And now, a showstopper dessert from Southern Italy. This gorgeous cake is redolent of the aromas the Sicilian countryside where almonds, oranges and olives thrive. Its interior is springy and moist, golden from olive oil, orange juice, and sweet wine. Its nut-brown crust is soaked in an amaretto glaze, which makes a sticky canvas for…
Dolce
Torta Gianduja: Italian Chocolate-Hazelnut Cake
The indelible combination of chocolate and hazelnuts was made world-famous by the Nutella brand, but it has been a classic in Italian baking since the era of Napolean. Gianduja is a chocolate hazelnut spread from the Piedmont region. The confection takes its name from the marionette that represents Turin in the Commedia dell’Arte, a peasant…
A Sparkling & Sophisticated Chocolate Bar: “Krackle” with Puffed Quinoa, Candied Orange, Dried Cherries & Black Salt
This Valentine’s Day, I would love to share my favorite recipe for homemade candy. This dark chocolate bar is studded with candied orange peel, garnet-colored cherries, and crystals of black sea salt. These decorations are very pretty to look at, and taste delicious together. It also has a crispy interior, reminiscent of a Krackle or…
A Stunning Holiday Dessert for All: Cranberry Almond Tart with Maple and Orange
It’s highly satisfying to see a pretty dessert come together and this tart is no exception. This health-conscious recipe achieves a crust reminiscent of shortbread (with no butter); a sticky, gooey fruit center (with no refined sugar); and a fluffy, cakey almond topping (with no flour). The warm flavors of maple, almond and vanilla contrast…
A Sweet Recipe for Valentine’s Day: Blood Orange Poppy Seed Muffins with Coconut Cream Frosting
For this year’s Valentine’s Day treat, I took advantage of winter citrus and made a batch of blood orange poppy seed muffins. These muffins have a moist crumb and are delicious on their own, but to add a little indulgence, I whipped coconut cream with a touch of confectioner’s sugar and vanilla bean. Let the…
A Perfect Summer Cake: Blueberry Cornmeal Cake with Ricotta and Orange
Blueberries are an indelible part of summer. They have a very high nostalgia quotient, bringing me back to the kitchens and woods of my youth. And in all the muffins, pancakes, scones, cobblers, crumbles, bars, and tarts I’ve made through the years, blueberries have been there. That’s why it’s still exciting to find a great…