cakes and cupcakes Archives - Page 8 of 10

2012/12/302017/12/31

Fortune Cookies

Happy New Year!

“In the books of some memories it was the best time that ever sloshed over the world—the old time, the gay time, sweet and simple, as though time were young and fearless.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It’s the end of a momentous year. Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me. I wish you a new year filled with wonder and delight. May every day seduce you with whimsy. Be vivid, for we live on a planet radiant with color and light. Find your fortune where you may, as chance and serendipity can lead to the most astonishing adventures. Happy New Year! READ MORE . . .

2012/12/232017/12/26

Persimmon Cakelets

The Fruit of Winter

“In three months Charles got a colored postcard of the bay at Rio, and Adam had written on the back with a splottery pen, ‘It’s summer here when it’s winter there. Why don’t you come down?’”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

On a trip looking for locally grown apples and pears Athena and I stopped at Everett Family Farm farmstand in Soquel. We were both dazzled by the Hachiya persimmon orchard that we found. Hung like brightly colored jewels the irresistible persimmons were framed by festive jade green leaves. The glamorous trees must be mother nature’s inspiration for Christmas trees. The farmstand is a very special place with heirloom apples, persimmons, fresh berries, flowers, eggs and a wide variety of seasonal vegetables. READ MORE . . .

2012/09/202017/12/26

Serendipity, a Celebration Cake and a Tangy Ending

A Secret Garden

“Our species is the only creative species, and it has only one creative instrument, the individual mind and spirit of man.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

A whim and curiosity to learn more about growing herbs and edible flowers led me to Jacobs Farm in Pescadero. I had purchased their exceptional organic products at Whole Foods and my local Nob Hill grocery store. When I attended the Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers open house in June I brought home samples of their edible flowers and made my first batch of tangy infused vinegar. It was on a trip to Gidzich Ranch in Watsonville for olallieberries that I saw Jacobs Farm company sign along a back road and thought about visiting. READ MORE . . .

2012/07/182017/12/26

Olallieberry Financiers

Summer Berry Mania

“Wouldn’t it be funny if she never left Watsonville, thirty miles away? She could even slip in over the line and see her friends if she wanted to. Maybe she came to Salinas sometimes. She might be in Salinas right now.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

It was mid June. It was time for the local olallieberry harvest at Gidzich Ranch in Watsonville. If I held my breath it would be over. I grew up with the olallieberry harvest at Gidzich Ranch every summer. During those years I found my mother’s fixation with the olallie to be a bit obsessive. Often we would go pick berries each week of June and the beginning of July. We would leave early in the morning when it was still cool so my mother would have time to process the lush berries on the same day they were harvested. I am beginning to follow my mother’s path. I have been to Gidzich twice for olallies. I made pie, jam and froze olallieberries just as my mother did. But this year I tried a new berry recipe with my olallies. And I am very glad I did! READ MORE . . .

2012/05/052017/12/26

Blackberry Mandarin Cupcakes

Spring!

“On the wide level acres of the valley the topsoil lay deep and fertile. It required only a rich winter of rain to make it break forth in grass and flowers. The spring flowers in a wet year were unbelievable. The whole valley floor, and the foothills too, would be carpeted with lupins and poppies.”

East of Eden, John Steinbeck

Inspiration

I was so excited to see pansies and violas in every market and store; spring had arrived! It also meant decorating with edible flowers. I had been planning to make cupcakes in baby flowerpots, decorated with pansies for months. Violet Blackberry Curd is a creamy surprise filling inside the citrus vanilla cupcake. The velvety cream cheese frosting is a perfect canvas for spring violas. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. READ MORE . . .