Ginger Molasses Cookies

I work from home and my SEEK work family is in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. So in the absence of my own coworkers to bake for, I send things like these Flour Bakery ginger molasses cookies to the good people at Sametz Blackstone Associates, where Brandon works.

Neighborly Cheesecake

I made this showstopper from the Flour Bakery cookbook, "Luscious cheesecake," to say hello to our new neighbors when Brandon and I first moved in to our apartment.

White Coconut Cake

I bought my cousin Whitney a cake pedestal for her wedding shower, and couldn't resist helping her put it to use right away with this white coconut cake from the Flour Bakery cookbook!

Valentine's Day Hearts

I made dozens of these little heart-shaped cookies using my cookie press, then dipped them in chocolate and decorated them with red and white sprinkles (which I had to meticulously separate from the blue ones in the patriotic sprinkles I had on hand!). I sent these in the mail to my SEEK coworkers across the country (San Francisco, Tucson, Cincinnati, Philadephia, and DC) and also shared a few with generous neighbors who lent me their shovels during the epic snowstorms we had this winter.

Superbowl Chocolate Cake

I chose Flour bakery's Midnight Chocolate Cake with Milk Chocolate Buttercream to indulge in while watching Superbowl XLIX: New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks.

Carrot Cupcakes

Joanne Chang's Flour Bakery recipe for Carrot Cake, made into soft, delicious cupcakes. Note to self: Next time, leave out the raisins!

Pizzelle

Traditional Italian Pizzelle - a Christmas tradition in my family. These are flavored with anise extract.

Birthday Celebration Cake

"Funfetti" cake for Brandon's 39th birthday! White cake baked with rainbow sprinkles and frosted with vanilla buttercream icing.

Chocolate Cookies

Melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cookies from Barbara Lynch's magnificent Stir cookbook.

Blueberry Peach Pie

Perfect complimentary flavors for a summer cookout with Dan and Leasa on Brandon's patio. Adapted from the Cook's Illustrated peach-blueberry crisp recipe.

Sugared Doughnuts

Fluffy and sweet sugared donuts from Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery cookbook.

Shortbread Cookies

Flaky, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies from Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery cookbook, made for a summertime porch BBQ at David and Cuong's.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Fresh fruit pies are my favorite desserts! This strawberry rhubarb pie was made as a going-away gift for Jane, my former Arnold coworker.

Red Velvet Cake

Courtesy of Joanne Chang's Flour Bakery cookbook: Red Velvet Cake with Creamy Vanilla Frosting. Made for my family's Easter celebration.

Coconut Macaroons

Perfectly balanced between crispy and chewy, these coconut macaroons are from Joanne Chang's Flour Bakery cookbook. Made for my last week of working from home.

Zeppoli

A traditional pastry in my Italian family, these custard-filled cream puffs are made for St. Joseph's Day.

Strawberry Ice Cream

Fresh fruit ice cream is my second favorite dessert, right behind fresh fruit pies. This was made to accompany a dinner party with friends.

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Gluten free peanut butter cookies turn out to look, feel, and taste exactly like non-GF cookies.  Made these for Scott and Sarah, my gluten intolerant friends down in Florida.

Raspberry Macarons

Thomas Keller's raspberry macaron cookies are HUGE.  Practically a meal replacement.

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Sweetened peanut butter filling sandwitched between two crunchy, chewy peanut butter cookies. Recipe from CooksIllustrated.

Ginger SassaFluff Cake

Hot n' sassy gingerbread on a graham cracker crust with 7 minute marshmallow fluff frosting and an "f" shaped cookie, made for Somerville's annual "What the Fluff?" Festival, celebrating the invention of Marshmallow Fluff.

I took home the trophy for Most Creative Presentation!

Pictured above are the judges, contest winners, and... a gorilla in a fluff t-shirt.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Turns out you can bake cupcakes into canning jars and send them in the mail!  These were for my Cincinnati friend Justin's birthday.  The red velvet cake with creamy vanilla frosting recipe comes from the Flour Bakery cookbook (what a surprise!)

