If you have cookbooks in your house, then you are bound to have a version of this cake. It has many variations and who doesn’t love chocolate? Let us not forget it is pretty simple to make. It depends on the crowd I am feeding and my time constraints as […]
Recent Posts
Million Dollar Bread Pudding
Bread Pudding can be baked plainly or with various fruits. It is amazing how many configurations you can bake with a basic bread pudding recipe. Click on MOMMA’S BREAD PUDDING to see the depression-era version. Click on WHAT’S FOR DESSERT to find Pumpkin Bread Pudding with a white chocolate sauce. […]
Light Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
I am trying to remember when I ate my first PB & J sandwich. I think I was married and had children. Momma cooked a hot breakfast everyday. Supper was on the table when Daddy got home from work. She was not a believer in fast foods such as cereal […]
Moist Whipping Cream Pound Cake
I wonder just how many different pound cakes I have made in my years. It is interesting that you can use the same basic items and change a few ingredients to alter the texture and taste. Momma was the best cake baker but in those days it was the funeral […]
VALENTINE PRECIOUS MEMORIES
Momma and Daddy never made a big deal out of Valentine’s Day. I mean we always knew it was in February because our grade school teachers planned activities around it. Daddy would sometimes bring Momma a heart shaped card. But she made a red velvet cake. There were no decorations, […]
MOMMA’S MILK CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE
Momma learned to bake from her mother, Ethel, and her mother-in-law, Anna. Now the way Momma tells it, Ethel was slow as a doodle. And I witnessed that in my lifetime. I was one of the lucky ones to have a grandmother well into my 40s. She lived to know […]
MOMMA’S FRESH APPLE CAKE
Back in the ’50s, Momma really got into baking. She had joined a local methodist church and was associated with a lot of really good cooks. She joined the women’s circle where they created their own cookbooks to earn money for missions. Momma was also very frugal and used what […]
GWEN’S SHRIMP FETTUCCINE
Down here in the south, we interchange crawfish with shrimp in this dish. The pictures displayed have crawfish but I have used shrimp many times. I get many of my recipes from my cousin, Gwen. Our families have been eating together and sharing holidays as long as I can remember. […]
NOT JUST ANY SYRUP COOKIES
Momma was not much of a cookie baker when we were kids. That took up her time of which she had little. But as she got older and we all were out in the world doing who knows what according to Momma, she started baking some of the recipes that […]
BAKED EGGPLANT LASAGNA BY TONI
I have always gotten some of my best recipes from Momma, friends, and family. And of course, now that I have so many fabulous friends on Instagram and Facebook, I use some of those recipes, too. It is those beautiful, mouth-watering photographs that allure me into snatching my ingredients and […]
BEST HEARTY MEATBALL SOUP
I love soups of all kinds throughout the year. I live in an area that is warm much of the year. We certainly do not have four seasons. But Louisiana is known for gumbos and great soups. Chicken and spaghetti are a favorite of mine. My paternal grandmother made the […]
QUICHE HARVEST FEAST
Sometimes, a one-dish meal just fits the bill. This quiche is a hearty dish filled with fall veggies. You can certainly add other veggies or substitute something else if you or not a kale fan. I would probably never eat kale as a stand-alone dish but I love it here. […]
ITALIAN CREAM SHEET CAKE
I have never understood why they called this an Italian cream cake. I can only describe it as a vanilla cake with coconut and pecans. It even reminds me of a Hummingbird cake and maybe my version. Momma loved sheets cakes for several reasons. She used one pan and it […]
CHEESECAKE DELIGHT
Most plain cheesecakes have the same basic ingredients. These may vary in amounts according to the baker and of course, the size of the springform pan. I was always intimidated by this complicated-sounding dessert using a special pan but I finally broke through my fears. My, oh my, it is […]
Pumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting & Homemade Caramel Topping
Pumpkin is usually considered a fall dessert these days. Momma considered nothing exclusive to the season. If she took a notion and had the ingredients, she baked it. Sweet Potato pies were one of her most popular but now and again she made some type of pumpkin dessert – usually […]
SIMPLE CHANTILLY CAKE
When I was about 5 years old, I remember the long trip visiting my grandparents about 4 hours north of our home. Granddaddy was a farmer and a hard-working farmer. They had very little in the way of material things but then, they really did not want for much. They […]
EASY SWEET POTATO BREAKFAST MUFFINS
In the South, we are lucky in that we have small farmers that sell their produce on the side of the road. Sweet potatoes are sold by the box so sometimes a friend and I will share a box. Even a half of a box is a lot of sweet […]
DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING
Chocoholism is a disease that runs rampant in my family. Momma was an excellent chocolate dessert maker and we three girls were the taste testers. She made doberge cakes before we even knew what they were. Our local bakeries sell them. They consist of several thin cake layers with filling […]
MOMMA’S GOLDEN COCONUT LOAF ….
