Currently Reading: Homemade Decadence

Homemade Decadence, written by Joy Wilson of "Joy the Baker" fame, is a book that I've been waiting for with bated breath since the release of her first book, The Joy the Baker Cookbook, all the way back in 2012. And the wait, by all accounts, was totally and completely worth it!

Initial Thoughts: 

The cover design is beautiful and inviting. Also, the idea of a pretzel crust is inspired and will definitely indulge anyone with salty-sweet cravings. And the pictures inside are just as beautiful with easy-to-follow recipes and funny stories to go along with each one.

REVIEW: 

Joy Wilson is fun. And this cookbook, just like its predecessor, feels like a true extension of the food blogger we've all grown to love. It's colorful, it's vibrant, and it's entirely unpretentious in the most sophisticated of ways. Homemade Decadence encourages you to get creative in your kitchen, and really connect with the world around you. It shows you that fear of failure has no place in the kitchen, so embrace the weird combinations that come to mind. You never know when one day you'll meet a concoction that changes your life. You deserve fancy, out-of-the-box desserts every single day (without necessarily needing a special occasion), and the written words of JTB are there to help guide you. There's everything in this book from cocktails, to doughnuts, to uniquely flavored ice creams, and tons of treats in between. And if you're looking for new ways to re-invent your toast, never fear, because Joy's got a whole page dedicated to it. Breakfast is a serious business after all.

If you're a fan of JoytheBaker.com, you'll be happy to see some true classics (Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes are now a go-to at my house) as well as loads of new recipes to go along with them (Hello, "Ultimate Pancake Syrup!"), and the exact same amusing conversational tone that makes Joy one of the best bloggers and authors out there. Homemade Decadence is a total win in my book.

Recipes on My "To Try" List: 

Blueberry Pancake Muffins w/ Maple Glaze, Blackberry Pie Cookies, Church Party Peach Cobbler, Brown Sugar-Raspberry Cheesecake, and Lavender-Lime Cucumber Spritzers.

BUY Homemade Decadence HERE

Weekly Links I Love (Feb. 1)

I come across a LOT of articles and recipes throughout the week that I inevitably end up posting on Facebook, and clogging up everyone's news feeds. And while one posting of delicious food is appreciated by the masses, twelve by the end of the day doesn't always go over so well.

I believe that in order to be a good blogger and build a community, you have to share the love. There are so many people and things that inspire me, just as I hope to inspire at least one other person.

So here we go, the links I loved this week:

1. Potter Frances Palmer's 5 Kitchen Essentials from the Hand and Heart

I love everything on The Kitchn, but this particular article spoke to me this week. Frances Palmer is a really well known ceramist (her pieces are unbelievably gorgeous, and I want them all) who truly believes in the beauty of handmade products. In this article, she talks about the importance of finding good kitchen/studio tools, and sticking with them. You don't always need the latest and the greatest when you have tools that you cherish and keep coming back to.

2. Tuesday was National Pancake Day, so in honor of NPD (The nickname will catch on, just wait.) here's a recipe for Buckwheat Blueberry Pancakes. They're healthy, so you can use as much maple syrup as you want. (Right? That's how that works, right?)

3. Joy the Baker (aka Joy Wilson) is one of my favorite bloggers of all time. This week she took a trip to Uganda, and wrote a series of posts about her work there. This particular one, What it Means to Boil Water, really stuck out. It's a must-read for sure.

4. While I could lie and say that I spend my days reading really complex pieces in the Economist, the truth is, I spend an unhealthy amount of my day on Buzzfeed. What can I say? Most articles are short and sweet, and a daily dose of "Laugh out Loud" laughter is good for the soul. I'm really missing my best friend Emily, and Ways Long Distance Bffs Survive is perfect.

5. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is an online series hosted by Jerry Seinfeld. It is clever, funny, and SO entertaining. Plus, he's introduced me to some really great places to both get a cup of coffee, and delicious pastries. I can't believe I hadn't started watching this sooner. This week Jerry met up with Tina Fey, a personal funny lady hero of mine. This show makes you feel like you're there with them, and I just can't say enough good things about it. Here's a great article to go along with it from  Gothamist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHiCOIjpp-4

What're you up to this weekend?

Adventures in Cakeworld

First Stop: Pound. If there is only one thing about me that you ever need to know, it is that when I set my mind on something, it has to happen. The problem with this is: sometimes what I want to do is a little bit more complicated than what I'm ready for. However readers, I'm proud to say that this was really not one of those times.

But the one thing that you really, super, absolutely need to know about me is that I am never satisfied with just plain-jane dishes and desserts. What I make must have the "wow factor," something I, if the roles were reversed and it was someone making something for me, would be impressed with. If the recipe sounds fun and a little uncommon, sign me up.

That is why Joy Wilson, a.k.a. Joy the Baker, is my kitchen spirit animal.  I just bought her new cookbook (I found out that it was an autographed copy and screamed), and I'm already bookmarking pages with recipes i'm just dying to try ASAP.

One recipe I can cross off the list?  Zucchini Cream Cheese Pound Cake.

My night:

Sifting the flour, baking powder, baking soda. So far, so good.

Everything mixed, zucchini shredded and incorporated, batter so thick that it couldn't be poured. All into the (what I thought was a) well-buttered and floured bundt pan!

45 minutes at 350, plus 10 more minutes at the adjusted temperature of 375 and...

Right, so here's where it got a bit tricky. After giving it close to 30 minutes to cool, I tried to get baby bundt cake out of its mold. But this baby would not budge! I panicked, but my mother suggested just going around the edges with a spoon. Et voila, bundt!

Sadly, we lost two pieces to the pan, but that's nothing a little pretending and a huge tub of frosting can't fix!

Ah, the frosting process. It is long, and it is tedious when you have a warm cake calling your name.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased! Of course, I'll have to have my taste-testers give me the final verdict tomorrow.

Here's what I learned:

1. A well-greased bundt pan is a golden bundt pan. Take it from me: if there is anywhere that the cake can stick, it will.

2. Spraying Pam, then throwing some flour into the pan and moving it around will not be enough. Either go old-fashioned and use butter,  a twice-folded paper towel, and flour, or use the Pam spray already infused with flour. Do not grease half-heartedly.

3. Though the recipe calls for 2 cups of zucchini, I found that I was perfectly fine with one-and-a-half. Honestly, do whatever you want. The zucchini you cannot taste, but it will help keep the cake moist. Who wants a dry cake?

4. If you've got a rubber spatula for frosting cakes, use it. My house only has knives, and it make the process a little bit more difficult.

5. I could use a little (or a lot of) practice frosting.

6. If you're like me, this is a dessert best served slightly warm, with a glass of milk. Try it. You won't regret it.

You should definitely buy this book!

Happy baking!