Just Baking

Every once in awhile, we find ourselves surprised by food. It could be that you try something that you never thought you’d like … and actually find yourself liking it. It could be something that you grew up hating the taste of, you now love. Or it could be something simple that you don’t expect […]

The Husband’s birthday was not too long ago, and since he eschews birthday cake, I had to think outside of the box.  Being Cuban, he favors flan and rice pudding, so the search for the perfect birthday dessert didn’t last long.  I took a chance and used two new recipes and held my breath during the […]

Today Just Baking is still baking, but savory style.  We had company for the other day and I strongly debated about getting take-out, but a craving for comfort food and an old classic took hold instead. I originally found this recipe, No Peek Casserole, on a coupon message board, of all places. They have a […]

I had a craving for brownies the other day and remembered this tried-and-true recipe from Giada De Laurentiis.  Taking a page, ahem, from the queen of semi-homemade, Sandra Lee, the base of Giada’s recipe uses a store-bought brownie mix.  Given how rarely she does this, I’ll forgive her this one transgression … because the brownies […]

A few years ago, a Supper Club member brought Pepperoni Biscotti to one of our monthly dinners … and I was hooked.  I took the recipe home and it sat in my file, beckoning me ever since.  Although I did love them, I kept putting off making them because the recipe seemed rather time consuming, […]

I suppose I can think of odder places to get recipes, but for now, this will do. During the week, my almost-five-year-old son, Nicholas, will jockey for time on my computer to play games on Nick Jr.’s website. Forget the fact that he has his very own little computer, Mom’s is obviously way cooler.
The other […]

Does being vegan (no wheat, eggs or other dairy) mean that your sweet tooth has to suffer?  Of course not.  It just means you may have to get a bit more creative, both in making the sweet treats yourself, and in seeking out vegan bakeries.  Yes, vegan bakeries.  Believe it or not, they do exist.
In […]

Not butter per se, but the kind of butter you use.  The answer, in short, is yes.  I never really gave it much thought, to tell you the truth, just grabbing what I have on hand in the refrigerator.  Maarten Steenman, who is the owner and pastry chef of La Tulipe Desserts in Mount Kisco, […]

There are likely to be more unique places to get a recipe, but off the top of my head I can’t think of any. I admit it. I watch E!’s The Girls Next Door. It’s a guilty pleasure. So are gossip magazines. In a recent issue of OK! magazine, Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends shared a few […]

When it comes to using chocolate with baking, there is a dizzying array of choices … unsweetened, bittersweet and even semisweet.  Then the forms … nibs, chips, blocks and more.  It’s enough to make anyone run from the kitchen, unless you have a good primer. The differences between the types of chocolate relate to […]