AND MY WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE I found my sister’s recipe box in one of the many storage boxes in my garage. You see, my parents have both passed away and my older sister, Diane, has passed away. My sister was 59 years old and my parents were 93 years […]
SMASHED BANANA CAKE
This is a version of one of Momma’s popular cakes. Her cake was actually a yellow cake with a filling and frosting of vanilla custard with smashed bananas. But according to Momma, a cake like this had to be refrigerated because bananas will turn dark. She made this cake when […]
EASY GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH COCONUT PECAN FROSTING
Momma made cakes weekly. She never wanted our table to be empty should someone stop by for a visit. She was a great hostess. Now the serving dishes never matched. Some were even chipped. If anyone noticed, no one ever said a word because they were too busy getting a […]
SIMPLE CHERRY POUND CAKE
There is nothing simpler than a pound cake. I love all my different Nordicware Bundt pans to give them a more glamorous look. Your definition of “glamorous” may be a bit different than mine. Doesn’t take much for me. I made this beautiful cake in the tiered heart shaped Bundt […]
WHITE CHOCOLATE & PISTACHIO MADELINE’S
I love making Madeline’s. As far as I can tell it is a cross between a cookie and a cake. I have a plain Madeline recipe that you can find here. This recipe is a basic recipe that I have added pistachios and white chocolate chips. Since the cookies are […]
SIMPLE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE
The toughest thing I find about making cheesecakes is letting them get cold overnight in the fridge. After all, taste-testing is part of the job. This simple cheesecake uses Strawberry Syrup and I used Smucker’s brand. All cheesecakes I make remind me of the 1-2-3-4 Cake. Click here to see […]
SHORTBREAD STAMPED COOKIES
The closest Momma got to making pretty cookies was the cocoons she made at Christmas. She stirred up the dough, sprinkled powdered sugar all over the table and she rolled them out. I do not even remember her having cookie sheets when I was a child. Everything went into the […]
KEY LIME PIE SQUARES
Sometimes for family gatherings and holidays, you need a dessert that will go far. And this is a great one. It is made in a jelly roll pan and you just cut into little squares. Now, does everyone like Key lime pie? Probably not but as the hostess, it is […]
EASY FRUITCAKE COOKIES
I remember the fruitcakes as a child. I never was a fan. Too many gooey, sticky unidentifiable foods in them. Momma made occasionally but I don’t think it was her favorite either. It was one of those things that appeared at Christmas dinner but no one really ate it. Well, […]
OLD TIME CHOCOLATE FUDGE
Daddy was the candy maker in our family. When it came to making fudge, he used the same recipe every Christmas. I know I have it somewhere but was not able to lay my hands on it this year. Momma’s first cousin’s wife also made fudge every holiday and we […]
HOLIDAY PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE BUNDT CAKE
I literally have gone pumpkin crazy since fall began. I don’t remember us having pumpkin desserts as a child. Being a southerner, we had sweet potato pie, desserts, and casseroles. Pumpkin and sweet potatoes look very much alike but have two distinct flavors. My favorite flavor is chocolate so what […]
DELISH PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
I had never made peanut butter fudge but this recipe is easy and versatile. I have used it for cake filling. It can be a softer creamier fudge or a harder fudge. If you beat it with a spoon for several minutes after it was cooked, it will begin to […]
WHITE CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE
Pound cakes! Many are the same basic recipe. You just add your favorite flavor. Well, if you are like me, you will agree there is nothing as good as chocolate, especially white chocolate. I just baked my basic pound cake and added a cup of melted white chocolate, cooled a […]
PECAN MUFFINS WITH PECAN PIE GARNISH
I hear tell that there are people in this country that don’t like pecans or as some people say “pee-cans”. That ladder pronunciation reminds me of what we had to pack in the car on vacation. No more about that. These muffins are easy to whip up and it makes […]
SIMPLE BUTTERSCOTCH BROWNIES
I call these brownies my fall brownies. The butterscotch aroma just puts me in the mind of autumn. Now, don’t get me wrong I will bake them anytime of the year along with other brownie recipes. Two of my favorites on my blog are: Aunt Betty’s Brownies Cheesecake Peanut Butter […]
