Jewish Apple Cake
Posted on April 30, 2017
Traditional Jewish apple cake made the perfect addition to a Shabbat dinner or weekend brunch. Photo credit: Raúl Velasco with Alejandro Photography You know I love making new and interesting versions of traditional desserts: Vanilla Bean Apple Cake; Roasted Strawberry Banana Bread; Mocha Brownies with Espresso Sea Salt; etc. But sometimes, holidays come around or…
Blueberry Cake with Vanilla Bean Glaze
Posted on July 25, 2016
This fresh blueberry bundt cake with a sweet vanilla bean glaze might be the highlight of your summer desserts! I’ve been so busy making ice cream this summer (seriously, it’s almost embarrassing how much ice cream I’ve made and eaten) that I forgot how much I like to actually bake, you know, with an oven.…
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…
Peanut Butter Snack Cake
Posted on October 14, 2015
Moist peanut butter cake studded with chocolate chips for an indulgent snack or simple dessert. I’m so excited to share another blogger cookbook with you today! Jennifer of Bake or Break just released her first cookbook, Quick-Shop-&-Prep 5 Ingredient Baking: Cookies, Cakes, Bars & More that are Easier than Ever to Make. I’ve known Jennifer…
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…
Chocolate Pound Cake with Peanut Butter Whipped Cream
Posted on September 21, 2015
Rich dark chocolate pound cake topped with creamy, light and delicious peanut butter whipped cream. I have to be honest, when I first made this recipe, I was nervous that it wouldn’t meet my high expectations for dessert, but I was proved wrong. That says a lot because finding a chocolate cake that can stand…
Vegan Apple Cake
Posted on September 9, 2015
A healthier spin on the classic apple dessert, this cake does not disappoint. No mixer needed for this apple cake! I’m pretty lucky that any photos of this cake exist. I baked it one morning while L was napping and then was setting up my shoot that afternoon while he decided that an afternoon nap…
Easy Honey Cake for Rosh Hashanah
Posted on August 26, 2015
An easy and traditional Rosh Hashanah dessert to celebrate a sweet new year. The Jewish holidays are so early this year so it’s a bit of a rush to get organized. Granted, I don’t have that much to do for the holidays, just some baking, but it’s hard to think about those warm fall flavors…
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…
Gluten free Banana Cake with White Chocolate Whipped Cream
Posted on July 6, 2015
Moist, flavorful gluten-free banana cake topped with a sweet light white chocolate whipped cream. I’ve mentioned it before, but when I bake gluten-free treats, I tend to steer towards those that are lower maintenance on the ingredient spectrum. I don’t like to keep stock of a ton of different flours because I can’t use them…
Mango Summer Cake
Posted on July 1, 2015
A light chiffon cake topped with mango glaze and a layer of whipped cream. The perfect light and refreshing summer cake. So last week I overloaded you with chocolate because that’s what I was craving. Today, though, I have a dessert to satisfy someone else’s cravings. Sweet Zainab is having a baby boy and loves…
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…
Mini Lemon Layer Cake for Two
Posted on April 14, 2015
Light and fluffy lemon layer cake slathered with delicious cream cheese frosting. This cake is sized perfectly for two people! Today we are celebrating a virtual baby shower for one of my very favorite bloggers. Christina and I became friends a few years ago by commenting on each other’s blogs (you must read Dessert for…
Upside-down Caramel Banana Coffee Cake
Posted on March 16, 2015
Dense and moist coffee-flavored cake topped with gooey caramelized bananas! Every year it’s the same challenge for my dad’s birthday: What special dessert can I make that isn’t too sweet and doesn’t include frosting (well, I did sneak in frosting one year)? Since last year’s dessert was such a hit, I decided to find another…
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.…
Butternut-Pumpkin Spice Sheet Cake with Bourbon-Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting {Guest Post}
Posted on October 30, 2014
Today’s guest post is from a fellow new mom (how adorable is Avery?!) and talented baker. Steph from Girl Versus Dough makes some terrific baked goods and even had an e-book published earlier this year! Be sure to visit her blog and check out some of her other amazing recipes like Peaches and Cream Streusel…
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. …
Pumpkin Cake with Pecan Pie Glaze
Posted on October 13, 2014
This moist and flavorful pumpkin bundt cake is topped with a pecan pie glaze. Have the best of both worlds in one dessert! I actually made this cake way back in August and the smells in the kitchen that day immediately brought me to Fall. I realize that is something people say all the time,…
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…
Lighter Chocolate Chip Banana Cake
Posted on September 8, 2014
Super moist banana cake loaded with chocolate but not loaded with fat! My mom has made some version of this banana cake at least once (usually more) a year every year for as long as I can remember. Chocolate chip filled for a holiday, chipless and stacked with chocolate cake and peanut butter frosting for…
Vanilla Bean Bourbon Nectarine Bundt Cake (with vanilla bean caramel drizzle)
Posted on August 11, 2014
The summer’s best nectarines are cooked with vanilla bean and bourbon then folded into a delicious cake batter. Of course the vanilla bean caramel sauce doesn’t hurt! Summer's stone fruits are really peaking where we are. I've had some super delicious peaches and nectarines in the last few weeks... I just can't get enough of…
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…
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…
Brown Butter Pistachio Cake with Candied Pistachio Topping
Posted on March 17, 2014
This brown butter pistachio cake is so moist and flavorful that no one will miss the buttercream! We celebrated my dad’s birthday last night so it was only fitting that I make him another pistachio treat. Last year I baked these cupcakes which were a huge hit with everyone who tried them, but admittedly my…
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…
Salted Caramel Sheet Cake
Posted on January 20, 2014
