Cakes and Cupcakes
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Matcha Snack Cake
I’m back! It’s been a while since I posted, but for good reason. In case you missed it (a.k.a., you don’t follow me on Instagram), I bought a house! After three and a half years of searching, I finally found the house I was looking for at the end of January, and by the end of February I had closed on the house, packed up, and moved! It was a whirlwind, to say the least. Now, after another month and a half of unpacking and settling in, I’m finally getting back into the swing of blogging things, and it feels great! I’m still trying to get used to my new-to-me…
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Toasted Coconut Snack Cake
Sometimes, you just need a little cake. Something to go with your afternoon cup of coffee or tea that tastes great and lifts your spirits. Or something special for a brunch that’s quick to throw together and serve with fresh berries and a mountain of whipped cream. This Toasted Coconut Snack Cake is that cake. A Scone-Like Coffee Cake Perfect for Dessert, Brunch, or Whenever You Need a Sweet Snack This is a coffee-cake-style cake. But instead of cinnamon streusel, it’s covered in a heaping mound of toasted coconut topping. Its texture is a little dense and almost scone-like. It’s the perfect canvas for ripe summer berries, roasted peaches or…
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Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
Originally published in April 2021; Updated April 2023 One of the big reasons I bake is to share some joy in treat form with my loved ones. So I’m always thrilled when I get the chance to bake something special for a friend. I originally created this recipe two years ago to celebrate the birthday of one of my closest friends…and it ended up being one of the best things I’ve ever made! So naturally, I had to share it with you all. I recently updated the peanut butter frosting recipe just a little—to make it fluffier and even better than it was. Get excited—these Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut…
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Double Chocolate Mocha Crunch Cake
My birthday was last week, and what better way to celebrate than by baking a fabulous cake? This year’s birthday cake inspiration came in the form of my friend Andrew’s Double Chocolate Cake from his cookbook, You Get It Honest (a great book chock full of delicious Southern cooking). But of course I had to make a few additions because, well, that’s just what I do. The result is this Double Chocolate Mocha Crunch Cake. Let’s dig in. A Case for Baking Your Own Birthday Cake Some may think it’s weird or even sad to bake your own birthday cake, but I disagree. I mean, if you hate baking, then…
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Helloooo fall baking season! From now through the end of the year is my FAVORITE time to bake. There are so many great flavors to play with! Right now we have apples, maple, caramel, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pumpkin. Then once the holiday season hits, we add in peppermint and a whole slew of other nostalgic flavors I look forward to all year. This pumpkin chocolate chip muffin recipe is one that I’ve had for years. It came to me in bread form from a previous roommate, but it’s been so long that I can’t remember who that was (if it was you, let me know!). I tweaked the recipe…
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Whiteout Cake: White Cake With Whipped Vanilla Almond Buttercream
I’ve been craving white cake lately. Plain white cake with white frosting—the kind you have at weddings, office parties, kids’ birthdays…you get the idea. Normally I’m a chocolate cake fan (if I have to choose), but occasionally I just need something lighter, preferably topped with fruit. Thus, this white cake with whipped vanilla almond buttercream was born! The Classic White Cake I know that a plain white cake seems a little…boring. But if it’s done right, it’s anything but. First of all, you could keep your white cake just plain-old-vanilla (no judgement—vanilla can be delicious), but I like to add a smidge of almond to mine. It gives the cake…
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Mint Chocolate Cupcakes
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the subtle power of comfort food. Maybe it’s the war in Ukraine, maybe it’s the fact that we’re coming up on two years of the pandemic, or maybe it’s any number of other difficult and scary things happening in the world. But whatever the reason, there’s something innately comforting about sharing food with those we love when we can’t control what’s happening around us. When I think about comforting desserts, I think of cake. Especially chocolate cake with a rich, creamy frosting. In that vein, I created these über-comforting Mint Chocolate Cupcakes. They’re perfect for St. Patty’s Day, but can offer a dose…
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Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake
This past Tuesday was my birthday (we won’t talk about how old that makes me…let’s just say I’m old enough to remember the first time stirrup pants were in style). I genuinely love my birthday. I always take the day off of work and do whatever I want. This year my plans were pretty low key, but they did include a spectacular cake. The past few years for my birthday, I’ve made my own cake…partly because I’m picky and partly because I just love doing it. Two years ago it was this Chocolate Cake With Earl Grey Buttercream and Salted Caramel, and last year it was Aroshaliny’s Persian Love Cake.…
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Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
We’re already more than halfway through October, and I haven’t shared anything pumpkiny yet. That seems like some kind of crime, so I thought I’d better get on it. Luckily, I’ve been working on these pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting for a while, and I think I’ve finally gotten them juuuust right. Pumpkin Desserts For The Win Pumpkin-spice-flavored things are everywhere, thanks to Starbucks. And honestly? The whole pumpkin spice craze is overrated (yep, I said it). But while I’m not a huge PSL fan (they’re fine, just too sweet for me), and I can’t stand the scent of pumpkin spice candles (ew), I do love a good pumpkin…
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Chai Spice Pound Cake Cupcakes
Harvest season is in full swing. Farmer’s market counters overflow with pumpkins and squash, orchards are bursting with apples and pears, and all I want to drink is warmly spiced cider, mulled wine, and chai. (And, yes, the occasional pumpkin spice latte…I’m not immune to its charms.) Two years ago I created my Chai Spice Snickerdoodles, and with it my own chai spice mix. From there, I added that same spice mix to apple pie, and have used the leftover mix in my coffee as well. Spoiler alert: it’s delicious. Then the following spring, a friend asked for chai-flavored pound cake for her birthday, so I added that chai spice…
