Category: Desserts

pumpkin pie brûlée with a gingersnap crust

pumpkin pie brûlée

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, and there are some important pie-decisions to be made. For us pumpkin pie traditionalists, overly-complicated recipes using fancy ingredients are fine, but sometimes you just want the familiar and classic version. This ultra-creamy and smooth pie is just that: spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, dark brown sugar, ginger, and allspice, this dessert has a dreamy, custard-like texture and genuine pumpkin flavor. If you have never made a pie before, this should be your first, as it could not be easier to make. All the filling ingredients are simply mixed in one bowl, you pour it in the pan, and bake it. This year we tried something a little different and are excited to share our discovery that keeps the spirit of the original, while adding a little extra… flare!

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pumpkin whoopie pies with maple marshmallow cream

pumpkin whoopie pies with maple marshmallow cream

Fall is our cat’s favorite time of year. As the weather starts to cool, she likes being indoors with us, watching the leaves change colors, listening to the soothing sounds of an occasional southern California rain (when we are lucky), and enjoying the cozy, fragrant aromas of freshly baked pies and hot apple cider. But most of all… Sylvia is obsessed with pumpkin! We gave it to her as a kitten, and now she loves it so much that we have to be careful saying the word around her. We’ll have to figure out something soon, because now she’s starting to catch on when we spell out P-U-M-P-K-I-N. This dessert—which features her favorite ingredient—caught our attention three years ago while it was circulating the internet with its extraordinary photo and dreamy title, and there is no excuse why we haven’t made it until now, especially with a name that is so appealing and fun to announce: pumpkin whoopie pies with maple marshmallow cream.

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butterscotch squares

chewy butterscotch squares

Sometimes, the tastiest things in life are also the most simple. Like sipping a hot cup of coffee on a chilly October morning, enjoying a crusty baguette with a slice of savory cheese, or eating your favorite fruit, freshly-picked from the tree. Some things just don’t need amending and are perfect in their purest form, like a majestic rainbow, or a dreamy sunset… or these heavenly butterscotch squares! With an easy prep and just seven ingredients, these deliciously decadent treats are sweet and ultra-chewy with irresistibly crisp edges and an intense butterscotch flavor. There are no bells and whistles here, since these rich and buttery delights are so good on their own that they don’t need any additives like nuts, marshmallows, or shredded coconut interfering with their simple, pure butterscotch perfection.

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chocolate peanut butter brownie cups

chocolate peanut butter brownie cups

Sometimes recipes don’t turn out the way you expect. Our original plan was to have a red velvet cake ready to post today, but it turned out to be somewhat of a disaster. We tried replacing the artificial red food dye with puréed beets, but the result was a soggy, tasteless mess. While we continue searching for other natural alternatives, we have decided to instead share one of our all-time favorite desserts: a rich, gooey, chocolatey treat that is decadently delicious, with no beets in sight. Allow us to introduce you to chocolate peanut butter brownie cups.

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belgian waffles

delicious belgian waffles

If you have ever had the pleasure of trying a true Belgian waffle, then you know that they are entirely different from the ones in the United States. Three years ago around the holidays, we were visiting our family who live in Amsterdam, and we took a three day side trip to Belgium, wandering the fairytale streets of Bruges, climbing spiral staircases in old medieval castles in Ghent, and roaming around a Christmas market in Antwerp sampling freshly made hot chocolate and of course the waffles that the country is so famous for. We tried several kinds during our short trip, and surprisingly, the best ones were at the train station on our way back to Holland. We knew they were going to be good when the baker asked us if we could wait five minutes while he made a fresh batch so we could enjoy them hot from the iron. Trying these authentic Belgian waffles was an experience that we will always remember. They were nothing like the waffles that we grew up eating for breakfast, as these didn’t come with any toppings or condiments. They had a sweet and crispy glazed exterior covered in a crust of glistening sugar like the best creme brulee, and a soft, sweet and buttery, chewy inside with pockets of molten sugar throughout. We thought that we would never be able to replicate the complex texture and unique sweetness of that incredible delight, but this recipe we discovered perfectly captures the authentic flavors of Belgium that we remember from that glorious day.

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