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    Fireworks & Frosting: 14 Treats for Your Fourth of July Gathering

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    Fireworks, laughter, good company—and of course, delicious desserts! What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than with a spread of scrumptious treats? This year, ditch the store-bought cakes and impress your guests with homemade delights bursting with flavor and festivity.
    From light and refreshing berry bars to decadent chocolate ice cream, and even a surprising savory option, this list has 14 amazing recipes to make your Fourth of July unforgettable. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue or an elegant gathering, you’ll find the perfect dessert to end the day on a sweet note.

    , we paired a slightly salty pretzel cake base with a cream filling and topped it off with a scattering of fresh berries. 

    What better way to celebrate tomato season than a savory cornbread bursting with summer flavor. Featuring a caramelized tomato top, our crisp Upside-Down Heirloom Tomato Cornbread from our May/June 2020 issue is made all the more delicious with smoked white Cheddar cheese and fresh corn in the batter. Buttermilk keeps this quick bread moist, and minced jalapeño adds just a pinch of heat. Whether serving as an impressive appetizer or stunning side dish, you can’t go wrong with this impressive dish at your table.

    Fresh, juicy peach halves give this vanilla and buttermilk Peach Almond Cake bursts of color and concentrated sweet-tart flavor, while the addition of brandy to the homemade marzipan lends just the right amount of kick. 

    Almond flour is finer than standard all-purpose. It absorbs more moisture from the dough, giving the buttermilk crusts of these Blueberry-Almond Galettes added crispness. A hint of tart lemon zest balances out the sweetness of the blueberries.

    Traditional only in method, this Strawberry Raspberry Cobbler has a Middle Eastern flare with cardamom and rosewater. This cobbler made with cake batter soaks up the fruit’s flavorful juices as it bakes and develops a light, spongy crumb. Pistachios create a slightly crunchy texture that pairs well with the tender baked fruit. 

    Traditional apple pie gets an updo with a creamy crème fraîche custard filling in this Apple Crumb Pie. Layers upon layers of crisp sweet apples are topped with a creamy base and baked until soft. With a splash of spiced rum and a crunchy Almond Streusel topping, this recipe begs for ice cream.

    In this sweet summer remake, red velvet cake gets a healthy helping of fresh strawberries added into the buttercream to create a Strawberry Red Velvet Cake that rivals the classic.

    Classic Key lime pie gets a spicy upgrade with our Gingersnap Crust flecked with crystallized ginger. The filling gets extra volume and its whipped consistency from a trio of  creamy ingredients: coconut cream, crème fraîche, and whipped cream. True to the original, this icebox pie is bursting with tangy, sweet-tart Key lime flavor.

    Ditch the extravagant garnishes and towering layers for this simple and sophisticated one-layer cake that is guaranteed to impress. With a layer of cherries baked beneath the Ginger-Lime Crumb Topping, our elevated take on the cherry-limeade cake (a summertime classic) is even more beautiful after you cut into it. You’ll get a juicy burst of cherry in every bite.

    By swapping the traditional cream cheese filling with vanilla bean-scented Mascarpone Cream and replacing the congealed topping with fresh strawberries, we’ve given this classic pastry a modern salty-sweet makeover.

    This cake may be based on the classic 1-2-3-4 cake, but it’s anything but basic! Much like pound cake, the 1-2-3-4 cake gets its name from the proportions of its base ingredients: 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 3 cups flour, 4 eggs. LEGGI TUTTO

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      World Baking Day: Editor’s Picks & Reader Favorites!

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      Today is a day to celebrate all things baking—it’s World Baking Day! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, there’s no better excuse to get your hands covered in flour and create some delicious magic.
      To inspire your baking adventures, we’re pulling out all the stops! Some of our editorial team members are sharing their all-time favorite recipes from the pages of Bake from Scratch. Plus, we’re revisiting some of our most popular creations from the past few years, as determined by you, our amazing readers!
      Get ready to roll up your sleeves, preheat your ovens, and celebrate World Baking Day in the sweetest way possible!
      Editorial Favorites

      Nancy Meeks, Editorial DirectorMimicking the crisp, flaky texture of croissants, these Croissant French Bread loaves are everything you love about puff pastry without the intensive time and labor. The layers of buttery goodness rise throughout the length of the baguettes, creating a golden-brown crust meant for tearing and sharing.

