My empty nest world of scratch baking and chicken scratch
The Key lime is a citrus hybrid with a spherical fruit, 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) in diameter, that is yellow when ripe but usually picked green commercially. It is smaller and seedier, with a higher acidity, a stronger aroma, and a thinner rind than that of the Persian lime It is valued for its unique … Read more
Baking is a science. It is the science of organic chemistry. Unlike cooking, baking requires precision and very careful measuring and mixing, in a specified order, that produces a chemical reaction with the carefully measured ingredients for a certain specific, uniform outcome. There’s no room for adding a little of this and a little of … Read more
This pumpkin spice muffin sports just a little cream cheese in the center and a wonderfully sweet, crunchy crumb topping. Perfect warm out of the oven on a cool fall morning! Prepare Pans: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 muffin tins with cupcake papers and set aside. Filling: Beat the cream cheese, egg, and … Read more
There is no introduction necessary for these amazing Classic Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Velvety Cream Cheese Frosting. Here are the instructions and recipe! Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place cupcake papers in standard size cupcake pans (approximately 30 – 32). (Alternatively: Butter 2 (9-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then … Read more
Light, buttery, crispy, old-fashioned gingersnaps flavored with powdered ginger, cinnamon, molasses, and cloves. Each cookie is rolled in granulated sugar before baking, forming a crunchy, sugary coating that enhances the appearance of the beautiful crackling across the top of the cookie. You can use ordinary table sugar, decorating sugar with larger crystals, or turbinado sugar which … Read more
This recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes is sooo tried and true in this house! I have been making these cupcakes for about 25 years and I constantly try new recipes just to make sure there is nothing better out there. So far, this is the recipe that friends and family love the best. Easy to make, no … Read more
Fruit Cobbler is not a fussy or fancy dessert and relies strictly on taste, not presentation. As such, this dessert was allegedly “cobbled” together by Early American settlers using fruit – usually preserved, canned, or dried – and clumps of biscuit dough before baking it over an open fire. Modern day cobbler is a fruit filling … Read more
One of my favorite old world cookies – Scandinavian Almond Cookies. These appear on my Christmas tray every year and are loved by everyone. This recipe comes from an old Better Homes and Gardens magazine. The recipe was passed down from a BH&G editor’s Norweigan grandmother. When I serve Scandinavian Almond Cookies, I always … Read more
A refreshing tangy/sweet filling atop a rich buttery shortbread cookie crust. The shortbread crust is pre-baked, a silky-smooth lemon curd-like filling is poured onto the crust, and the pan gets baked again until the filling is set. When I’m in need of a quick dessert, Lemon Squares are usually my go to dessert. … Read more
Cranberry and orange is a blissful combination. These light-as-a-feather sugar-type cookies have just a hint of orange zest, crispy, buttery edges, and bits of chopped sweet cranberries throughout. To make them even more decadent and unusual, they are studded with rich macadamia nuts that I like to roast in a dry skillet before incorporating … Read more