Day Off Doughnuts

While baking is a constant in our family, my hectic work schedule doesn’t allow for much daylight baking time. It’s quite often in the middle of the night or sometime at dawn, when the children are sleeping, that you’ll find me in the kitchen kneading. So the holidays offer the greatest gift of all, time with my family. On a recent holiday eve, I asked the kids what bake they’d like for breakfast. I was thinking of the usual suspects on their request list such as coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, cream biscuits, croissants, etc. At that moment, my son’s face lights up and he screams “DOUGHNUTS!!!” The excitement is contagious and almost immediately, my daughter exuberantly exclaims, “YEAH DOUGHNUTS!”

posted in Bakes, Bread, Recipes on December 31, 2025 with No Comments Read more →

Vanilla Glaze

1/4 cup (½ stick/2 ounces/57 grams) butter, softened

2 cups (250 grams) powdered sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla, preferably Nielsen-Massey

4 tablespoons warm water

In a medium bowl, heat the butter in the microwave until just melted. Whisk in the powdered sugar, salt, vanilla and water until smooth.

posted in Bakes, Frosting/Icing/Glaze/Syrup, Recipes, Sugars on December 31, 2025 with No Comments Read more →

Cinnamon Sugar

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

How to use them:

Whisk together the sugar and cinnamon and use for whenever a recipe call for cinnamon sugar.

posted in Bakes, Frosting/Icing/Glaze/Syrup, Recipes on December 31, 2025 with No Comments Read more →

Clementine Candy

Balance. Ying and yang. Point-Counterpoint. This is a theme that you will find quite often in my baking. I tend to incorporate ingredients and flavors that balance the sweetness of my desserts. Savory with sweet. Sugar and spice. These culinary accents highlight the sweet notes rather than over power them.

posted in Bakes, Candy, Recipes on December 23, 2025 with No Comments Read more →

Gingerbread House, From Dough to Decorating

I believe in the power of love and the joy of giving, and it is a creed that I strive to instill in my little ones. For the last five years around the holidays, my kids and I have forged a tradition that we hold dear. We build a gingerbread house each weekend in December and choose various charities to donate them to. The rule in our house is that they can have treats to enjoy while building the house, but once it’s done, it’s donated to a worthy cause. The particular one in this recipe was made with the utmost love and donated to a local domestic violence shelter which houses the most brave women and children you will ever meet.

A beautiful holiday season to all, and may peace, love and the aroma of delectable goodies baking fill your homes all the year through.

posted in Bakes, Cookies, Decorating, Frosting/Icing/Glaze/Syrup, Fun!, Recipes on December 21, 2025 with 1 Reply Read more →

Royal Icing

Royal icing is a smooth, glossy white icing which is most often used in two ways. In it’s thickened consistency, it’s used as the glue to build gingerbread houses as in this recipe. While in its thinner form, it’s used to fashion stunning decorated cake and cookie creations.

posted in All, Bakes, Frosting/Icing/Glaze/Syrup, Recipes, Sugars on December 21, 2025 with 1 Reply Read more →

Halloween Dessert Bar

Our family loves Halloween. The kids are especially fond of the trick or treat bit, and for me, it is the perfect excuse to bake up treats for a dessert bar for family and friends to enjoy. Check this one out and maybe you will be inspired to whip up a Halloween treat of your own!

posted in Bakes, Cake, Candy, Custard, Fun!, LOB Kids, Meringue, Recipes, Seasonal on October 23, 2025 with No Comments Read more →

Meringue Cookies

Meringue cookies are one of my children’s favorites. They are light as air with a satisfying crunch and delicate flavor. They are also perfect for kids with food allergies, like my sweet boy, as they are gluten free, nut free and dairy free. I’ve made these meringue bones and ghosts for the last few years at Halloween and they are a favorite among family and friends, which is why I wanted to share them with you all.

posted in Bakes, Cookies, Eggs, Fun!, LOB Kids, Meringue, Recipes, Techniques on October 23, 2025 with 3 Replies Read more →

Pumpkin Chinese Five Spice Layer Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Confession time: I am extremely type A and tend to be a perfectionist, especially when it comes to my baking. My family has stood wide-eyed, mouths gaping in horror as they watch me toss out a perfectly good bake with the slightest of imperfections that others would probably not have noticed. So for me to share a picture of a test recipe is huge! BUT I’m so excited about this one that I had to get it to you immediately.

posted in Bakes, Cake, Recipes, Seasonal on October 14, 2025 with 3 Replies Read more →

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

This is such a perfect cream cheese recipe anytime, but especially in the fall. The hint of maple will pair perfectly with a special dessert, as in this Pumpkin Chinese Five Spice Layer Cake.