Archive for the 'dessert' Category
I’ve always been quite reserved when it comes to picking favorites. When people ask me what my favorite restaurant, movie, book, or ice cream flavor is, I’m always stumped for an answer. I definitely have long lists of likes (and very short lists of dislikes), but it’s hard for me to pick just “the one.” It’s probably because I take it too seriously. After all, “What is your favorite blank?” is used mostly during small talk conversations and with acquaintances. I highly doubt my opinion would make a profound impact on someone I just met, or that they would even think twice about it. I know it’s not a big deal, what I say today can change tomorrow, tastes evolve, and trends will turnover, but for some reason I still feel the need to be brutally critical and a little bit too thoughtful when it comes to this favorite business.
With that said, it can be duly noted that when I say carrot cake is my favorite cake, I truly mean it.
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April 28 2010 | cake and dessert | 23 Comments »
When it comes to dinner parties, I like to make dessert first. In general, baking takes more time and careful precision than cooking. So, before the kitchen becomes loud with banging pots and chopping knives, I like to have dessert completed. The great thing about cakes is that it can be started a day in advance. Usually, cake layers taste better the next day because the flavors are given time to rest and settle. While baking is done the day before, I always frost and assemble my cakes in the morning of the day of the party. I think frosting always tastes best the day it’s made.
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April 03 2010 | cake and chocolate & sweets and dessert and recipe and thoughts | 15 Comments »
Finally, the last of the birthday pie desserts is this strawberry tart. It is probably my favorite amongst the three (pumpkin-pecan and peanut butter mousse). The flavors are simple, clean, and familiar but in a surprising and dazzling way. Contrary to what it seems, it’s a no fuss dessert. The tart shell and pastry cream can be made ahead of time, then assembled a few hours before eating. It’s great for dinner parties and casual family dinners. I’ve made this tart a few times since the birthday party and it’s been a hit with everyone.
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February 23 2010 | dessert and fruit and pies and tarts and recipe and thoughts | 5 Comments »
The second dessert I made for the pie birthday party was Dorie’s peanut butter torte. I loved the simplicity of the flavors which took me back to the candy bars I’d sneak up to my room as a kid. I’ve always been a fan of peanuts and chocolate, so this dessert especially hit a note with me. Especially in the mini, these really feel like an upscale, softer version of a Reese’s Pieces.
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February 14 2010 | dessert and pies and tarts and recipe and thoughts | 6 Comments »
It just so happened that one week after the Tiramisu Black Forest Cake, I got another birthday sweet request. This time instead of cake I was asked to make mini pies. The birthday boy was more of a pie person and the party was going to be held at a Wii game room, so it seemed smart to make everything easily accessible. To be honest, this was the first time that I made pie with a real crust. Not that graham cracker/oreo crumble crust business, but the real deal with pâte brisée. I’ve always been intimidated by pâte brisée that I think I avoided any and all recipes that called for a flaky pie crust. However, instead of feeling fright, I was surprisingly happy to stand up to the challenge. It was sort of refreshing not coming up with any more excuses. ”Easy as pie,” people say, there must be some truth to that!
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January 31 2010 | dessert and pies and tarts and recipe and thoughts | 4 Comments »
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