-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Grandma Rena’s Molasses Cookies
My Great-Aunt Evy passed away this week. Like many of the older women in my family, she was a kind, loving, smart, and spunky lady. I didn’t see her often, but whenever I did she was quick to give me a smile and a hug, and always made me feel so loved. She will definitely be missed. Learning of her death made me think of all of the other great ladies I’ve been lucky enough to have in my life, including my Great-Grandma Rena. I don’t remember much of Grandma Rena, since I was young when she died, but I do remember one thing vividly – sitting at her kitchen…
-
Peach Ginger Pie
One last summer recipe before fall begins in earnest, before we give in to all of the pumpkin spice and apple cinnamon flavors of this next season. This Peach Ginger Pie is the best way to use up that last batch of peaches and have one more taste of summer. This is a simple recipe, as all the best fruit pie recipes are – just fruit, sugar, corn starch (to thicken the filling), and ginger. Plus your favorite flaky pie crust. Simple, but heavenly all the same. Pie Crust and Pie Birds For the pie crust, see my Rhubarb Custard Pie recipe for ingredients and instructions (including photos). It makes…
Recipes and Musings from the Zenith City
