Category Archives: Cake

Meyer Lemon and Cranberry Bundt Cake

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Danguole| 9 Comments

Dante from Clerks…   I am Dante from Clerks, you guys.

I shut down the convenience store to go play hockey on the roof for a little while…  And by that I mean: the convenience store is this blog and playing hockey on the roof is (a) working too much, and (b) holidays/socializing with out-of-town visitors, etc.

It’s not a great excuse, but it’s the truth…  And I think part of the takeaway message of Clerks was: don’t take yourself too seriously.  The world will go on without you.  It’s all good.  Life happens, and if I have disappointed you with my momentary sabbatical, I’m definitely sorry, but I want you to know: it’s okay to go play hockey on the convenience store roof.  If you want to, I think you should.  I think we should do exactly that, together…  The world will still be there tomorrow.

The other takeaway message of Clerks: be careful in dark bathrooms.

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Posted in Baking, Breakfast, Cake, Dessert, Entertaining, Holidays, Vegetarian, weekend, Winter

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Pumpkin Layer Cake with Espresso Italian Meringue Buttercream

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Danguole| 4 Comments

So, my sister turned 31 last week!  Apropos of totally nothing, she still has the glowy, perfectly poreless skin of a newborn.  In other related news, I’ve come to suspect that I also may be part vampire.  Sadly, it seems that all I have inherited from that side of the fam is that I’m averse to sunlight (and probably wooden stakes, but who isn’t?). 

The sister seems to prefer pumpkin spice lattes to virgin blood, though.  BORING, but also a whole lot better-tasting, right?

Let me tell you…  If you are fond of someone who enjoys a good pumpkin latte, this is THE cake for such a person’s special occasions.   Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations.  Retirements, housewarmings, baby showers. Getting paroled.  Whatever, you get the picture.

Pumpkin and espresso may seem like an odd combo at first, but this only works to your advantage.  Once you remind everyone of pumpkin lattes, Clever Points…  You will get them.

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Posted in Baking, Cake, Dessert, Entertaining, Fall, Vegetarian

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Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Danguole| 2 Comments

This is also known as Deb’s mom’s coffee cake.  As if I knew not only Deb of Smitten Kitchen, but also her mother!  It’s easy to forget that every recipe belongs to someone–or many someones–and sharing them is really sharing a part of you.  My friends, my coworkers and I enjoyed this lovely cake because Deb and her mom wanted us to.  Touching, no?

(Don’t tell anyone I have Feelings!  Okay?)

No, really.   Where would we be if the first caveman (or cavewoman) to discover barbecue hoarded the secret?  I don’t even want to think about it.  What an asshole.

Let’s toast to civilization today.  We’re onto something good here, people!  Bake up something pillowy, soft and studded with chocolate chip bling.  Throw some cinnamon sugar magic in there, then some more on top.  A good cup of coffee is necessary.

Also, this is a crowd-friendly cake…  You’ll need at least a few good companions to take this on.

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Posted in Baking, Breakfast, Cake, Entertaining, Vegetarian

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Cranberry Orange Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Danguole| 3 Comments

Gang: There are 362 shopping/baking/decorating days left!  Pleeeennnty of time for you to bake up one of these for the next round of holidays, no?

I bet you can see right through me.   I made this for Christmas.  For me and my family to eat.  Not to put it up here with plenty of time for you to, if you find it inspiring, do the same.  Selfish, totally selfish and slackery, and I’m sorry.  The good news is, this would also be wonderful for a New Year’s celebration.  Or a winter birthday.  Or Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  OR I just need to step up and be a better blogger.

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Posted in Cake, Cheesecake, Dessert, Entertaining, Holidays, Winter

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Red Velvet Cupcakes with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Danguole| 2 Comments

Guys. Guys!  Let me state the obvious.  It’s almost Christmas.  My shopping has never been more proactive.  My nails are red and sparkly.  There are cookies everywhere I go.  Everywhere!  It’s madness.  I have a haphazardly strung dark green light thing across my windows in the living room.  It’s trashy and heartwarming at the same time.  Look:

In other words, I think I’m ready.  Let’s embrace everything red, pretty and sweet.  Let’s make cupcakes that have ALL the things we like: chocolate, vanilla, bright color, whipped cream, cream cheese, almond extract, sprinkles…  It’s a lot, but we can handle it, especially this time of year.

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Posted in Cake, Dessert, Entertaining

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Tiramisu Cake

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Danguole| 2 Comments

So, this is seriously the most grown-up birthday cake I’ve ever made. There is brandy and coffee and dark, bittersweet chocolate.  My sister turned 30 recently–30!  And it’s sort of odd for me, because she’s had her life in order for so long that I have thought of her as a 30something year old for quite some time now.

 

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Posted in Cake, Dessert, Entertaining

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