Gnarled meringue goblins are sweet and crisp, with an initial crunch of a thick potato chip … But after a second or two in the mouth, that brittle texture melts, dissolving into diaphanous delight. The shapes are amusing. Piped from a pastry bag fitted with a plain 1/2-inch tip (or squeezed from the cut corner of a heavy plastic zipper-style…
Whimsical Vampire Faces Float in Brownies – They Are Peanut Butter Cups!
Cooking, Holidays, Recipes, UncategorizedThese delicious brownies are designed to be delicious as well as fun to prepare. Peanut butter cups are set into the rich chocolate batter and serve, after baking, as rounded vampire faces. Whimsical Vampire Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Yield: 24 to 30Nonstick cooking spray and aluminum foil2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, cut into several pieces if cold (or use…
This ever-so-slightly ghoulish sweet is designed to prepare with the kids. The pumpkin cake goes together very quickly, requiring only 3 ingredients. While it cools, make the cream cheese frosting, a topping that is so delicious you could spread it on an old boot, and it would probably be kinda’ delicious! Put on aprons and turn on some daunting classical…
Delicious Whimsy – Halloween Chocolate Ganache Ghost Tartlets
Cooking, Holidays, Recipes, UncategorizedQuirky Halloween ghosts tickle me, especially if they are piped out with Seven-Minute Frosting and adorned with googly eyes. But when it comes to Halloween history, in early days, folks weren’t focusing on goblins made with marshmallow-like frosting. No, those ghosts where taken more seriously and were the focus of a Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival in which revelers lit…
Make or buy a pumpkin pie if you must, but these layered creamy-crispy squares will most-likely be the pumpkin stars. Make Ahead: Can be prepared 2 days in advance and refrigerated. Happy Holidays to all the cooks and all their helpers. Pumpkin Cheesecake Crumble SquaresYield: 20-24 squaresCrust and Streusel:1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour3/4 cup golden brown sugar1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup…
Thank you, Carole Bloom. These Chocolate-Caramel Shortbread Bars are one of my all-time favorite bar cookies. The recipe is from Bloom’s book, “Caramels” (Gibbs Smith, $24.99). These delicate, very full-flavored bars bring together all my favorites. The dark brown sugar used to make the shortbread provides a richer taste than traditional shortbread that is made with white sugar. But it…
St. Patrick’s Day is a party day enjoyed by Irish and Irish-wannabes alike. From coast to coast, at the core of the celebration is satisfying, easy-to-prepare fare. It’s the corned beef and cabbage that first comes to mind. The briny classic’s origin is a subject of great debate, but whether it was the Emerald Isle or the New World doesn’t…
These Fourth of July treats showcase fresh plums and nectarines, blueberries and apples in holiday finales that are as delicious as well as beautiful. Forget canned pineapple rings. These upside-down beauties showcase fresh fruit in eye-popping holiday sweets. Don’t get the idea that I have anything against a good pineapple upside-down cake. My grandmother made a luscious version. She nested…