Tiramisu, Anyone?

I have loved tiramisu since the day our long time family friend introduced it to me. She's an excellent cook who went to culinary school and even had a catering business for a while. She made the best tiramisu that I had ever tasted. It was creamy with wonderfully moist bits of cake in it. I had no idea what I was actually eating but it was delicious. It's a bit amusing that I'm not the biggest fan of coffee or alcohol but both are in this dessert...

Pistachio Raspberry Muffins

I remember when I was a kid, I thought blueberry muffins were the best muffins of all time... And then I started baking and discovered a whole new world!

These are my absolute favorite muffins... pistachios? and raspberries?! in one cake?! They are light, fluffy, moist, and the bite of pistachio with the tart raspberries is simply fantastic. You must make this!

Plum Ginger Yogurt Muffins

AKA the easiest, fluffiest, most butter-less and versatile muffins you'll ever make.

Peach Shortbread Bars

Peaches and I have had a rocky relationship. For years, I was never a fan... so many people around me raved about them, yet I still felt repulsed. Before this recipe, the last time I'd eaten a peach was two years ago in Chengdu, China, in Joe's grandma's kitchen. It was a white peach, my first, and it was so delicious. But when I returned home, I completely forgot about peaches altogether and never ate them again. It was only recently on a visit to Eckerts Farm in StL did I see cases of peaches everywhere and decide to give them another shot. And now my love has been renewed.

Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches

This post was originally on Honest Cooking, a new International cooking website, where I am a proud contributor! This is my post on my favorite special occasion cake, but be sure to check out the other great recipes and articles on food at HonestCooking!

I adore mint chocolate chip ice cream although I’m very picky on the way it’s made. I always crave a cool mint, not too overpowering, with dark chunks of smooth chocolate. I must have chocolate chips with every bite, and there are some brands that do not have a good chocolate to cream ratio (you know who you are!). What’s better than mint chocolate chip ice cream? Mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiched between two fabulous chocolate-y cake layers, of course.

Pistachio-Cardamom Bread Pudding

*I wrote this post for Sauce Magazine's online blog a short while back.*
Sauce Magazine is a free Saint Louis based magazine that focuses on the culinary/restaurant scene in the area!
It's a great way to discover the city... there's always something new to read each day and the online blog posts many new recipes so check it out!



I’ve never understood the fascination with bread pudding. Why would I want to eat sweet, soggy bread? Yet, with its cult classic status on most dessert menus, I was ultimately persuaded to see what all the fuss was about.

Hummingbird Cupcakes

When Joe bought me the Martha Stewart cupcake cookbook, I was so excited! She really is so good at everything, it's ridiculous. Every time I've attempted her recipes, they've always turned out delicious. Of course, she's very liberal with her butter (although she's still no Paula Deen).