Sweets & Treats

Thumbnail image for Old-Fashioned Lemon Squares

Old-Fashioned Lemon Squares

May 10, 2012

Mary Anne here. It seems every family has their own version of these sweetly tart cookie bars and ours is no exception. They’re a snap to whip up and they store beautifully in a sealed container in the fridge. They’re the perfect foil to a steaming cup of hot tea and an elegant addition to [...]

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Thumbnail image for PB&J Brownies

PB&J Brownies

May 8, 2012

Mariel here. In case the confluence of both Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby didn’t totally bust any buttons this past weekend, we thought we’d share this incredibly decadent, sinfully simple recipe for PB&J Brownies. Yes friends, it’s Peanut Butter Jelly time. We originally debuted this recipe as a guest post on one of [...]

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Thumbnail image for S’more Brownies

S’more Brownies

April 26, 2012

Mariel here. Very rarely do I let photographs do all the talking, but I think it’s safe to say you get the gist of this recipe. Campires, porch swings and four o’clock cocktail hours…it’s official friends, summer is just 54 days away. Since it’d be a little premature to ignite a beachside bonfire and roast [...]

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Thumbnail image for Rich’s Light New York Cheesecake

Rich’s Light New York Cheesecake

April 10, 2012

Mary Anne here. Or should I say, Rich Doscher here! Rich is a registered dietician at the hospital where I work. Together with a physical therapist, the three of us give seminars at local senior centers and churches, instructing folks on keeping one’s joints healthy. For such a young “kid,” Rich has an amazing grasp [...]

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Thumbnail image for Orange-Mango Upside-Down Cake

Orange-Mango Upside-Down Cake

April 5, 2012

Mariel here. While my family isn’t particularly religious, we’ve always celebrated every holiday with a certain degree of religious zeal. When I was little, there were nearly as many decorations and preparations for Easter as there were for Christmas. We had an Easter tree flaunting hand-blown eggs that we painted on our front porch (my [...]

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Thumbnail image for Chocolate-Dipped Butter Cookies with Toffee Crunch

Chocolate-Dipped Butter Cookies with Toffee Crunch

March 27, 2012

Mary Anne here. A few weeks ago, I posted my devilishly decadent Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Heath Bar Toffee Frosting. They were a diet buster to be sure, but more annoying than that, they left me with a paltry amount of leftover toffee crunch. What to do? As you know by now, I am [...]

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Thumbnail image for Rich Chocolate Black Bean Cake

Rich Chocolate Black Bean Cake

March 13, 2012

Mariel here. I had promised this recipe ages ago, but somehow it slipped off my radar, despite the fact that I’ve made it many, many times. This dish was first brought to my attention by an editor friend over at Epicurious, who had requested it when I hosted her for dinner one evening. In its [...]

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Thumbnail image for Classic Shortbread with Fresh Orange Zest

Classic Shortbread with Fresh Orange Zest

March 7, 2012

Mariel here. Well, the bridal shower we hosted went off without a hitch. Sort of. The day itself was picture-perfect – the food my mom lovingly prepared (and took a day off work to make) was delicious, as always, the flowers were radiant and even the weather cooperated with sunny skies and a balmy 60 [...]

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Thumbnail image for Homemade Mixed Berry Jam

Homemade Mixed Berry Jam

March 1, 2012

Mariel here. As my mother elucidated in her post earlier this week, we’ll be hosting one of my best friend’s bridal showers this coming Saturday. Since my mom is a specialist in afternoon teas, we decided to stay the course and drum up an array of dainty, midday nibbles. While mommy dearest is far more [...]

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Thumbnail image for Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Heath Bar Frosting

Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Heath Bar Frosting

February 24, 2012

Mary Anne here. Chocolate + peanut butter, topped with Heath Bar bits = my idea of heaven! Not much more to say about this combo, other than that I should’ve come up with this before Lent! The inspiration for these sinful cupcakes arose in the baking aisle of my local grocery store. It seems that [...]

