Easy Chocolate Taffy Roses

by Liz // March 23, 2016 // 4 Comments

I am turning 40 years old this June 4th, and I’ll be honest, I’m a little uncomfortable about it. I don’t mind turning 40, I just don’t like that 40 is closer to 50 than it is to 20. It’s a bit of a bummer. Anyway, I am already dreaming up my birthday cake. Cake decorating isn’t my thing, but I do want this birthday cake to be beautiful. I envision 3 tiers. I want it to be square-shaped. And it has to taste really good. I’m thinking about decorating my cake with sculpted chocolate or marzipan, so I’ve started to practice. Today I made easy chocolate taffy roses from Susie Norris’ & Susan Heeger’s book Hand-Crafted Candy Bars. This taffy was incredibly easy to make, and has a deep chocolate flavor. I made vegan chocolate cupcakes and vegan vanilla frosting (recipe here) and then placed a rose on top. I thought the cupcakes looked elegant and beautiful. Here’s to hoping that 40 feels the same. Continue reading →

Capezzoli di Venere (Nipples of Venus)

by Liz // March 19, 2016 // 9 Comments

I’ve always wanted to make Capezzoli di Venere (Nipples of Venus) ever since I saw the 1982 film Amadeus. These Italian delights are suggestively decorated, I know, but they’re so delicious. The inside contains a buttery, brandy-soaked chestnut filling, that is then dipped in white chocolate and topped with a white chocolate “nipple”. I suppose Capezzoli di Venere would make a great Valentine’s Day dessert, or a fun baby shower favor. Heck, they’d probably be a hit at a bachelor party. You know men… they love little chocolates. Continue reading →

Mint Chocolate Chip Cake

by Liz // March 14, 2016 // 7 Comments

One of my most favorite summer treats is a really good mint chocolate chip ice cream cone, so when this cake showed up in my email from America’s Test Kitchen I just had to try it. The cake itself is flavored with a little mint extract, studded with mini chocolate chips, and dyed a cool mint green. The chocolate buttercream is just what a chocolate buttercream should be–smooth and chocolatey. I was supposed to garnish the sides of the cake with more mini chocolate chips, but I didn’t have enough left over (I ate them). I did, however, have chocolate sprinkles! Continue reading →

Golden Eggs

by Liz // March 10, 2016 // 8 Comments

One of my most favorite food memoirs is Gesine Bullock-Prado‘s book My Life From Scratch. It is a funny, heart-breaking and beautiful account of how Gesine followed her true calling. In fact, after reading it I felt ignited to start this blog. I could resonate with her passion for baking, but I was so inspired by her bravery. Gesine left her high powered job in Hollywood to open a bakery in a country town in Vermont, while also dealing with the death of her mom. Her story is poignant and her recipes are delicious. Since Easter is near I thought I would make her Golden Eggs. Golden Eggs are sweet vanilla/nutmeg cakes that are baked in an egg mold. Once baked they are dunked in melted butter, and then dipped in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. They are appear shimmery, taste magical, and contain a dash of bravery. Continue reading →

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