All About "baking" and "desserts"

King Cake

Mardi Gras wouldn't be the same without New Orleans' famously rich, cream cheese-filled King Cake. Get the recipe from Short Order Mom here.

Pumpkin White Chip Brownies

brownies & bars, desserts, baking

Moravian Sugar Cake

Two hundred sixty-six years ago this Christmas Eve, the city where I reside was named by Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a Moravian leader, in the first house erected in this area. I can almost imagine the Count, said to have been watching the stable animals and listening to hymns being sung, suddenly standing tall and proclaiming the community, "Bethlehem," named after the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

It may have been less dramatic than that, but with our city having officially been dubbed "Christmas City, USA" in 1937, it's hard not to think of a more exciting beginning.This is a Christmas cake recipe well-loved by Moravians everywhere and devoured in record time by my own kids.

Shamrock Drops

These fun cookies are a version of my grandmother's. They originally call for shortening, but in the face of all that is known about trans fats these days, I opted for butter this time. We usually make these cookies pink. These are the best go-with for ice cream and I think chocolate chip mint or pistachio would be great for St. Pat's.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp

Cherry Pie

Fresh cherries are the star of this summer favorite. The kid-friendly recipe makes for a fun collaboration between you and your junior baker.

I Can't Believe It's Fruitcake

A yummy fruitcake ... yes, really. Not only will young bakers have fun making these miniature loaves, but they'll enjoy the delicious results.

Chocolate Cream and Strawberry Pie

This great chilled pie for summer combines delicious chocolate and fresh strawberries for a knockout dessert. A perfect recipe to make ahead of time for a picnic or cookout or summer special occasion.

Donut Cake

A classic plain cake, this cake is a riff on the justly famous Busy-Day Cake of cookbook author and local-food pioneer Edna Lewis, and is renamed "Donut Cake" because the combination of nutmeg and vanilla really tastes like donuts. Try this easy recipe for a great anytime-of-day cake.

Banana Muffins

This banana muffin recipe is moist and flavorful, crisp-edged but tender, and with just the right balance of banana flavor and a wholesome graininess.Try this great variation on a classic recipe.