August 26: National Cherry Popsicle Day, and Links for my Birthday

Happy Birthday to ME! Will I be enjoying a cherry popsicle on National Cherry Popsicle Day? HELL NO! I will be having birthday cake. THIS birthday cake.

This is the best birthday cake recipe ever. And I will listen to zero arguments because it is my birthday.

Make today magic, whether it's your birthday or not!

Recipe here.

and since it is my birthday, I'd like to celebrate with a batch of Baker's Dozen links, but all dedicated to funfetti-themed food!

You must make: Funfetti Marshmallows. (CakeSpy) 

You also must make: Funfetti Gooey Butter Cake. (CakeSpy) 

Funfetti cream pie! (The Domestic Rebel)

Funfetti pie crust! (Studio DIY)

Homemade funfetti cake. (CakeSpy)

Love it: funfetti cake batter breakfast bake. (Running with Spoons)

Funfetti gooey butter cookies! (Cookies & Cups)

Funfetti cheesecake stuffed crescent rolls! (The Chunky Chef)

Funfetti sandwich cookie pops. Yum! (Marisa's Italian Kitchen)

No-bake funfetti fudge. (Spoon University)

Funfetti popsicles! (Unusually lovely)

Funfetti cookies n cream blondies. (A BaJillian Recipes)

Funfetti pudding cookies. (Crazy for Crust)

Book of the week: The Disney Princess Cookbook. Why? Um...because it exists? 

Let's Make Florentines

Have you ever met a Florentine? Of the cookie variety, I mean. With an identity that is half cookie, half confection, and totally nutty, they're well worth getting to know. 

I wrote a great primer on Florentines, including an accessible and delicious recipe, which you can find on the Craftsy blog. I really highly suggest that you check it out, because these things are interesting, probably unlike most cookies you bake, and crack-addictive.

Check out the full post here.

Baker's Dozen: A Batch of Sweet Links

Anyhow, listen to me on an awesome podcast! (The Dinner Special)

Four ingredient homemade Mounds hack. Awesome! (Back for Seconds)

Cake batter fudge recipe showdown. Love it. (Clockwork Lemon)

Mini cheesecake bites featuring hazelnut and chocolate. (Peanut Butter & Co)

OOH! Homemade Lemon Drops. (Southern Fatty)

First donut in space! (Youtube)

This sounds good: avocado ice cream! (Avocado Central) 

Like brownie meets fudge. (Confessions of a Baking Queen)

How to assemble and fill a piping bag. (Crafty Baking)

Chocolate-banana snack cake. YUM! (Betty Crocker)

Homemade TWINKIES! (CakeSpy for Craftsy)

Speaking of Twinkies....homemade Funfetti Twinkies! (Studio DIY)

Strawberry banana bread. INTO IT. (Warm Vanilla Sugar)

Book of the week: No-Bake Treats: Incredible Unbaked Cheesecakes, Icebox Cakes, Pies, and More. Written by Julianne of Beyond Frosting (OMG go there now), this book is the perfect investment for the summer, and for easy-bake (er, no-bake) desserts. 

February 11: Homemade Pop Rocks Candy for National Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day

Today is National "Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day". Not necessarily a literal holiday, it's more about not letting setbacks get you down. I think this is very important in the kitchen, and I am a big believer in the fact that baking should be FUN. And what could be more fun than creating homemade Pop Rocks with a little kitchen science?

All you need is a few ingredients and half an hour or so, and you could impress your friends and have a whole lot of fun making homemade Pop Rocks. 

Or, you could cry because your homemade fondant for eclairs didn't set up quite right and lament that you're a less than perfect baker. 

Your choice. I suggest having fun!

Homemade Pop Rocks Recipe Here.

February 9: National Bagel Day and National Pizza Day

Today is National Bagel Day and National Pizza Day. Or as I call it, "New Jersey Food Day". Yes, New York food, too, but I grew up in New Jersey so that's my association. 

On this hallowed day, I thought I would remind you of some of the brilliant relevant recipes I've posted around the web. 

1. Homemade bagels.

Yes, you can make your own bagels. It will impress everyone (that matters, after all) and they taste freaking amazing. Recipe here.

2. Homemade cream cheese.

Possibly even more impressive than making your own bagels? DIY cream cheese. After all, that's something you buy, not make, right? It's awesome. Do it. Recipe here.

3. Homemade bagel balls.

Combine homemade bagels and homemade cream cheese in an adorable bite-sized form with these homemade bagel balls. OMG! Recipe here.

 

4. No-knead pizza crust

No need to knead this dough! This easy pizza dough comes together in minutes and requires no kneading. Recipe here.

5. No-knead, no rise pizza crust

Love the idea of the no-knead crust, but thinking "aw gee whiz, I have to wait for it to rise?". Nope. This alternative recipe requires no kneading and no rising. Perfect for pizza in a hurry! Recipe here.

6. Gluten-free pizza on a squash crust

No grains? No gluten? No problem. This pizza is prepared on a squash crust and while it doesn't taste just like a flour dough (how could it?) it is awfully tasty in its own right! Recipe here.

7. Sticky buns made from pizza dough (yes!)

Dessert from pizza dough? You'd better believe it. Sweeten up your pizza dough with sticky bun toppings for a most memorable breakfast-dessert. Recipe here.

How will you celebrate this hallowed day?

January 31: National Brandy Alexander Day, and Italian Meringue Buttercream

Today is National Brandy Alexander Day. I have never tried a Brandy Alexander, and my only real experience with them is a long-running joke that a friend with Alexander as her last name should adopt the drink's name should she ever take up stripping. I know what you're thinking: HILARIOUS.

But I digress. I don't think today is the day for me to discover drinking Brandy Alexanders, so instead may I tempt you with another delectable delight that has nothing to do with alcohol? It's called...

Italian Meringue Buttercream.

For the longest time, this buttercream scared me. It involves monitoring temperatures and boiling sugar, both of which set off the "too hard!" blinking button in my mind when I read through a recipe.

But you know what? It's really not that hard. Really. And the stuff is delicious.

It's a little fancier and definitely smoother than an American buttercream (which is primarily butter and sugar). Using egg whites in buttercream, as you will do with Italian and Swiss meringue buttercreams, respectively, gives them a silkier finish and a more sophisticated flavor. Plus, they're a little more heat-resistant, so they're better for using on cakes that might be served during warmer or more humid weather. 

I wrote a little tutorial on how to make Italian Meringue buttercream on Craftsy.com. I think you should check it out, because I wrote it with newbies in mind.

Don't be scared of Italian meringue buttercream! Go ahead, have a Brandy Alexander, and give it a try.

Recipe and tutorial here.