sweets

Cranberry-Orange Gelées
The holiday season is the perfect time to revisit timeless confections, and gelées, known as pâte de fruits in French, are a delightful choice. These candies have a rich history, originating in France during the Middle Ages when skilled confectioners sought ways to preserve the vibrant flavors of ripe fruit beyond their season. Traditionally made […]

Mochi Brownies
If you’re a brownie fan, keep reading, these outrageous chocolate mochi brownies may just be the dessert of your dreams. Mochi brownies are a delightful fusion of traditional brownies and Japanese mochi. Made with mochiko, (glutinous rice flour), which gives these brownies a slightly chewy feel, in addition to an unexpected bounce and lightness, that […]

Lemon Mousse
Lemon mousse is a fresh and easy dessert that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with a light, airy texture that’s incredibly pleasing. This, my friends, is the perfect, prep-ahead dessert for springtime. By definition, a mousse is a soft, sweet or savory, prepared food that incorporates air bubbles to create its distinct silky mouth […]

Celebration Blondies
In the realm of celebratory sweets, few treats can match the sheer joy of celebration blondies. These delightful bars, adorned with golden vanilla Oreos and a sprinkle of colorful edible “confetti“, are a testament to the simple pleasures that make life sweeter. They’re not just for birthdays – they’re for any occasion that calls for […]

Chocolate Chunk Olive Oil Blondies
Get ready to excite your taste buds with the irresistible combination of semi-sweet chocolate and olive oil in these delectable, and equally outrageous, chocolate chunk olive oil blondies. Yes, you read that correctly, olive oil is the star ingredient, and it does not disappoint. But stepping back a bit, let’s briefly discuss blondies in general, […]

No-Bake Fruit And Nut Breakfast Bars
Rise and shine to the goodness of whole grain fruit and nut breakfast bars, a delicious energy booster, that’s both wholesome and incredibly easy to prepare. These no-bake, dairy-free bars are a treasure trove of natural goodness, combining various, readily available nutritious ingredients for a breakfast bar that fuels your day. Dried apricots, cherries, golden […]

Israeli Chocolate Balls
In the vibrant tapestry of Israeli cuisine, one delectable treat stands out like a shining gem: Israeli chocolate balls. These little spheres of bliss are believed to have been invented in the bustling markets of Tel Aviv in the early 20th century. Crafted with passion and precision, they quickly became an iconic sweet in Israeli […]

Apple Turnovers (Chaussons aux Pommes)
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 […]

Chocolate-Pecan Mandel Bread
Mandel bread, also known as Mandelbrot, is a traditional twice-baked Jewish cookie similar to biscotti. Like biscotti, Mandel bread is crunchy, however, it’s made with more fat than biscotti, so the resulting cookie is a bit richer and less dry. These cookies were popular throughout the 19th century among Eastern European Jews, often consumed by […]

Gluten-Free Cherry Snacking Cake
Inspired by my plum cake, this sweet cherry snacking cake is tender with a light crumb. And the best part, it’s also gluten-free. This simple cake features slightly sweet-slightly tart fresh summer cherries and makes the perfect sweet treat anytime. Enjoy for breakfast with a cup of coffee or on a warm summer evening with […]

Vanilla Rice Krispy Ice Cream
You know what they say about ice cream; “I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream“. This tagline phase is cross-generational, eliciting childhood memories of hot summer days and that sought-after cone or a scoop of ice cream that helped keep the heat at bay. That memorable line is actually from a popular […]

German Lemon Cake (Zitronenkuchen)
Sundays are a time for cake in Germany. Many Germans enjoy cake with their afternoon coffee on this day. Although Germans drink coffee during the work week, typically in the late afternoon, Sundays are different. Sundays are a day of rest and even mowing your lawn is forbidden on this day. According to Ladenöffnungszeitengesetz (the […]

Fallen Chocolate Cake
Not all cakes are created equal or considered beautiful, by modern-day standards. The fallen chocolate cake is the most well-known of all the “ugly” cakes. Despite that, I still find it remarkably intoxicating. The cake’s cracks are inviting and its uneven top is a curiosity. What lurks beneath that delicate sugary top layer is a […]

Holiday Stamp Cookies
I am a self-proclaimed cookie lover and while I don’t discriminate, I have a weakness for sugar cookies the most. This year old-school holiday stamp cookies (aka, sugar cookies) are #1 on my holiday baking list. July 9th is National Sugar Cookie Day but I’m a bit perplexed by that. One would think any day […]

Chocolate Babka
Babka, (Yiddish for “little grandmother”), is one of the most iconic Jewish sweets there are. Considered part bread, part cake, babka is traditionally baked in a loaf pan, but can also be braided into a wreath shape (called a krantz). The secret to making a great babka is making sure there are lots of sugary twists, […]