I grew up in the country in an old farm house on 12+ acres of land. And while I have become a city girl, much of that country has stayed with me. One of the things I miss is the fresh vegetables from my mom’s garden. Fortunately, I have that enormous farmer’s market just down the street every Saturday. But … Read More
Painkiller Cupcakes
I’ve never been a fan of beach vacations. My pale Irish skin hates the sun, I don’t like swimsuits, and I hate sweating. We have always taken ski vacations in the winter, and even our honeymoon was to Maine in the fall. But when we got the chance to take a sailing vacation in the British Virgin Islands, I knew … Read More
Mini Cheesecakes with Bourbon Peaches
While I don’t have room in my back yard for a vegetable garden (or the green thumb for it), I’m lucky enough to have a wonderful farmer’s market just a few blocks from my house every Saturday. It’s one of the best farmer’s markets in the area, with just about anything you could want. Local produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, baked … Read More
Strawberries and Cream Cake
There are so many people in my husband’s family (including my husband) that have birthdays in July, that they have a big combined celebration each year. We go to his aunt and uncle’s house on a lake, where people can kayak, fish, and enjoy the scenery. His uncle cooks some normal food, and then insists on adding something a little … Read More
Seriously Coconut Cake
There is a great restaurant in Columbus called Cap City Diner where my best friend and I like to have happy hour. They are known for several fabulous dishes, not least of which is the Seriously Big Chocolate Cake. It’s big. Seriously big. I’ve shared this cake with five other people and still not finished it.
After happy hour there, my friend also likes to order a piece to go so she can have chocolate cake for her hangover breakfast. Genius.
My good friend Stefanie turned the big 30 22-years old again last week, and her husband asked me to make a cake and some cupcakes for her pseudo-surprise party. She loves coconut, so I set out to make a seriously coconut cake.
Sweet Clementine Cupcakes with Candied Orange Slices
I promise this story is actually related to the cupcakes.
For as long as we have known each other, my husband and I have talked about someday retiring to Maine and having a sailboat. Despite having never actually been on a sailboat. So last year I signed us both up for sailing lessons for his birthday. Next thing I know we own a small boat, and belong to a sailing club. In inland Ohio – strange, I know.
Our instructor offered to show us how to rig up our new boat, so we scheduled a time to meet him at the club. He helped us set her up, and introduced us to Peter, another member (and officer) of the club who happened to be there. Once the boat was ready to go, we figured we should go sailing.
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
I have a confession to make. I am a wasteful cutter and peeler. I have no patience for carefully peeling away just enough skin on potatoes and carrots. And I don’t properly remove the hulls from strawberries. I just chop the tops off, wasting what I’m sure is perfectly good fruit. I’m going to order a strawberry huller right now … Read More
Red, White and Blue Leftover Cake
It seems like every time I bake, I end up with random bits and pieces left over – a few ugly cupcakes or a tub of frosting that’s not enough for another project, but seems like a waste to throw away. While I usually default to the obvious solution – eating ugly cupcakes with leftover frosting – some things end up hanging out in my freezer, just waiting for the right moment.
A few weeks ago I made this epic graduation cake with multiple flavors and layers, and I was left with a single, thin, 9-inch square layer of white cake in my freezer. I was determined to use it, so for the Fourth of July I decided to make a half cake. Kind of a loaf-cake sized layer cake.