from Simply RecipesAnother day, another berry pie. This time, it’s a Blueberry Pie with a hint of vanilla (my own addition to the recipe).
It may seem repetitive after having just made a Blackberry Pie (recipe also from Simply Recipes), but when you’re on to a good thing, why stop?
from Simply RecipesI sometimes forget how easy it is to make a pie (well, with a pre-made crust at least) and with this Blackberry Pie from Simply Recipes, it’s easy to make it delicious as well.
Lemon zest, cinnamon, and almond extract add character to the flavor. Of course, this is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla.
To Die ForMy friends are awesome and always bring great goodies to dinner parties, but Astrid really outdid herself with these Peat Scotch Truffles.
She used this earl grey recipe as a basis but used the Peat Scotch in place of tea.
It’s a very sophisticated taste, that is at once chocolatey and boldly smokey (the signature flavor of Peat Scotch). It’s almost jarring at first taste, then quickly becomes addictive.
Having a packet of these in the fridge is proving to be dangerous. Dangerously delicious.
Whole Wheat Dark ChocolateI would have never tried these Tate’s Bake Shop Cookies if Mike hadn’t brought them over for D&D one night. Reluctant would be the word to describe me around whole wheat, but I am just stubbornly unhealthy that way, flour-wise.
But these things are good, my any measure. Jim, in fact, deemed them “too good” and tries to make himself feel better by only eating one half of a cookie at a time.
from Simply RecipesFinally! An excellent banana bread recipe!
While I had some luck with a fancy lemon glazed coconut version a while back, I have struck out twice in the last year with banana bread.
I gave it one last chance tonight facing a few over ripe bananas and decided to wisely go to one of my favorite recipe sources, Simply Recipes this time.
Well, the third time’s a charm – this Basic Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips is sweet, moist, and pretty perfect.
The chocolate is my own addition, and I added a handful of chips after adding and mixing in the flour. You can adjust and add to your own taste (maybe some coconut, walnuts, cinnamon?)
It’s really simple and there’s no need for any mixers beyond your own hands and a wooden spoon.
19 Commerce StThe aptly named West Village bakery Milk and Cookies offers a variety of the home made goodies to sample. Jim brought home half a dozen for a dinner night with friends.
Of the bunch I was partial to the snickerdoodle – which was wonderfully thick and soft – just the way I like sugar cookies to be (but they are so often hard and thin!).
Also of note was the salty oatmeal. The chocolate chip and peanut butter were good too, but rank somewhere in the middle city wide (City Bakery and Momofuku are tough competition).
Jim praises their helpful and friendly staff. I’d love to try their dry cookie mixes some day soon.
from Blue StoveWhen I inquired about this beautiful looking pie at Blue Stove, the shop girl’s eyes lit up – “That” she beamed “is a sweet potato pie, and if you’ve never had one (I hadn’t) you don’t know what you’re missing”.
She claimed it to be the bakery’s best – high praise for a place that continually churns out the city’s best pies.
I was happy to find that praise wasn’t misdirected though. It’s a taste hard to explain – like an earthier pumpkin pie with maybe just maybe the slightest hint of citrus?
It was delicious for sure – those Southerns know their stuff when it comes to comforting sweets. I am curious to make my own the next time pie baking calls. Any good recipes are welcome.
From City BakeryOh, City Bakery is there anything you can’t do? Your cookies are a baking delight, your hot chocolate is borderline insane and now you introduce me to the pretzel croissant.
It’s as tasty as it is pretty (just look at that golden brown crust, those swirls of soft white center…) These were made even better by the fact that Shaun got them for free.
It’s an insiders trick I’ve never took advantage of myself – but often, if you stop by near closing time – complimentary left over goodies might be offered.
at De Robertis, 176 1st AvenueLeave it to the over hundred year old East Village bakery De Robertis to make my New Years just a little bit sweeter. This adorable gift box cake with chocolate ganache, a marzipan bright red bow, chocolate mousse, and raspberry filling was superbly delicious without being overly sweet or rich. I love that this corner of Old New York is still alive and well and making goodies that make my belly smile.
Great SweetsFor anyone with a sweet tooth, I present the best icy, sugary, fruity, chocolaty, and bacony desserts I indulged in this year:
1. NYC Icy
2. Crack Pie
3. Cat Head Cupcakes from Ruthy’s Bakery
5. Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Mix
6. Pig Candy
