AUTUMN
Apple Spice Scrolls
this has a LOT of filling versus dough, but it manages to all fit. The filling was pretty easy to put together and though it thickened up quite a bit, there was never an issue with having to stir to prevent burning or anything. The dough is all right... I think I'd prefer something either flakey or more bread-like (like a cinnamon bun), but it was fine. The filling itself could be used like chunky apple butter or something; it tastes pretty much just like the stuff I buy. (fb)
Black Cat Cookies
Oh, black cocoa. So great. These were pretty easy to prepare; I didn't need to add any liquid or flour to the dough, it rolled out/cut well without much refrigeration. Also, I was able to do little decorations/designs with a toothpick like depicted in the photo, and it baked well like that. The cookies barely spread, and were crispy but still a bit soft. They lasted well at room temperature for about a week. They're just sweet enough, and the black cocoa gives a good richness like oreo cookies (fb)
Blushing Apple Sorbet or Granita
Butternut Vanilla Bean Pancakes
They're ok. I love butternut squash, and since there's pumpkin pancakes and carrot cake pancakes, why not butternut? But IMO, it just doesn't go. I dunno why. Maybe I have too strong of a vegetable association with butternut. I'd advise to thoroughly blend the cooked butternut with the other liquids, because it can be kind of stringy (mine was). (fb)
Buttery Pecan Ice Cream
Candied Apple Cookies
So fun to make. The cookie part came together pretty easily, and taste pleasant appley on their own. They were easy to roll out and cut and such. The sticks were easier to insert than I expecting (I saw a tip online that helped - if you slowly twist the stick in while holding the dough over the stick with the other hand, and pinching the dough around where the stick enters at the end). The cookies stayed on the sticks easily after baking, too. The candy portion was pretty easy as well, and it took a while to get up to the proper temperature (but as a note - as it gets closer to 300, the temperature rises pretty rapidly. I'm guessing because it's getting close to caramelization? So it seemed to be slow going for a while, but around 280-285 it quickly got to the required temp). In the instructions it says to lay these cookie pops on parchment after coating them, and I used wax paper figuring eh, all the same... but it stuck! I found out of the internet solutions, slowly heating it is what worked (holding the pop above some simmering water). I'm concerned that technique will dampen the candy/cookie though. Anyway, DEFINITELY use parchment as directed. Maybe the lightest coats of oil after hardening will also help prevent it stick to the wrapping, not sure. In the end the candy kind of takes over in flavor (it's harder to taste the apple in the cookie), and it's VERY chewy, bur also very good. (fb)
Cranberry Custard Pie
Citrus and Spice Waffles
Eh, not that great. They never really got crunchy. They browned a bit like in the pic she has on her blog, but it never got the outer crust that I'd like. Also, the combo of orange and cloves, nothing too great. (fb)
Cranberry Streusel Bars
Figgy-Coffee Parfaits
Gingerbread Pumpkin Seed Brittle
Golden Saffron Pound Cake
For the saffron, I just steeped some threads in the soymilk (not as much as called for). The flavor was pretty good, the saffron was definitely noticeable. But, I should have waited more for the soymilk to cool, because I ended up developing the gluten too much and the cake turned out pretty tough. Oh well. I'm sure the texture would have been better had I waited. (fb)
Licorice Lover's Almond Biscotti
No-Bake Pumpkin Crème Brûlée
Not-a-Newton Fig Tart
Pecan Praline Trifle
Persimmon Blondies
Pumpkin Butter Cookies
Roasted Apple Cheesecake
I added a couple more spices to the cheesecake portion. I thought the baking time was a little low - only about 25 minutes for a cheesecake - but it turned out fine (still creamy, but didn't come off as raw filling). Very pleasant, cinnamon-y filling, and the apple flavor isn't super strong. Instead of the directed crust, I just used a pre-made graham crust, which went well. (fb)
Rosh Hashanah Rugelach
Rum Raisin Brownies
these brownies mean business. They're pretty heavy, and have a strong alcohol flavor (not a fan). The chickpea flour... not sure what I think of it. I think that might have contributed to that strong flavor too, not sure. Also, I didn't add raisins. I'd say these are better brownies for someone who wants the flavor of an alcohol-soaked baked good, not a light rum flavoring. They were dense and fudgy, though. (fb)
Sticky Toffee Donuts
Stuffed Cider Donuts
I started making these, and I was like no, cake donuts?! My last experience making cake donuts was not so great, and my last time eating cake donuts was not so great either. But these are really good! The dough is flavorful and well-spiced, and pretty easy to work with, even though I refrigerated less than called for. I would say, though, to roll the dough out to (actual) 1/2" thickness or even less, because the middles were often still doughy; I'm pretty sure the thickness I used was what was intended, because the yield was the same as was the width of the donuts. Anyway, the doughiness might come in handy for filling them, but alas, I seem to be terrible at filling these things. I set up the piping bag with the (delicious) filling as directed, poked well into the donut, and it seemed like I was adding a good amount of filling (some of the donuts started cracking from the pressure), but the ones I've eaten have had, like, 1/4-1/2tsp filling (NOT EVEN KIDDING). Man, so I've got this tasty filling leftover, so I just eat it with the donuts (still delicious, just less user-friendly). Hmm. I've never filled stuff before, so it's probably on me. I didn't need as much cinnamon-sugar as called for - maybe half, or not even - and it actually stays on the donuts fairly well. Also, these brown pretty easily, so at first I was afraid I'd burnt them, but I hadn't. Nice donuts, good filling, not too difficult, cooks quickly! (fb)
Sweet Potato Casserole Cupcakes
Torta al Vino