      Kile Pointer, Graphic Designer Made up of a layer of chewy, lightly crisp dough, a melty blend of cheeses, sautéed vegetables, sausage, pepperoni, and homemade Pizza Sauce, this is a pizza that eats like a multicourse dinner. Although locals of the Windy City may argue whether this pizza is a knife-and-fork ordeal or a handheld meal, we say that as long as you enjoy every bite, you’re doing it right.

      Meg Lundberg, Senior Copy Editor, FoodWe’re big fans of an ambitious holiday crossover, and these Gingerbread Cookie Cheesecake Bars are just that. An indulgent layer of cheesecake filling is sandwiched between chewy, delicately spiced gingerbread dough. It’s a simple formula, but when that molasses-rich gingerbread meets that vanilla-scented cheesecake, you’ll get flavor fireworks. It packs all of the richness you could want—but in a neat gluten-free package. Our Most Popular Recipes per Year

      Much like pound cake, the 1-2-3-4 cake gets its name from the proportions of its base ingredients: one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, four eggs. It’s so straightforward, you may not even have to write it down—making it easy to impress friends and family with, oh, just a little something you whipped up.

      Almond-scented cake batter is swirled with traditional frangipane, which adds nutty flavor and tenderness to the crumb of this cake. Studded with berries and gently dusted with confectioners’ sugar, this Berry Frangipane Cake is simple but gorgeous. As a bonus, this recipe calls for frozen berries, meaning this recipe is always in season for baking.

      A staple in most Mediterranean kitchens, this light, and barely sweet Classic Olive Oil Cake is perfect for an afternoon snack or late-morning tea. A final brush of olive oil just before serving brings the fruity flavor to the front of your palate as soon as you take a bite.

      We took the classic French one-layer cake (our editor-in-chief’s favorite!) from round to rectangle in this Gâteau Basque Loaf. A tender, golden crust encases a surprise center of thick, velvety Custard Filling, a defining factor of the original gâteau Basque, with a thin layer of fresh blueberries to bring brightness to every slice.

      These cakes bring the ever-popular combination of strawberries and cream to each decadent slice. With homemade strawberry sauce swirled into each loaf, they’re just as beautiful as they are delicious.  LEGGI TUTTO

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      Banana Bliss: 10 Recipes for National Banana Day

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      April 17 is National Banana Day, so that means it’s time to break out our favorite ways to bake with bananas. From classics like Banana Cake to new creations like Black Cocoa Banana Bread, we’re sharing ten recipes that your friends and family will go bananas over!

      This Sheet Pan Banana Split is a make-ahead dessert that is the ultimate party trick. With all the components of a banana split—jammy strawberry preserves, fresh bananas, rich ganache, and a buttery Waffle Cone Crust—packed into ready-made servings, you’ll be the magician of the kitchen with one swing of the freezer door.

      Oats in cake? Prepare to have your mind blown. Quick-cooking oats bring a revolutionary delicate crumb to this banana-and blueberry-packed layer cake. For a bright, tangy finish, we blanketed our cake with a smooth Buttermilk Frosting.

      A bite of these Mini Tropical Banana Bread loaves takes you on an island flavor getaway. Sweet pineapple, chewy coconut, and a tangy burst of Citrus Glaze combine for a sunny take on classic banana bread. 

      If there were ever a match made in heaven, it would be banana and peanut butter. Defatted peanut butter powder plays a transformative role in these tender Banana-Peanut Butter Biscuits, providing structure and all the nutty flavor you love without adding any additional oil to weigh down the biscuits.

      Ready for a bolder, more sophisticated take on the simple loaf? Time to bring out the Bundt pan. We roast the bananas and use tangy buttermilk to create an extra-smooth batter and tender crumb that translate beautifully to cake form. Buttery spiced rum paired with the gooey Roasted Bananas equals pure indulgence.