OLD TIME FIG PRESERVES CAKE WITH BUTTERMILK GLAZE
Momma and Daddy had several fig trees scattered over their rural small piece of paradise. That land was paid for so that’s why it was so cherished. The fig trees were so tall that a ladder was needed to reach the top. They ripened in the hot humid summer. And […]
QUICK AND EASY APPLE PIE BARS
Some folks claim this is an apple cobbler but when it cools you can actually cut it into any size bars. It makes a nice treat for friends and would fit nicely in a lunch box. Sometimes I do not have the luxury of having apples on hand when I […]
MOMMA’S EASY SWEET POTATO PIE
No holiday would have been complete for our family without a sweet potato pie and sweet potato fluff. Louisiana has an abundance of these great tubers. Many families buy them by the box and that is several pounds of these orange root vegetables. I recently bought a box and have […]
CINNAMON CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE
I cannot help my love for the holidays or chocolate. Cinnamon is an added bonus. Pound cakes are my favorites and I have several different types of Bundt and tube cakes. That one pan cake also appeals to me. Some of my favorite fall pound cakes that you may find […]
EASY PARTY MINI-CHEESECAKES
When I saw this mini-cheesecake pan, I knew I had to try it. I love parties and I love to make dainty treats. I got this one from Amazon. It is a Chicago metallic. It is so easy to use and to wash. I am an Amazon Affiliate so if […]
EASY SALTED CARAMEL FUDGE
I come from a family of fudge lovers. We do not discriminate. We love all flavors and consistencies. Different relatives had their preferences to make. Daddy only made the hard chocolate fudge. He was a quiet man so on occasion, you would see him stirring quietly in the kitchen in […]
QUICK AND EASY CHEESE DANISH
This little pastry can fool your palate into thinking you are sitting in a little cafe in Paris? Well, I do have a great imagination but I have tasted pastries in Paris. So consider it an over exaggeration but they really are good. I use the Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry […]
Aunt Betty’s Brownies
There was no one in the world like my Aunt Betty. She was Daddy’s younger sister and they were close siblings. They had four children and there were three of us but we spent lots of time together. They had a camp and a boat so we were lucky enough […]
RED VELVET POUND CAKE
There is nothing better than making a pound cake. Layer cakes take much more effort. And since red velvet is my favorite, I thought I would share this pound cake with you. My favorite Red Velvet Layer Cake recipe can be found at this link on my blog. Momma made […]
EASY STRAWBERRY BREAKFAST MUFFINS
Making breakfast is a challenge. Muffins can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container if needed. Momma believed in a hot breakfast daily which always included biscuits so this one would not have suited her. Most folks today are in the fast lane so they are always looking […]
EASY PEACH UPSIDE DOWN CAKE
It is a peach upside cake and what could be easier. Everything is in one pan. And I use Del Monte’s canned peaches. You can even use the Del. Monte Lite peaches and it would be good. I love my Nordicware Swirl Upside down tart pan. I can use plums, […]
DOUBLE CRUST CHICKEN POT PIE
As I look back on my childhood, I would describe it as very stable. I knew when I came home from school that Momma would be getting supper ready and Daddy would be arriving from his plant job soon. Our weekends consisted of visiting grandparents and cousins. We did attend […]
EASY OATMEAL COOKIE PIES
When my children were small, I kept Little Debbie Snack Cakes in my pantry. I was a busy working mom and never considered the idea of making them. I am not saying my cookie cakes are similar to the famous Little Debby’s but maybe a likeness. I would say making […]
EASY PECAN PARTY TART
If there was one thing, we had plenty of during my childhood, it was pecans. Daddy loved picking them up, cracking and shelling them. I can still see him in a rocker on the porch with a large stainless steel round bowl full of cracked pecans in his lap. He […]
BEST BLUEBERRY CAKE SQUARES
Momma used to love to go pick blueberries. She had a few friends that were willing to share. She had a couple of blueberry bushes but even with her green thumb, she could never produce a blueberry. We are talking about a woman who could grow mustard greens in a […]
WEDDING CAKE SQUARES
