DDpie's Slice

Classic Apple Pie

2011-11-15T16:02:00.001-05:00

Apple pie is one of my all time favs. Well, favorite to EAT that is. Growing up, I didn't quite care for the task of peeling and coring all those apples. (still don't, but I still LOVE apple pie, so I do it) I can remember my Granny just piling everything into the homemade crust, sprinkling (dumping, really) everything on top, slapping on the top crust all quick like.... just carefree as can

Buttery Flaky Pie Crust

2011-11-14T15:05:00.001-05:00

Pies. Homemade pies to be exact. One of those things you (like I) probably took for granted growing up. (I do miss my Granny's pies) Usually, the filling gets all the credit, it gets to be the "star" of the show. All the while, true pie connoisseurs know that it's that buttery-flaky crust, or tender crust if that's how you roll (pun intended), that makes for a scrumptious perfect pie. Most

French Baguettes with a Poolish Starter

2011-11-07T16:01:00.001-05:00

Lately, I've been branching out and lending more effort towards learning more advanced techniques used by true bread artisans and adding to my own repertoire of bread making. So I wanted to give a hand at making true "French" baguettes. A type of bread that is usually shaped into a long thin loaf and has that chewy-crispy-hardy type crust on the outside with a tender-stretchy inside that was

Mulled Wine....Winter's Sangria?

2010-12-01T14:35:00.000-05:00

Mulled wine is a popular holiday beverage enjoyed all over the world, with several countries having different variations of traditional flavors and profiles. The German version is known as "Gluhwein”, in Nordic countries it is called “Glogg”, in Northern Italy “vin brulé”, just to name a few. Whatever you call it, I call it yummy! It is a warm spicy wine, generally served around the chilly

Our Visit to Huber's Orchard, Winery and Vineyard

2010-11-20T10:34:00.000-05:00

Every year for our anniversary in late October, Jim and I like to visit one of Indiana's many local wineries. We usually go where we can do a tasting, buy a few bottles, and enjoy a glass or two while we're there. In fact, more and more of our local wineries even have a designated area on the property where you can picnic, listen to music, or just chill out and enjoy the view. This year we

Archway Sweet Summer Treat Contest Winner!

2010-11-17T07:41:00.000-05:00

Is it November already? Really? Whew, I'm a little late getting this post up, to say the least! It's been a very, very busy summer (AND fall). One of the most exciting things I did this summer was to enter the Archway Sweet Summer Treat Contest that was held back in July. Bakespace.com and Archway partnered up and there were several of us who were chosen to receive an array of cookie packages

Build A Better Benedict

2010-07-11T09:00:00.001-04:00

Maggie: "Benedict" Ike: "Arnold?" Maggie: "I love Eggs Benedict. I hate every other kind...I hate big weddings with everybody staring......" One of my most favorite movie quotes/scenes. Remember it? (bonus points for naming the movie AND the actors ;) ) It was during the course of this scene that I realized how picky I was about my eggs and that I really only ate them either scrambled (only at

Quick and Easy Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

2010-07-10T12:04:00.000-04:00

If you've ever eaten at a Red Lobster or other seafood restaurant (at least here in the Midwest) you're probably familiar with their savory garlic cheddar biscuits. Brushed with an herb garlic butter, fluffy and light, with every bite melting in your mouth. The perfect accompaniment to any meal. While dining out, I have to fight for my share when they bring the basket to the table, as they are

Ghiradelli Turtle Brownie Bites with Nutella

2010-07-08T10:42:00.000-04:00

Well I haven't been doing too much baking or cooking lately, but I did do a little a couple of weeks ago when I had an all girl pool party. I wanted to do a little something special for dessert, but yet, something that was simple, quick and "cute", after all, it WAS a total "chick" party (seriously, no boys were allowed hehehe) Nothing says "chick" better than chocolate...right? I had

Pina Colada Sangria

2010-06-29T20:17:00.000-04:00

Put the "wine" in the coconut and shake it all up...I said, "Docta"..... Which is what I feel like I need (a strong drink AND a Doctor) now that I've caught up on all of my gardening followed by a nightmare my hubby and I endured opening our pool for the summer. (long story) On a lighter note, nothing says summer like Sangria! Which is exactly what we've all decided over in the virtual

Instructions for the Fondant Gerber Daisies

2010-06-04T08:00:00.002-04:00

Last post I gave you the recipe for the strawberry butter cream that I created for the cupcakes that I made for a graduation party. I'm back today, as promised, with the detailed instructions for the fondant Gerber daisies that I made as toppers to dress them up. For the daisies, I used my favorite home made MMF recipe and I used piped melted chocolate bark for the centers. Not exactly

Strawberry Butter Cream and Gerber Daisies for a Sweet Girl

2010-06-01T09:02:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't blogged forever (in spite of my promises) but I have been busy trying to get all of my spring cleaning done, gardening, working on some art pieces, a wedding, a graduation, yadda yadda yadda. This past week, my bff's oldest daughter graduated from high school and I offered to do the cupcakes for her open house. In this case, the guest of honor, Danee (isn't she gorgeous?

