As with most things lately, I procrastinated in making this month's Daring Baker's Challenge. It's been a busy, month filled with baking many things, some of which I have yet to find the time to post! Lately I've been a little uninspired by the last few savory DB challenges, but I was eager to rejoin the group when I read that this month's challenge was bringing sugar back to the table.November 29, 2008
Caramel Cupcakes with Browned Butter Caramel Frosting
As with most things lately, I procrastinated in making this month's Daring Baker's Challenge. It's been a busy, month filled with baking many things, some of which I have yet to find the time to post! Lately I've been a little uninspired by the last few savory DB challenges, but I was eager to rejoin the group when I read that this month's challenge was bringing sugar back to the table.November 24, 2008
Hint o' Mint Truffle Cake with Chocolate Mint Ganache and Mint Whipped Cream
If you're looking for a rich, sinful chocolate cake, this isn't the cake for you. No, this cake is on the other end of the chocolate cake spectrum. It's light, delicate crumb is perfectly paired with the fluffy, not-too-sweet minty whipped cream. And its flavor? All I can say is that it wasn't a chocolate cake with some mint or a mint cake with some chocolate; it was the perfect balance of both.
November 16, 2008
A Ladybug Lullaby
About a month or so ago, an colleague of mine "put in her order" for two dozen cupcakes and one mom-to-be cake for a baby shower she was hosting. She gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted, with the exception that they had to have pink and brown ladybugs. I have been so excited to make them I think I got a little carried away...
November 10, 2008
Yummy (Non-Alcoholic) Tiramisu
When I was growing up, my mom worked as a waitress in several family owned Italian restaurants. From the age of about ten, I'd tag along with her on the weekends and work in the kitchen washing dishes, busing tables or doing any odd job that needed to be done. In the early afternoons I used to watch the cooks make tray after tray of Tiramisu, but never understood its appeal. This was in large part due to the fact that it was drenched in alcohol, something to this day I've never been much of a fan.
November 5, 2008
Tootsie Roll Art
Did you know that you can use Tootsie Rolls like edible Play-Doh? Yup! It turns out that they are good for more than just removing your fillings or unhinging your jaw (giggle).
November 4, 2008
November 3, 2008
Super Easy Chocolate Fudge
Looks a little like a martian landscape or an electron microscope image, doesn't it? Actually it's just a close up of the surface of the incredible fudge I made for my friend Pooja for her birthday today. She wanted something "very chocolaty" and left the rest up to me.
November 1, 2008
Spider Cake
My new buddy Sonja asked me to make her daughter a cake for her fourteenth birthday party. We tossed around a few ideas, but eventually decided on a tiered cake with a big black spider on the top. I got inspired by this cake which was made by the I Dream of Cake bakery in San Fransisco.