      Elegant but packing the homey, nostalgic flavor of peanut butter and banana, this braided bread is the perfect way to enjoy something classic in a gorgeous new package.

      The iconic flavors of banana and chocolate meet in our whimsical naked cake. Mashed banana adds a soft tenderness to the crumb of our buttermilk cake base while piped dollops of Chocolate Buttercream impart a boost of cocoa richness.

      Unlike regular cocoa, black cocoa is void of any acidity, so it’s able to deliver a deep cocoa punch without overpowering the banana flavor. This indulgent black cocoa banana bread is brimming with chocolate chips and smooth chunks of mashed banana.  LEGGI TUTTO

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      Crazy for Coconut: 6 Crave-Worthy Coconut Recipes

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      Step into a coconut haven with our plethora of recipes all centered around this irresistible ingredient. Whether sprinkled onto a bun or stirred into a crust, the deliciousness of coconut can’t be denied. 

      Perfumed with coconut extract, swirled with silky whipped cream, and studded with sweetened coconut flakes, this Coconut Skillet Cake is the perfect finale to any meal. The coconut lover in your life is about to be your biggest fan.

      Skoleboller, or school buns, earned their name from the Norwegian tradition of including them in children’s school lunch boxes as a treat.

      The fun name for these large twisted doughnuts supposedly comes from their resemblance to the zig-zag pattern that the big cat’s swinging tail makes. If you’d like to keep the doughnut plain and get your coconut flavor through just the glaze, you can use all whole milk and vanilla extract in the dough.

      This pie isn’t French at all. In fact, it originated in United States port cities like New Orleans, Louisiana, and was first made with ingredients from French Guiana, which is likely how it got its name.

      Sometimes called Hello Dolly Bars (though no one knows why), these nostalgic treats are easy to make and perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.

      Blending one traditional Southern classic, the cloud-like coconut cake, with blushing stone fruit, this triple-layer cake is an undeniable showstopper. A final coating of toasted coconut flakes brings a dash of color to the typically snowy-white appearance. LEGGI TUTTO

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      7 Lemon Poppy Seed Recipes to Bake Now

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      Step into a world of zesty delight with our collection of lemon poppy seed recipes. From cakes and cookies to bread and scones, enjoy these endlessly snackable creations. 

      We used the reverse creaming method to create a cake batter that bakes up nice and level with a delicate crumb to absorb every drop of the lemon curd between its layers.

      These soft, cake-like cookies stay moist for days thanks to a buttery dough that’s enriched with creamy ricotta cheese. Refrigerating the dough firms it up for easier scooping.

      Using candied fruits to decorate is a simple, easy way to elevate the look of your cakes as well as add another layer of texture in every bite.

      Poppy seeds are the traditional filling of these cookies, which are associated with the Jewish holiday Purim. The name refers to the villain of the Purim story, Haman.

      The delicate crunch of the streusel topping gives way to an aromatic, soft crumb. With added texture from the poppy seeds, you won’t be able to get enough of this Lemon-Poppy Seed Streusel Bread loaf. It’s great for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an anytime treat.

      This Lemon Poppy Seed Coffee Cake is summer’s sweetest wake-up call. Buttermilk in the batter gives this one-layer wonder a cakey crumb that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy streusel topping.  LEGGI TUTTO

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      Our 12 Best Bakes for Easter Weekend

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      Easter weekend is almost upon us and we’re egg-cited to share 12 marvelous bakes perfect for any gathering. Whether you’re gearing up to host a lavish Easter feast, searching for a standout recipe to impress your family, or simply eager to try something new, we’ve got you covered. These bakes are guaranteed to steal the spotlight at any celebration, be it brunch, lunch, dinner, or even a simple snack time. With flavors that sing of spring and festive touches like colorful mini eggs, get ready to discover a new recipe that will become a cherished tradition in your holiday lineup for years to come.

      There’s no reinventing the lemon meringue pie, so why not reimagine it—as Lemon Meringue Nests? Taking flavor cues from its classic inspiration, this recipe puts delicate, crunchy meringue in the spotlight with a sweet-tart lemon curd centerpiece.