Weddings were always on our “cannot miss” list. Yes, watching the bride and groom exchange vows was very touching. But getting to that reception was the main goal. As kids, we learned the routine that you had to wait for the cutting of the cake. So we kind of just […]
CHEESECAKE PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES
Brownies made in my 8 x 12 tart pan present beautifully. When they cool you just push the bottom up and out it comes like a layer cake ready for you to cut in your own sizes. A Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie mix is used for the bottom layer. Mix […]
PECAN PIE CHEESECAKE
This cheesecake has four layers which may seem a bit daunting. Each layer can be quickly made. And you can produce a spectacular dessert. The first step would be to ensure you have the basic ingredients: graham cracker crumbs 2 cups brown sugar, packed 1 cup white sugar 1 stick […]
CANNOLI LAYER CAKE
This is a cake I have wanted to try for quite some time. In my first attempt, I tried mascarpone cheese but I really had better luck the second time using Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Amazon has Chocolate Cake Drip that was so easy to use. It is for amateurs like […]
QUICK FUDGE ICING
I use this cooked icing for the top of my Heavenly Hash Cake and many of my chocolate layer cakes. The recipe for the layer cake shown at the top can be found at https://kathywicker.com/easy-1-2-3-4-cake/ My kids (funny I should say that when their ages range from 31 to 42) […]
MADELINES
I discovered these little shell-shaped sponge-like cakes some years ago but I never thought it would be something I would attempt. After all, that was a fancy French dessert. Momma kept it simple with pound cakes, layer cakes, and sheet cakes. She saw no reason for anything other than 2 […]
BANANA LAYER CAKE with CREAM CHEESE ICING
Walking among the produce, I am drawn to the bright yellow bunches of bananas. I imagine that I will eat one every day to begin a healthy regime. So I buy a bundle of these curved yellow tropical fruits feeling almost like I am starting a diet. Well, that feeling […]
BANANA CREAM SHEET CAKE
I remember as a child, Momma putting vegetables in the crisper also known as the drawer in the fridge that was designed to prolong the freshness of produce. Daddy always called it the rotter because oftentimes things would be forgotten until someone noticed a stench emanating. Celery often turned to […]
APPLE BUTTER POUND CAKE with CARAMEL ICING
When I think of apples, I think of Daddy and how he entertained his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with his apple peeling skills. He always kept a sharpened pocket knife in his pocket. Starting at the top of the apple near the stem, he would slowly trim round and round. He […]
APRICOT ALMOND LAYER CAKE
For me, half of the fun in making a cake is the feeling of creativity. I can be an aspiring artist. Well, Momma never had those aspirations I am sure. She had no time for fancy decorations although occasionally on birthdays, she would add those edible letters. You know the […]
Momma’s Best Biscuits
As a child, I remember my maternal grandmother, Ethel, puttering in the kitchen. She had a large stoneware crock that held the flour. She had a can of lard and a pitcher of milk nearby. Gently patting the flour and making a well in the middle to hold the milk, […]
QUICK FRENCH TOAST
Momma believed everyone should have a hardy breakfast whether you needed or wanted it. There were no local places to purchase breakfast and there certainly was no extra money to have that luxury even if it was available. Schools provided only lunches and Momma made sure we had those coins […]
ONE LAYER CHOCOLATE MOCHA CAKE
Momma always had cake when company dropped by and we had a lot of company. If she knew in advance that it was just a couple of people stopping in, she would sometimes just make a one layer. In those days, trips to the store was on payday and that […]
KATIE’S ZUCCHINI PARTY BREAD
WITH PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE SPREAD Good friends share recipes and I have so many friends that love to share their handed-down recipes. Most of these recipes were prepared with as much love as there was flour in the mixture. My friend Kathleen is a nurse. Our paths have crossed over […]
CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE CUPCAKES
Who does not like a cupcake every once in a while. While chocolate is my all time favorite flavor, a little cheesecake thrown in just makes it that much more tempting. Now you will mess up a few bowls for this one. You make a cupcake batter and then you […]
BUTTER PECAN POUND CAKE WITH CARAMEL ICING
