Category Archives: Desserts

English Trifle

English Trifle

This dessert is often the “birthday cake” chosen by my kids. With layers of cake, custard, fruit, and whipped cream, it is definitely a crowd pleaser.

Traditionally made with lady fingers, I prefer to use a pound cake or, more recently, this delicious Japanese Sponge Cake, for the cake portion. Angel food cake is another good option.

Make this trifle with a homemade vanilla custard for an extra decadent dessert.

2017 Birthday Trifle

2017 Birthday Trifle

Trifle 022-1

2011 Birthday Trifle Throwback

RECIPES:

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Japanese Sponge Cake

Japanese Sponge Cake

A light and delicious sponge cake, garnished with
fresh berries and whipped cream.

This cake is also called a Japanese Cheesecake or Cotton Cheesecake, but isn’t anything like a traditional American cheesecake. It is light and airy, but also with a creamy texture. This cake is not very sweet, and pairs best with a stronger flavor, like fresh fruit or jam.

Japanese Sponge Cake 2

This cake is baked in a water bath in an 8” cake pan, but needs a parchment collar to cling to as it cooks. Do not use an acetate collar. The beaten egg whites in the batter give the cake its lift, and it needs a non-greasy surface to support it as it bakes.

Japanese Sponge Cake

Add fruit and whipped cream to individual serving plates.

RECIPE:

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Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Boston Cream Cookie Cups

Boston Cream Cookie Cups 2

DAY 8: Boston Cream Cookie Cups

A shortbread cookie cup filled with homemade vanilla custard and topped with chocolate ganache.

For an easy shortcut, fill cookie cups with instant vanilla pudding.

RECIPE:

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Solar Eclipse Donuts

Solar Eclipse Donuts 2024

Happy Solar Eclipse!

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Salted Caramel Sauce

A delicious homemade salted caramel sauce that makes a perfect dip for apples or other fruit, and an amazing topping on ice cream and so many other desserts.

The caramel can be kept at room temperature for several weeks. If it thickens too much to drizzle, heat in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir.

Here are a few things to try your caramel sauce on:

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting

Swirled Pumpkin Cheesecake

Salted Caramel Banana Cream Pie

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Tart

Apple Pie

Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake

Vanilla Cheesecake

Double Chocolate Waffles

Cream Puffs

Gingerbread Cookie Bars

RECIPE:

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Halloween Cookies

Looking for fun Halloween cookies to make with your kids this year? Here are a few favorites:

Yummy Mummy Cookies

Chocolate Covered Bat Cookies

Halloween Spider Cookies

Chocolate Halloween Pretzels

Autumn Spiced Fall Leaf Cookies

Twix Stuffed Chocolate Cookies

Happy Spooking!

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