Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here’s my latest favorite for chocolate chip cookies. I was inspired by the “chewy” and “crispy” recipes in The King Arthur Flour Baker’s Companion: The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook . Yum!
Candy Bark
Candy bark is easy to make and a fun gift for the holidays. The better the quality of chocolate, the better your product will be. Wrap the candy in pretty tins or cellophane bags tied with ribbon.
Jelly Beans
With Easter comes candy, most notably the jelly bean. Available in a variety of colors and flavors, regular and gourmet versions, these small treats appear in Easter baskets, party favors, and in candy dishes worldwide.
Magnolia Bakery Cupcakes
If you adore cupcakes (like I do!) then a trip to New York City isn’t complete without visiting a few bakeries that specialize in these cute little treats. I have been to the Magnolia Bakery twice. The first excursion was in May 2002, just as the cupcake craze was beginning. A friend introduced me to…
Caring for Linens
Linens are a staple of every household. We sleep with them, use them in our kitchens, and linens make our dinner parties even more beautiful. Whether you have a special tablecloth passed down in your family or lovely everyday sheets purchased from your local variety store, linens need special care. Protect your investment (or heirloom)…
Making a Perfect Cup of Tea
Tea for Two . . . I’m a Little Teapot . . . The Boston Tea Party . . . Sound familiar? This beverage, served hot or cold, has worked its way into our pop culture, childhood songs, and history. We buy special equipment to make tea, offer it at most every social gathering, and…
Cute and Comforting Cupcakes
Don’t cupcakes “take you back”? Childhood birthday parties, celebrations at school, a treat at grandma’s house. These little bits of sweetness are fun, easy to take along, and just the right size for indulging without feeling decadent. If you can believe it, cupcakes are back in style. Not just among the kiddies, either. Grown adults…
Latin Lessons in the Garden
Latin isn’t dead – at least not in the garden. While many plants are more famously known by their common names, you can’t be guaranteed that a “buttercup” to you is the same as a “buttercup” to someone in England, or France, or China. While some of the Latin names for plants may seem a…
The Frosting on the Cake
Few celebrations are complete without cake or at least some type of fancy dessert. One look at the bakery counter and you’ll see what makes them “fancy” – swirls, stars, and loops. Whether it’s frosting or whipped cream, a little decoration on the top of your favorite confection goes a long way. And I bet…