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Thumbnail image for Five-Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies

Five-Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies

February 7, 2012

Mary Anne here. This past Friday the hospital where I work “went red” for Women’s Health Day, a campaign initiated by the American Heart Association that’s designed to raise awareness for women’s cardiovascular wellness. Our radiology department, led by an MD well-versed in heart disease, shared valuable info on new, non-invasive tests that assess the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Oatmeal-Blackberry Pancakes with Grated Orange Zest and Greek Yogurt

Oatmeal-Blackberry Pancakes with Grated Orange Zest and Greek Yogurt

February 2, 2012

Mariel here. There’s been a spring in this winter’s step, so where I’d normally be elbow-deep in bowls of White Chicken Chili, Roasted Veggie Lasagna and Cassoulet, I have yet to make one of these cold-weather comforts. Instead, I’ve been living on fresh fruit, Egg Salad Sammies and super-sized dinner salads, which is what I [...]

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Thumbnail image for Finska Kakor, aka Finnish Cakes with Sweet Butter and Almonds

Finska Kakor, aka Finnish Cakes with Sweet Butter and Almonds

January 17, 2012

Mary Anne here. Mariel’s BFF is getting married in May, and naturally we’ll be hosting her bridal shower. Mariel’s gal pal is like the second daughter I never had, and so of course I want the party to reflect how much we love her. One of the best ways to express our devotion is through [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lacy Florentine Cookies with Almonds and Chocolate

Lacy Florentine Cookies with Almonds and Chocolate

December 19, 2011

Mariel here. With Santa arriving in less than a week, it seemed only logical to post a cookie for this month’s Secret Recipe Club. I took a stroll on over to My Danish Cooking, which chronicle’s Gitte’s endeavors to keep her Danish traditions alive while living with her husband and grown son in the US. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Old-Fashioned Hermit Cookies

Old-Fashioned Hermit Cookies

December 6, 2011

Mary Anne here. Hermit cookies are hands-down my ex-husband’s favorite treat. Tim is very conscientious about his diet, but when it comes to eating these chewy gems, all thoughts of eschewing sugar are cast aside. When a certain baking company stopped mass-producing the bars a few years back, I swear he was bereft. He needn’t [...]

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Thumbnail image for Pistachio Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

Pistachio Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

December 1, 2011

Mariel here. Apparently our sweet-teeth weren’t sated last week since both my mom and I opted to post desserts this week. There’s just something about the holidays that screams for more-more-more sugar. But I’d like to think I have an even better reason than that…today we’re celebrating both my husband’s and my step-father-in-law’s birthday. Yesterday [...]

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Thumbnail image for Chocolate, Walnut & Coconut Pie Bars

Chocolate, Walnut & Coconut Pie Bars

November 29, 2011

Mary Anne here. Sadly, the Thanksgiving family feast is over and the holiday bustle is officially in full swing. Between Black Friday, which now apparently launches during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade (gasp!), to Cyber Monday we are inundated with pressure to buy, buy, buy! Not so fast. I’m still glowing from our unequaled Turkey Day [...]

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Thumbnail image for Gingersnap Cheesecake

Gingersnap Cheesecake

November 10, 2011

Mariel here. The women in my family are queens of the cheesecake. If you haven’t already given my grandmother’s versions a spin – both the chocolate and the regular – you better hop to. My mom has become a cheesecake pro in her own right and regularly dishes up these treats for her nearest and [...]

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Thumbnail image for Chocolate Pumpkin Bundt Cake with a Gooey Chocolate Glaze

Chocolate Pumpkin Bundt Cake with a Gooey Chocolate Glaze

October 24, 2011

Mariel here. For this month’s installment of Secret Recipe Club, I bounced on over to Liv Life, where I stumbled across this recipe for a decadent-looking Chocolate Pumpkin Bundt Cake. I’ve been intrigued by the Choco-Pumpkin pairing since I spotted these brownies over at Smitten Kitchen and since I recently added a Bundt pan to [...]

