Pastries

Originating from Italy, Struffoli is a delightful dessert that has captured the hearts and palates of people worldwide for decades. This bite-sized delicacy consists of small dough balls, typically fried until golden and then coated in honey. Struffoli’s origins can be traced back to the regions of Campania and Calabria, where it is often enjoyed […]

An apple turnover is a classic pastry that has been enjoyed for centuries. And I get it, what’s not to love? These beloved sweet treats are a favorite among many, due to their flaky, buttery crust and sweet, spiced apple filling. But where did these delectable pastries come from, and when is the best time […]

Let’s talk about true culinary decadence–a mushroom Pithivier. And if you’re staying in, it’s the perfect recipe to ring in the New Year. This gorgeous, golden-brown, wild mushroom Pithivier is a mushroom lover’s dream come true. Flaky, puff pastry filled with a wild mushroom and crème fraiche filling that is outrageously addictive. And if you still […]

I doubted this was even possible, but boy, was I pleased with the outcome. Vegan chocolate croissants, made with homemade, dairy-free puff pasty. Yes, you read that correctly, these are vegan. This recipe is for my remarkable niece Maddie who loves sweets but must navigate, the often challenging, world of food allergies. Traditional Puff Pastry […]

I love Fall. And with the exception of the holiday decorations coming out at way too fast of a clip, I enjoy all aspects of it. But personally, I think the pumpkin craziness gets a bit more glory than it deserves. Don’t get me wrong, I love a great pumpkin cookie, pumpkin muffins are my […]

Starbucks petite vanilla bean scones will forever have a special place in my heart. Both my boys LOVED these scones when they were little. A treat they would sometimes get when we were out walking or for bribery when flu shots were needed. Scones came to the rescue in all sorts of wonderful ways throughout […]

Danish Aebleskiver, also known as Danish pancake balls, is a traditional Danish food served during Christmas. The center of these Danish pastries is soft and fluffy, almost creamy. The crust is crisp and slightly browned and the apple filling is sweet and tangy. In Danish “Aebleskiver” simply means apple slices which are the most traditional […]

This is what happens when your kids watch Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef Jr, and this is why I love cooking shows.  Never in a million years would have I thought to make this recipe with my kids (ages 7 and 9 at the time), yet I did. The results were surprisingly decent.  Croquembouche pronounced “croque-en-bouche”, is a beautiful […]

I bet you had no idea I’m part German. I used to think that’s where my love of apple strudel came from. But truth be told, strudel is not German. This iconic pastry is most often associated with Austrian cuisine and can be traced back to the 17th century. The first handwritten recipe for a […]

I am a sucker for just about anything with cinnamon and sugar. A favorite childhood treat was warm buttered toast with a generous dusting of cinnamon-sugar, what’s not to love? This was a comfort food to me and something I would choose over chocolate any day. Some things never change. I’m still a cinnamon and […]

For those that don’t know, these are Elephant Ear cookies, or French Palmier cookies as they are more formally known. But these crispy, buttery, elegant cookies are a childhood favorite and ones I love to make during the holidays. Made with puff pasty (also known as pâte feuilletée), these rich cookies dusted lightly with sugar and […]

These chocolate-raspberry walnut rugelach are by far one of my favorite cookies. Within the history of Jewish foods that have traveled across continents, there are many examples of flavor changes and other adaptations, rugelach is one of them. What is Rugelach? Rugelach, pronounced “ROO-gəl-əkh“, for those unfamiliar, are crescent-shaped, yeast dough pastries with a variety of fillings […]

My family’s love of Din Tai Fung is no secret. I did a copycat recipe of their chilled cucumber salad (a true favorite) and to this day, this simple dish, remains one of my most viewed blog posts. I think that says something. Din Tai Fung has a cult-like following and for good reason. Their soup […]

My thoughts on pies are no secret: I’m not a huge cooked fruit person, I say this yet I still enjoy a pie on occasion, especially a good one.  This year, I decided to play around with an easy pie-like type of dessert—fruit hand pies or as my older son calls them, “personal pies”.  I […]

Madeleine is the name of my niece whom I adore. It is also the name of one of my favorite French sweet treats.  By definition, a Madeleine (or petite Madeleine) is a traditional small cake from the northeast region of France.  Often referred to as a cookie in the United States, Madeleines are very small […]