Persian Ice Cream (Bastani, A Saffron and Rose Water Custard Ice Cream)

Hello friends! I posted the recipe below several years ago at a time when I didn’t see any other recipe online for how to create bastani, the golden saffron laced, pistachio speckled, delight of a Persian custard ice cream. For the upcoming Bahá’í and Persian new year of Naw-Rúz, I updated the recipe slightly to increase egg yolks by one to add a bit of richness I thought the recipe needed. For Bahá’ís across the globe, this day marks the end of our 19 day fasting period, so a bit of moderate indulgence on this celebratory day is welcomed.

This is a fragrant, luscious, creamy custard-base ice cream made with the most expensive spice in world, saffron. And yes, it tastes just that rich. Short of crossing an ocean or two or hopping a plane to the second best alternative, Persian prolific Los Angeles, it is virtually impossible to get this delectable rose water anointed and saffron speckled Persian ice cream worth the caloric splurge. Until now, that is.

posted in Bakes, Cookies, Dairy, Eggs, Ice Cream, Recipes, Techniques on March 20, 2026 Read more →

Pumpkin Flan

I not only love Thanksgiving the holiday, but I devoutly believe in thanksgiving every other day of the year as well. Practicing gratitude and giving thanks to others is a gift to the giver.

This is much of the reason of why I love to bake. By its very nature baking is a communal endeavor. You don’t bake a singular cookie, one slice of pie, or a piece of bread, but rather dozens of cookies, a whole pie, and a loaf of bread. All meant to be given and shared, especially on Thanksgiving.

Now, let’s face it. Thanksgiving is culinary chaos at its best, so anything I am able to make ahead to minimize the stress of the day I welcome. This Pumpkin Flan recipe is not only luscious, caramel goodness, but it’s also a perfect make ahead dessert that is even better the next day. It’s a fantastically fall and perfectly pumpkiny spiced dessert that is fairly easy to make once you master the caramel part (which you will because I teach you how to make it here, step by step!).

posted in All, Bakes, Custard, Recipes on November 17, 2025 Read more →

End of Summer Blueberry Buckle

It’s October 1st and it’s pumpkin spice everything already! I get it. I really do. The first hints of a chill in the air mean cozy warm spices to tease your senses and warm your soul. But, I’m holding on to the last moments of summer and celebrating the end of blueberry season in the most comforting way imaginable, with this brunch worthy Blueberry Buckle.

posted in Bakes, Cake, Recipes, Seasonal on October 1, 2025 Read more →

Summer Berry Mascarpone Panna Cotta

No one, including me, wants to turn on a hot oven when it’s a sizzling 100 degree outside! No, what we want to do is make a summer seasonal dessert that requires minimal effort, and a high reward of the rich, creamy and fruity dessert variety. So…cue in this Summer Berry Mascarpone Panna Cotta.

posted in All, Custard, Recipes, Seasonal on July 30, 2025 Read more →

Candied Lemon Cheesecake

Spring has sprung, and it was brilliantly evidenced by the batch of Meyer lemon sunshine sitting on my kitchen counter silently begging to be transformed into this creamy, dreamy, luscious, airy, lovingly sweet with a bit of a sour kiss kind of cheesecake.

posted in Bakes, Cake, Recipes, Seasonal on May 11, 2026 Read more →

Valentine Chocolate Truffles

“Where there is love, nothing is too much trouble, and there is always time.” ~`Abdu’l-Bahá

On this Valentine’s Day, show those that you adore, just how much they mean to you by making them chocolate truffles, instead of buying them. I am a firm believer that you cook and bake with all of your heart, and it is that sprinkle of love that makes all the difference.

For these truffles, all you need is that sprinkle of love and three ingredients to make the most luscious, heart-pounding and soul stirring truffles ever.

posted in Bakes, Candy, Chocolate, Recipes on February 14, 2026 Read more →

Salted Caramel Banana Pudding & The Resolution Revolution

Happy New Year my friends, it feels way too long since we have chatted! While I am always baking, creating recipes and sharing pictures and posts of my adventures in the million and one social media sites out there, (okay, so only on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook…sorry Snapchat, I’m still trying to find time for you!), it has been a bit since I have shared a blog post with you here.

In light of this latency period, I knew that what I posted next had to be good. Like really really good. As in, this Salted Caramel Banana Pudding Good! First take a moment to imagine the best banana pudding you’ve ever had. It’s okay, take your time, I’ll wait…Now imagine how infinitely better it would be made with homemade vanilla pudding, luscious swoon-worthy salted caramel, and fresh-whipped pillowy whipped cream. Yes, it’s that good.

posted in Bakes, Custard, Eggs, Pudding, Recipes on January 9, 2026 Read more →

Summer Sweet Roasted Peach Ice Cream

Coming home with an arm-full of fresh, juicy, sweet, succulent sun-ripened peaches from Nashville’s own, The Peach Truck, in the sweltering and achingly humid summer heat could only mean one thing…peach ice cream! Okay, okay, you’re right, it can mean so many a lovely peachy things: pies, preserves, cobblers, tarts, cakes, the list is endless. But in this moment, right now, right here, all I can think of is seeing these ruby speckled gems in a cool, heat quenching Summer Sweet Roasted Peach Ice Cream.

posted in Bakes, Ice Cream, Recipes, Seasonal on July 3, 2025 Read more →

Strawberry Lemonade Cheesecake Jars

It’s Strawberry season y’all! And what a season it’s been. Producing some of the most luscious, ripe, succulent, and juicy, sun-kissed strawberries I have ever had. So I knew whatever recipe I created, it needed to preserve, enhance and balance that fresh picked natural sweet perfection. Then, passing by this sea of farm to our kitchen strawberries, my husband casually throws out, “those would be great on top of a cheesecake!”

posted in Bakes, Cookies, Curd, Seasonal on June 10, 2025 Read more →

Chocolate Crisps With Strawberry Lime Salsa

This recipe of deep, dark, slightly spicy chocolate crisps, served with a ruby, locally picked, sun-ripened strawberry and tangy-sweet lime salsa has been such a fun and creative journey; one that was inspired by our stunning, vibrant and resilient neighbors in Mexico on this Cinco de Mayo (which by the way, is NOT Mexico’s Independence Day)!

posted in Bakes, Chocolate, Cookies, Recipes, Seasonal on May 5, 2026 Read more →