Canadian Butter Tarts

This post is in honor of the Vancouver Canucks and all their fans (except for the ones who were lighting cop cars on fire).  For those of you (aka Americans) who have no idea what I'm talking about; game 7 of the Stanley cup (that's the hockey playoffs) happened yesterday and Vancouver lost to the Boston Bruins and some of the Vancouver fans took it rather badly.  But no reason to be sad when you've got these sweet little morsels to cheer you up until next year.

Chocolate Layer Cake

I know I haven't posted in ages.  And I have tons of recipes ready to go.  So I am making up for it with this recipe, which is the best chocolate cake ever.  Just look at all the chocolatey goodness, so rich and moist.  You're forgiving me already.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

After cooking some fancy cakes, I thought it was time to try something a little easier.  This can is a breeze to make, and takes only about 45 minutes from start to finish.  It may not look as glamorous but it's rich chocolate flavor makes it a hit.

Red Velvet Cake

This cake is a second attempt at two things: making a red velvet cake that is actually red and assembling a layer cake that doesn't sag.  And I suppose practice does make perfect because I was much more successful this round in both regards, creating a very red and stable, beautiful layer cake.

Black-and-White-Chocolate Cake

Two of my good friends are getting married in June and have asked me to make the cake (eek!).  They are planning on having other desserts but want a small cake for tradition's sake.  They key criteria is that it taste good (which I think I can handle) but it also needs to be somewhat photographable (which I'm not so sure about). 

Berry Muffins

First off, I want to wish Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all the other moms out there.  My mom is the greatest.  If I didn't live six hours away, I might make her something like these muffins for breakfast in bed.  As it is she'll have to settle for a call-out in my blog, a phone call and a (belated, oops) gift.

Brioche

 This is another recipe from the Macrina Bakery & Cafe Cookbook and it is a winner.  I love brioche, a rich, slightly sweet French bread.  I've tried to make it before but with not a lot of success but this recipe is not only amazingly delicious but easy too, especially if you have a stand mixer with a dough hook.