Apple Cake

What a great way to use some of those delicious apples that are in season. Mike made this Apple Cake from the SmittenKitchen blog recipe. Gala apples, cinnamon, sugar and toasted pecans are tossed together for the "filling". A basic quickbread batter is made and poured into a tube pan, then layered with the apple mixture. The remainder of the batter is poured over the filling, then the remainder of the apples are poured on top. This bakes into a wonderfully delicious Fall treat. Not too sweet, but sweet enough for dessert!

Sandwich Anyone?

These cookies make the perfect after school snack. Mike made these sandwich chookies with a recipe from the Martha Stewart Baking Handbook (page 111). Crisp, peanutty cookies are baked and feature a graphic line pattern (just grab your nearest fork)! Both the cookies and filing are made with natural peanut butter. Mike added a chocolate ganache filling - who can't resist the two together! Crunchy and delicious with a chocolate-peanut filling . . . pour yourself a glass of milk and enjoy!

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Have a few lemons laying around? Whynot make a Martha Stewart classic "Lemon Poppy Seed Cake". The recipe features plenty of fresh lemons (juice and zest), cream cheese, and a lemon-sugar glaze that finishes off this simple, but elegant dessert. The cake pan is a Martha Stewart Collection from Macy's "Bavarian" bundt pan, and sits atop a whiteware cake stand (also from the collection). Pucker up and enjoy a piece!

Red & Black Plum Tart

With just a few ripe plums, Mike made this Plum Tart with Cream Cheese Filling in no time. The crust is an example of "make it now, use it later" - a Martha Stewart pecan/nut crust recipe made a month ago and frozen. After a quick rollout and fitting into a tart pan, it is spread with a cream cheese-based filling. The plum topping is made with both red and black plums, sliced and cooked with cinnamon, butter and sugar until tender. Bring to room temperature, arrange the fruit and voila - a quick, delicious and elegant dessert!

A Triple Brownie Day

Friday was a triple-brownie day at the office. Mike, in a Thursday night brownie-baking frenzy, baked up three batches. All from Martha Stewart's Cookies cookbook, these confections were easy to make and packed with unique flavors. First was the Peanut Butter Swirl brownies, the company favorite, (pg. 268), then came Cream Cheese Swirl Blondies (pg 275) and finally, Chocolate-Ginger Brownies (pg 276) with fresh, grated ginger and bittersweet chocolate. With such a variety, everyone could pick and choose their favorite. Note for the future: bake twice as many Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies - these disappeared first!

Going Bananas!

Elaine has simply gone...bananas - with these moist and delicious banana cupcakes. Wonderful with a cup of tea, coffee or even as a simple dessert, these tiny cakes are moist, full of banana flavor and plenty good without the icing! Pull up a chair and a cup of your favorite beverage and let's chat over these delicious treats!

FORE! Watch out for Claudine's Confections!

Who couldn't resist one of these perfect, sporty, little golf balls! Claudine created these for her company's golf tournament - and boy were they a "hole in one"! The balls are made of chocolate using a golf ball candy mold. Green-tinted buttercream icing and a grass cake decorating tip give these cupcakes the finishing touches - so realistic, fun and delicious!