I got lucky at a garage sale a few years ago and scored a wonderful table top fryer from the sixties. It’s built like a tank, still has the original cloth cord and had never been used. I had never really done any deep-frying so I was a little nervous. But it turns out that with a bit of practice it’s very easy and super fun. The kids love it when I make frites or chocolate donut holes but I haven’t experimented with it too much. Then I saw a delicious looking, teensy little braided donut from South Africa called a koeksister. Finally, a treat worthy of a Deep-Fried Experimentation Project. New band name, I called it! Read on to learn how to make koeksisters. Continue reading “How to Make Koeksisters-Fried South African Mini Doughnuts” →
So, I know this is a baking blog and dandelion jelly is not really a baked good. But if some joker can put bacon on a maple donut, I think I can put jelly on my baking blog. Bacon started it. And this dandelion jelly recipe is worth breaking all the rules for anyway.
Continue reading “Dandelion Jelly Recipe” →
This edible moss is perfect for cookies, cakes and cupcakes. I perfected this technique for a special woodland themed cake I made for my birthday. I love making meringue mushrooms and discovered an easy way to make chocolate “logs” but really needed some edible moss to bring it all together. All the details of putting together this cake are below but if you’re just here for the edible moss recipe, scroll to the bottom!
The Bunny Cake With No Bunnies:
Most years my birthday is well after Easter. So usually by the time I’m thinking birthday cake, I’m so over bunnies and eggs and pastels and spring. But not this year! So I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone and make a birthday cake that was also Easter-y! I had dozens of my favorite bunny cookies and thought I’d make a pastel cake adorned with pink and white bunny cookies, pastel watercolor buttercream and a white chocolate sail. And then I accidentally made this. My creative process is what some might call chaotic, but I prefer the term “experimentally unhinged”. Continue reading “Edible Moss-Spring Woodland Cake” →
One of the best things about my new BFF caramel is that the flavor possibilities are so wide open. Think of any dessert, candy or drink you like and then google that with the word “caramel” and you’ll see what I mean. Continue reading “Banana Nut Bread Caramels” →
Does your mixologist have a waxed mustache? Suspenders? Do they make their own artisan bitters? Then there’s a pretty good chance you have had mezcal. Mezcal is a smoked tequila that all the cool kids are drinking. After a particularly tough day a few weeks ago I was having a pity-party and texted a friend #sendmezcal. A few days later the FedEx guy rings my doorbell and hands me a box. Inside was a bottle of Sombra mezcal! I have the best and most literal friends. Continue reading “Salted Mezcal Caramels” →
I’ve been wanting to try David Leibovitz’s caramel-based chocolate tart for a while now. For the crust he recommends a french pastry dough which I’ve also wanted to try. Kismet! Continue reading “Chocolate Tart with Tea-Candied Pink Lemons” →
