Have you ever noticed how how polarizing nuts can be!? Seriously, I feel as though everyone I ask either LOVES the nuts in baked goods, or HATES the nuts. A personal example – my 8-year-old Sam is the LEAST picky eater I’ve ever met. Seriously, when he was home last week with pneumonia I wanted to baby him and asked what he’d like to eat – ice cream, chicken soup, anything his heart desired. What does he request? Brussel sprouts! Honestly, when we lived in Japan he’d try every strange smelling/looking food that the rest of us backed away from. We’d all watch in awe while he sampled raw octopus, fermented soybean, and pickled plums, just to name a few. The one thing Sam absolutely refuses to eat? Baked goods with nuts! Is there anyone who is feels lukewarm on this issue? (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘chocolate’
chocolate peanut butter pie with cookie crust
Baked was one of the first bakeries I tried when we moved to Brooklyn, and it remains a favorite, from their Deep Dark Brownie to their Sweet & Salty Cake. They come up with the best flavor combos, so it’s no surprise that this peanut butter & cream cheese & hot fudge pie was thought up by Baked. For me, making this pie was a no-brainer: Whenever peanut butter and cream cheese come together, it’s a winning combo (like these peanut butter banana cupcakes).
Be forewarned, this pie is pretty decadent. Personally, that’s what drew me in, but if you tend to be easily overwhelmed by rich desserts, you may want to try skipping the chocolate layer between the crust and the peanut butter, or halving the recipe and making it in a tart pan. (more…)
snickers cake
So, let me just tell you right up front, there are no snickers in this cake. BUT, there are are nuts, chocolate, and ooey, gooey caramel. All the good stuff, so… close enough!? The kids love this cake with the surprise inside. No frosting necessary, so it would make a good birthday cake. (I think that sometimes the ice cream and the frosting fight each other, am I alone?) But whether it’s for a birthday, or just for satisfying your sweet tooth, I do recommend serving with a healthy dollop of ice cream or whipping cream. Quick, easy, delicious! (more…)
chocolate strawberry celebration cake
First, this picture was taken with an iPhone. Usually I wouldn’t share it, but the cake was too amazing to keep quiet. Ashley and I had so much fun making this together for Christmas Eve dinner. Mom made a fabulous prime rib and the whole family feasted like we’ve never feasted before! Our favorite part was most definitely Ashley’s chocolate buttercream – OUT OF THIS WORLD! Absolutely amazing.
peanut butter pretzel bites
Salty and sweet. Crunchy and melt-in-your-mouth. Peanut butter and chocolate. Dangerous and delicious (you know what I mean). One little bite, so much to experience. Why did I wait so long to give these a try?? A perfect treat to share with a large group of people that you love a whole lot, or to share with yourself on a self-indulgent sweats and sofa sorta day. Yum and yum. (more…)
bon appetit’s chocolate (mayonnaise) cake
My pumpkin supply is running short here in Asia, but that’s OK because I was forced to try something different this fall. I’d completely forgotten how amazing the perfect chocolate cake can be! I’ve never had a go-to recipe, but when I saw this in Bon Appetit it looked like I had met my match. I don’t go for light and fluffy when it comes to my cakes, particularly the chocolate variety. I like dense (check), rich (check) and moist (check). The cake was fab. And the frosting? Beyond. Dangerous. Anytime I need a chocolate cake, this will be on the menu. Seriously, didn’t even miss my pumpkin in the middle of October, that’s how good it was! (more…)


















