During a winter storm weekend, I only want to be stuck inside with THIS coconut cake. FOUR pillowy layers of white cake, STUFFED with fluffy coconut filling, and BLANKETED with cream cheese frosting, with another layer of shredded coconut piled on the outside. Sounds cozy right? Sometimes coconut is giving tropical vibes, but right now, it’s <unfortunately> giving snow/ sleet/ freezing rain. A whiteout type of cake, in this case. But, we aren’t going to be mad at it. Because,

I had never had banana pudding until a few years ago. And now, I’m making up for so much lost time. I’ve become a bit obsessed. I have been hoarding various recipes, for various versions of it. Testing them out. Rating them in my mind. There is a local Charlotte restaurant, called Pinky’s Westside Grill , and they have the ultimate banana pudding there. (See picture of Brandon, under the illusion that I am actually going to share some with him.) After eating way too much of t

This is one of the first cakes that I made, and shared with neighbors, that led to people asking me to make cakes for their special occasions. Family and friends have all really loved the combination of raspberry and chocolate, and many had not even tasted a meringue buttercream before. The freeze dried fruit adds a very raspberry flavor, as well as, natural color, and is light and rich, without being overly sweet. It’s such a great balance with a deep, dark chocolate cake. P

Chocolate and peanut butter team up once again to create an essential swirled bar. Super rich. So satisfying. The coffee buzz is the added perk. A generous 9 x 13 bake ensures that there is enough to go around (of course, optional). I like the added flavor and texture boost provided by powdered peanut butter. I recommend the Sunwarrior brand; I buy a lot of their products, and they are always high quality and great flavor. They are also readily available from their Amazon sh

My family has a pretty close relationship with an ice cream store called Bruster’s. We go way back. It was our OG in PA, and is still on the top of our list in NC, although we have to drive a bit further now. This cake was inspired by an ice cream flavor they make, called chocolate raspberry truffle . It’s a chocolate ice cream base, with almost gooey raspberry swirls, and what they call chocolate “flakes.” (Sidenote: just realizing that I should really buy the ice cream, to

Carrot cake purists look away! This may not be for you. It’s ok, I get it. But, in case you feel the temptation to mess with...

I don’t want to have favorites. But, I think, red velvet cake is my favorite. At least…right now. I had to spend a few weeks cranking out various versions of them, just to see if my feelings were real. I’m low key obsessed with this version. I wanted one with a higher amount of cocoa/ cacao (in this case)…for a slightly deeper chocolate flavor. I chose raw cacao powder, because when combined with the vinegar, it promotes a naturally reddish color! But, unsweetened cocoa powde

My son would choose candy over pretty much anything. Especially sour candy. The more neon- colored the better, too. If he gets a frozen yogurt sundae, it will be smothered with gummy worms. I can’t relate. I’m a chocolate girl. However, it reminded me of the dessert my mom used to make for my sister, cousins and me when we were kids. A “dirt and worms” pudding, with crushed Oreos and gummy worms, complete with a flower pot and plastic flowers! I didn’t think Brandon would go

The Milk Bar cookbook is what raised me. I learned how to make an apple pie layer cake before I learned how to make a classic apple pie. I want every cookie I make to have pie crumb in it. Or marshmallows. The word “goo” is an official baking term. I love all of the steps, and processes, and components, that go into these recipes. They allow creative freedom and inspire fun combinations...things you possibly would not have tried. Of course, all of their new releases blow up

You're gonna have to trust me when I tell you that this cake is magic. It may seem simple, unassuming. Almonds. Vanilla. But, it's just not basic. If you follow along with me, you may remember another recipe that I attempted to recreate, from a landmark bakery in Pittsburgh, PA, called Prantl's. That recipe was for thumbprint cookies with buttercream frosting . THIS recipe is my tribute to the G.O.A.T. Burnt Almond Torte . Prantl's has earned national recognition for this cak

Mocha and frosting were really the only details I needed, in order to be convinced to make this cake, from Joy the Baker . The title of...

I’m guessing you got the memo that I love any and all things that combine chocolate and peanut butter. And if you are reading this, my guess is that, you too, live and breathe for this combo. Brownies are amazing on their own. Cheesecake is lovely. But, we are here for next level. Peanut butter cheesecake swirled in, is the ultimate brownie add-on. I like to use powdered peanut butter here to add a great flavor without changing the texture of the creamy cream cheese.  These a

Cake for breakfast, you say? I’m never not on board. We are big brunch fans in this family, and I typically host on Sundays. I love to bake something early Sunday morning and have it ready for when people come over. We will always have something hot and savory as well, but at my table, we eat the sweets first. And last. Don’t judge. This is a tender and delicious cake that is so good when eaten warm. Don’t be surprised when there aren’t any leftovers. If blueberries aren’t yo

How could you not instantly smile? A buttery, soft, vanilla thumbprint cookie, doused in colorful sprinkles and piled sky high with...

Ok. So, this is what it looks like when you forget to sift the powdered sugar, as you are preparing the glaze. Extra lumps. Was I rushed?...

Actual Buckeyes, in treat form, are confections made from chocolate and peanut butter and powdered sugar,  and are a LONG standing, probably life-long, tradition in my family. My Grandma, on my dad’s side, grew up in Ohio, where the chocolates are named for Buckeye tree nuts. The nuts are actually toxic, but luckily the chocolates are not. The peanut butter balls are dipped in chocolate, leaving a circle of peanut butter visible on the top, to mimic these Buckeye tree nuts. S

This is my riff on a recipe from Christina Tosi’s book, All About Cookies , called Perfect 10 Bars. These are so simple to mix up and I make these on repeat for breakfast. I usually crave something semi-sweet with coffee, in the morning, and for me, these bars are a satisfying blend of healthy fat and protein! And I love chocolate and walnut together. And I love maple and almond butter together. Coffee doesn’t need a reason. So, yeah! I live on these. Ingredients: 3 tbs. Almo

While walking down the baking aisle of the Aldi grocery store, I impulsively grabbed a box of waffle cones. (Side note: the best way to shop; grab stuff and figure out what to make with it later) Something about the malty flavor of the cones was giving me cheesecake vibes. Other Aldi finds to grab include dark chocolate baking chunks and their boxed brownie mix! It’s such a good mix to have on hand and you can add the chunks or fluff it up with whatever you have in your pantr

One bag of 5 cinnamon raisin bagels (like Dave’s Killer Bread , Cinnamon Raisin Remix bagels, highly recommend!) 8 large eggs 2 cups of...

When your cutting board, knife blade and food processor bowl are coated in an orange tint, it’s a good day in the kitchen. It’s carrot cake day. I especially needed this baking day to channel my thoughts away from the boy mama drama, that I was massively underprepared for, with a first grader at home. He’s giving teenage attitude on the daily, however, his school projects still look like this!!  Except I know, he does not actually LOVE to eat carrots…but we all enjoy them a b