      Yes, from its banana-and-Vanilla Wafer base to its toasted Swiss Meringue topping, this decadent Chocolate-Hazelnut-Banana Pudding is made completely from scratch—but with a chocolate-hazelnut twist.

      If you love lemon bars, you will LOVE this Meyer Lemon-Olive Oil Coffee Cake. Meyer lemons are less acidic and slightly sweeter than the standard lemons found in the grocery store, and provide a perfect balance against the tart lemon curd swirled into this silky batter.

      With spring officially sprung, there’s no better recipe to celebrate with than this light yet luscious Hummingbird Pie with Pecan Crust. This pie’s crust may look like any other, but it packs a surprising punch of Schermer Pecans, lending a light, toasted crunch to the deliciously flaky and buttery base of this pie. The nutty, slightly rich notes of pecan act as the perfect counterpoint to the sweet, fruity flavors of the filling. Slices of fresh banana are layered on top of the crisp pecan crust and then blanketed in a smooth pineapple coconut cream. Topped with a cloud of light and fluffy Whipped Cream, this pie is a cool treat sure to satisfy all through spring and even into the dog days of summer.

      Simple, elegant, and a touch whimsical, this Almond Bundt Cake with Coconut Glaze was made with Easter in mind. Nordic Ware’s 6 Cup Heritage Bundt Pan lends a mesmerizing swirl to this sour cream pound cake, forming the perfect canvas for our rich Coconut Glaze. Plus, the pan’s 6-cup capacity also offers a perfect portion of cake for a cozy family dinner. Finish the cake off with toasted coconut and candied chocolate eggs to make a centerpiece-worthy Easter egg nest.

      With just a touch of aromatic orange zest mixed in with the creamy condensed milk and flaked coconut base, these classic macaroons pair notes of chocolate and citrus within their sweet snowball packages.

      This sheet cake is our answer to those Italian Cream Cake cravings when time is short. Each bite crunches with buttery pecans and sweet coconut flakes, complemented by a swooping layer of whipped cream on top. 

      Triple your berry intake in the morning with these richly frosted buns. Slathered with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting and packed with poppy seeds and Strawberry Cream Cheese, these Strawberry Poppy Seed Buns are the splurge that you—and your strawberries—deserve.

      Who needs cream cheese frosting when you’ve got a layer of cheesecake filling? These bars combine two of our favorite cakes in one: crumbly chunks of carrot cake baked into a velvety layer of cheesecake. Fair warning: you may not be able to have one without the other again.

      A nostalgic ode to Easter candy, this Cadbury egg-studded cookie is all about the texture. Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and with a boost of crunch from the candy-coated chocolate eggs, it’s a new and improved way to indulge in the iconic Easter treat.

      A true Easter delight, these Resurrection Rolls are meant to represent the empty tomb of Christ after being resurrected. The magic of these rolls lies in the marshmallow. Surrounded by a soft, sweet dough, as these rolls bake, the cinnamon sugar-coated marshmallow placed inside melts away, leaving a pocket of air in its place. They’re sweet, warmly spiced with cinnamon, and incredibly fun to bake for adults and kids alike.

      This recipe for Chocolate Cherry Hot Cross Buns supports the claim that chocolate does, in fact, make everything better. Add in tangy dried cherries, apple juice, and a finishing touch of our just-tart-enough apricot glaze, and this chocolate twist on the hot cross bun gives a whole new meaning to the word “irresistible.” LEGGI TUTTO

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      10 Sweet Treats to Bake for Spring

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      March 19th marks the official first day of spring in the U.S., and we’re welcoming in the new season with 10 spring-inspired bakes that will brighten any day. From the zing of lemon to the burst of fresh berries, each recipe is crafted to infuse your kitchen with the vibrant essence of spring. So, grab your apron and embark on a flavorful journey that promises to bring the joys of the new season, no matter what the weather outside may hold.

      Sticky-sweet strawberry filling is smeared, rolled, and twisted into a buttery brioche dough, and a final sprinkling of pearl sugar offers an element of elegant crunch to this loaf.

