From the monthly archives:

June 2008

Banana Pudding Ice Cream

June 29, 2008

I love comfort. Ok.. I know that’s a stupid thing to say. Who doesn’t like comfort? That’s like saying that kittens are cute. Not so controversial right? Well, this Banana Pudding Ice Cream is an exploration in comfort. I absolutely love banana pudding. It not just the pudding, it’s the fresh whipped cream and vanilla [...]

Chocolate Brownie Cookies

June 26, 2008

I have birds. Living in Los Angeles is like living in a jungle. Instead of dense tropical trees and dangerous pumas, Los Angeles has obnoxious cars and… actors. There is very little visible animal life besides dogs on leashes, squirrels rummaging through the trash bins and pigeons just walking around being pretty gross. But I [...]

Bright Red Velvet Cupcakes

June 24, 2008

I’m in the mood to reminisce. This past weekend my Aunt Judy celebrated her 60th birthday. I helped her celebrate her nostalgia-themed party with these Bright Red Velvet Cupcakes. Before we get to the cake, let’s jump back some 20something years and visit Joy and Judy, circa 1985. My Aunt Judy is gorgeous. Know how [...]

Homemade Twinkies

June 22, 2008

This endeavour was in no way glamorous. If nothing else, these Homemade Twinkies highlighted my ability to make something from nothing. I knew I wanted to make Twinkies, which if you aren’t familiar with, are white cake like treats with a light marshmallow-ish cream center. Amazon sells do-it-yourself-Twinkie-pans, but sometimes I prefer the uphill [...]

Six Rules to Bake By

June 18, 2008

Preheat. Why? Because it says so! If a recipe asks you to preheat the oven to a certain temperature. Well… you should. What the recipe is trying to tell you is that your cupcakes, or loaf of zucchini bread, or blackberry muffins need to combine with a certain temperature to do their thing. And we [...]

The Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

June 17, 2008

Please allow me this last party post. You won’t have to hear a word about it after this. Promise. But what’s a party without cupcakes? And what’s a chocolate cupcake without The Best Chocolate Buttercream Frosting? Tragedy, I suppose. It should go without saying that these super soft chocolate cupcakes were a hit at the [...]

On Empanadas and Pinatas

June 15, 2008

Here is my question to you? When exactly are you supposed to find time to take good pictures when you’re hosting a party of 35 in a one bedroom apartment? I think the answer to that question is simple. Take pictures before everyone shows up. More importantly, take pictures before you’re 3 margaritas into the [...]

For My Dad

June 14, 2008

It seems that the further I get into adulthood the more I understand my parents. I also seem to be turning into my parents, which is three things: frightening, seemingly inevitable, and a topic for another time. Since we are approaching Father’s Day, let me tell you the thing I’ve come to understand about my [...]

Goodbye Tastespotting.com

June 13, 2008

Brown Butter Cornbread Muffins with Fresh Blueberries and Apricots

June 11, 2008

There are moments in my life when I know that I’m a baker to the core. I had one such moment today. Why? Well, I was thinking about cornbread all day. Of all things! Cornbread. I was turning over cornbread formulas in my head, thinking of possibilities, researching recipes and jotting down notes. That’s how [...]

Summer Party Prep

June 10, 2008

I haven’t been baking much this week because I’m getting ready for a party I’m throwing this weekend. Yes! Joy the Baker is throwing a summer party! I’m beside myself with excitement! And it’s not just any party- I feel like I’m in full Martha Stewart mode. To kick off summer, I’m throwing a margarita [...]

Baker’s Day Off- San Francisco

June 8, 2008

Has the Baker had too many days off recently? Forgive me, but with such beautiful mild summer weather, I can’t bear to keep myself in the kitchen. With the spirit of summer under my wings, I took an overnight trip up to San Francisco to visit my darling sister. She’s a bartender at Citizen Cake [...]

Triple Berry Pancakes – Or – Everything but the Blueberry

June 6, 2008

Here are five important (read: random) things you should know about me. 1. I have a very strong, well documented affection for pancakes. 2. I’ve lived in all four corners of the United States, as proven by the following list: Burlington, Vermont Miami, Florida Seattle, Washington Los Angeles, California 3. I’m sometimes (read: often) really [...]

Homemade Almond Milk

June 4, 2008

It’s just an ordinary day, except for the fact that I made milk! Not the yummy stuff that comes from the cow, but Almond Milk with a touch of honey. It might just give Old Bessie a run for her money. Let me tell you a little about me. I’m part Irish, part African American, [...]

Southern Style Strawberry Cake

June 2, 2008

Praise the heavens! I got a new cookbook! I think I was in a cookbook rut. I found myself relying on the same two cookbooks day after day for my baking indulgence. Granted, they’re great cookbooks- charming, attractive and funny- but I had heard all their stories, seen all of their dress shirts, and laughed [...]