Glaze or Frosting?

One of the toughest choices a home baker has to make is how to finish a cake, cupcake or cookie/ Do you go with the satiny, glossy glaze or the fluffy, buttery frosting? Therein lies the question. what works?.

I tackled this question last month, going into a great deal about the different types of icing out there. Now I will be making spice cake cupcakes from a Duncan Hines mix. Originally, I wanted to top them off with a frosting. Since the cake has more or less the same spices as carrot cake a cream cheese frosting would make sense. It has a tang to it that would work well with the cinnamon, allspice, coriander, ginger, and nutmeg. I even planned to use my new cake decorating set from Wilton, dreams of curlicues and roses dancing in my baker's head, Unfortunately, the frosting may be a bit overpowering in taste, the spices and the blend of cream cheese , butter  and vanilla competing with each other. Should I go with a plain buttercream?  Not enough oomph, and too dull. What about another spice cake topper - maple buttercream which sounds too super sweet. It is  -  paired with confectioners and in some recipes  - brown sugar. The taste alone would drown out the cake - not something I want in a frosting.

Inspiration came in the form of my favorite bakery. The B&W Bakery of Hackensack, New Jersey  has recipes from the original German owners. Even though the current owners are now Korean, they kept many of the original ones for cakes and icings. One is a spice cupcake with a chocolate icing glaze. Bingo!!! That 's what I want. The dark, earthy cocoa  notes will work well with the spices, highlighting them,, instead of smothering their different and unique flavors.It also won't' be that sweet either  since a few glaze recipes are only comprised of chocolate and whole cream. The question is what would be the best glaze? There are several recipes I found on the web. There is the one mentioned above that requires only scalding the cream and adding semi-sweet chocolate chips. I am leaning towards that one. Another calls for granulated sugar and cocoa powder. These are sifted together  and then warm water and butter are added to give it that liquidy glossiness. What is good about using a glaze is that it's easy to use on any baked good.  Just dip the cupcake tops into it, then twist them to get rid of the excess . That's it. No fancy squiggles or buds. It's easy and the cupcakes will look elegant as oppsed to just cute. I may add a candy heart on each cupcake, but that will be enough .

A  chocolate glaze is going to be perfect for my spice cupcakes. It'll not only highlight the cakes' flavor but also give them a lovely, classy look. Perfect to look at and perfect to eat.

Marriage of Good Tastes

When foods taste good they really taste good. Combine them with another delicious dish and - BOOM! - it's tremendous ! Both sides meld together to create something tasty. This is a perfect marriage - unlike some recent celebrity ones that didn't last.


Burgers on their own are great. However pair that delicious beefy taste with pizza toppings and you have something special. It's the combination of tangy, herb rich tomato sauce, soft, gooey cheese and a good quarter pounder all sandwiched between a bun. With it , there's no need for sides. A pizza burger is just flavorful on its' own. The same can be said of chili fries and chili dogs. Chili is tasty just as a main dish however over crispy fries or dogs, sheer bliss. It's a perfect melding of tastes and textures.Another good combo is chicken and pasta. Any chicken , whether breaded or grilled, is a great solo act however paired with spaghetti or linguine makes a filling and delicious dinner.

Desserts have always been the result of pairings. Look at chocolate fondue.It's the perfect blend of molten chocolate, with cake, marshmallows and fruits. Chocolate is also a brilliant foil for everything from pound cake to bacon nowadays.A chocolate ganache can go well with crispy tuile cookies or as a topping to a rich buttery pound cake. Caramel is another excellent go with. Apples and caramel are great together but the sweet can be used as a topping for ice cream , plain cakes and even puddings. Even caramel and chocolate together make a neat and fun couple.



Some marriages work, some go the wayside. When two stand out dishes are united, they create a new one that's even more tastier. It's a union that will stand the test of time and last forever.

Yummy Ice Cream Sandwiches

Summer rainy days and kids do not go together. They'll stay inside and becomes weapons of living room destruction., Either that or they'll become glued to whatever electronic device they can get their hands on .For a fun alternative have them make the summer classic - the ice cream sandwiches,They can explore their creative side plus make a tasty treat . (hopefully after lunch and before a good, nutritious dinner).

Every ice cream sandwich starts off with a good base. Most store bought ones usually have a crisp cookie however you can sub in store bought chocolate chips or even snickerdoodles. Most supermarkets sell large cookies in their bakery department and these are perfect for your sandwiches. You can also try sliced Rice Krispie treats too . Take the bars and slice them horizontally.Another spin is taking uniced cupcakes or sweet muffins, such as chocolate or chocolate chip and using them as bases.

What kind of ice cream works?Any kind! Buy two or three different flavors so the kids can mix and vary. Some suggestions are a rich butter pecan sandwiched between snickerdoodles are good as is just plain vanilla. Chocolate chip mint is a great filler between two plain chocolate crisps. Regular chocolate chips go well with - what else - chocolate chip cookies. Be creative and fun. You can then have the kids roll their creations in chocolate or colored sprinkles as finishing touches.They can also roll then in mini chips or chopped nuts too.

An ice cream sandwich can save a summer rainy day, Have some cartons and cookies ready to make this fun treat. Both you and the kids will love them!

