Chocolate Mousse

Andrea Meyers - Chocolate Mousse

There is something romantic about mousse. Perhaps it’s the chocolate or the combination of light airiness and rich flavor, but whatever it is I think chocolate mousse makes a perfect treat for Valentines or any other romantic occasion. The first time I made this mousse was by special request of my friend Rose. It’s her [...]

Chocolate Pizzelles

Andrea Meyers - Chocolate Pizzelles

When I made pizzelles for the first time last Christmas, Michael immediately suggested I come up with a chocolate version. We really liked the krumkake recipe we tried from Gourmet this year, so I decided to base my chocolate pizzelles on that recipe. The orange zest is optional and adds a nice hint of citrus [...]

Mocha Toffee Bars – 12 Days of Cookies

Andrea Meyers - Mocha Toffee Bars

Day 11 of our 12 Days of Cookies extravaganza thing, and I can’t believe it’s almost over. I had my eye on these mocha toffee bars because I adore chocolate and coffee together, and after making and enjoying them I’ve converted Michael as well. He even asked if we could add these to our annual [...]

Bourbon Balls – 12 Days of Cookies

Andrea Meyers - Bourbon Balls

Day 10 of our 12 Days of Cookies extravaganza thing, and I have to say that I almost didn’t make these bourbon balls because they seemed more like a confection than a cookie to me, except for the fact that they start with a whole bag of Oreos. Yes, crushed chocolate Oreos make the base [...]

Curled Wafers – 12 Days of Cookie

Day 3 of the 12 Days of Cookies extravaganza thing, and I’m still doing crispy cookies. It wasn’t intentional, just kind of happened that way. These particular cookies caught my eye because of the beautiful designs. Gourmet says these Scandinavian inspired krumkake were originally made with an iron held over a hot stove, but they [...]

The Daring Bakers Make Pierre Herme’s Chocolate Eclairs

Being a Daring Baker means stretching your skills and imagination while taking on new things, and practically every challenge we have tackled over the last year presented something new for me to try. This month I made choux pastry for the very first time, with many thanks to Meeta of What’s For Lunch Honey? and [...]

The Daring Bakers Make Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream

Michael’s birthday was last weekend, and when I saw The Daring Bakers challenge for this month, I immediately announced what his birthday cake would be. “Whatever you want to do, Sweet Pea,” was his response. Thank goodness he’s so flexible about food! And thank goodness for chocolate ganache because it not only tastes good, but [...]

Chocolate Prune Bread

When I was a child I did not like prunes, which is quite silly because I adore plums. My boys also enjoy plums, and if we have some on hand they don’t last long. Every day for the last two weeks the boys have been raiding the plums and I would either find them off [...]

The Daring Bakers Make Opera Cake

Andrea Meyers - Mini Opera Cakes

When Ivonne and Lisa, the venerable founders of The Daring Bakers, choose a challenge, you know it’s going to be a challenge. Think Buche de Noel (Yule Log Cake), or in this case, think…L’Opera! Yes, Opera cake. Until now I’ve never tasted or made one, though I’ve seen them in posh bakeries, but I do [...]

Grilled Pizzas & Piadinas Cookbook Give Away

I know what you are thinking. You are thinking, “Andrea botched up this post because that is definitely not grilled pizza.” Guess what? It is grilled pizza enrobed in cinnamon sugar with French vanilla ice cream in the middle and chocolate sauce on top. How’s that for an insanely good dessert pizza? Yes, my hand [...]