone express mid-route to avoid being late to class. He woke up the next day in the hospital with a nasty head injury then ran a marathon 3 days later. To save time while eating he would mash entire slices of bread into dense balls he called “cowboy bread” which he washed down with as much milk as he could safely drink in one sitting. He was unapologetically hostile towards new trends in photography, such as color film. He was fond of saying, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” I thought he was a curmudgeon and a bit daft at the time but it turns out that’s exactly how I feel when it comes to the almighty PUMPKIN SPICE. Continue reading “Soft Chai Snickerdoodles”
I know I said that the Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies were my baby. But now I have a new baby and it’s these Chewy Molasses Cookies. At first I was worried that I wouldn’t love the Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies as much once I posted these, but it turns out there’s enough love in my heart for both. My heart grew, as did my waistline. Continue reading “Chewy Molasses Cookies”
Grassy matcha and ripe strawberry combine to make a meringue that tastes as cucurbit as it looks. Stripe your piping bag with green food dye, line the sides with your matcha mixture, then fill the center with strawberry meringue. Voila, Strawberry Matcha Meringue! Continue reading “Strawberry Matcha Meringue”
Despite my own personal views, apparently cupcakes are not the solution to every problem. Sometimes you need to bake something for a brunch, for a potluck, or for a weekend treat and for some reason cupcakes just won’t work. Sigh. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to have a go-to, delicious, and simple recipe that will still get rave reviews. This is it. Plus, they have fruit in their name, so I’m thinking they’re probably very healthy. Continue reading “Blackberry Bramble Bars”
This edible moss is perfect for cookies, cakes and cupcakes. I perfected this technique for a special woodland themed cake I made for my birthday. I love making meringue mushrooms and discovered an easy way to make chocolate “logs” but really needed some edible moss to bring it all together. All the details of putting together this cake are below but if you’re just here for the edible moss recipe, scroll to the bottom!
Most years my birthday is well after Easter. So usually by the time I’m thinking birthday cake, I’m so over bunnies and eggs and pastels and spring. But not this year! So I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone and make a birthday cake that was also Easter-y! I had dozens of my favorite bunny cookies and thought I’d make a pastel cake adorned with pink and white bunny cookies, pastel watercolor buttercream and a white chocolate sail. And then I accidentally made this. My creative process is what some might call chaotic, but I prefer the term “experimentally unhinged”. Continue reading “Edible Moss-Spring Woodland Cake”
One of the best things about my new BFF caramel is that the flavor possibilities are so wide open. Think of any dessert, candy or drink you like and then google that with the word “caramel” and you’ll see what I mean. Continue reading “Banana Nut Bread Caramels”
I have known how to make caramels for three days and still feel like I just invented fire. The Salted Mezcal Caramels were a hit with the adults, but the kids didn’t really like them so I told Weezy I’d make some for her friends that were plain vanilla and she could decorate them. They ended up with so many sprinkles on them that I had to vacuum my kitchen counter when I cleaned up. Continue reading “Swedish Coffee Cake Caramels”
Does your mixologist have a waxed mustache? Suspenders? Do they make their own artisan bitters? Then there’s a pretty good chance you have had mezcal. Mezcal is a smoked tequila that all the cool kids are drinking. After a particularly tough day a few weeks ago I was having a pity-party and texted a friend #sendmezcal. A few days later the FedEx guy rings my doorbell and hands me a box. Inside was a bottle of Sombra mezcal! I have the best and most literal friends. Continue reading “Salted Mezcal Caramels”
This recipe is my baby. It’s the first recipe I ever developed myself and it’s the recipe I’m most often asked for. When I ask people what I should bring to their picnic, bake sale, birthday party, the answer is invariably MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES. DUH. They are spicy, chewy, chocolatey and just the right size. If you usually just window shop when you look at baking blogs, I encourage you to give these a try. They’re memorable, foolproof and delicious. Continue reading “Chewy Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies”
