Banana Pudding Pie

Greetings from New York! I’m visiting the “big apple” for my  cousin’s wedding,  and on the way my family and I are continuing our college visits!  Today we met my friend who attends Columbia, a math-loving biochem major, and inspired my quotation of the day: “Pi is an “irrational number.” [But] Pie is irrationally delicious, especially with ice cream.”-fakeapstylebook. Because I think we all rather receive a sweet slice of pie (aka a slice of heaven!)  than a trigonometric function worksheet, here’s an amazing Banana Pudding Pie recipe to enjoy! I initially wanted to bake an original Banana Cream pie with vanilla wafers and custard, but I sort of made up this version from the ingredients in my house. My sister’s favorite part, the crust, was soo especially sensational because I coated it with a layer of delicious chocolate that added a KitKat-like crunch! The vanilla and chocolate fillings made the pie even more flavorful and addicting! Even my friend who is a health nut and picky eater indulged in a slice of pie, which he absolutely loved… and so will you! Enjoy!!!

Recipe: banana cream pie

***NOTE: I love making pies because you can be completely creative without worrying about the typical baking rules. Like my Chocolate Pudding Pie, you can simply combine (instant)  pudding, cool whip, and any fillings  of choice to create an unbelievably easy dessert that everyone will love!

Strawberries & Cream Layer Cake

Ever since last year’s Mothers’ Day brunch, my mom has been wanting a”strawberry shortcake” inspired cake…how perfect for the 4th of July! (Add blueberries for some extra patriotism!) I was actually pretty hesitant to make this recipe because I usually don’t like mixing fruit and cake, but this cake surpassed my expectations!!! The whipped cream and the vanilla sponge cake–soo light and airy!– really enhanced the cake and made it taste even more delicious! (if that’s even possible!) This “strawberry shortcake-esque” creation is the perfect summer dessert! Enjoy!!!

Recipe: strawberry cream cake

***NOTE: My concoction: I didn’t want a cream cheese frosting, so I just whipped heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to use as the filling. (You can use whipped cream/cool whip)

Oreo Chocolate Layer Cake

I’ve discovered heaven… in cake form. Words cannot describe this perfect masterpiece of rich chocolate, timelessly fantastic oreos, and all things of sweet goodness! (And please note: I am a  very discriminating critic.) The chocolate cake is light and fluffy, the cookies and cream whipped filling is sweet beyond perfection, and the frosting is the perfect flavor and consistency; what more could one ask for?!? When I made this cake for family dinner last night (the recipe had been sitting on my baking shelf forever!), not to my surprise, the cake was an unbelievable hit! This cake should be on everyone’s baking “bucket list”– it’s a must bake (or a must eat!) for all!!!

Recipe: Chocolate Oreo Cake

***NOTE: I tripled the amount of the whipped cream filling between the two cake layers. Also, in order to frost the cake easier, I used an extra 1/4 cup (a little less than) of powdered sugar in the frosting for a thicker, more spreadable consistency.

Twinkie Tea Cakes

This is not your average twinkie from 7-11. For an old favorite with a modern twist, these dainty little cakes are just begging to be eaten at an afternoon tea. With a light yellow cake and creamy vanilla filling, you will enjoy these homemade childhood  favorites down to the very last bite! Enjoy!

Recipe: 1) Cake and Coating: Homemade Twinkie  2) Filling: Frosting Recipe

**NOTE: For an unbelievably simple and fast version, use a yellow cake mix for the twinkie and whipped cream for the filling. They will stillbe delicious!

Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake

It’s Sunday again, which means dessert time! As a combination of Fathers’ Day and birthday celebrations, a light carrot cake is this week’s featured dessert! (per my parents’ requests) This gorgeous carrot layer cake is filled and topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting; the cake itself has a tropical hint of pineapple and coconut, making the cake super moist and extra delicious! Whip up this surprisingly simple recipe for a fantastic dessert and to wish your dad a “Happy Fathers’ Day”!!! Enjoy!

Recipe: Carrot Cake

**NOTE: I did not add the cinnamon to the frosting; I wanted an old-fashioned, vanilla cream cheese taste instead.

Chocolate Cream Puffs (Profiteroles)

These sweet pastries remind me of my childhood when I absolutely adored all things creamy/custardy–cream puffs, eclairs, custard-filled doughnuts, you name it! For some reason I’ve always been intimidated by cream puffs; they just seemed so complex, so perfect and so French! But recently, I stumbled upon this surprisingly easy recipe and decided it was time to put my fear to rest; so here it is: homemade Chocolate Covered Cream Puffs!

Recipe: Simple and Easy Cream Puffs

**NOTE: Feel free to serve the cream puffs either chilled or frozen. I prefer frozen; they taste like sweet bundles of ice cream heaven! ALSO: For a low cal version, try using cool whip to fill the cream puffs instead of the creamy vanilla custard.

Southern Pecan Pie

My dad crowned this Southern Pecan Pie “the best EVER“. It’s absolutely perfect: not too nutty and not overly sticky. Ice cream/whipped cream is definitely a must for this old-fashioned pie; place it in the fridge and it will  taste like a sweet, gooey maple ice-cream sundae! I must say, my family usually devours our Sunday night desserts, but this pie vanished before we even sat down for dinner! I guess the pie was pretty good! :)

Recipe: Southern Pecan Pie

Celebration Whoopie Pies!

HAPPY SUMMER!!! It’s official; I have a life again! Time to enjoy s’mores, sandals, sunny afternoons, and more baking!!! Cheers to all the happy students–we finally made it! I brought these celebratory whoopie pies to school yesterday to welcome summer! This whoopie pie recipe is considerably easy (compared to others), and they take less than 10 minutes to bake! You can leave the whoopie pies plain or decorate them, but the rainbow sprinkles really make these special treats colorful and festive. Enjoy and happy baking!

***NOTE: Be careful when baking the cookies; the outside may not appear cooked because the top does not brown, but they will be soft and cakey.

Recipe (I combined two):   1) Cookie: Whoopie Pies  2) Filling: Chocolate Filling 

Boston Cream Pie

 

 

When my family and I visited the east coast, we just had to try an original Boston Cream Pie (make that 3 Boston Cream Pies), but the all of the cakes were disappointing! So of course, the second we arrived home, I was dying to make a Boston Cream Pie of my own.

Thankfully, the cake turned out great! The vanilla cake was spongy, not dry, and the ganache was so perfect that I use it for all of my desserts!! Enjoy!

Recipe: Boston Cream Pie