Bake or Break

Chocolate Hazelnut Pie

It's no secret how much I love chocolate and hazelnut. From brownies to more elaborate desserts, I'll take that combo in just about any way. Plus, I'm sure I'm not the only one here who always has a jar of Nutella in the pantry ready for a quick fix. Go on. 'Fess up.

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Apple Pie Bundles

Who's ready for fall? I know you can't see me, but I'm waving my hand frantically. There's definitely that unmistakable feeling of fall in the air in New York City. I really couldn't be happier about that. Few things say "fall baking" to me more than the combination of apples and cinnamon. Just the smell alone is enough to make me happy. With this recipe, apple-cinnamon goodness gets wrapped inside a tender, flaky crust. You need these in your life. Really.

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Salted Caramel Icebox Pie

I've been making my share of icebox pies this summer. They're one of my favorite it's-too-hot-to-bake desserts. Really, though, I'm happy most any time of the year with an easy, cold, amazingly delicious dessert. The inspiration for this pie came a couple of days ago when I spotted a jar of Trader Joe's salted caramel in my pantry. I've never been that inspired to improve my caramel-making skills, so store-bought is just fine with me most of the time. And, of course, make it salted caramel and we're really talking! When I also spotted some chocolate wafer cookies, I knew I was in business.

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Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Pie

Summer is most assuredly the season for no-bake desserts and cold desserts. Not only is it nice to get a break from the hot oven, those cold desserts are lovely to eat when it's scorchingly hot. It's no secret that I adore the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. I use it in cookies, brownies, cakes, and anything else I can manage. A strong case could be made that there is no better friendship in the dessert world. It's surely in the top 5.

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Classic Apple Pie

View more photos and printable recipes of the filling and crust Jennifer had her hands full this Thanksgiving as she had taken on the majority of the cooking for 16 people. I was able to take off Wednesday to lend a hand as needed with her numerous concoctions and to work on three of my own. Of course, given my favorite baker's aversion to raw meat, the turkey was all mine (this year, anyway, as I was not struck down by some wretched little bug). I also made a focaccia seasoned to compliment the dressing Jennifer made (which, unfortunately, never made it in front of a camera). My third contribution was an apple pie. I've been itching to make a pie since watching Alton Brown's pie episode, Crust Never Sleeps, so I based my pie on his method. The crust preparation was discussed at length in another post, so I'll move right on to the filling.

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Pecan Pie

View more photos Now, I know that very recently I made smaller versions of this, but in my defense I had no choice but to make a pecan pie. It was Thanksgiving. It’s tradition. I always make pecan pie. My sister asked nicely. And, this one is a bit different from those wee ones. Several [...]

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