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Thumbnail image for Spiced Apple Cider Bundt Cake with a Cinnamon-Cider Glaze

Spiced Apple Cider Bundt Cake with a Cinnamon-Cider Glaze

October 4, 2011

Mariel here. I spent part of the weekend upstate, lapping up the peace and quiet that only the countryside can provide. Living in the city is like living under constant attack – honking horns make my hair stand on end, a scary neighbor ensures I break into a cold sweat when I leave the apartment, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

September 26, 2011

Mariel here. When I was a wee middle-schooler, my best friend at the time used to love making sweet breads. Banana bread in particular was her forte and we spent many an afternoon whipping up a double-batch in the kitchen and then snacking on our own personal loaves while playing Donkey Kong or modeling the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Montrachet and Walnut Quesadillas with Apple, Fig, and Date Salsa

Montrachet and Walnut Quesadillas with Apple, Fig, and Date Salsa

September 21, 2011

Mary Anne here. At Feast on the Cheap, we’ve written our fair share about enjoying breakfast for dinner. And Mariel realized recently that when I broke out the pancake batter for our night-time repast when she was just a little girl, it was more an act of…ummm…laziness, rather than altruistic, motherly benevolence. Busted by my brood, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Creme Brulee with Candied Peaches

Creme Brulee with Candied Peaches

September 13, 2011

If I happen to stumble upon a roadside sign for tree-ripened peaches, you can bet your bottom dollar I’m pulling over and bogarting the whole lot. In light of summer’s last gasp, I’ve been stocking up on September produce, single-handedly keeping Big Peach in business. Thanks to my surplus, I’ve been adding these sweet, juicy [...]

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Thumbnail image for Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Pie

September 6, 2011

Mary Anne here. This really should be entitled, “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.” August 26th heralded my first week off since last December, and I was eager to spend nine beach-filled days at our family homestead on eastern Long Island. I had invited my little sister, Heather, (a professional photographer), to spend the first [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ooey-Gooey Mocha Cake with Swirl Frosting

Ooey-Gooey Mocha Cake with Swirl Frosting

August 25, 2011

Mariel here. I just spent a few glorious days in Ye Olde Adirondack Mountains – it’s a family tradition on my father’s side and we’ve recently reinstated this annual pilgrimage up north. While my husband had to cancel last-minute thanks to work deadlines, I had carefully parceled out a meager respite from my own affairs, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Strawberry Mousse

Strawberry Mousse

August 18, 2011

Mary Anne here. While Mariel is busy trimming her caloric intake with naturally sweet, healthful condiments like this Cucumber and Watermelon Salad with Pickled Onions, I seem to be channeling my Southern ancestors, conjuring up sweet strawberry confections like this delicious mousse. Did I mention that not one, but TWO kinds of sugar candy-coat this [...]

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Thumbnail image for Berry Cherry Crumble

Berry Cherry Crumble

July 28, 2011

Mariel here. Our friend Chelsea over at Sprinkles of Parsley is taking a much needed late-July vacay – and I’m desperately jealous. While she’s surfing and turfing, she asked that we pinch hit by lending a summery dish to share with her readers. I decided to pass along my recipe for a Berry Cherry Crumble, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho and Frozen Watermelon Daiquiris

Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho and Frozen Watermelon Daiquiris

July 21, 2011

Mary Anne here. This summer swelter is stretching straight across the US of A, so I find myself in need of cold comfort. Knowing that the thermometer was on the rise, I loaded up the fridge with a bounty of fresh, crisp fruit and whipped up an old Rittenhouse family summer staple – an enormous fruit [...]

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Thumbnail image for Apple Pie Pancakes a la Mode

Apple Pie Pancakes a la Mode

July 7, 2011

Mariel here. This, my friends, is what happens when you start reminiscing on an empty stomach. After waxing geriatric for Father’s Day and drumming up old memories of Bakery Sundays filled with Apple Turnovers, sugared Elephant Ears and crotchety Bran Muffins for the fiber-philes, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the delicious breakfast treats of [...]

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Thumbnail image for Old-Fashioned Devil’s Food Cake

Old-Fashioned Devil’s Food Cake

June 16, 2011

Mary Anne here. In honor of Father’s Day, I opted to plumb the pages of my catering archives and recreate a Devil’s Food Cake that was a favorite “special occasion confection” from gigs past. While both my dad and step-dad are no longer in this world, I humbly offer a culinary tribute to two equally [...]