Momma loved Betty Crocker cake mixes. Her very favorite was Milk Chocolate and it was sometimes hard to find among the chocolate flavors. But she would not buy any other cake mix but Milk Chocolate. I wish she was still her to experience the Butter Pecan cake mix because the […]
ORANGE BREAKFAST BREAD
Most of my life, I have used the “see one, do one, teach one” theory. Breads, however, did not ever fit into this category. It was more like: “see ten, do twenty, teach one.” Activating the yeast is a challenge. What is warm? If you use a thermometer, it needs […]
MARGARITA LAYER CAKE
I love making layer cakes. Momma made a gazillion with her 9-inch pans. She would make thick layers and split each layer in half. I love my 8 inch pans because I never seem to have a snafu. Of course, I always use Baker’s Joy to prepare the pans. It […]
MILKY WAY CAKE
Do you know what is better than cake? Cake with candy in it, of course, if you have a sweet tooth like mine. I happened to be thumbing through Momma’s church ladies cookbook and found a recipe for a Milky Way cake. With a few modifications, I set out and […]
CHOCOLATE COOKIE CAKES WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING
Back in the ’60s, it was a wondrous day on most Sundays when all ten cousins descended on my paternal grandparent’s tiny little white frame home. There were three steps leading up to the front door with a Confederate Rosebush standing tall reaching over the steps. My grandfather was always […]
BANANA NUGGET COOKIE
Don’t you remember a special cookie your momma made when you were a child? My friend, Dianne, reminisced about this cookie that was her favorite. And it was her Momma’s favorite. After I thought about it, the main cookies Momma made was tea cakes…just a plain little cookie but oh […]
COOKIE BUTTER POUND CAKE
I discovered Biscoff cookies when I began taking regular Delta flights from my hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana to my daughter’s home in the Philadelphia area about fourteen years ago. I looked forward to my visits and over the past fourteen years, Delta has seldom disappointed…with the flight or the […]
EASY 1-2-3-4 CAKE
This basic cake is one that is adaptable in so many ways. I love it because I can easily remember the ingredients and I can modify to the flavor that I am striving to obtain. And I can be proud of the results! Why 1-2-3-4? What does that mean? 1 […]
LEMONADE POUND CAKE
Who keeps lemonade concentrate in the freezer? ME! Sometimes I just do not have any lemons on hand but I still want that good tart flavor. What a great cake! The concentrate gives the cake a heightened lemon flavor. The concentrate must be completely thawed so preparation is needed for […]
KID-FRIENDLY MERINGUE COOKIES
My granddaughter, AnnaLynn or Al as we all call her, and I have always been partners in the kitchen. She naturally gravitated from dusting furniture as a toddler to standing on a chair by me in the kitchen watching me bake. You can say she was born domesticated. At about […]
GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE BARS
Momma made a great German Chocolate cake from scratch. I never was a real coconut fan but hers was always a hit at family gatherings. My cake bars are made with a German Chocolate Cake Mix which serves as the “crust” of the cake. There are different versions of this […]
OLD TIME PECAN CRISPIES
Back in the ’60s and ’70s when young women were getting married and having showers, there was one gift that almost every bride received. It stood out from the rest and was covered in red plaid. It was the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. It was very thick and daunting. […]
CHOCOLATE CHIP POUND CAKE
This is my go-to birthday cake. It begins with a cake mix and dry instant pudding mix. I bake it in a Bundt pan so it is a breeze to wrap and transport! I have made this pan of moist deliciousness many times over the years and it is always […]
SAUSAGE QUICHE
When my kids were in school I loved to make this dish because it was one dish. That meant a lot back then. I did have to use a few pans and bowls to prepare but it takes a bit of work to have something you love. I have always […]
BAKED DONUTS with CREAM FILLING
In high school, we sold Krispy Kreme donuts for fundraisers. We would take orders and collect the money. Our group would have instructions to be in the Krispy Kreme parking lot as dawn was breaking on a Saturday morning to collect the dozens and dozens of donuts. With our lists, […]
BLACKBERRY JAM LAYER CAKE
