TWD: Cardomom Crumb Cake

Jill of Jill’s Blog chose Cardamom Crumb Cake for this week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe.

Cardomom is a really interesting spice. It almost reminds me of "fall spices" with pepper mixed in. You'll often find it as an ingredient in Chai tea. The thing about Chai tea... I usually love it when I first start drinking it, but then I can only drink about half of a cup. For some reason, the flavor just "gets me" and I can't take a lot of it.


Such was the case with this cake. I really liked the first slice, but that was enough for me. It's hard to explain... almost like a "too much of a good thing" going on or something.

That first slice was really tasty, though. There was a nice orange flavor as well, and it was moist. (I made 1/4 of the recipe and it fit perfectly in a mini 3x5" loaf pan.)

Thanks to Jill for a cook pick. I've actually been looking forward to trying this one for a while. For the recipe, check out Jill's blog or Dorie Greenspan's book "Baking, From my Home to Yours".

TWD: Apple-Coconut Family Cake

Amber of Cobbler du Monde chose Apple-Coconut Family Cake for this week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe.

I almost didn't make this since I've been busy lately. But, with the snow piling up outside and a chilly kitchen, I thought it would be a nice way to warm up my kitchen. Yep, I baked this because I was cold.


I'm glad I did.

This was a moist, appley cake with a nice touch of coconut. Not overwhelmingly so, but enough to notice. Since some of the TWD folks commented that they didn't like the stringiness of the coconut, I gave my pile of coconut a thorough chopping with a knife before adding it to the cake batter.

I baked half of a recipe in one 7" pan, and finished it up with a light drizzle of powdered sugar icing. Oh, and I skipped the apple jelly glaze on top... too lazy!

OK, just want to say thanks to Amber for a great pick! If you'd like to see the recipe, please stop by Amber's blog, or find a copy of Dorie Greenspan's book "Baking, From my Home to Yours".

FFwD: Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts

I couldn't decide whether to go fancy or rustic with this week's French Fridays with Dorie recipe, Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts.





These tasty treats were fantastic. What I loved about them was that the flavor came at you in stages. While no one flavor overwhelms, the first sensation is warmth, probably from the cinnamon, then a sweetness, then a hint of savory and finally a tiny little kick from the cayenne.

I'm sorry we're not sharing the recipes for FFwD, because this is a recipe worth sharing. But cookbook authors gotta make a living too, ya' know? Check out Dorie Greenspan's book "Around my French Table" to get your hands on the recipe.

TWD: Maple Tuiles & Devilish Shortcakes

Hindy of Bubie’s Little Baker chose Translucent Maple Tuiles for this week's Tuesday's with Dorie recipe.

(I also made the chocolate shortcakes from last week. You can see those a little further down. )

The tuiles bake up super thin and lacy.


It takes a quick hand and just the right amount of cooling to get the tuiles off of the pan in one piece, without scrunching them up.


They're super crunchy, almost on the verge of being candy-like. The taste is mapley and caramelly and reminds me of the candy portion of pralines. My son and I made quick work of getting rid of the one tray I made.

Meanwhile, Tania of Love Big, Bake Often chose the Devilish Shortcakes last week.


These were a light and biscuity, chocolatey, not-too-sweet shortcake that was perfect with fruit and whipped cream, or all by itself.


These were a fun change of pace and fantastic warm out of the oven.

OK, I'm all caught up! Thanks so much to Hindy and Tania for choosing these great picks. If you'd like to see the recipes, please visit either baker's blog or find yourself a copy of Dorie Greenspan's book, "Baking, From my Home to Yours".