Cherry Massacre

This is what happens every time I make a cherry pie.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Two strawberry rhubarb pies, made on a rainy day in my brother's kitchen in Brooklyn.  One to celebrate my friend Koleen's new baby boy (for her first child I baked an apple pie, so now the whole baby = pie thing is a tradition), and the other went to a BBQ on Bradley Beach.

Strawberry Parfait

Layers of moist olive oil cake, pastry cream whipped with butter cream (called mousseline), fresh strawberries, creme fraiche and raspberry jam make up this phenomenal dessert, which comes from Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery cookbook.  This was made for a number of coworkers' recent birthdays, but turned out to also be part of my own send-off from Arnold!

Hazelnut Almond Dacquoise

Hazelnut and almond meringue layers with creamy espresso buttercream and a chocolate ganache filling.  Recipe from Flour Bakery. Made for Erika Hakansson's departure from Arnold.

Brown Butter Crispy Rice Treats

These vanilla bean-laced Rice Krispy Treats made with brown butter are the brain child of Joanne Chang and her glorious Flour Bakery cookbook. Made for coworkers for Valentine's Day.

Polvorones

Polvorones, Spanish cookies that are popular during the Christmas season in Spain. Prepared to follow a paella dinner.

Raspberry Napoleon

A layer of puff pastry, a layer of pastry cream, repeat, add fresh, tart raspberries, and top it all off with another layer of puff pastry and a dusting of confectionary sugar.  Voila!  Millefeuille!  From Thomas Keller's Bouchon cookbook.

Rum Cake

From the Bouchon bakery cookbook-- bundt pans make everything so easy!  This is for Chris Kantos' birthday.

Pumpkin Pie

From Farmers' Market Desserts: Roasted Pumpkin Pie in  Maple-Pecan Crust. This was made for a pumpkin pie contest with Jane Schlech, who made her pumpkin pie with Libby's canned pumpkin, while this was made with fresh, roasted pumpkin.  All who tasted them both agreed they were equally delicious.  Good to know for situations when I don't have the time to cut up and roast the squash!

Homemade Poptarts

Another fantastic recipe from Joanne Chang. Pâte Brisée filled with raspberry jam and drizzled with simple vanilla glaze. A hit at a Sunday morning brunch with coworkers.

Coconut Macaroons

Simply flying through Joanne Chang's Flour cookbook.  Brought these in to work for an afternoon coffee break.

Swedish Pear and Almond Cream Cake

I brought this cake in to the office for our weekly Human Nature department status meeting. I had just purchased a bundt pan, so I was looking for an excuse to use it!  The recipe comes from Rose's Heavenly Cakes (authored by Rose Levy Beranbaum).

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Thank you Cooks Illustrated, March 2012.

Macarons

Not to be confused with macaroons. I accomplished these thanks to the book i heart macarons, by Hisako Ogita.

King Cake

For Mardi Gras! Complete with baked-in baby figurine.

Chocolate Raspberry Genoise

Another heavenly recipe from Rose Leve Beranbaum, this cake was made for my friend (Blade's) 40th birthday.  His party theme was "Around the World," and the final destination was "The Future"... hence the stars and rocket ship.

Chocolate Banana Cake

Birthday cake for my brother, which we shared with him right after he ran a 1/2 marathon!  The recipe comes from Rose's Heavenly Cakes.

Cranberry Crown Cheesecake

Creamy cheesecake surrounded by lady fingers and topped with a bright cranberry compote. Recipe From Rose's Heavenly Cakes.

Crispy Rice Treats

Made for a holiday cookie swap party, these bar cookies are made with brown butter and vanilla beans.

Lemon-Ginger Scones

Rich, buttery, lemony, and filled with ground ginger and crystallized ginger.

Raspberry Tart

Raspberry jam in a hazelnut pastry with a lattice top.

Christmas cookies

Chocolate chip cookies.  And a Christmas tree.

Pumpkin Pie Souffle

Todd English's Olives Dessert Table cookbook provided this recipe-- Pumpkin Pie Souffle with Honey Lace, Cinnamon Anglaise, and spiced hazelnuts.

Blueberry pie

A la Joanne Chang, to share with the neighbors in my building tonight so they can't complain when we have parties.