The Fudgiest Fleur de Sel Brownies
Posted on April 5, 2016
The fudgiest brownies you will ever eat topped with fleur de sel are rich, decadent and completely satisfying. These brownies are, what I like to call, a piece of ultimate chocolate bliss. They are thick and ultra fudgy, studded with chocolate chips, layered with a naturally crackly top and sprinkled with fleur de sel. They…
S’mores Layer Cake
Posted on February 15, 2016
Graham cracker cake layered with toasted marshmallow and milk chocolate buttercreams. This cake embodies the flavors you love in a s’more! It's cake birthday season here! We kicked things off with a bang last weekend celebrating Matt's Mom's and my sister-in-law's overlapping birthdays. And since it was a double birthday, I knew that the dessert…
S’mores Layer Cake
Posted on February 15, 2016
Graham cracker cake layered with toasted marshmallow and milk chocolate buttercreams. This cake embodies the flavors you love in a s’more! It's cake birthday season here! We kicked things off with a bang last weekend celebrating Matt's Mom's and my sister-in-law's overlapping birthdays. And since it was a double birthday, I knew that the dessert…
Cinnamon Cake with Chile Chocolate Buttercream
Posted on December 2, 2015
A light and airy cinnamon cake frosted with the fluffiest, creamiest chile chocolate buttercream. Here’s the thing. This post is all about the buttercream. The buttercream, it is so stinking good. Can you see the little flecks of cayenne pepper hiding in there? Can you see how light, creamy and just spoonable it is?…
How to Make a Monkey Smash Cake
Posted on November 2, 2015
A chocolate smash cake that looks like a monkey! This first birthday cake is made from scratch and delicious. Most people were pretty shocked to find out that L’s first taste of something “sweet” was at his first birthday party. It took a lot of restraint, but it definitely made his first experience with sugar…
Mini Funfetti Cupcakes
Posted on October 30, 2015
Everyone’s favorite funfetti cupcake in mini form! Homemade funfetti cupcakes from scratch. I’ve been wanting to bake something from the Sweetapolita cookbook since I got it months ago, but really needed a special occasion to do any of her gorgeous creations justice. L’s birthday seemed the right time! And just a note, I bought Rosie’s…
Oreo Pound Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing
Posted on October 5, 2015
Rich and ultra delicious oreo pound cake layered with luscious chocolate cream cheese icing. When you are a dessert blogger AND have run your own bakery, the expectations for birthday desserts are exponential. Not only that, but I always want to top the previous year’s birthday dessert with something new and better. Combine that with…
Drumstick Ice Cream Cake
Posted on July 27, 2015
An ice cream cake with all the important components of the classic Drumstick treat! You didn’t think I’d let National Ice Cream Month pass without a new ice cream related recipe on the blog, did you? Please, I wouldn’t dare! Actually, I almost forgot, but last week I finally got around to making this pretty…
Brown Butter Banana Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Icing
Posted on April 27, 2015
Three layers of brown butter banana cake slathered with amazing brown butter cream cheese icing. If there ever was a cake worthy of remaking for better photos it would be this one. I don’t typically like to make a huge cake (ahem, three layers) without an occasion, but this one was too good to hold…
Thin Mint Cookie Cake
Posted on February 16, 2015
Thick and fudgy cookie cake loaded with Thin Mints and topped with Thin Mint Buttercream! I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, one of the reasons I’ve loved blogging so much (and probably why I’ve stuck with it for almost five years) is that I’ve made some great friends. Not only have I…
The Best Birthday Desserts
Posted on February 2, 2015
Looking for the perfect birthday dessert? Here are 30 of my favorite homemade celebratory treats! February is the start of birthday season in my world. My sister, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law all have their big days this month. March is for both of my parents (plus their anniversary!), my brother-in-law, and much of my mom’s family.…
3-Layer Cookies ‘n Cream Cake
Posted on October 20, 2014
