Baking

[Editor's Note: Some might say that a cupcake isn't a cupcake unless it's sweet. That may be so, but no matter what you call these handy little treats, they're an awfully convenient way to maximize the flavor of pizza in an eminently portable, snackable package. Perfect for kids' parties or even gatherings of grownups, these pepperoni pizza-themed delights are sure to keep people talking. --Genie]  Read more

[Editor's Note: I've been saving this post since last Mother's Day, when I spotted it and thought it was a wonderful story about mother-daughter relationships, blogging, AND food. Not only is this cheesecake recipe fantastic, but you're going to love the story of how Apron Strings got its start. It's a terrific way to start off this day that honors the mothers we know and love. --Genie]  Read more

I've never had a baby, but I can imagine that if I did, I would definitely want someone to bake me a cake, probably before, after, and during delivery! Just in time for Mother's Day, author Ami McKay offers this recipe, which has its origins way back in history, for a cake made to serve right around the time a woman gives birth. It's a fascinating story, and a recipe too good to save just for birthdays!  Read more

[Editor's Note: Though I make no secret of my preference for non-sweet breakfasts, you'll almost never see me turn down a bite of coffee cake. This recipe, which combines my sweet guilty pleasure with the flavors of one of my favorite cookies, is, therefore, extra-hard to resist. It would make an excellent addition to your Mother's Day brunch table! --Genie]  Read more

[Editor's Note: If you're a lover of both cupcakes and bananas, this is the treat for you. I particularly love its pretzel-crust bottom, which gives it an unusual and salty crunch. It might be a fun dessert to bake up this weekend! --Genie]  Read more

Years ago, when I was a kid living in Nigeria, I talked one of my Indian friends into slipping me some of her Mom's garam masala so I could try making homemade samosas. I'm not going to lie...the attempt was pretty much a disaster. The filling tasted amazing, but the dough I made was so thick and chewy that I gave up and never tried making these amazing Indian delights again. That's why I was so psyched to see this recipe, which uses puff pastry and eliminates both the step where I'd have to roll out dough to some level of thinness I was unable to achieve as a kid, but also the part where I would have to fry the delicious pastries. It's brilliant, and I'm going to have to give it a try.  Read more

[Editor's Note: These fresh and light cupcakes are ideal for a spring gathering, whether that's a party, a brunch, or a family barbeque. Though Annie of Annie's Eats claims no love for citrusy flavors at the end of a meal, even she really liked them, and since I'm a big fan of that genre of dessert, I know I'd enjoy them, too. Check out this recipe! --Genie]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Rachel of Rachel Cooks Thai developed this gorgeous tart in an effort to tempt her boyfriend, who is not much of a dessert eater. It's not only beautiful, but delicious, graced with a lovely scalloped layer of mango slices that offer sweetness without being cloying. --Genie]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Though my grandmother has been gone for years, I still crave her rhubarb pie. The combination of tart-sweet filling and flaky crust was one of my favorites as a kid. I have never quite mastered the art of making a top pie crust, so this rhubarb galette is a perfect way for me to revisit a delicious memory while celebrate one of my favorite spring flavors. --Genie]  Read more