Very Best Baking

Although it technically doesn't have a season, chocolate seems to taste better this time of year. It's so much easier to indulge in chocolate when you have an excuse like the holidays. Highlight the pure flavor of chocolate by making an easy, elegant mousse tart. The crust is made with cookie crumbs and the simple filling is smooth and creamy. You will need time for the tart to firm up in the fridge so plan ahead. To get this tasty recipe, read more

Florentine cookies make excellent gifts. Wrapped in plastic baggies and tied with a festive ribbon, who could deny such a tasty treat? Despite their name — which hints at an Italian heritage — florentines were originally created by Austrian bakers. These flat cookies are wonderful alone, but taste even better with chocolate sandwiched between two layers. If you prefer dark chocolate over milk, use that instead. For this scrumptious recipe, read more

My dad's birthday is on Friday, and instead of baking him a cake I'm making a big bowl of rice pudding. He's currently all about foods that remind him of the old days — life before I became a raging foodie maniac — meatloaf, chicken in a bag, hard shelled tacos, etc. That's why I thought a classic dessert would be a lovely treat. A candle will fit nicely on top of a mound of sweet, creamy rice flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar. Pair all of that with a happy birthday song and I'm sure he'll call it a great birthday. To make this soothing dessert for your loved ones, read more

Last week, when my older brother was in town, he requested ribs and cornbread for dinner. I had to work late so the entire dinner was left to my dad to prepare. My dad does a great job, but in my opinion, he takes a little too much help from the store, and didn't make the cornbread. Now, I'm curious to test out cornbread recipes, so I've decided to make some as a side dish for Easter dinner tomorrow. An excellent all-American, quintessentially Southern side dish, cornbread (or cornbread muffins) pairs wonderfully with ham, chili, and fried chicken. To add the recipe to your collection please read more