Christmas breakfast is my favorite breakfast of the entire year. It is joyful, festive, laughter-filled, and of course-delicious. It is a tradition in my family that we all go to my parents' house for Christmas brunch and to exchange gifts between the "secret" names that were drawn. We usually do pretty well at keeping our...
Breakfast
Zeppole
Fried dough. It sounds so plain and mundane, but when you think about it--the possibilities are endless. Countless regions around the world have their own versions of fried dough that are part of their culinary heritage. Beignets in New Orleans. Churros in Mexico. Sufganiya are enjoyed in Israel and around the world in celebration of Hanukkah. Bomboloni...
Cherry Almond Coffee Cake
Coffee cake is so pretty that it doesn't seem overly un-dainty to eat several helpings of it in one sitting, right? This recipe for Cherry Almond Coffee Cake is my twist on the version that is made by my family's favorite local bakery. (I may or may not have one of theirs sitting in front of me...
Savory Bacon and Cheddar Scones
Pastries of any kind are my favorite thing to make, eat, and share. As far as scones go, the sweet variety are my go-to, but this time I thought I'd try a savory version. (Although let's not forget about Double-Glazed Pumpkin Spice Scones.) I loved the combination of the cheddar, saltiness of the bacon, and the...
Blueberry French Toast Bake
Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but it doesn't need to be the most complicated. I love fruit with my breakfast, especially if it's baked right in. This Blueberry French Toast Bake combines the juiciness of fresh blueberries with the cinnamon-sugar goodness of French Toast. A perfect start to the day.
Homemade Pop Tarts
Before I tell you how amazing these Homemade Pop Tarts are and how you'll never want to buy store-bought again, let me make one thing clear: These are not a copycat version of Pop Tarts. They are what a Pop Tart should be. They're not at all difficult to make either, and with endless possibilities...
Rhubarb Raspberry Jam
Rhubarb isn't something I have used much in the past. I've had strawberry rhubarb pie here and there, but other than that, not much else. I never really found it very enticing. For some reason this year I knew I definitely wanted to find a way to enjoy rhubarb at home. David Lebovitz, who can do...
Deep-Dish Quiche Lorraine
Now this is my kind of breakfast-for-dinner. Quiche Lorraine may sound lady-like, but this deep-dish version is fit for even the hungriest fella in your life. My Hubby loved it. He even brought leftovers to work for his lunch, and determined that the recipe should have a more manly name since everyone was asking what...
Eggs Benedict, Two Ways: Traditional and Caprese
A couple of months ago, Hubby and I had a nice weekend getaway to Chicago planned to celebrate his birthday. On our way out of town, we stopped at a popular Canadian-based coffee chain for a snack before catching the train. Unfortunately one of the employees at the coffee shop saw fit to steal my...
Homemade Bagels
I love these bagels for many reasons. For starters, it doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that making your own homemade bagels is much cheaper than buying them at the local coffee shop. I'm talking an entire batch of bagels costs about the same as buying a single bagel at the bakery. Not to mention...
Hot Cross Buns
Note: This post was updated with new photos in 2020. Hot Cross Buns are a Good Friday tradition dating back to the days of Queen Elizabeth the First, and probably even earlier. It is my understanding that at that time, the sale of Hot Cross Buns was forbidden unless it was Good Friday or Christmas....
Banana Poppy Seed Pancakes with Caramel-Banana Syrup
There’s pancakes, and then there’s pancakes. Truth be told, I’ve never been a fan of pancakes. Unless we’re talking about Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes at Walt Disney World. But if we’re talking about the somewhat soggy pancakes made from the mix that leaves a plaster-like aftertaste…well in that case, I’ll pass. Have I mentioned that...
Coconut Banana Muffins
These muffins are my new favorite homemade muffin. Hard to believe, considering they don't contain chocolate chips. The bananas make them super moist and as delicious as banana bread, but the coconut adds some extra sweetness and a crunch to the top that makes them extra special. You'll feel less guilty than if you were...
Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
If breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, it's a good thing we've got baked goods to start our mornings off right. I'll take a homemade pastry over bacon and eggs any day. These muffins are so easy to make, and they're really nice and moist, thanks to the buttermilk. I'm such...
Homemade Honey Wheat English Muffins
Every once in a while there's a recipe that totally changes my grocery-shopping habits. Last year, Creamy Homemade Ricotta was groundbreaking for me, and now I refuse to use store-bought unless I absolutely have to. These Homemade Honey Wheat English muffins do the same for me. I am of the belief that homemade is always better,...
Madeleines (French Sponge Cakes)
Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. I certainly did. However, I am growing weary of our dreary and bitter cold weather around here. I've been bitten with the travel bug and I am constantly dreaming of our next adventure, which will hopefully happen soon. (As you may know, I get to live in...
Chocolate Krantz Cakes
These cakes taste just as decadent and glorious as they look. Imagine a giant cinnamon roll loaf cake, but instead of cinnamon, you've got chocolate. And pecans. I mean really, you just have to make these! If you ask me, they're great for any time of the day. While technically a dessert, I can personally...
Latkes
I can completely understand why latkes are sort of a staple for Hanukkah gatherings...they are delicious! However, I don't see why they shouldn't be eaten all year long. I certainly plan to make them often. In fact, today is our 8th wedding anniversary, and we had the leftover latkes for breakfast topped with a fried...
Old-Fashioned Dressing & A Recipe For The Leftovers
I must confess, I'm not usually a big fan of homemade dressing/stuffing. (Technically, this is a dressing, since it isn't being stuffed into the bird, but I will probably always call it stuffing out of habit.) It always seems to be too wet or too dry, or to full of rosemary, or something else that...
Homemade Cornmeal Biscuits with Whipped Honey Butter
When planning your Thanksgiving menu, you may find yourself trying to decide between biscuits or cornbread. Well here is your answer. These cornmeal biscuits are the perfect compromise between the two. The texture is not as grainy as some cornbread, with an almost “creamy” quality. Paired with honey butter, or cinnamon-honey butter (my personal favorite),...