Making the world a little sweeter one pastry tip at at time.
I’m celebrating National food holidays this summer and apple turnovers was last week. But if you think apple turnovers are things us Americans made up, Bernard Clayton Jr. has something else to say about them in his The Complete Book of Pastry, Sweet and Savory: …read more
Summertime is hot. It’s nice to cool it down with something cool and sweet like ice cream. How exactly National Strawberry Sundae Day is on July 7th is something I can’t find, but the fact that it’s on the first part of July is probably …read more
Wafer cookies – you know those types. The cookies that are thin and crisp and layer perfectly with ice cream for perfect little ice cream sandwiches or crumble up nicely over pudding. I didn’t realize this until I actually looked it up but July 3rd is National Chocolate Wafer Day. Probably the most famous ones are those flavored with a spot of mint and dipped in chocolate – Thin Mints Girl Scout cookies.
I found a recipe that is reasonably similar to the famous ones with a wonderful buttery flavor that pairs great with the chocolate and mint. I found this cookie from Tish Boyle’s The Good Cookie. It calls for mint extract but I always use peppermint oil, which to me gives it a greater punch of mint. It’s not a traditional wafer cookie as it doesn’t come from a drop cookie batter as most wafer cookies come from. Instead, these are rolled into logs and sliced thin right before baking. Another reason I like this recipe: they are super easy to make ahead and with a small disher you can make quick and easy mini ice cream sandwiches by the bucket load – perfect for a Fourth of July barbecue.
For a chocolate wafer cookie that is dropped and no mint added, see the recipe Chocolate Fudge Wafer Cookies.
So, enjoy your 4th of July holiday and make a quick batch of these. I guarantee you’ll be out before you know it.
July 2nd is National Anisette Cookie Day, and in celebration of this sweet day here are some anise flavored cookie recipes to try. They come from my collection of cookbooks from the 50s and 60s. For an interesting one, try an anise drop cookie recipe …read more
These chocolate wafer cookies use unsweetened chocolate and are drop style. Use a small disher or ice cream scoop for consistent sized cookies. To substitute unsweetened chocolate if you don’t have any in the house, for each ounce use 3 tablespoons cocoa powder and 1 …read more
The time is here! It’s officially Girl Scout cookie selling time, and you’ve probably seen a few scouts in your neighborhood selling these treats. Here’s a good read from Vox about the history of selling Girl Scout cookies. So, smile brightly at the next scout you see at a booth or when she comes to your door. You’ll only see these girls for a limited time. I have scouts at home, too. It’s a good cause!
Image via girlscouts.org.
Christmas is finished and now it’s time to gear up for New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve is one of my favorite holidays, if not my favorite. Since I had my first baby 17 years ago, that holiday has been spent at home toasting in …read more
Here’s a fun little freebie from Creative Fabrica: Tea and Cake Clipart and Patterns. Hand drawn pictures, digitally remastered and scanned in. For all your pastry and tea party needs: blogging, paper crafting, scrapbooking, picture graphics, backgrounds, and more. Free for a limited time. What …read more
From HARO (Help A Reporter Out): A reporter is looking for “pretty pink desserts”. Can be from a restaurant, bar, cafe, bakery, etc. Pitch your pink dessert with a picture to the email below. Email link is not active. Type in the query email manually to be involved. Request ends soon!
I, along with the rest of the world, watched the Royal wedding and was eager to see the cake. The pictures didn’t disappoint, and the baker who created it (Claire Ptak) gives insight on the cake: lemon sponge and lemon curd filling with elderflower Swiss …read more