caramel apples

two bits of advice on making caramel apples.  just because home depot leaves saws sitting out doesn't mean that you should help yourself to cutting your apple sticks.  and a candy thermometer may the best tool for testing the temperature of your caramel.

applicious

leaves are falling. temperatures dropping. and the apple crates are piling up at the market. while i have easily eaten twenty different types of apples in the past weeks, i still have around 7,500 other varieties to try.  these are local haralsons.  crisp. tart. but sweet enough to stand alone in baked goods.

tiny apple pies

the flakiest sour cream crusts filled with apples and topped a cinnamon crumble and caramel drizzle.

chocolate cupcakes with raspberry filling

my dear friend d. is confident. charming. and all attitude. her birthday cake was four layers of chocolate cake separated by chocolate buttercream, raspberry mousse, and fresh raspberries. all wrapped in a thin chocolate band. you'll have to imagine the splendor. and settle for the accompanying cupcakes.

goat cheese fig tarts

i love fresh figs. beautiful. sweet. and the most amazing texture. the perfect pairing for these cheesecake like tarts made with sharp goat cheese and then drizzled with a balsamic honey reduction.

mint chocolate cupcakes

chocolate cupcakes filled with mint ganache and topped with minty buttercream.

baby cakes

leftover cake bits from a birthday project (see the recipe page) turned into tiny cakes for s. her adorable son attacked his portion with style. carefully removed and savored each raspberry and then stabbed the remaining cake with his fork and devoured from there.