Busy Brunette Bakerista

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...

Every day is Valentine's Day when you make these treats for someone special. Gooey, sweet, and salty popcorn balls are just the right size for party favors, a dessert buffet, or hostess gift for any time of year . I’ve made them with different colored candies for every holiday:  red and pink for Valentine’s Day,  green for St. Patrick’s Day,   black and orange for Halloween,  green and red for Christmas, and multi-colors for our summer birthdays. Sweet Sweetheart Treats 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter (plus more for your hands) 1 bag (10oz.) mini marshmallows ¼ cup packed light brown sugar 12 cups popped   popcorn (about 3 (3oz.) bags) 1 cup M&Ms, or Reece’s Pieces* parchment paper Cook popcorn to measure out to 12 cups and pour into a large bowl. Remove any kernels that may have not popped. Set bowl aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Melt butter in a large heavy-bottom large pot on low heat . Pour in marshmal...

Happy National S'mores Day!  S'mores on a stick? Why didn't I think of this earlier? No more long sticks, messy graham crackers, and marshmallow everywhere  over a bonfire. You can make these any time of year and enjoy them during a festive winter party, neighborhood potluck, or team dinner. HOBO* S'mores 36 large marshmallows  1 container (16 oz.) of dark chocolate frosting 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs  2 cups of semi-sweet mini chocolate chips 36 lollipop/cake pop sticks (find them at any craft store or baking supply store) First, line cookie sheets with wax paper. Insert one stick into one marshmallow at a time and place on cookie sheet.  If you can't find graham cracker crumbs, take whole graham crackers, break into quarter pieces, place into a food processor and blend until it turns into crumbs. Then, scoop out frosting from the container into a glass bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or until frosting fe...

I had so much fun planning the big, double 16th birthday party for my twins. After spending weeks going down the "Pinterest rabbit hole" where I'd pin photos after photos of party decoration ideas, themes, food, designs and other details, I narrowed it all down and made a party plan! Since the birthday party was for a boy and  a girl I didn't want it to be confused with a Sweet Sixteen with a lot of pink, so I chose neutral colors of seafoam green, royal blue, white and silver.  My first DIY craft idea was of using various size"16" numbers for decoration. I purchased flat, large wooden numbers at my local craft store. Then I pulled photographs from our albums, and photocopied them at a reduced size - (or, you can print out photos from your computer onto copy paper and reduce the size). I placed the photocopies on each large number and laid them down to cover the entire number. Using scissors, I trimmed off the edges and then used Mod Poge glue, foll...

Easy holiday dessert…shakes at Ruby's Shake Shack!  The other day I made my holiday baking time even easier by visiting our favorite dessert spot in Orange County, Ruby's Shake Shack in Newport Coast's Crystal Cove . Not only can you order a great lunch with a beautiful view, you can choose from over a dozen flavor combinations of famous Ruby's shakes. My son is a shake aficionado and says these are the best!

@frostmebeautiful "Frost Me Beautiful" Cookies I just had to share these creative works of "cookie art" made by Frost Me Beautiful ! These sweet treats are amazing and can be the centerpiece for any event. I ordered these for a cocktail party and it will be hard to part with them.

My Greek grandfather, Papouli, ran a small produce truck in Hollywood in the 1940's and 50's. He was a professional at choosing fruits and vegetables and told me the best place to get certain "exotic" foods was Frisco. That's right, not San Francisco, but just "Frisco." Busy Brunette Bakerista - Tasting Tour of "Frisco" @bbbakerista I started my tour this week with two of my favorite eating spots in the city. Z. Cioccolato in North Beach. My daughter is a fudge expert and nearly passed out at the deliciousness of each flavor. #ineedamoment I highly recommend the cookies-and-cream, and peanut butter flavors. The cute employees behind the counter also give you free popcorn with every purchase! Its' worth your spending money. The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in old Chinatown is hidden down a small alley with little signage and even smaller door. The freshest and lightest fortune cookies you will ever taste! I always b...