A Good Iced Coffee

This is the time of year when an iced coffee is necessary to one 's existence. It keeps us cool and refreshed when the temps soar.It is the perfect stand in for a calorie rich sundae. The problem is. Iced coffee is addictive - and expensive. Even the cheapest one can send a coffee drinker back three or four bucks. What to do?Make it yourself!

Iced coffee is really one of those no-brainer drinks. It isn't like lemonade which requires a certain amount of precision .It 's not like iced tea which can accidentally be made too strong or too weak . Iced coffee is well just basically cold coffee and ice. Brew your regular joe as you normally would do and wait until it grows cold . Use a tall glass (like what you would use for iced tea or ice cream sodas) and fill with about five to six ice cubes . You can drop in less if you want a stronger taste.Remember that the ice will melt and dilute the coffee. Being an old school purist I like using just a teaspoon of sugar however you can also add some milk and even a dash of cinnamon to flavor it.You can also leave it black if you want to enjoy the robust flavor or if you're having something sweet with it.

if you 're dying for what everyone from Mickey D's to Dunkin Donuts puts out, then your iced coffee is going to require some extra ingredients. For that rich chocolate taste , add a good dose of chocolate syrup. I usually go the way of the baristas and pour in enough os that there's about a quarter inch of it on the bottom .Don 't worry if it just sits there. You can stir it up later with a straw or just drink from the bottom. Every fancy. Iced coffee should have a good head of whipped cream on it. Use Reddi Whip to achieve this look. If you want , drizzle some more syrup on top of the whipped cream for absolute decadence. ( the cream may take on a clotted appearance when it comes into contact with this ice. Don't worry- this is normal). Sit back and enjoy.

Make your perfect iced coffee at home this summer.It's easy to create what coffee shops serve. It's also much cheaper too. Now fill that glass , get creative and enjoy a yummy iced treat that's perfect for these sweltering days!

Healthy Food , Healthy Foodie

Ever notice how hospital food is always bland? ( I did after spending seven hours in my local one due to some silly stress today).There's a reason why it's so salt free and tasteless - it's healthy or supposed to be for you. No matter what age we are - whether seven or seventy we're all supposed to eat (and eat slowly because gobbling and wolfing are bad for you) organic , free range meats and wholesome healthy veggies and fruits.

This would work if there weren't so many temptations out there. There's snacks and cookies,, loaded with sodium and sugar, There's soda , pure sugar pure vice but oh so good, especially with ice on a hot day, How can we give up burgers and fries ? Or ice cream? Or chocolate. We're hard wired to love what's bad for us whether it's fast cars, fast men (or women) or fast food. If it's sinful bring it on.

Luckily there are compromises. Try flavored seltzer when you want a tasty and carbonated drink. There; no sugar as with a cola or root beer but it does quench your thirst and it is perfect on a hot day. For sweets there are some fun fruits out there like the pluot. This apricot plum hybrid is wonderful whether in a picnic basket or a lunch box. It has a candy like taste but it's fresh , organic fruit. Eat chocolate but go for the dakr kind than for the milk or white. For fun snacks try cut up veggies with Greek yogurt. Want burgers? Go for the turkey or veggie kind. Less calories, less cholesterol and they're still patties.

Healthy food doesn't mean sacrificing what you love. It just means a compromise for a better lifestyle and diet. You can still have what you crave but make it good for you

Sno Balls That Fun Treat

If you grew up in the States then you've had Hostess Snow Balls. They are a childhood classic ,like Popsicles and Twinkies, root beer and Rice Krispie treats. They're still just as good many years later. Anyone of any age adore them.


Sno Balls were invented in 1947 by the Hostess Company for a post war America longing for some sugary treats. Th original ones were just a rounded chocolate cupcake with a marshmallow fluff and coconut topping. A few years later the coconut was tinted pink. The creme filling was added a few years later. For Halloween they're called Glo Balls and are covered with orange tinted coconut. The his dusting is also tinted green for St paddy's Day and lavender for Easter. This last is renamed Hoppers for the season. For the baseball season there is is baseball stitching across the wrapper so the cakes look like baseballs.

There are even recipes for Sno Balls. One cute one involves cutting th ecake in half and them surrounding it with malted milk ball penguins. This would be perfect for the holidays or a winter birthday party. You could also turn them into bases for cookie pop place card holders. Another idea is frosting two together and then decorating with gum drops and , licorice and sprinkles for Sno ball ornaments Put a sugar cone on top and you can have a clown or a wizard cake. Sno Balls can bring out the creativity in anyone. You could even put them together to form a Sno Ball cake.

Sno Ball s have been a fun part of the American snack landscape for a long time. They're still enjoyed by young and old. Let's face it - who can resist that moist chocolate cake , gooey filling and yummy coconut marshmallow covering?

Last Minute Foodie Gifts

Christmas is literally right around the corner if you haven;t picked up anything for your favorite foodie, now is the time. The problem is what to get. Do you panic like crazy and pick up the first thing you see? Or debate and deliberate until someone takes it off the shelf before you? The best bet is to calm down. Foodies like everything about food. There's a wide array of stuff you can give.