Blackberry jam cakes are part of my history. My maternal grandmother made them. I wrote about her and my one layer jam cake in a previous post called https://kathywicker.com/family-reunions-soirees-blackberry-jam-cake/ This cake is different in that the jam is added to the batter which gives the layers a purplish color. But […]
PECAN SNICKERDOODLES
Momma very seldom made cookies. She was a cake or pie maker. Cookies took time and patience. She did not have an abundance of either. And now, I understand. A cake can be mixed and put in the oven. Cookies require cookie sheets, dipping the cookie dough out in an […]
PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY CAKE
KID’S CHOICE This cake is definitely #1 with kids who love a good PB & J sandwich! Any preferred jelly can be used .. your favorite complement to PB & J. I used SMUCKER’S Red Raspberry Preserves and of course my preferred JIF Smooth Peanut Butter. I made a DUNCAN […]
PEANUT BUTTER MARBLE POUND CAKE
There is nothing I like better than a delicious pound cake as evidenced by the number of pound cakes I have on my blog. Just enter “pound cake” in the search bar and you will see some wonderful pound cakes and their recipes. My basic one is Momma’s Lemon Blueberry […]
MOMMA’S BREAD PUDDING
No one in my house ever wanted to eat the “heel” or what we called that end piece in the loaf of bread. But I have already told this story and you can read about it here: https://kathywicker.com/bread-pudding/. The recipe associated with this link is a Pumpkin Bread Pudding with […]
EASTER COCONUT CAKE
We always knew Easter was near because Momma had that old White sewing machine going for hours at a time. It would whirr away stitching white or pink lacy dresses for each of the three of us. We got to shop for hats – the kind that just clamped on […]
BANANA PUDDING CAKE
Momma was a dessert maker. And she loved Banana Pudding. Everyone knows that this is a southern staple dessert. She preferred making her own cooked custard and adding the vanilla wafers and bananas. We later learned a quicker version from the church ladies which did not require cooking. And this […]
MEAT PIE
This is a dish I have made over and over successfully. It is a one-dish dinner. The slices cut nice and evenly and it is delicious. If you like meat and cheese, this is for you. My daughter and her friends always requested this when they were in high school. […]
MOMMA’S LEMON CREAM PIE
Momma made three main types of lemon pies. They were Lemon Meringue, Lemon Cream, and Lemon Icebox. The family was always clear which was which. Lemon Meringue was a bright yellow and almost transparent but not quite. Lemon Cream had a pudding consistency. And Lemon Icebox was made with condensed […]
EASTER BREAD
Many years ago (and it seems like eons), there was a time that I enjoyed a visit to my doctor’s office. Oh, I do not mean that I enjoyed going to the doctor. But I did enjoy the plethora of magazines that were available. I was always looking out for […]
JACKIE’S HOMEMADE IRISH CREAM ICE CREAM
FOR ADULTS ONLY As long as I can remember, my parents made homemade ice cream just because. There did not have to be a special occasion. I never remember making it in the colder part of the year. I recall fondly the sweltering days that we sat around taking turns […]
MOIST CARROT CAKE
I had a delicious dinner with friends this week. My pal, Jackie hosted and made a delicious and super moist carrot cake. She said that the secret is soaking the grated carrots in brown sugar about an hour before you actually get started on the cake. The frosting was the […]
STRAWBERRY SWIRL POUND CAKE
Pound cakes are a basic staple for me. I can use this recipe and basically get creative and add most any flavorings. I love the one-pan Bundt option (less dishwashing). I also love all the various Nordic Bundt pan options, including the old standard from the beginning of my baking […]
EASY CHEESECAKE WITH BERRY TOPPING
In my early baking days, springform pans and cheesecakes conjured up the notions of complication and failure. Boy, was I surprised to learn how easy cheesecakes were to make! Was everyone a showstopper? Absolutely not. Sometimes, I have a crack in the top but once you put the filling on, […]
THE TASTE TESTER
TUNNEL OF FUDGE CAKE Amateur bakers such as myself firmly believe in obtaining the most qualified taste testers. They must be objective and be able to state the truth whether or not it hurts the baker’s feelings. After all, I need to know whether or not my cake is worthy. […]
MOMMA’S CHEST FREEZER