Chocolate and vanilla bean cake layers slathered in cookies ‘n cream frosting Year after year there seems to be more pressure when it comes to birthday cakes. I always want to outdo the previous year’s dessert but at the same time, I need to bake something true to what the birthday girl or boy loves. …
Black and White Cookie Cake
Posted on September 18, 2014
This giant black and white cookie is a huge version of the classic New York treat! Before moving to New York City eight years ago, or I guess before I lived here the summer before that, I didn't understand the fixation on the Black and White Cookie. Matt loves them and you can find them…
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes
Posted on July 31, 2014
Perfect fluffy vanilla cupcakes stuffed with a homemade blackberry jam filling and topped with creamy peanut butter frosting. These peanut butter and jelly cupcakes would be perfect for a summer potluck! Lately it feels like the productive hours in my day are decreasing on a regular basis. I'm not knocked out tired like I was…
Margarita Birthday Cake
Posted on July 7, 2014
This citrusy layer cake is flavored with lime zest and the frosting is made with tequila, cheers! A few weeks ago, my friend’s husband threw her a fabulous 30th birthday party. There were chefs cooking Mexican food, plenty of drinks to go around, do-it-yourself ice cream sandwiches and finally this margarita cake. For my friend…
Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Cake
Posted on June 30, 2014
This is the best cookie cake that I’ve ever had. It has a a chewy center, crispy edges and a wonderful brown butter flavor. I’m turning 30 this year. And actually, August 21st isn’t that far away. How I feel about the age is a story for another post, but what I want for dessert…
Vanilla Bean Layer Cake with Whipped Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
Posted on April 28, 2014
Light but satisfying vanilla bean cake layered with vanilla buttercream and covered in a wonderful strawberry cream cheese whipped frosting! I may not have any real quality photos of this cake, but it was such a hit and so delicious that I wanted to post the recipe anyway. Plus, if I made it again just…
Fudgy Black and White Devil’s Food Cake
Posted on March 31, 2014
Four layers of rich chocolate cake filled with vanilla buttercream and covered in a luscious whipped chocolate buttercream. Not only is my mom an incredible baker, but she also happens to love cake. Actually, love is probably an understatement and I’m not sure that “cake” accurately describes it. Birthday cake is her favorite food group…
Extra Dark Chocolate Cake with Cookie Butter Buttercream
Posted on February 25, 2014
This light and moist dark chocolate cake is the perfect pairing for the creamy cookie butter frosting. This is the perfect birthday cake or just because cake. Confession time: I have all sorts of stuff going on that I can’t talk about here and it is driving me insane. I should just be super excited…
Pink Champagne Cake Pops–A New Years Eve Treat!
Posted on December 2, 2013
These Pink Champagne Cake Pops are going to be your new go-to celebration treat! Make them to ring in the New Year or for your next birthday party. They are as delicious as they are pretty! This is one of the most fun photo shoots I’ve ever put together and I’m excited to finally post…
Double Chocolate Stout Mini Cupcakes
Posted on November 4, 2013
Moist chocolate stout cupcakes topped with a creamy chocolate stout buttercream are a fun dessert for any beer lover! I don’t have a ton of photos of these cupcakes because I was too busy the day of Matt’s party with everything else. However, these cupcakes are too good not to share and were a fun…
Burgers, Bourbon and Beer– A Surprise 30th Birthday Party
Posted on September 17, 2013
How to throw a surprise 30th birthday party with a burgers, bourbon and beer theme. It’s been over a week and I still can’t believe that Matt’s surprise party has come and gone. I had an idea in my head at least a year ago and really started planning months ago. Given the way summers…
M&M Kit Kat Cake {Appreciation Post}
Posted on September 12, 2013
HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, MATT!!!!! Above photo from his surprise party this past Saturday night A couple of weeks ago, Amanda over at i am baker suggested a day where bloggers write a significant other appreciation post. Since she happened to pick Matt’s birthday, I figured it was the perfect excuse to participate. Scroll down for…
Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Whipped Chocolate Ganache
Posted on May 20, 2013
