Almond-Scented White Cake

Ingredients: 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 Tbs. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 12 Tbs. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. almond extract 1 cup milk 5 egg whites, at room temperature 3/4 cup raspberry preserves, melted Raspberries (optional) 1 1/4 cups sliced […]

Old Fashioned Chocolate Frosting

16 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (I measured 16oz chocolate chips on a kitchen scale, it’s a teeny bit more than 2 1/2 cups.) 8 Tbs (1 stick) unsalted butter 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 Tbs corn syrup 2 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp table salt 1 1/4 cups cold heavy cream Melt Chocolate in […]

Quick Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients 3 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 cup butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes. Add vanilla and cream and […]

Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup quinoa or almond flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Frosting of choice Directions […]

The Ultimate Cheesecake

A lighter cheesecake Crust: 2 cups finely ground graham crackers (about 30 squares) 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 stick unsalted butter, melted Filling: 1 pound cream cheese, two 8-ounce blocks, softened 3 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 pint sour cream 1 lemon, zested 1 dash vanilla extract Warm Lemon Blueberry Topping, recipe follows Warm Lemon […]

Coconut Cake

Note:  when we made this, we didn’t use a fresh coconut, and it was still amazing. Ingredients 1 coconut (see Cook’s Note) Cake: Vegetable oil, for cake pan 14 1/4 ounces cake flour, plus extra for pans, approximately 3 cups 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup fresh coconut milk 1/2 […]

Rice Krispie Treat

Ingredients: 5 tablespoons butter 8 cups, plus 2 cups mini marshmallows 6 cups Crispie Cereal 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (optional) Instructions Line a 9×9 pan with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray, set aside. In a large pot over low heat melt butter. Once butter s melted add in 8 cups mini marshmallows, stirring […]

Pecan Pie Bars

3 cups all-purpose flour  ½ cup white sugar  ½ teaspoon salt  1 cup margarine  4 large eggs (or 3 medium eggs)  1 ½ cups light corn syrup  1 ½ cups white sugar (do half brown half white)  3 tablespoons margarine, melted  1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract  2 ½ cups chopped pecans Directions Instructions Checklist Preheat oven to 350 degrees […]

Double Chocolate Cookies

8 oz semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 1 C flour 1/4 C Dutch-process cocoa powder 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened, but still firm 3/4 C packed light brown sugar 1/4 C sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp instant espresso powder (I omitted) Metl chocolate either in […]

Egg Pasta

3 3/4 C flour, plus more for kneading 4 eggs Drizzle of olive oil Salt Place the flour in a mound on a wooden countertop or a plastic surface (stainless steel or marble surfaces are cold and can reduce the elasticity of the ough).  Make a well in the flour and break the eggs into […]