      With spring officially sprung, there’s no better recipe to celebrate with than this light yet luscious Hummingbird Pie with Pecan Crust. This pie’s crust may look like any other, but it packs a surprising punch of Schermer Pecans, lending a light, toasted crunch to the deliciously flaky and buttery base of this pie. The nutty, slightly rich notes of pecan act as the perfect counterpoint to the sweet, fruity flavors of the filling. Slices of fresh banana are layered on top of the crisp pecan crust and then blanketed in a smooth pineapple coconut cream. Topped with a cloud of light and fluffy Whipped Cream, this pie is a cool treat sure to satisfy all through spring and even into the dog days of summer.

      Who needs cream cheese frosting when you’ve got a layer of cheesecake filling? These bars combine two of our favorite cakes in one: crumbly chunks of carrot cake baked into a velvety layer of cheesecake. Fair warning: you may not be able to have one without the other again.

      By swapping the traditional cream cheese filling with vanilla bean-scented Mascarpone Cream and replacing the congealed topping with fresh strawberries, we’ve given this classic pastry a modern salty-sweet makeover.

      These party-perfect bars are creamy, crumbly, and crispy all at once. For the best results, we suggest refrigerating overnight. But if you’re in a hurry, you can cut that time down to at least 1 hour before serving.

      A tender almond cake speckled with earthy poppy seeds and a strawberry-dappled top dusted with confectioners’ sugar, this simple yet chic one-layer stunner embodies the flavors of spring. We call it “a counter cake” because you’ll want to keep it on your counter all season long as a sweet treat for impromptu guests (and yourself).

      Inspired by the busy bees of spring, we paired chopped honeycomb and orange blossom water to create a delicate floral and honey scone. Crowned with golden honeycomb chunks and a generous drizzle of white chocolate, these baked goods offer a surprising flavor combination you didn’t know you needed until now.

      Cheesecake is a dessert for all seasons, but this one is geared directly toward spring. We traded the traditional graham cracker crust for a spicy gingersnap crumb base that complements a sunny citrus cheesecake filling. But the coup de grâce is the bright and beautiful blueberry topping, a glistening crown that offers jammy berries in every bite.

      Combining a double-dose of zippy lemon flavor in both the cookie and the glaze tastes like spring baking at it’s finest. Add the crunchy finish of sweet sparkling sugar and you’ve got one knockout cookie. LEGGI TUTTO

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      5 Recipes You Should Be Baking to Celebrate the Lunar New Year

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      February 10 kicks off the Lunar New Year, a 15-day-long celebration of the beginning of the new year in the traditional Chinese calendar. For those who celebrate, the very light takes on a bright red hue. For these 15 days in China and all other countries that celebrate the Lunar New Year, the cheery glow of red lanterns illuminate the roads, with red paper pasted over windowpanes and doorways for good measure. At night, fireworks shout across the horizon in rapid succession and burst in dazzling, rhythmic fashion—an unsurpassed spectacle considering the Chinese invented fireworks. At the close, thousands of lanterns are lit and sent to the sky, with hopes and dreams scrolled on the paper that will soon be consumed by the growing internal flame. 
      But perhaps the quietest tradition is the most important: the reunion dinner, held on Lunar New Year’s Eve. The entire extended family gathers around the dinner table to dine on an multicourse meal made up of dumplings, rice cakes, and more. Food plays an integral part in welcoming the new year, and there is much to feast on. Start this new year, the Year of the Dragon, in sweet fashion with our five home baker-friendly recipes featured in our January/February 2020 issue. 

      Walnut Cookies (hup toh soh)
      A common treat found in pastry shops in China year-round, during Chinese New Year, home bakers often make hup toh soh as a crunchy treat to welcome visitors and family to their home. Supposedly, the original walnut cookies contained no walnuts in the dough. The “walnut” in the name might have been used to refer to the cookie’s crunchy texture, or its wrinkly, golden appearance. 

