Busy Brunette Bakerista

This is no written recipe for this so it's been a secret until now. It was handed down to me when my kids where in Kindergarten from another mom. I made it for my daughter’s birthday when she was little and it was such a big hit I make it every summer!   Secret Ice Cream Cake 24 ice cream sandwiches 1 container of regular Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream) chocolate syrup caramel syrup chopped up chocolate candies such as Butterfingers, Snickers, Kit Kats, or Skor or Heath toffee bars strawberry for garnish Unwrap candies and chop up into bite-size pieces and set aside.  Unwrap ice cream sandwiches as you layer…place the first layer of   ice cream sandwiches on the bottom of a large casserole or baking dish (9” x 13” size).   Cut up sandwiches to fill in narrow spaces.  Spread a layer of Cool Whip topping to cover entire layer of sandwiches.  Next, drizzle chocolate syrup in one direction over...

After reading the entire New York Times Cookbook , I decided to try the most requested and published recipe from the Times archives. Initially a Purple Plum Torte, I made this instead with peaches and it was easy, sweet, and moist. I can see why it is so popular! Great for fancy parties or casual sleepovers.  Peach Times Tart 1 cup all-puporse flour 1 teaspoon baking powder large pinch of salt 1 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 Tablespoon depending on the tartness of the fruit 8 Tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 2 large eggs 12 peaches (sliced and pitted) 2 teaspoons fresh lemon nice 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon Heat oven to 350 degrees. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside. Cream 1 cup sugar and softened butter into a large bowl with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add sifted dry ingredients and then the eggs.  Spoon the batter into an ungreased 9-inch springform pan (the kind you use for making cheesecak...

My homemade coffee cake recipes don't call for actual coffee but they are delicious. Well, I tired another recipe in the fabulous cookbook Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook and this coffee cake is moist, light and has the sweetest crumble in the middle (also has no coffee ). It does take a while so remember to follow the directions to every detail. Enjoy! BITDB Coffee Cake Streusel Ingredients ¼ cup packed light brown sugar ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt 3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional) 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes Cake Ingredients 2 ½ cups cake flour (not self-rising) 2 teaspoons baking powder, preferably aluminum-free ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon fine sea salt ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (I used pumpkin pie spice to give it a little more texture) 12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 3 large eggs,...

The perfect dessert for summer! This cake is so fresh, sweet, and tastes just like a banana split with ice cream. It is worth every minute of preparation. This is my  “go-to” cake for birthday parties and neighborhood pot-luck gatherings. My former  co-worker Amanda tasted it and said, “oh yes, this cake rocks!”  So of course I had to rename it after her.   Amanda’s Banana Split Cake 3 cups of graham cracker crumbs (you can either buy them in a box or chop them up a food processor. See steps in instructions below). 1 ½ butter, melted 2 (8oz.) packages of cream cheese, at room temperature 1 ½ cups of sugar 5 bananas, sliced (1 large can of crushed pineapple, drained – optional) 1 – 2 large cartons of strawberries, sliced 1 large container of Cool Whip topping Chocolate syrup Caramel syrup - optional Chopped peanuts or ice cream nut toppings - optional Measure out 3 cups of graham cracker crumbs. If you are using w...

I’ve baked lots of cakes since I first got married, over twenty years ago, and this one is by far the easiest recipe and literally three steps. The pudding-meets-cake texture makes it so moist and sticky you can eat it with your fingers. Enjoy! Quick-to-Make Chocolate Cake 1 ¾ cup flour 1 ¾ cup brown sugar (lightly packed into cup) ¾ cup cocoa 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 1 ¼ cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 eggs 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cup boiling water (boil on the stove, do not microwave) Confectioners/powdered sugar for dusting Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients (flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) in large mixing bowl and stir with a spoon until well combined. Slowly whisk in buttermilk, vanilla, eggs, vegetable oil, and boiling water.  The batter will bubble a bit and look like then pudding.  Pour ba...