STRAWBERRY PRETZEL DESSERT As I was gathering ingredients for this dessert, I bent over to reach in my refrigerator to pull out the freezer drawer. I was searching for my frozen strawberries. I had a flashback to the old days. Our house had an all-purpose kitchen. It was the largest […]
Daddy’s Rainy Day
CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE When I was a child, seatbelts and car blinkers were in a galaxy far, far away…with inspection stickers. Daddy’s upper limbs served as all of these features which would arrive on the scene many years later. As a very young child, occasionally I would get to ride […]
CHERRY ALMOND LOAF BREAD
When I need a quick dessert, I turn to loaf bread. They are quick and easy to bake. Transporting is a snap. Slicing is a piece of cake! For this cake, you must love cherries. Each bite will provide little bits of nuts, cherries, and that lovely almond flavor. All […]
BLOOD ORANGE POUND CAKE
I don’t have blood oranges too often but when I do I want to make a pound cake with some of that pretty juice. It serves as a flavoring as well as a food coloring. The drizzle is a very pretty pink. I bake in in my favorite light tube […]
CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE
There are so many shades of chocolate and I love them all. When I went with my daughter and her family to Hershey, they made sure we attended a chocolate tasting. The little shot glasses full of the silky dark liquid were arranged from lightest to darkest chocolate. I was […]
ORANGE CRUNCH CAKE
When I write a little story and post a cake recipe and picture, I always love to hear responses from my “Flours.” It is what inspires me to keep writing and baking. It also brings me great pleasure. A good friend, Diane, texted me that her favorite cake was an […]
MY FAVORITE BIRTHDAY CAKE
RED VELVET CAKE Happy Birthday to this Baby Boomer! I have no qualms revealing my age of 68! I look in the mirror daily and say, yep, that’s me. I am in fairly good health. I have left behind a nursing career of 46 years where I worked with some […]
ORANGE LAYER CAKE
There is no doubt that I am a cake lover. There is also no doubt that I am a chocoholic. But occasionally I like something different…like this orange cake. The directions are simple. All dry ingredients go into one bowl. The wet ingredients go into the mixing bowl. And then […]
VEGGIE TACO SOUP
I am a soup lover. It is one way for me to get veggies intake. This is a recipe that is simple and in one pot. You can substitute vegetables that you like. You can slim it down by using a low sodium broth or water. I love the combination […]
PERSIMMON COOKIES
Daddy had a huge persimmon tree in our front yard. He and Momma were firm believers in having gardens and fruit trees to provide for our table. And together with their green thumbs, our table was bountiful. Some of the bounty, I could have done without but different strokes for […]
BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES & BAKING
DESSERT: HUMMINGBIRD CAKE I come from a long line of folks that enjoyed the afternoon air and lazy conversation. Most of Momma’s relatives had some type of porch attached to their houses way out in the country. Most of the homes were framed and off the ground with concrete steps […]
Champagne Pound Cake
New Years Eve is the best time to make this cake. I always buy Champagne for this occasion and I always end up with some left in the bottle. Make this cake and you will finish the bottle. In anticipation of making the cake, I purchased a Nordic Bundt called […]
Daddy’s Christmas Gift
RECIPE: MOMMA’S COCOONS Momma and Daddy had the State Times newspaper delivered every afternoon. Back then, folks had a choice of the morning or evening edition. This was the way we received news if one can only imagine. Yes, we had a television with limited stations and viewing. But Momma […]
Cherry Bounce: A Toast to Aunt Tenna
Original Post AUGUST 8, 2019 Great-Aunt Tenna’s given name was Florie. I never heard anyone call her that nor do I know where “Tenna” sprang from. Why did I not ask more questions? That will be one of my great regrets. Aunt Tenna was the youngest of my grandmother’s three […]
WHAT’S FOR DESSERT
PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE TOPPING What do you do with stale bread or the end pieces in the loaf of bread? Actually, we called those end pieces heels. Well, if you are frugal like Momma, you made bread pudding as dessert for supper. There was no tossing bread […]
Daddy was a Patriot
Diane’s Pecan Pie According to Daddy’s discharge documents from his military service, he enlisted in the Marines in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 1, 1940. He had just turned seventeen. And like so many young men entering the military in those days, he lied about his age. It was surprising […]
