Bake or Break

Strawberry Lemonade Tart

Just when I was getting used to the idea of spring, it was positively summer in NYC yesterday. We’re talking 90 degrees. While it looks like there’s relief in sight, it made me realize that I am not ready for summer. Let’s hold on to spring for a while longer, okay?

If we have to have warm days, then we can take relief in this tart. The tart and sweet flavors of strawberry lemonade are baked into a graham cracker crust for a refreshing dessert.

Continue reading...

Raspberry Almond Crumb Tart

As a child, I disliked the texture of berries. I loved the flavors, but the texture was just weird to me. I’m happy to say I’ve gotten over that. I still don’t like to bite into a big strawberry, but cut those up and I’m good. No idea what that’s all about.

In any case, I now happily embrace berries and love to use them in baking. For my taste, I prefer to use them in a way that lets the flavor of the berries come through. They’re plenty sweet on their own without adding much to them. This tart is a lovely way to revel in berry deliciousness.

Continue reading...

Strawberry Icebox Pie

I’ve told you before about my grandmother’s green metal recipe box. It’s filled with handwritten and clipped recipes for amazing desserts. Some are very familiar, and some not at all. I found not one but three recipes for strawberry pie in there recently, yet I have no memory of her making even one.

Still, I felt compelled to try a version of my own. I took some things I liked about each recipe, threw in some of my own ideas, and came up with this amazingly delicious pie.

Continue reading...

Peanut Butter Fudge Tartlets

Because of how much I love the glorious combination of chocolate and peanut butter, I’m always looking for new ways to use them. I’ve covered cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, and more. But, these little tartlets are pretty special.

It all starts with the crust, which is essentially a peanut butter cookie. If you’re like me, you’re already sold. Then, a fudgy chocolate filling goes into the crust for a magical chocolate-peanut butter experience.

Continue reading...

Italian Jam Crostata

Every once in a while, you find one of those magical recipes that’s so simple yet so delicious and gorgeous that it immediately becomes a favorite. Well, baking friends, let me introduce you to this tart.

Continue reading...

Deep-Dish Pecan Pie

Long before I’d even considered starting this blog, I used to make this pie for the holidays when I wanted a break from traditional pecan pie.

While at its heart, this is more traditional than not, this pie has a couple of interesting things going for it. First of all, it has a buttery, cream cheese-y crust. Secondly, for those of you who love that gooey filling of pecan pies, there’s more of it than usual in this beauty.

Continue reading...