Historically, to celebrate the return of Spring, the modern Easter dessert, the Pastiera has origins dating back to a convent. Apparently a nun wanted to make this cake and have it perfume like the flowers of the orange trees that grew in the gardens of …
This is a favourite of many throughout Italy, although I am sure every country of the world has apple cake recipes that are passed down through the generations that are cherished and loved. I confess that I tried 4 or 5 recipes when I was …
This cherry and almond tart is a lovely French recipe and is also often known as a ‘Frangipane’ tart. It is super easy and a great tart to make when cherries are in season. You could also make this with frozen or cherries canned in …
If you love coffee, and anything flavoured with coffee, you will definitely love this cake. I’ll include two frosting recipes though, an easy coffee icing, and the recipe used for the cake photographed in this blog post – a lush caramel frosting. This recipe would …
I’ve posted a Pavlova recipe before on my blog, but for a much bigger Pavlova than this one. I love seeing Pavlova photos where the meringue is high and impressive looking and I’ve tried a few times to create this look. I realised that you …
This is a vintage American recipe that has now become my favourite chocolate cupcake recipe. I haven’t made a large cake with it, but I am sure it would be equally satisfying layered with luscious chocolate buttercream or a dark chocolate ganache. The addition of …
Although well known as a French recipe, Mont Blanc is well loved in Italy. Some pastry chefs might even claim it is Italian, as often happens with recipes that are said to have been invented close to the French Italian border. Although Mont Blanc translates …
Everybody loves blueberry muffins, but what if we make them more like cupcakes and add a decadent frosting? You can still enjoy the streusel on top, it’s just hidden under the frosting. You are also free to make these frosting free. You could choose a …
This Italian cake is a wonderful dessert, rich in toasted hazelnut flavour and aroma, yet light enough for the perfect accompaniment for morning or afternoon tea. Traditionally ‘Torta di Nocciole’ (hazelnut cake) originates from Piedmont because it is traditionally prepared with IGP* hazelnuts from the …
Mimosa Cake is an Italian cake eaten on March 8th to commemorate International Women’s Day. It is called mimosa because it resembles the mimosa flower, (an acacia) which is handed out in small bunches to women all over Italy on this day. The cake said …