Raspberry Pastry Cream and Cake Filling

Raspberry Pastry Cream

Raspberry Pastry Cream is a velvety, vibrant filling that can elevate almost anything. Whether you’re using it to fill cream puffs, eclairs, cakes or cupcakes, or just serving it in a dish with fresh berries and whipped cream, it’s the perfect embodiment of spring in a bite. My personal favorite way to enjoy it is…

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Raspberry Coconut Lafayettes

These delightful Raspberry Coconut Lafayette Cakes were a beloved staple of my childhood, created by our family bakery, Sugar & Spice. I haven’t tasted them in years, but the memory of their irresistible flavors stayed with me, sparking a desire to recreate them—and even elevate the taste I remember. The cake itself is moist and…

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Lillian’s Grasshopper Pie

Lillian's Grasshopper Pie recipe cut slice on a plate and full pie in the background with a blue napkin.

Some recipes just have a way of making you feel like you’re home, and for my husband Doug, Lillian’s Grasshopper Pie is one of those. Every time his family visited his grandparents in northern Michigan, they’d be greeted by this vibrant green, velvety pie with a crisp deep chocolate crust. The filling is light, airy,…

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Ellen’s Harvest Ginger Cookies

Harvest Ginger Cookies Stack

Holiday food traditions have a way of wrapping us in warmth and joy. And the memories these Harvest Ginger Cookies evoke are just as comforting and delightful as the cookies themselves. Soft and pillowy, these cake-like ginger cookies are infused with warm holiday spices and two harvest-inspired flavors—an orange cream cheese frosting and a vibrant,…

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Merry Cranberry Citrus Curd

Merry Cranberry Citrus Curd Finished

This Merry Cranberry Citrus Curd tastes as bright and tangy as it looks, packed with the perfect mix of tart cranberries, sweet orange juice and zest, and a touch of fresh ginger. Its refreshing and vibrant flavor elevates so many desserts and instantly feels like the holidays. As a long time lover of citrus curds,…

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Josephine’s Italian Wedding Cookies

holiday wreath with round Italian Wedding Cookies on top and a blue and white gingham bow Italian Wedding Cookie Recipe

JUMP TO RECIPE Unlike me, my grandmother Josephine never really had a sweet tooth, so making dessert was a rare, special treat. But during the holidays or when guests came over, she’d always whip up a batch of Italian Wedding Cookies. These little bites of heaven were soft, crumbly, and topped with a delicate ballet…

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Brown Butter Irish Lace Cookies

Irish Lace Cookies recipe stacked tied with a gingham ribbon

These dreamy Brown Butter Irish Lace Cookies are crispy, delicate, and light as air! With a rich, buttery toffee flavor, they’re simple enough to enjoy with a cup of tea, yet special enough for holidays or guests. Their unique texture and preparation cause them to spread thin during baking, becoming so transparent that you can…

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Lydia’s Chocolate Chip Biscuits

Chocolate Chip Biscuits Close Up Recipe with orange slice

The recipes of our childhood are always the most delicious, especially when they’re wrapped in memories of loved ones. This vintage recipe for chocolate chip biscuits creates perfectly toasted, crunchy, biscotti cookies that are bursting with rich chocolate chips. They have a delicate, refreshing hint of citrus that beautifully complements the chocolate flavor. They are…

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Sweet Holiday Memories

Santina's Cookies

A photo of one of my mom’s holiday cookie platters, featuring some of her favorites! Kicking Off the Cookie Season As long as I can remember, my mother, Santina baked her way through the holidays. She would play and sing Christmas music in her warm, bright little kitchen and make over a dozen varieties of…

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Pistachio Cherry Charmers

Pistachio Cherry Charmers are a delicious cookie that takes its inspiration from a vintage family recipe that belonged to my Great Aunt Liz. They are tender, not too sweet and have caramel, nutty notes that are complemented by a sour cherry jam.  And their green and red color combo make them a festive addition to…

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