Angel Food Cake

Just looking at my latest Memorial Day BBQ Recipe Roundup post made my eyes full! Although I do love my share of sugar, chocolate, cookies, and cakes, I was in the mood for something lighter, like a classic Angel Food Cake. Not only is it one of my mom’s favorite cakes but it is also my best friend’s dad’s dessert of choice, a usual guest at our family events like our recent barbecue. (If you’ve read more of my recipe posts, you’ll discover that my mom has many “favorite” desserts.) This recipe was pretty intricate because a traditional Angel Food cake is so perfectly light from its fluffy batter, which must be handled gently, similar to that of a souffle.

Oreo Recipe Roundup!

Hello! I’m finally back from my Spring Break vacation, so in order to make up for lost time, I’m back with an epic recipe roundup. I just found a video (below) celebrating Oreo’s 101th birthday–Oreo’s Birthday Extravaganza! In honor of this momentous event, the Internet complied hundreds of facts about this amazing cookie. Not only is Oreo the most popular cookie sold internationally, but it is also the oldest cookie (alongside Girl Scout Cookies)…And what’s even better than an Oreo itself?

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Happy birthday, Paula Deen!! In honor of my most trusted and beloved recipe source, I made my favorite of her recipes–red velvet cupcakes. Surprisingly, out of all her buttery cakes and gooey chocolate bars, these cupcakes are her best dessert yet! (And as a very discriminating red velvet critic myself, that praise means a lot!) But although I am picky in finding the perfect red velvet cupcake, when the recipe is right, the flavor is fantastic because it gives you a touch of chocolate without the overly rich heaviness, and Paula’s deliciously moist cupcake recipe definitely passes the test!

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

These are the wisest words I’ve ever heard: “Ice cream is happiness condensed.”-Jessi Lane Adams

For my grandma’s birthday, she requested a dessert from her two favorite sweet categories, chocolate and ice cream, so what else was I to do but make a delicious chocolate ice cream cake?! I usually don’t even let my family keep Oreos in the house because I would eat them all within seconds, but I thought this a fitting occasion to make an exception! To me, the only thing better than Oreos themselves is an Oreo dessert…a tall, dark, and handsome chocolate cake doesn’t stand a chance against an Oreo cookie or cupcake, and certainly not an Oreo Ice Cream Cake! (I learned this after making my  Oreo Chocolate Layer Cake!) 

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!

Candy Dump Cake (Easy & Delicious!)

I know it’s post-Halloween and pre-holiday season, but before we attempt to start our fall diets, here’s a last-mintue (and totally worth it) treat to try! I never know what to do with my leftover Halloween candy; although I can undoubtedly finish it in less than a day, this year I decided to use the candy to make a FAN-TASIC confectionary creation! I had promised my friends that I would bring a candy cake to school the day after Halloween, so my baking time on Halloween night was very tight. Thus, I have two versions of this recipe: 1) A perfectly sweet homemade cake OR 2) A super easy cake that only requires 5 minutes to prepare (look below)! The light vanilla cake tastes fantastic just on its own, so you can only imagine how amazing it tastes when infused with Snickers, Kit-Kats and Butterfingers galore! The candy becomes a luscious caramel filling that coats the cake with an indulgent layer of sweetness and later solidifies to form a yummy, gooey, candy crumble! Feel like a little kid with this out-of-this-world candy cake…It’s love at first sight! Enjoy!!!

Recipe: Leftover Halloween Candy Bundt

**NOTE: Make sure to take out the cake out of the immediately after baking so that the melted carmel/candy does not stick to the pan!! For a super EASY version, just use a yellow cake mix and add in your candy before baking.

Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons (&Food Holidays)

Here’s a belated shout-out to Sept 9th,  national “I love food” day! (Yes, It’s actually a holiday!):

I recently discovered Foodimentary, an outstanding blog that celebrates food holidays, which is the most addicting website ever. I spent about 45 minutes looking up which food holidays fell on monumental days like Halloween (national caramel apple day) and my birthday (national raspberry popover, raspberry tart, and chocolate custard day). But out of all of the wonderful food holidays, my favorite is certainly national “I love food” day because I love food, or at least desserts! So in celebration,  I made these delicious chocolate-covered coconut macaroons that are to-die-for! They are the best of a chewy cookie and ice-cream-like chocolate coating. This dessert looks absolutely beautiful, especially when you play with the chocolate flavors and designs! (Plus, check out the note below for a super fast and easy way to amaze your guests without spending hours in the kitchen!) Enjoy!!!

Recipe: Coconut Macaroons

**NOTE: These macaroons can easily be made  as a semi-homeade version! Just use bakery/store-bought macaroons, melt some chocolate chips, dip and voila! Possibly the quickest, most delicious dessert ever!

Almond Peach Butter Cake

Butter, almonds, more butter, and peaches…This cake is DE-licious! As a thank you to my school’s new college counselor, who met with me during her first week on the job (and during the summer), I made her this fantastic French financier-like almond cake. I’m sure it was appreciated much more  than a thank you card! With it’s impeccable almond flavor,this cake is moist, light, and perfectly sweet for  summer. But here’s more: I used the peaches sitting in my kitchen to add a classic southern twist! ***(See below) (I’ve always loved the look of upside down cakes where the fruit is a beautiful ring of topping; it’s a gorgeous decoration!) This cake is really the best of both worlds; it’s a classic vanilla almond cake plus some southern country flair! All you need is a huge scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a giant spoon to enjoy!

Recipe:  Moist Almond Cake

***NOTE: This cake can be made in various ways; the original recipe is a delicious almond cake that I just sprinkled almond slices on before baking. If you want to add peaches (or any other fruit), place the fruit slices on top of the cake before baking. (The peaches will sink to the bottom while baking, and you will see them when you flip the cake after cooled.)

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)

Vanilla Madeleine Cookies

Madeleines bring back nostalgic memories of Saturday afternoons at the bookstore with my dad. Every visit, I would read a colorful book about fairies while we shared madelines and vanilla haagen dazs  in the cafe upstairs. (The mini wooden spoons for the ice cream were my favorite!) Since I’m on summer break now (yay!!), I wanted to find some fun summer reads, but I suddenly realized that all of the bookstores had closed!! :( :( A kindle just doesn’t cut it; so in the spirit of tradition,  I baked these soft and light vanilla madeleine cookies. Snuggle up with a good book and your favorite hot drink– you will love this  scrumptious childhood favorite! Enjoy!

Recipe: Madeleines Recipe