Cuisine: Dessert

Mince Pie Roll Ups

It is very traditional to eat mince pies in Britain. Since as long ago as the 16th century, they were made of a spiced, sweet meat mixture but are now are made with sweet mincemeat, which is a mixture of dried fruits, sugar, spices, and brandy (and no meat). My husband and I lived in England for many years and always have them around the holidays.

Apparently, the only Christmas Day on which eating mince pies was illegal was in 1644, as 25 December that year fell on a legally-mandated day of fasting. However, mince pies themselves were never banned, although they were strongly disapproved of as a symbol of the immoral excesses of the festive season.

A custom from the middle ages says that if you eat a mince pie on every day from Christmas to Twelfth Night (evening of the 5th January) you will have happiness for the next 12 months! We may all need to do this!

These Mince Pie Roll Ups kind of cheating, since they are so easy to roll up, slice and bake!

By Leslie Blythe

Cappuccino Pavlova

A Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert and is the perfect vehicle for many fruits; cherries, lemons, and strawberries to name a few. The dessert was named after the prima ballerina Anna Pavlova, who was a principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and famous for her creation of the role of The Dying Swan.

I have several different versions of pavlova, but this Cappuccino Pavlova version which, is from Nigella Lawson, is exquisite. It's baked and then left in the oven to cool completely before topping it with whipped cream.

By Leslie Blythe

Crêpes Suzette

The other night I told my husband that I wanted something sweet. We didn't have anything, so he said he would make me Crêpes Suzette. I told him that was too much work, but he insisted.

Crêpes Suzette is something you have at a fancy restaurant tableside where it's theatrically flambéed. This recipe is from Jacques Pépin who prepares it mostly in advance when entertaining. He flambés the liquor in front of his dinner guests and pours it over the platter of crêpes while still flaming.

By Leslie Blythe

Harvey Wallbanger Cake

Harvey Wallbanger Cake. The Harvey Wallbanger is a mixed drink made with vodka, Galliano (a sweet, herbal Italian liqueur), and orange juice. According to folklore, a bartender named Donato "Duke" Antone invented the Harvey Wallbanger in 1952. It's said he named it after a Manhattan Beach surfer and bar regular named Tom Harvey, who is a complete mystery. The cocktail became popular in the early 1970s. I have no idea who decided to make a cake from the cocktail, but it's a rather good idea. I did not have Galliano, so I used Cuarenta y Tres or  Licor 43, which worked well.

By

Elvis Presley’s Favorite Pound Cake

My friend Chris made Elvis Presley's Favorite Pound Cake. It was really the best pound cake I have ever had. It has such a great texture and the vanilla really shines. According to legend, Elvis could polish off the entire cake in one sitting. This somehow doesn't surprise me! There seems to be many versions of this cake, but Chris's is the bomb!

By

Citrus Pound Cake

I found this recipe from Melissa Clark in The New York Times. It's a great recipe because you have the option of using olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, melted butter, whatever you’ve got, and plain yogurt or buttermilk or sour cream, or whole milk and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. I have tons of citrus growing in my backyard, so I decided to make it. I always make 3 little loaves instead of one big one and freeze one for later. 

By

Instant Pot New York Cheesecake

Believe it or not, you can make smooth, creamy and rich New York Cheesecake in an Instant Pot. You don’t have to worry about cracked tops or water baths. You can either use a 6" springform pan or a 7” Fat Daddio's Round Removal Bottom Cheesecake Pan, which you can order from Amazon. If you like cheesecake as much as I do, you have to give this a try.

By

Gege’s Banana Bread

Gege's Banana Bread recipe is from my husband's grandmother. It was always made in this Cane Mixing Bowl by Mason Cash. I guess it just tastes better if you make in this bowl. I always seem to have several overripe bananas lurking on the counter. This recipe makes one loaf of bread, but I like to make 3 small loaves and freeze some.

By

Black-and-White-and-Green Cookies

These Black-and-White-and-Green Cookies are a cross between the New York classic Black and White and Thin Mints. Fresh mint gives it a vibrant green hue and the flavor intensifies if you make it ahead.

By

Pecan-Rye Pumpkin Pie

My daughter Zoe made this very complicated Pecan-Rye Pumpkin Pie.  Here is her take on it -
I'll be the first to admit that I am not great at handling crust, especially one that requires you to take it out of the oven three times just for the blind bake...but something came over me around 8 am and I dove right in, only to look up at the clock about 4 hours later.  Mixing pumpkin and pecan together intrigued me enough to dedicate my morning to this task and I happen to be a sucker for heavily spiced pumpkin (not in my coffee, please).  I certainly owe my mother's arsenal of little jars nestled on shelves built by my father a major shoutout here.  All in all, this pie's wow factor really is in the time (and love!) you put into it.  And don't even think about making this day-of. 

By