The BEST Carrot Cake

This might be a good time to mention that we are dessert snobs. And I mean that in the nicest way possible. Even though ‘snob’ is commonly used as a derogatory term, in this case, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. We don’t rub our views in others’ faces or anything, but know what we like! We also know how to make a lot of the things that we like. Let’s take this carrot cake, for example. It truly is the best carrot cake we’ve ever tasted. It is the definition of perfection, so we are incredibly exited to share this recipe with you and spread the carrot cake love! We must warn you, however, that after you taste this baby, restaurant or bakery carrot cake will never taste the same again.

carrot cake 0018 IMG_1787At least, that is what happened to us. From time to time, we still sample other carrot cakes, but just about every one is either too dry, too soggy, too much pumpkin pie flavoring, bad tasting icing, etc. Yikes!

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Crust Love: Mrs. V’s Sweet Raisin Bread

We’re crust people. It’s just part of who we are. My dad and I share a common understanding about the complexities and deliciousness of the perfect crust. My mom isn’t as discerning, which is totally fine. Sometimes life is simpler when you’re not so particular.

raisin bread 0014I adore crusts of all textures, shapes, and sizes that come from all types of bread. I love it plain, dipped in good olive oil, or smothered with butter. For us, the crust is arguably the best part of the bread. We enjoy making bread of all varieties, from super crunchy yeast breads in Dutch ovens to beautifully braided challah to sweet zucchini loaves. Each type is delicious in its own special way and boasts a distinct texture of crust.

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Birthday Boston Cream Pie

When we are planning for and upcoming birthday in our house, the conversations don’t revolve around where the birthday person wants to go out to dinner or which gifts they desire. For us, the most significant birthday decision centers around the birthday dessert. The selections typically bounce between my Nona’s chocolate cake (my favorite!) and the Boston Cream pie. Other times, we make carrot cake (post coming soon), a trifle, or pound cake with berries, but those first two are the household staples. When you combine cake, homemade pudding, and chocolate, you get one of the most delectable desserts around. There is only one downside of a birthday Boston cream pie – it is tough to insert candles into the hardened chocolate shell. You’ll have to make starter holes with a small knife so that your loved one can blow out some birthday candles, but that is a sacrifice I’m willing to make:-).

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A few words from Sarah: From one glance at this layered treat, I think we can all see that this so-called pie is indeed a cake. And let me tell you, it is not just ANY cake. It wasn’t enough for this cake to get sandwiched in between some loving layers of smooth and creamy pudding. Oh no. Then it decided to be blanketed with a generous coating of rich, chocolate glaze. I’m pretty sure this cake and I are on the same page because chocolate truly makes everything better. Perhaps you, like me, are wondering why on earth this intelligent dessert decided to call itself a pie. Let us turn to Wikipedia for the answer. “Although it is called a Boston cream pie, it is in fact a cake and not a pie… The Boston cream pie is the official dessert of Massachusetts, declared as such in 1996. However, it is not mass-produced in Boston.”

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Orange Marmalade

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Citrus fruits abound during the winter months, so let’s enjoy these seasonal beauties! Wondering what to do with a box of oranges from your church or the local high school marching band? I’m a big fan of orange-flavored sweets and baked goods, so there are many recipes in my arsenal that utilize oranges! Some of my favorites (that will definitely be included on the blog soon) include cranberry-orange-pecan biscotti, “Aunt Sally’s” orange cookies (an essential holiday cookie in our family), orange scones, and orange marmalade! There is nothing better than this sweet and slightly tangy goodness to slather on a hot, flaky croissant or a fresh slice of our honey wheat bread! Continue reading Orange Marmalade

Honey Wheat Bread

Nothing beats a fresh baked loaf of bread on a cold winter day. We make this bread year round, but there is something special about a warm slice of hearty bread to accompany a big bowl of soup for a cozy winter meal. Plus, there just aren’t words to describe the amazing aroma that fills your kitchen when you have a fresh loaf of bread baking away in the oven.

This honey wheat bread is a favorite in our house. The honey makes it slightly sweet, while the whole wheat flour provides robustness and an almost nutty flavor.  This bread is incredibly versatile, and the possibilities for delicious creations with it are endless!

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