Filed under Sweets …

Chocolate Roundup

Chocolate Roundup

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and – strictly for research purposes of course! – I’ve been sampling various chocolates I received or bought (guilty!) around Christmas.  Not being one to look a gift horse, even a herd of them, in the mouth, here’s a rundown of what I’ve enjoyed. They were all good, and two … Continue reading →

Fruitcake Recipes

Fruitcake Recipes

Here are the fruitcake recipes from the December issue of Packet Magazine. For some reason, the text of my article went  online without the two recipes that accompanied it in the print edition. The recipes here are baked in large round pans, but you could substitute loaf pans instead. You could also make small loaves, … Continue reading →

It’s Fundamental (Chocolate)

It’s Fundamental (Chocolate)

Fundamental Chocolate is amazingly, well, fundamental. The latest product line from Diane Pinder, owner of Donna & Company, contains only organic cacao from South America, organic cocoa butter, and natural honey from New Jersey apiaries (so it’s certified Jersey Fresh).  Two of the three varieties are topped with raspberry bits or pistachios, the third is plain. This 70% … Continue reading →

Special Occasion Desserts Redux

Special Occasion Desserts Redux

I wrote about special occasion desserts for the Packet recently, but a good chunk of the article and one of the recipes got cut due to a lack of space (they are looong recipes!).  So, here’s the rest of the article, and if you do want The Pink Cake recipe mentioned in it (From Julie Richard’s “Vintage … Continue reading →

Cupcake Heaven

Cupcake Heaven

Thanks a lot Bradley Koltz!  Your January 10 Business Highlights column tipped me off the the new bakery near me in Montgomery, Dessert Boutique. They are right across from ShopRite, and open daily (check their facebook page for exact hours). So, I can blame you for the calories, right? But, in truth, I really do thank you because this … Continue reading →

Crustless Cranberry Pie (or Cake)

Crustless Cranberry Pie (or Cake)

I just love a good recipe tip! So, thank you to my co-worker who told me about this easy pie she makes at Thanksgiving each year. I ended up using a different kind of baking vessel, since my bag of organic cranberries was a little less than more typical size the recipe called for. I … Continue reading →

Annual plum fest

I do this every fall. I start checking the local markets for Italian prune plums so I can make one of my favorite desserts, the Plum Pie (Zwetschgenkuchen) from Joan Nathan’s Jewish Cooking in America. The most reliable source for these plums is ShopRite, other markets may or may not have them. Regular plums don’t … Continue reading →

Happy Burda To You

This could be right out of Cake Wrecks! Except it is a large Hershey’s chocolate birthday greeting “card” that a friend of mine ordered for me several years ago. When it arrived, I tore open the box and promptly collapsed into a heap, laughing. It was supposed to say “Happy Belated Birthday, Elaine.”  Well, you … Continue reading →

Donna & Company Chocolates

This is the impressive Summer Seasonal Collection from Diane Pinder’s Donna & Company, in a very nice gift box with a magnetic closure. I loved this collection, which continues the seasonal theme Diane started last fall.  Two of my favorites are below, the Long Island Ice Tea – black tea infused ganache with lemon, Triple … Continue reading →