sweets

There’s no hiding it, I love French food.  I’ve taken three trips to Paris in my life.  And I can tell you I ate my way through the city, always leaving wanting more.  The last two trips came after I studied at the French Culinary Institute, now known as The International Culinary Center, which left me […]

A moist, fluffy, sweet caramel apple upside-down cake is simple but delicious.  It’s also the perfect treat to make on a cold winter weekend. Some things in life need little explaining; this is one of them. My preference for cake over pie is no secret. But this is a nice mix of the two. Sweet, […]

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 […]

I love blondies. There, I’ve said it. Blondies are awesome and no, I’m not just saying that because I’m blonde.  Similar to a cookie, but softer and even more irresistible, if it’s a really good one. Trust me, these blondies are really good ones and have proven that tinkering in the kitchen can sometimes lead […]

[Updated Recipe] Dessert bars, or simply “bars” and “squares,” are an American creation.  Bars are sweet snacks with a cake or a cookie-like texture, made in one pan, and enjoyed any time of the day.  Staples of neighborhood bake sales, class parties, and picnics, bars are great any time of the year. I make my […]

Many people are fearful of making their own dough for pies and tarts, so don’t be.  Pâte brisée is a French term referring to a type of shortcrust pastry used in various sweet and savory dishes. It is a versatile dough known for its delicate, crumbly texture and buttery flavor. The name “pâte brisée” translates […]

Overnight oats have become extremely popular.  I can understand why.  This easy, no-cook breakfast alternative is simple to throw together the night before and can be adapted to meet anyone’s preferences.  Typically, overnight oats incorporate equal parts raw rolled oats and sometimes nut milk, cow milk, or yogurt. You can add your favorite fresh or […]

When I was little, I strongly disliked cooked carrots.  I still don’t love them, but their sweetness makes them an incredibly important vegetable in the cooking world.  And when it comes to baking, they are one of the only vegetables to have their very own cake.  I came to enjoy carrot cake later in life. […]

Bananas are delicious.  A perfect food, some would say, loaded with vitamin B, that even comes in their very own traveling case.  We buy bananas to eat them, but bananas are tricky.  In the grocery store, it takes time to select the perfect bunch, I often grab them last as it takes some thought.  Not […]

Power bars, protein snacks, and energy drinks are all some of the products you see on store shelves selling “power” and “energy.”  Don’t be deceived: most don’t have either; many are not healthy; and most of us avoid equating sugar with energy.  A good friend of mine from college, a marathon runner, a mom of […]

The timeless allure of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies traces back to early 20th-century America. These chewy, comforting treats have been gracing cookie jars for generations, embodying a perfect blend of heartiness and sweetness. These are hands-down a family favorite and I am confident that will never change. I have elevated the classic recipe with a […]

Everyone needs a good basic waffle recipe on hand for Sunday mornings.  Buttermilk waffles, the epitome of breakfast indulgence, owe their magic to a tangy, creamy secret: buttermilk. This acidic marvel not only imparts a subtle tang but also tenderizes the batter, resulting in irresistibly light and fluffy waffles. Buttermilk’s Brilliance The acidity in buttermilk […]

My husband is a big pie fan. Huge actually. His theory is: eat it in the morning for breakfast so you have the whole day to burn off the calorie bomb.  I find this particularly funny as my husband is 6”1 and on the slim side—weight, you could say, has never been his concern.  Lucky […]

I have never loved yogurt.  It was not the texture or tartness; to me, yogurt has always been too sweet.  And then I went to Iceland… Greek yogurt started a whole thick-and-creamy yogurt trend.  Fage introduced their yogurt to the market in the late 90’s.  By the early 2000s, it was all the rage.  Greek […]