Rich pound cake layers with delicious fluffy frosting and a rich whipped chocolate ganache. I don’t know what it is, but when I travel for a weekend, I always have a million different bags. Maybe I just should take 1 big bag and call it a day? I just try so hard to be an…
(Real) Pistachio Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Buttercream
Posted on March 10, 2013
Flavorful pistachio cupcakes made from scratch and topped with the best brown sugar buttercream. My dad isn’t a dessert person. I know, cover your mouth in horror! Him and my sister both… my mom and I, we are just made differently. Actually, I relate to my dad in a lot of other ways. His math…
Mini Cookies ‘n Cream Cupcakes
Posted on February 19, 2013
Well, I’m pretty much at that point before vacation where I’m in a little bit of denial about how much I need to do beforehand. Lots and lots and lots of cookies need to be made and my head is already in a world where the sun is shining and I have a tequila infused…
Mini Lemon Cupcakes with Perfect Silky Buttercream
Posted on September 12, 2012
Mini lemon cupcakes with the silkiest lemon buttercream. First off, for those of you who don’t already know, I’m a finalist for a Martha Stewart American Made Award! Not only is this an honor, but it is also an amazing opportunity. The winner will be selected based on VOTES and will be honored at the…
Brown Sugar Cupcakes with Cinnamon Ginger Buttercream and Ginger Cookie Pecan Brittle
Posted on August 26, 2012
Moist brown sugar cupcakes topped with a flavorful buttercream and surprise brittle topping. Sometimes it is easy to get in a rut. A cookie rut. An exercise rut. A wearing the same $12 gap t-shirt every day rut. We get a little comfortable with the usual. Cookies are easy and I’ve gotten great at them.…
Peanut Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Icing & Chocolate Ganache for a SURPRISE virtual shower!
Posted on April 16, 2012
When Erin emailed me about participating in Caroline’s virtual baby shower I could not say yes fast enough. Caroline is one of my favorite bloggers and I’ve loved seeing her excitement about the soon-to-come baby over the last several months. It is so obvious that she and Logan are going to be amazing parents. Deciding…
Birthday Brunch
Posted on April 3, 2012
A couple of weeks ago we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 60th birthday with a brunch party. Marcia decided that for her birthday, she wanted to thank all her friends and family for being a part of her life. She even asked that no one get her a gift but donate to a family charity instead. Brunch…
Simple Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing and a Joy the Baker Book Review
Posted on March 7, 2012
This week in the series of Joy the Baker spotlight and cook-off posts we were asked to write a review of the full cookbook. And to be honest, I only have positive things to say. The Joy the Baker Cookbook has all of the elements that make me love a cookbook: Beautiful colorful photos for EVERY…
Chocolate Stout Celebration Cake
Posted on March 5, 2012
Rich chocolate stout cake with coffee swiss meringue buttercream on the inside and mocha buttercream on the outside! A special cake for life's special occassions and celebrations. Ever since Thursday’s announcements, I’ve felt a huge sense of relief. Now that you know about Keep It Sweet Desserts, I can be a lot more open about what is going on in my…
Mini Banana Cupcakes with Mocha Buttercream
Posted on December 27, 2011
Today I experienced something that I don’t remember experiencing before. I was sugared out. After baking three batches of cookies, two batches of cupcakes and “tasting” leftover desserts that have been lingering in my kitchen I am ready to give up sweets for my New Years resolution. Or not. I mean really, do you honestly…
The Cake
Posted on May 19, 2011
Not only was Saturday Sara’s bridal shower, but it was also just a couple of days after a big birthday for her mom. So, in addition to fun pick-up desserts, I wanted to make a birthday cake. Usually I’d stay safe with a vanilla or chocolate cake for a crowd, but I wanted to make…
Banana Cake with Mocha Ganache
Posted on October 17, 2010
I usually really like the desserts I bake. Sometimes I love them. And then, every once and a while, I make something new that automatically climbs to my list of top desserts. If this cake isn’t one of those, it sure is close. And without a doubt, I WILL be making the ganache again, and…