The first thing you need to do is write a list. Write down if she or he is into creating dishes or more into eating. if it;s creating you can even visit your local supermarket for last minute gift ideas Think about a bask filled with sea salt, peppercorns and favorite spices. Those are always fun. Another idea is cookie cutters, and decorations along with an icer. for the bakers in your life. Gadgets are always of great use. Any Target or K-Mart has a big selection. Every cook needs new whisk and spatulas along with fun things likes decorative timers and cheese graters. Another lovely gift are place mats, napkins and napkin rings. These are perfect for the foodie couple in their first place. Fancy tablecloths also are appreciated too.

For the foodie who likes to eat. you can either create a memorable food basket or give a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant. baskets are fun to make up. You can have a theme, like international teas or coffees or their favorite flavors, like chocolate or caramel. You can even have a soup basket full of dried soup mixes or a pizza lover's basket full of the ingredients to make a pie. Luckily there are also restaurant gift certificates that cater to every taste. Even the smaller , family owned ones offer ones so you can buy from both chain and privately owned for a fun dining experience.

Don't fret if you haven;t bought your favorite foodie her or his gift yet. You still have plenty of choices yet. There are still so many gift ideas to choose from. Have fun !

The Fun Of Fondues

Nothing says party like fondues. You can have it sweet with rich chocolate or savory with a yummy cheese blend. Even more fun is how the dish brings people together. There's something communal about sharing from one pot. You can talk and gossip while enjoying you favorite flavors.

Fondue may be Swiss in origin but the name comes from the French fondre to melt . it started back in the 18th Century when stale cheese and wine were melted together to extend more dinners. Fondue originally meant any sauce that can be dipped into. Traditional fondues use either Emmenthaler, or Gruyere cheese combined along with whit wine, garlic and dry mustard.Cornstarch is also used to thicken it. and nut meg can be added for extra spice. You should have torn up french bread for dipping however you can add leftover ham chunks too.

A dessert favorite is chocolate fondue.It was started at New York;s famed Chalet Suisse in 1966 by Swiss born Konrad Egli. it took Manhattan food critics by storm and quickly became the party dessert of choice. A true chocolate fondue should have heavy cream , and bittersweet chocolate melted together in the fondue pot. Vanilla can be added but something truly decadent, try adding a dash of liqueur. What to dip into it is easy. Strawberries, pineapples, blueberries, along with marshmallows and pound cake.

Fondue of any kind are just fun party foods. Make a cheese or chocolate one during this festive season. They ll surely please your guests.!

Saint Nicholas Day Treats

Today is Saint Nicholas Day or Little Christmas. it;s was the original Christmas before martin Luther declared that December 25th should be the day commemorating the Christ Child's birth. However it is still a time of treats from savory to sweet. Children all over the world are given food gifts, in anticipation for the big day late on this month.



St Nicholas Day traditionally has candies and cakes however there are some savory treats associated with this day The Bulgarian make a carp dish called ribnik, and it's the fish baked en croute in a type of pastry dough. Why? The kindly saint is thought to be the protector of sailors and fishermen. Ribnik is usually eaten with cabbage and grape leaves or peppers,beans and more bread.. The Dutch also hugely celebrate this day and serve boiled chestnuts with butter and salt.



The day is really reserved for treats . Again the Dutch who are big on this holy day serve their kids spice cookies as well as a giant milk chocolate letter of their first initial. The Germans bake giant gingerbread cookies in the shape of the saint. they're later frosted with colored icing and given out. Since St Nicholas was known for his generosity, gold coins are given out. These are the foil wrapped milk chocolate discs all kids love and get during the holiday period.


Celebrate today with loved ones and the little ones in your life. Give them cookies or chocolates for this feast day of the man who would later be Santa Claus. Emulate his generosity too by giving extra treats for children in need.

Cool Ice Cream Recipes

Yesterday's New York Times Dining section was completely devoted to ice cream. Yesterday I wrote about Julia Moskin's article on the city's most expensive ice creams. Today it's about Melissa Clark's forays into making egg free or Philadelphia style ice cream. She offers good advice and tips on churning out a better than the store kind.

When I was making ice cream I always made the eggless kind. To me this was the purer , better tasting. After all what could beat rich cream .A custardy ice cream is great however it requires a lot of work and patience along with some luck. If you're a novice stick with the Philly or American version as it's sometime called. The trick is using good cream, natural ingredients and just regular sugar. Another trick is combing heavy cream and milk with a ratio of 65 to 35 percent .This is from pastry chef and owner of the ice cream company The General Greene, Nick Morgenstern. he also recommends adding a dash of salt to bring out the flavors as well.

I like the recipes that come with the article. They were a summer berry, made with a combination of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries)maple spice , roasted hazelnut vanilla and bittersweet chocolate. The maple spice sounds intriguing because it combines maple and cinnamon flavors . I can see this over a piping hot waffle. The dark chocolate recipe calls for rum and that's an interesting twist. This I can see on it's own in a little shot glass served after a steak dinner.

Ice cream is a great treat. An even greater treat is having homemade. Think about making a simple Philadelphia style kind during these hot days.