      Pineapple Buns (bolo bao)
      Instantly recognizable with its crosshatch design on top, pineapple buns are a treasure to have come out of Hong Kong bakeries in the 20th century. Contrary to what its name would have you think, no pineapple is used in making these buns. Instead, the title refers to its similarity in appearance between the crispy top and a pineapple’s bumpy exterior. The base bun is made of a milk bread dough—sweet and fantastically fluffy.

      Coconut Almond Rice Cake (nian gao)
      For Chinese New Year, a number of rituals ensure luck and fortune: wearing red, not cleaning, burning fake money and coins, and, most deliciously, eating nian gao. This traditionally steamed sticky rice cake is almost 2,000 years old, first coming to prominence around AD 200. The cake’s potential luck is due to being a homonym, with nian gao sounding similar to the Chinese characters for “higher year,” meaning you’ll have a bountiful year by eating a slice of this iconic rice cake. Of course, consuming cake is always lucky in our book. Click here for our recipe!

      Sweet Egg Tarts (dan tan)
      Hailing from the city of Guangzhou in the 1920s, the Chinese variation of the egg tart features a crisp, crumbly shortcrust made with lard and a luminous, egg-rich custard. Once the dish came to Hong Kong, it transformed again, getting a tender cookie-like pâte sucrée crust but keeping the reflective custard. Though a relatively new addition to the Lunar New Year feasting, the egg tart is one more sweet way to celebrate the new year. 

      Barbecue Pork Buns (char siu bao)
      A Cantonese and dim sum classic, this bao is special because it is steamed rather than baked, making it both fluffy and sturdy. Once steamed, the dough will form a chewy skin while staying snowy white and gently heating a tender filling of barbecue-style pork (or char siu). Pork is symbolic during the Chinese New Year, standing for strength, wealth, and blessings. Click here for our version of this dum sum classic. LEGGI TUTTO

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      8 Sensational Small-Batch Bakes

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      Whether you’re enjoying a solo cozy night in or celebrating a special occasion with a few friends, small-batch bakes are perfect for baking for a smaller crowd. From savory breads to dark chocolate cakes, these eight scaled-down recipes are sure to satisfy in their perfect portions.

      Cakey on the outside and filled with a mouthwatering center of molten dark chocolate, these lava cakes are the ultimate romantic dessert for two—just in time for Valentine’s Day.

      To share with a smaller crowd, we scaled down our Four-Cheese Pull-Apart Milk Bread to produce two mini-loaves. This recipe is a savory twist on Japanese milk bread, with a quartet of melted mozzarella, provolone, fontina, and cream cheese stuffed between buttery pull-apart layers. 

      In a 1997 episode of Julia Child’s Baking with Julia, Nancy Silverton baked a brioche tart that was so good it made Julia cry. In our take on this groundbreaking dessert, we filled a pillowy brioche “crust” with velvety cream cheese custard and swirled it with fruit preserves. Finished off with crunchy pearl sugar, this stunner might just make you shed a tear, too.

      There’s something so nostalgic about yellow cake with chocolate frosting, and sometimes, there’s just nothing better! These mini cakes will add a pop of color and sweetness to any celebration. 

      We’ve scaled down our Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars from a large rectangle pan to fit in a smaller square pan for those occasions when you want the classic carrot, pecan, and spiced flavor of carrot cake but need a recipe for a slightly smaller crowd.

      For these Coffee Tres Leches Cakes, luscious mini pound cakes get soaked in the classic trinity of milks, with shots of espresso and coffee liqueur added in for good measure. Topped with meringue and a sticky coffee syrup drizzle, this cake offers custard-like texture with oodles of coffee flavor.

      Seamlessly blending sweet and savory ingredients, this Small-Batch Fig and Onion Focaccia is perfect for dipping in your favorite olive oil, serving alongside pasta, or eating on its own.

      Cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie fans, this Black Cocoa Cookies and Cream Cake is for you! Rich black cocoa mixes with espresso powder for a delightful chocolate kick, and a creamy cookie-filled frosting sweetly finishes it. Find the Nordic Ware Charlotte Cake Pan and our book, Another Bundt Collection, in our store here! LEGGI TUTTO