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Thumbnail image for Orange Curd Puff Pastry Tartlets

Orange Curd Puff Pastry Tartlets

June 7, 2011

Mariel here. This past weekend, one of my bffs from college took the long walk down a short aisle, marrying another friend of mine in one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever attended. Everything was perfect – perfect weather, perfect Lela Rose dress, perfect yachty Montauk backdrop, perfect sunny-and-75 weather, which can be a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Key Lime Pie Pops

Key Lime Pie Pops

May 31, 2011

Mariel here. We’ve been on a roll recently, snapping up catering gigs left and right. For last week’s job, our clients requested our Key Lime & Blackberry Bites – a refreshing, super summery treat that puts a new twist on the traditional pie beloved by grandmothers and Boca Ratonians alike. The recipe didn’t make enough [...]

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Thumbnail image for Sweet-Tart Rhubarb and Ginger Sorbet

Sweet-Tart Rhubarb and Ginger Sorbet

May 19, 2011

Mariel here (again). When my parents were still married, we used to head to my paternal grandparents’ farm in Pleasant Valley, New York as often as possible. My grandmother and grandfather lived on 23 relatively untamed acres – save for two sprawling grass fields complete with a four-stable barn – that was absolute paradise for [...]

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Thumbnail image for Frosted Zucchini Brownies

Frosted Zucchini Brownies

May 16, 2011

Mariel here. About a month ago, I stumbled across a “Secret Recipe Club” hosted by Amanda’s Cookin’ and since I’m a sucker for secrets, I opted in. The premise is simple enough: each chef is assigned a different food blog and must choose a recipe to recreate in their own kitchen. Then, on a designated [...]

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Thumbnail image for Compost Fudge: A Chocolate Brick Brimming with Walnuts, Raisins, Toffee and Butter Cookies

Compost Fudge: A Chocolate Brick Brimming with Walnuts, Raisins, Toffee and Butter Cookies

April 26, 2011

Mary Anne here. Coming off of EIGHT weeks of denying myself chocolate, I was smitten by La Cucina Italiana’s June ’11 issue, featuring an incredible selection of indulgent cocoa-loaded recipes. The following recipe was inspired by their version of a chocolate “loaf” studded with a variety of nuts and crumbled butter cookies. As I eagerly [...]

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Thumbnail image for Gluten-Free Chocolate Mousse Cake

Gluten-Free Chocolate Mousse Cake

April 14, 2011

Mary Anne here. Ah…the holidays are upon us once again, and this year Passover and Easter arrive within a week of each other. As I’ve written in the past, when my mom married my step-dad, George, the Ellicott brood donned both Easter bonnets on Sunday and Yarmulkes on Friday night (the boys, of course!). And [...]

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Thumbnail image for Vanilla Cupcakes with Honey-Ricotta Frosting and Toasted Walnuts

Vanilla Cupcakes with Honey-Ricotta Frosting and Toasted Walnuts

March 29, 2011

Mariel here. Never one to waste a morsel of food – let alone a scrap of tinfoil or a twice-used plastic baggie – I’ve assembled my fair share of “compost” meals: a random amalgam of alien ingredients thrown together so as to stave off a trip to the trash bin. True, this sometimes entails eating [...]

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Thumbnail image for Grapefruit Pudding Cake

Grapefruit Pudding Cake

March 17, 2011

Mariel here. This past weekend I spent some time down in Florida celebrating a close friend’s impending nuptials, and let me tell you, I was more than excited to escape the refrigerator that is NYC. This past winter has been a doozy – for so many reasons – and it felt damn good to head [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lemon Olive Oil Cake with a Zesty Lemon Rosemary Glaze

Lemon Olive Oil Cake with a Zesty Lemon Rosemary Glaze

March 1, 2011

Mariel here. Last week, I cooked dinner for an editor friend of mine from Epicurious, no pressure or anything. I whipped up Halibut with a Hazelnut Romesco, which was to-die-for – thank God – but it was much pricier than most of my any-given-Monday meals (you can check out her recap of the dish here).  [...]

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Thumbnail image for Putting the “Cup” Back in Cupcakes

Putting the “Cup” Back in Cupcakes

February 17, 2011

Mary Anne here. Mariel recently took her maiden voyage into the wild and woolly world of catering and I have to say, it was a total blast having her as my partner in crime. A second pair of hands in the kitchen is never an unwelcome guest. On request, we prepared some of our specialties [...]

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