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Soft Gingerbread Amaretti Cookies
Normally I wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving to start baking holiday cookies. There are so many delicious fall treats to enjoy, why rush into the holiday season? But last weekend I was having SUCH a craving for gingerbread that I couldn’t wait. Last Christmas I made Love and Olive Oil’s Soft Amaretti Cookies, and they were DIVINE. So this year I tweaked those deliciously chewy cookies to make a gingerbread version, and oh boy are they tasty. Say hello to Soft Gingerbread Amaretti Cookies! History of Amaretti Cookies Amaretti cookies are a traditional Italian dessert that can be traced as far back as the 17th century. They are known…
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Peaches and Cream Cake with Mary Oliver
It’s that time of year – stone fruit season! Peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, apricots…I love them all. They’re wonderful to eat fresh, of course, but they also make some of the best baked goods. One of my favorite ways to use them is in pie (like this Peach Ginger Pie and this Plum Slab Pie), but sometimes, perfectly ripe and juicy fruits call for something simpler. This Peaches and Cream cake is one of those recipes – two quick and easy cake layers, whipped cream, and fresh peaches. I mean, just look at these beauties I picked up recently – have you ever seen such gorgeous peaches? They deserve to…
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Ginger Rhubarb Cupcakes
Summer arrived in full force this weekend here in Duluth. It was sunny and 70°F with a lovely lake breeze. Heaven. My Mom came up to visit (for the first time since Christmas!) and we spent as much time as possible outside – including hiking in one of my favorite spots and enjoying some glorious lake views. I tell you what, these kinds of days make up for those dark, 20-below winter days and then some. With summer finally here, my thoughts immediately go to BBQs and potlucks – friends and family gathering to enjoy each other’s company and all the delicious summer foods. Even though this summer will look…
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Grapefruit Pound Cake
It’s Easter weekend already – I can hardly believe how quickly time is passing this Spring! It will be a quiet weekend this year. Life in general looks a lot different for all of us right now, with businesses closed and a stay-at-home order in place here in Minnesota. I’m finding myself both anxious about it all and incredibly grateful for everything I have. I worry about my friends and family getting sick (especially those in higher-risk categories), and at the same time am more grateful than ever to have each of them in my life – even if right now it’s only over FaceTime. BTW, who else is super…
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Chocolate Cake with Earl Grey Buttercream and Salted Caramel
The beginning of the year brings lots of chances to celebrate in my world – New Year’s Eve/Day, my birthday (last week!), and now my blogiversary! A year ago today I started this blog. And what a fun year it’s been! My first post a year ago was for my Grandma’s Sour Cream Sugar Cookies, a recipe that is beloved in my family. This year, I’m sharing a cake I’ve been wanting to make for a while (and the one I made for my birthday this year) – Chocolate Cake with Earl Grey Buttercream and Salted Caramel Sauce. The Cake The cake itself is Ina Garten’s famous chocolate cake, and…
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Etta’s Pumpkin Pie
My Grandma made the BEST pumpkin pie. Seriously. I know everyone says their Grandma/Mom/Dad/Aunt/Uncle/whoever makes the best one, but I’m telling you hers trumps them all. This pie has convinced even the biggest pumpkin pie haters – it’s that good. Pie Month would not be complete without this recipe. I’m not even sure exactly what makes it so good – there are no crazy ingredients or fancy techniques involved. It just has the perfect flavor blend of molasses-tinged custard, pumpkin, and spices. It tastes like Thanksgiving, family gatherings, and the best holiday memories. And the best part about it? It’s super simple, quick to throw together, and best if made…
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Maple Pecan Pie
Updated November 2023 Pie month continues with one of my favorites — Maple Pecan Pie! I’ve always loved Pecan Pie. It’s such a rich, toasty, nutty flavor that goes great with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. This version swaps pure maple syrup and a touch of molasses for the usual corn syrup, resulting in a distinctly fall-ish flavor — perfect for your Thanksgiving feast! A Dessert Table Alternative to Pumpkin I LOVE pumpkin pie, but I know that not everyone else does. This pie is a great alternative for your guests who’d rather not partake of the pumpkin. This recipe is slightly adapted from…
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Apple Slab Pie with Chai Spices and Lemon Drizzle
I’m officially declaring November “Pie Month”. I have so many pies I want to share with you that I decided to pump them out this month in preparation for Thanksgiving. Get ready for the sweet flakiness my friends — it’s going to be so good! Let’s get a head start with this Apple Slab Pie with Chai Spices. A few weeks ago, a friend and I took a day trip over to Bayfield, WI for their annual Apple Fest. It’s one of my favorite fall traditions — gorgeous leaves, mulled wine, Lake Superior beauty, and apple EVERYTHING. It’s the fall-iest thing. I love it so much, even in the rain…
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Butterbeer Cupcakes
Happy Halloween week, friends! It’s that spooky time of year where black cats, witches, ghosts, and ghouls have their heyday and kids of all ages dress in costume to fill their cauldrons with sweet treats. If you need something magical to bring to a Halloween party, or if you’re hosting your own crowd of wizards and muggles, these Butterbeer Cupcakes are sure to please everyone. If you’re not a Harry Potter fan (is that even a thing?), you may not be familiar with butterbeer. In the books, butterbeer is a sweet ale-like beverage served in pubs, and beloved of all wizard kind. While there are a few companies who make…
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Chai Spice Snickerdoodles
There are so many pies I want to make right now, but I just can’t seem to stop making cookies. These cookies in particular have been on my mind for weeks, and I finally got the chance to bake them. Sometimes a recipe does that – flits around in my head and pesters me until I try it. Call it inspiration, obsession, or what have you, but I don’t feel settled until I pull the final product out of the oven (unless it doesn’t turn out – then I have to keep trying until it does!). Thankfully, these Chai Spice Snickerdoodles turned out great on the first try. Last winter…
Recipes and Musings from the Zenith City
