I like freedom. I wake up in the morning and say, ‘I don’t know, should I have a Popsicle or a doughnut?’ You know, who knows?” — Oscar Nunez
Clearing up the cobbler confusion
He heard the front door slam in her wake. “Damn!” he bellowed, lowering himself to sit on the landing as his leg throbbed in pain. Miss Potts appeared out of nowhere to stand at the bottom of the stairs with her hands on her hips. She pursed her lips and tsked, “Somehow I don’t think peach cobbler is going to fix this one.” – “The Vixen and the Vet” by Katy Regnery
This quintessential American dessert deserves its own name
The upside of retro
For Swan’s birthday, Calla made pineapple upside-down cake, which is not the kind of cake you can put candles on. So, there was nothing to blow and make wishes on. Nobody missed the candles, because you are eating pineapple upside-down cake, there is nothing much left to wish for.”
– Jenny Wingfield, “The Homecoming of Samuel Lake”
This mid-century pineapple dessert was born out of innovation
Pineapple upside-down cake was born out of mechanical engineering and modern ingredients that gave homemakers time to bake a cake that was pretty and tasty. [Read more…]
Go bananas
Whether you use whip or meringue, the proof is in the pudding
Although most people think of banana pudding as a Southern staple, its origin is closely tied to the English trifle, a layered concoction of fruit, custard and sponge cake, ladyfingers or wafers. [Read more…]
Strawberry Shortcake
Classic Tarte Tatin
Accident in a French hotel turns the dessert world upside-down
The origins of tarte Tatin can be traced to two French sisters, Carolina and Stephanie Tatin, who lived in Lamotte-Beuvron, a small rural town in the Loire Valley of France. [Read more…]
A sexy red number
She bath’d with roses red and violets blew,
And all the sweetest flowres, that in the forrest grew.”
– Edmund Spenser’s “The Faerie Queene,” 1590
This velvety dessert is a perfect end to a romantic dinner
February is the month of love and romance, with Valentine’s Day being the pinnacle. On Valentine’s Day, we rekindle the flames of passion, reconfirm our love, or start up a new romance, with lovely handwritten cards, poems of the heart, red roses, Champagne, elegant dinners out and, of course, decadent desserts. Try out this sexy red number to light the fire of desire. [Read more…]
The impossible dream
Baking this cake offers a sweet lesson in science
One of the great pleasures of baking is coming across a recipe you’ve never tried, giving it a shot and being really pleased with the results. [Read more…]
Pocket pies
Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
This party season, serve these perfectly portioned desserts
They’re less daunting than fudge or divinity and perfect for people seeking some portion control. Hand pies, also called pocket pies, are perfect for holiday parties. [Read more…]
Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Streusel
This Southern favorite is an antidote to pumpkin overdose
November is typically Pumpkin-Flavored Everything Month. But if you’re a Southern boy like me, your taste may run more in the sweet potato vein. [Read more…]