Browsing Tag

desserts

Desserts, Sweet Snacks

Chocolate Coconut Celebration Cake

Here is my annual Cake Day cake. I mention this every year, but I don’t make cakes all that often — I’m not very good at decorating / frosting, and even more so in the days of a global pandemic, making cupcakes as not to share food is better anyway. That said, one day out of the year, I do make a cake, so this year is no different. I love the combination of coconut and chocolate so this celebratory has both cake types and frosting types, in addition to garnet-colored sugar flowers as they are the January birthstone color. Here’s to being 50, I guess!

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Desserts, Sweet Snacks

Pineapple Passion Fruit Crumble Bars
with Coconut Chips

Starting off 2022…. I bought a pineapple. I don’t do that very often because about half way through, I realize that pineapple is pretty acidic and I lose interest. But I felt like buying a pineapple for it’s symbolism. There are lots: warm welcomes, celebration and hospitality, friendship. Have one (or a painting or sculpture of one in a doorway, and it might mean stop in for a chat. In addition, it reminds me of warm climates and it’s pretty yucky weather here in greater Boston to start out the new year, so maybe I subconsciously was dreaming of Hawaii or the tropics. Either which way, I decided to make the standard crumble bars to start of the new year. Delicious, as always.

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Breads, Breakfast/Brunch, Sweet Snacks

Sourdough Holiday Quark + Fruit Brioche-Style Danish

These may not look like much, not particularly festive really, but they are really really yummy. I took my standard brioche-style danishes, added some raisins,dried currants and chopped dried apricots, and made them into extra special Sourdough Holiday Quark + Fruit Brioche-Style Danish. Fairly “plain” looking on the outside, but packed with flavor. If you can’t find quark — and goodness knows it is nearly impossible (I made my own) — you can substitute sour cream or creme fraise. Breakfast or a sweet holiday snack for days.

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Appetizers/Starters, Candy, Sweet Snacks

Maple Bourbon Candied Pecans

As is often this time of year, I am thinking of “stocking stuffer” style gifts and inevitably I make some roasted nuts. This year: Maple Syrup and Bourbon…. a sort of New England meets Kentucky thing. They are delicious, not too hard and quite addictive. I should stop eating them, otherwise I won’t have any more to give away!

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