Posts in baking
Stout Brownies

Beer + Brownies = It's how we celebrate St. Pat in the Cucina! This delicious recipe is a great way to incorporate Ireland's favorite export with their patron saint. Bake up a batch for your party!

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A Trifle Little Valentine

Super easy, semi-homemade, and the PERFECT Valentine's Day gift! These mini trifles are a great way to share love with everyone special from the kiddos, to parents, to spouses and friends! Make a bunch and give them away, or do a build your own party at home! Happy Valentine's Day!

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Cardamom Spiced Crumb Cake

This crumb heavy cake is perfectly spiced to make anyone's "nice" list! Make it for guests, or give as a gift! Don't forget if you haven't already, subscribe on Youtube and you could WIN Food & Wine's Dessert book!

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Apple Galette

Watch how to make this super simple Fall dessert. Crisp apples mixed with cinnamon and sugar, layered into a pie crust that is simply folded up around the edges. Topped of with a sweet, salty, bourbon-y caramel sauce that'll knock your socks off! 

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Berry Cobbler

This easy summer dessert is perfect in its imperfection. A great dish to make if you're short on time OR new to baking. Nothing here has to be too precise, and you don't have to work hard to make it look pretty. It's also a great dish to make with the kids cause they get to use their hands! I hope you all enjoy this delicious summer recipe! 

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Pavlova (Meringue Nests)

Watch how to make this classic dessert. Eaten in Australia & New Zealand around Christmas time (which is also summer for them!) the light, airy meringue nest is the perfect vessel for summer's sweet berries, and of course, a little fresh whipped cream! 

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Baklava

Learn how to make this traditional Greek dessert as we get ready for both Easter & Greek Easter! Flaky layers of fillo stuffed with nuts and honey make for a delicious treat! This recipe is one my Uncle has used and perfected - Enjoy!

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Zeppole di San Giuseppe

Airy puffs, filled with a ricotta based cream and topped with a cherry. The zeppole were created in Naples in 1840 to celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph; and are still a treasured tradition for both Italians and Italian-Americans.

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Homemade Granola

Cut down on the sugar and amp up the nutritional value of this favorite snack. Caryn O'Sullivan from Appetites For Life shares her homemade granola recipe with us. Clueing us in on why making your own is SO much better than store brought - plus you can make HUGE batches of it in under an hour to nosh on all week!

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Grammy's Ricotta Cheesecake

Learn how to make this creamy Italian classic. My grandmother's ricotta cheesecake is a holiday must have! Now I'm sharing her recipe with you! The easiest cheesecake you'll ever make, it only requires a few ingredients. Whip it up for your holiday party or any time!

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Fruit Tart

Wrap up summer using the last fresh fruits and berries on this delicious and easy fruit tart. A crowd favorite at the annual block party when I was a kid is now a summer BBQ staple! Enjoy Labor Day weekend!

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Buttercream Frosting

Learn about this great place for kids in Rockaway NJ. Inspired by her own children, and those who dream of becoming a baker, Michelle Spell started Bake-A-Wish right next to her own bakery. She calls it the "Little League of the culinary world." More than that, she also hopes it will be a place where less fortunate children and their families can forget their worries for at least a day.

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Grammy's Pizza Gain

My father's family hails from the region of Abruzzo in Italy - and we think there's some additional heritage in Naples. This dish comes from the South of Italy. In the States it is often called Pizza Gain, Pizza Gaina, or Pizza Rustica. Whatever you call it, my Grammy was known for hers! This is the recipe she used every year for Easter and the one that we still share. The meat & cheese pie is meant to be indulgent. A way to celebrate after the fasting of Lent. And I certainly hope you celebrate. Buona Pasqua! Buon Appetito!

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Nonni's Spinach Torta

We always celebrate the arrival of Spring and especially Easter with this delicious Northern Italian dish, passed on to me from my great-grandmother. The green spinach is meant to represent the new life and new beginnings that spring offers all of us.  We use this dish as a "primo piatto" or "first dish" during our Easter celebration but it's a great starter, side or main throughout this wonderful season.

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