Best Peppermint Bark!

Those of you who are “regulars” know that during the holidays I share a recipe for peppermint bark. It makes the best gift from the kitchen!Looking at the ones we’ve swapped over the years, there’s some common threads that run through. It’s about quality and technique. Here are answers to both. To replicate famous, super expensive candy like Wms Sonoma’s bark, use quality bar chocolate … Continue reading Best Peppermint Bark!

Overnight Simple Coffee Cake for Yom Kippur

FAST, REPENT, THEN EAT! That was the theme for my chat with Matt Swaim today on the Sonrise Morning Show/Sacred Heart Radio. It’s all about Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is coming up Oct 1. It means “Day of Atonement” and it’s a holiday just a few days after the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah.  It’s the most solemn religious fast of the Jewish new year … Continue reading Overnight Simple Coffee Cake for Yom Kippur

Food Processor Pound Cake

It’s always an adventure chatting with Matt Swaim on the Sonrise Morning Show/Sacred Heart Radio. Today we chatted about eggs and yes, they were considered a Biblical delicacy. Eggs are not so much a delicacy these days but do show up in one of my latest pound cakes. Made in a food processor! So easy and the texture is fine grained. This recipe makes one … Continue reading Food Processor Pound Cake

UPSIDE DOWN HOT FUDGE PUDDING CAKE

UPSIDE DOWN HOT FUDGE PUDDING CAKE This is becoming a cult cake! Quick and easy for a last minute Valentine’s Day dessert, too! Every year I get requests for it. How about this for Valentine’s Day? An easy, yummy, chocolatey cake that even the little ones can help with. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Wish you … Continue reading UPSIDE DOWN HOT FUDGE PUDDING CAKE

Homemade Peppermint Bark Famous Clone and Gingerbread Playdough

This week Matt Swaim, Sonrise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio, talked about the 3 wise men who are depicted in our manger scenes bringing gifts to Baby Jesus. Here’s some “legends” about them: They are often depicted as representing 3 races, 3 ages of adult men and 3 different areas. There are lots of different accounts as to who’s who. The first was called … Continue reading Homemade Peppermint Bark Famous Clone and Gingerbread Playdough

I’m on a Roll with Pumpkin Roll

We’re segueing nicely into the holiday season, and that means lots of food, family and friends gathering around the table.  How about a seasonal, yummy, easy to serve dessert that’s do ahead, keeps refrigerated  more than a few days or freezes up to several months? I’m talking about pumpkin roll, that vintage dessert that can stand alone or included in your dessert buffet. My first … Continue reading I’m on a Roll with Pumpkin Roll

Totable Cakes for Celebrating

We’re heading into Labor Day, the last hurrah. Celebrate an outdoor gathering with what I call “totable picnic cakes.”  Start with a box cake mix and a little imagination.  The creamsicle cake has been shared so many times it’s in my recipe hall of fame.  The cupcakes look fancy but are simple to make with a boxed mix and your own special touches. Creamsicle picnic … Continue reading Totable Cakes for Celebrating

Cherry Crisp for Presidents’ Day

Here’s a really easy, and yummy, cherry crisp. It actually tastes better the next day! CHERRY CRISPIngredients 1 can cherry pie filling (buy the can that has “more cherries”) Squeeze or 2 of lemon (opt) 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup oats 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (opt) 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/3 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup chopped toasted or … Continue reading Cherry Crisp for Presidents’ Day

Perrin’s No Fail Pie Crust and Pecan Pie

For years it was like a gray  “culinary” cloud over my head.  I called it pie crust envy. My mom was the first to try to teach me to make a flaky and tender pie crust.  “Just don’t overwork the dough, use a light hand” she told me.  At the time I read something in a cookbook that said “work the shortening into the flour … Continue reading Perrin’s No Fail Pie Crust and Pecan Pie

Chocolate Zucchini Bread and Classic Z Bread

Whenever I mention sharing my “best of” recipes – the seasonal ones that have become cult favorites, there are several that get requested this time of year. Rated high on the list are zucchini bread recipes (after all, ’tis the season…) In particular double chocolate zucchini bread and classic zucchini bread. So I’m sharing both for you. The first recipe is for “chocolate zucchini bread/cake.”  … Continue reading Chocolate Zucchini Bread and Classic Z Bread