The Best Giant Make-Ahead Cinnamon Roll Ever!

This spectacular cinnamon roll is the centerpiece of our Christmas morning breakfast and is greeted with the same anticipation at our holiday table as the Cratchit’s plum pudding is at theirs. The recipe relies on using store-bought frozen bread dough, thawed, and an overnight rise in the fridge while Santa makes his rounds. Pop it in the oven while opening presents and the scent of warm cinnamon throughout the house is what a holiday morning is all about. Of course,… [Read More]

The Best Pecan Pie and Painted Dough Cut-Outs

“Of Pie I Sing” – A remembrance, a recipe and an idea  Funny how we tend to keep the traditional childhood foods in our adult repertoire – especially if one is the host or hostess preparing the fare – unless we make a conscious effort to break the proverbial cranberry mold. My childhood Thanksgiving dinner consisted of the good, the bad and the mysterious. My mom would toil over the turkey rising at dawn to put the bird in the… [Read More]

Icy Italian Citrus Granita

If the name “granita” is not familiar to you, it’s an icy Italian dessert that resembles shave ice in texture and is possibly the most light and refreshing treat you can make this summer. In the snooty culinary world of terminology I’d call it a “deconstructed” popsicle. The ingredients are simple: fresh squeezed citrus juice, sugar and water. No special ice cream making equipment is necessary. If you’ve got a metal cake pan or baking dish and a fork, you’ll… [Read More]

Pineapple Sherbet

If you haven’t tried homemade pineapple sherbet with fresh lemon and orange juices you don’t know what you’re missing. Prior to this frozen epiphany, I had only tasted store bought from 31 Flavors which left me ordering Daiquiri Ice next time. Words I would use to describe ~ cold, icy, refreshingly fresh. And a phrase ~ “One more little cone won’t hurt.” And a sound ~ *sigh* What is particularly nice about this recipe is that it makes 4 quarts… [Read More]

The Best-Ever Chocolate Malts

What’s your favorite childhood summertime memory? Mine was of nights spent on our street playing kickball, roller skating, playing handball against the side of the house and riding our bikes. We’d sing “Leader of The Pack” as we imagined our bikes turning into motorcycles- “Vroom, vroom, vroom!” One by one we’d hear our respective moms calling our names from the front porch and we knew it was time to come in. I don’t think moms do this anymore. It would… [Read More]