Thanksgiving Feast
Caramel Cake As an adult, I have enjoyed baking cakes and pies for the fall months and holidays. But it is always with a hint of sadness because it serves as a reminder of the family that is no longer here to enjoy the time with me. As I reflect […]
Happy Birthday Becky
Amazing Coconut Pie by Nancie McDermott My sister Becky is two years younger and she was the favored one, the baby. I am almost positive that I was pretty irked when she showed up at our place and took over my revered position. As children, she loved to dress up […]
Momma’s Stamp Collection
Lemon Jelly Cake Momma was a cake and pie maker. There were no fancy embellishments or decorations except for candles on birthdays. Most of her cakes would never have made the cover of McCall’s or Ladies Home Journal but to our family and friends, they were a very welcome sight. […]
Eat, Drink and Love Berries
APPLE CRANBERRY CAKE Momma referred to this cake as a Fresh Apple Cake. It was in her church lady’s cookbook. We didn’t have apples or fruit for that matter very often back in those days. We had big vegetable gardens but no fruit trees. We had a neighbor who had […]
Daddy’s Sidekick
Lemon Roll Momma and Daddy had three girls in eight years. Like most men, Daddy desired a son, a version of himself. That wasn’t to be. Momma’s last delivery was a difficult one and she was advised not to have any more children. After a few years, she told me […]
Mudpies and Buckeyes
Buckeye Candy As a small child, I was perfectly content to entertain myself. I did not expect otherwise. Why, if I had told Momma “nobody loved me” or that I was sad, I would have been one sorry kid. Her reaction to that foolishness would have been to give me […]
What? No Kindergarten?
And My First Pumpkin Roll I entered first grade in the late ’50s without any kindergarten classes, early intervention or preparation. I could not read nor write. By today’s standards, that sounds pretty primitive but I believe it was the norm in those days. The only thing I knew about […]
Depression Blessings
𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐤𝐞 Momma was a practical woman. Living through the Great Depression made her keenly aware of the basic needs of her own family and how to economize, lest this event ever happen again. Her parents were simple farmers whose hard life became even more difficult during that […]
The Day Momma Cried
Lemon Layer Cake Recipe for Momma In 1960, I wasn’t really aware that our country was in the midst of presidential debates or that our country would soon be electing our first Catholic President. At eight years old, I was not even sure what a Catholic was. I knew we […]
Splendor in the Class
Magic Coconut Pie from Nancie McDermott After a weekend of helping with my granddaughter, Phoebe’s move to her freshmen dorm, I could not help but reflect on my same experience..could it really be 49 years ago? I look in the mirror and know it to be true. Momma had three […]
Mini-Pecan Cookie Tartlets
Mini-Pecan Cookie Tartlets are made in a mini-muffin pan or you can make them in individual tartlet pans. They have a cookie base with a pecan pie filling. They make the perfect little bite-size dessert at your next gathering. Also, you can make a couple of days ahead and store […]
Creme Brulee
Easy as 1-2-3 or Un-Deux-Trois I was informed by Momma many years ago that if I could read, I could bake. And you know what, she was right. The advantage bakers have today is that they can consult with Mr. Google and learn most anything in question. My grands and […]
A New Generation of Bakers
Mini S’Mores Tarts with Graham Cracker Crusts Baking with children gives one a new perspective. The kitchen and cooking once held fear for me. Once too often, the local fire department was called to our house. Momma was a great cook, however, she was always in a hurry. She’d put […]
Fun with Banana Bread
Banana Bread is pretty simple and straight forward to bake. Have a piece for a snack or for breakfast with coffee. Mmmm, good! I love baking with my granddaughter, AL. There is something about it that makes me feel special. I feel accomplished. I am handing down skills I learned […]
Family Reunions, Soirees & Blackberry Jam Cake
Momma was big on family reunions. As a child, I have great memories of these large assemblages and hordes of food. Straight from the kitchens of my kin came ham, roasts, casseroles, pickles, and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. There were some vegetables, too, as folks had big gardens. The tables […]