• Heart shaped Valentine's Day cookies
    Baking

    Pistachio Cookies with Chocolate and Strawberry

    Dressed up with white and dark chocolate drizzles plus crushed dried strawberries, these pistachio cookies incorporate the classic trio of Neapolitan dessert flavors.  The cookies are delicious on their own, but if you’re in the mood for pistachio plus a little extra, consider adding the drizzle and the naturally bright and tangy bits of strawberry.   The melted chocolate helps the strawberries adhere and lend their vibrant color while keeping the ingredients natural. If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day ideas, offer a plate of festive homemade cookies instead of traditional chocolates.  Cut them into hearts as seen here or pick another shape that speaks to you or your loved ones on…

  • Gingerbread tree and snowflake cookies
    Baking

    Gingerbread Cookies

    Ring in the holiday season with a batch of my classic gingerbread cookies, with patterns that fit your holiday mood.  Snowflakes, trees, and a scattering of stars filled my baking racks over the weekend while I made the season’s first batch of homemade Christmas cookies.  Since my family always made gingerbread without icing, I decorate the centers of each cookie with cut-out patterns so each one is unique.  Save plenty of the little shapes and bake them to serve alongside the larger cookies. With warm spices and rich flavor, these cookies lend festivity to the table with their cheerful designs.  Once you get into a merry rhythm of rolling and…

  • Cranberry curd tart
    Baking

    Cranberry Curd Tarts

    A vibrant filling surrounded by a festive wreath of pastry crust make these individual cranberry curd tarts destined for the holiday table.  Since the braided edges and hand-cut leaves are unique to each tart, they make a beautiful presentation with details we celebrate even more this time of year.  Sprinkle on some raw sugar for a bit of holiday sparkle. Certainly these tarts can be made without a decorative crust, and they will be just as delicious.  If you would like to make ones similar to those pictured, I have included tips below.  As with the crust details, the size of the individual desserts can be adjusted based on the…

  • Baked apples
    Baking

    Baked Apples

    With apples in peak season from autumn until the beginning of winter, now is the time for warm apple desserts made with brown sugar and cinnamon, ones that make you want to cozy up at home today and pick more from the orchard tomorrow.  For these baked apples, I top halves generously like a crisp and bake until the middles become tender.  Before they make it to the oven, the cut sides briefly soak up a bit of rum, then the apples are flipped onto their wobbly edges and generously packed with oats, brown sugar, flake coconut, and cinnamon.  The topping stays crunchy, but those rounded edges melt into a…

  • Triple berry crisp
    Baking

    Triple Berry Crisp

    “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit…” – Henry  David Thoreau The berries have been just so good this year.  After plucking some from the refrigerator, I realized it was time for their brightness  to be matched with a buttery crumb.  On went the oven.  Even as the months get warmer, I don’t hesitate to bake up a fruit-based dessert such as this triple berry crisp. In this recipe, I combine strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries because they’re delicious alone but even more so when combined.   As they bubble and thicken in the oven, the berries mingle, some burst, but quite…