This salted caramel cake is light and fluffy with a rich salted caramel buttercream and salted caramel sauce infused into the cake. I made this cake on Christmas Eve. Matt and I had no plans so it was definitely a dangerous move, one large cake, two people. We probably did more damage than I care…
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…
Vanilla Bean Apple Bundt Cake
Posted on November 25, 2013
This moist cake is loaded with chunks of apples. The vanilla bean in the cake and the caramel sauce enhances the flavor in a wonderful way. After tasting my mom's version of Audra's apple cake over the Jewish holidays, I couldn't wait to put a spin on it myself. My mom substituted butter for some…
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…
Caramelized White Chocolate Truffle Pumpkin Cupcakes
Posted on September 30, 2013
As if moist pumpkin cupcakes weren’t enough, I filled them with a luscious caramelized white chocolate ganache and topped them with caramelized white chocolate buttercream. These cupcakes are easily one of my favorite recipe creations in the entire life of the blog. I’m not the biggest cupcake lover (I’d rather have layer cake), so when…
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…
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Blueberry Cream Cheese Icing
Posted on June 23, 2013
I blame this on the cupcake wrappers. I’m actually not kidding. It has been way too long since I shared a recipe on the blog and I thought that since 4th of July is right around the corner, it was about time I used the cute little American Flag cupcake wrappers that have been in…
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…
Peanut Butter Banana Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Icing
Posted on May 7, 2013
I’m so glad that you seemed to enjoy my new weekly blog series! It makes me so happy to have a way of staying connected just a little more regularly. Definitely let me know if there are any other topics you would like me to include! So these cake bars are another item I made…
What’s Happening Lately at Keep It Sweet Desserts
Posted on April 1, 2013
It is a good thing we took our vacation at the end of February, because I don’t think I’ve stopped running around since we are back. March was a busy month and April is showing signs of the same. While it is completely exhausting, and I would love a day off for a haircut and…
(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…
Fluffernutter Chocolate Cake
Posted on February 4, 2013
You favorite chocolate cake covered with peanut butter and marshmallow swirled icings. Sometimes cakes don’t work out like you want them to. But sometimes, they turn out better. This cake actually started out as a recipe for “salted caramel fudge cake” but frankly all I got was chocolate cake. Certainly not enough to stand on…
Easy Low Fat Pumpkin Sheet Cake
Posted on October 8, 2012
This 5-ingredient pumpkin cake is so good, you would never know it is guilt-free! This past Saturday, I took some of my own advice and set aside a day where no work would be done! It was actually something I scheduled a few weeks ago when the Jewish holidays had me swamped. Scheduling time off…
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.…
Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake
Posted on May 8, 2012
Moist, flavorful cake full of apple chunks topped with a thick layer of buttery crumb topping. The perfect breakfast or brunch treat! Every time I think I can predict the ebbs and flows of my new business I'm absolutely wrong. But you know what, I've never been so happy to be wrong. I really thought that as soon as I got all…
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…
Magic Cake Bars for Easter
Posted on April 5, 2012
For the record, Matt wanted me to take a picture of my hand over the cake and pretend it was the hand of our little niece or nephew helping in the kitchen. 1) We don’t have any nieces or nephews 2) No one wants to see my hands after twelve hour days in the kitchen…
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…
Reese’s Pieces Cake Bars
Posted on January 31, 2012
Sometimes you get busy. There is week-old laundry to put away, streaked kitchen counters that need to be scrubbed and recipes to test. There are websites to be designed, photos to be edited, and post-dessert workouts to get done. But there is also a blog to attend to and readers getting impatient. Those readers who…
Lighter Carrot Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
Posted on December 8, 2011
Ok, I'm going to be honest. I'm posting a recipe for carrot cake and I don't even like carrot cake. You see, I really thought I did. Moist cake slathered in cream cheese icing, how could it be bad? Well, of course my version that I thought I would like is void of raisins, walnuts…
Root Beer Float Ice Cream Cake
Posted on July 11, 2011
I’m guest posting for sweet Madison of Espresso and Cream while she is off getting married and honeymooning. Head to her blog to get my Root Beer Float Ice Cream Cake recipe!
Cookie Bottomed Cupcakes
Posted on June 23, 2011
I’m guest posting over at the lovely Frosting for a Cause today. Head over there to get the recipe for my Cookie Bottomed Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing and support the women with cancer in your life.
Cream Cheese & Jelly Pound Cake {Guest Post}
Posted on June 12, 2011
In honor of celebrating my first anniversary on Monday, I wanted to make something reminiscent of one of my husband’s favorite snacks, cream cheese and jelly sandwiches! Head over to the Spiffy Cookie to see my guest post and get the recipe!
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…
Must Make This Now
Posted on February 28, 2011
There are a few occasions when I see a recipe on a blog and I know that I need to make it immediately. Of course, I bookmark several new recipes each week, but I never have time to try all of them. Unsurprisingly, it was a chocolate and peanut butter recipe that made the “must-make-this-now”…
Lighter Lemon Pound Cake
Posted on January 14, 2011
I used to have an aversion to lemon desserts. Lemon meringue pie? No thank you. Lemon bars? Don’t tease me with that powdered sugar topping. Lemon cake? Eh. Truthfully, I have an initial reaction to any dessert lacking chocolate that involves a little bit of apprehension. Even though I adore ice cream, plain vanilla will…
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…
