eat dessert first
Baking basics, 101s, how-tos—these recipes and guides will show you in-depth how to achieve beautiful baked goods with my pro tips & tricks.
There’s nothing better than tender, flaky biscuits. This recipe will help you perfect your method in no time, or you can scroll down to a find a quick-fold biscuit variety below!
This homemade vanilla extract recipe is a fast and fun way to infuse flavor into your baking. You only need two ingredients to keep the best vanilla extract ever on hand. Vanilla extract is probably the most-used ingredient in my kitchen after flour and sugar. It is also my go-to […]
Vanilla is a staple in the kitchen. Learn all about vanilla beans and how to get the most out of the unique flavor. This is one of my favorite ingredients and essential in the pastry kitchen. Vanilla beans come from the fruit of an orchid and are not cheap, second […]
Pie dough is notorious for being a difficult pastry. While it can take time and a good recipe to master your pie dough technique, you shouldn’t fear this beloved dessert, even if you’re worried that you can’t match the flakiness of your grandma’s crust. I’ve put together a guide on […]
I use this quick or “rough” puff pastry to make my flaky Rugelach cookies from Zoë Bakes Cookies! The recipe is from the book and anyone who has an early copy (editions 1-3) will want to follow these directions, because I have corrected an error from the book.
When making homemade ice cream, you have to start with a really great base, which for me means lusciously smooth, with a dense and silky texture. The flavor should be rich, but not too buttery (greasy) and I always start my “French custard” ice cream base with vanilla. So start […]
Are you a beginning baker wondering what to try first? This list of 20 baking recipes for beginners is a great place to start. It’s by no means comprehensive, but I included some of my favorite desserts that anyone can make, divided into four categories: Cookies and bars, breads, cakes […]
What’s the secret to making the perfect whipped cream? Go low and slow. It’s a very simple recipe that everyone can make at home with a little heavy whipping cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. You’ll want to use this recipe up as soon as it’s done, because whipped cream is […]
A New Year’s resolution doesn’t have to be about giving something up, it can be about setting out to create new things. What if we shake things up a bit and resolve to get into the kitchen to try a new cooking or baking technique this year? No matter where […]
With the holidays upon us, you’re probably whipping up all kinds of breads, cakes, pies and cookies. Or, you might be receiving baked treats as gifts. With all those goodies around, you might be wondering how to keep them fresh. Today, I share how to store leftover baked goods. Let […]
I live in the Midwest, which is perhaps the flattest place in the country, so I am by no means the reigning expert on high-altitude baking, but I have baked in the mountains of Colorado, and this is what I learned.
If you start typing “is cheesecake” into Google, the first suggestion is “is cheesecake a pie?” You’ll get mixed results, including adamant ones from the likes of Alton Brown proclaiming cheesecake is a pie. Others say it’s a tart. And some stand by it being a cake. No matter where […]