Heart Healthy Banana Oat Muffins

2010-03-21T10:12:00.000-04:00

It's been sooooo long since I blogged but I'm still alive and kickin'. I was just so busy around the holidays and then I was sick off and on, had oral surgery, and well you know, life stuff. Yadda yadda yadda. I haven't done any cakes since the witch cake for Halloween, in fact, I haven't cooked or baked much at all since the holidays, but I am feeling better and getting back into it. Spring is

A Tisket, a Tasket, a Pretty Bread Basket

2009-12-23T10:00:00.017-05:00

LOL, well wouldn't you use that title? Now that the song is stuck in YOUR head too...I thought I'd share a cute little trick for making an attractive Martha Stewart style vessel for serving those yummy holiday dips, stews, or even...bread rolls. Now, I don't do this that often, really, only when I have time and only when I want a really pretty festive looking table...you know, somethin'

Tapenade with Pita Triangles

2009-12-22T10:52:00.002-05:00

Developed in the Provence region of France, a traditional tapenade usually consists of a combination of finely chopped black olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil. Tapenades are often referred to as “the black butter of Provence,” as well as “the caviar of the poor.” As tapenades gain popularity, like any other type of basic recipe, you’ll find there are as many variations as there are

White Chocolate Cherry Chunk Cookies

2009-12-14T10:09:00.000-05:00

Ah yes, it's that time of year....Christmas. Do I even have to tell you why I haven't had the time to blog lately? Those of you who know me, know very well what I've been up to lately. Baking. And lots of it.....mostly Christmas cookies of course. These cookies happen to be my hubby's fav. Chunks of white chocolate (chunks, not bits), carefully chopped maraschino cherries and crunchy

Too Many Cooks Spoil the Pot?

2009-11-21T12:38:00.001-05:00

Listen closely this time of year and you'll hear the buzz with talk of Thanksgiving Day fair, menus, recipes, and family traditions and heritage brought to America from all parts of the world. Soon, the buzz will turn into a loud chatter, as new aged cooks and the like comb recipe and foodie sites searching for yet another "new" way to make a "sweet potato soufflé", or perhaps, an alternative to

The Witch's Kitchen Cake

2009-11-01T10:22:00.004-05:00

Updated: This is the cake I did for Halloween 2009. I had entered it into a few contests online, and it took second place on both instructables.com and cakecentral.com. Thanks to all of those who voted for me! The witch is made out of rice krispie treats formed over a PVC pipe with a base and covered with MMF (marshmallow fondant). The pipe was wired with LED lights that lead up to her eyes.

Processing Concord Grape Jelly and a Pom Wonderful Jelly

2009-10-22T09:37:00.006-04:00

Just when I thought canning season was over.......My hubby was picking up his 5 gallons each of freshly pressed Riesling and Concord grape juice from our local winery, preparing for his next wine making adventure. He was generously given an extra (free) gallon of Concord grape juice. So I thought, hey, why not make some grape jelly? Can you imagine? Freshly pressed grape juice, no

Pumpkin Roll with Vanilla Bean Cream Filling

2009-10-15T13:58:00.003-04:00

One can never have enough pumpkin recipes (at least this "one" can't). I love me some pumpkin! This is a spicy pumpkin cake roll, filled with a vanilla bean filling. (think hostess cupcakes gone Thanksgiving) My dear friend and fellow foodie blogger Danielle first turned me onto this little jewel last year. If memory serves me correctly, she got the original recipe from a food network show and

A Pom Wonderful Experience

2009-10-14T08:24:00.000-04:00

More and more recently I've been hearing about the health benefits of pomegranates. This so called "super fruit" hero has been sweeping it's way across the internet and is seemingly gaining popularity amongst chefs, foodies, and the like for the last several years. Chocked full of anti-oxidants, vitamins, and other supposedly super powers, it seems it would be known as the "heal all of what

Focaccia....A different way

2009-10-12T12:10:00.005-04:00

Isn't that a beautiful thing? Savory sun dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, Italian spices, and rich olive oil drizzled on top of a flat yeast bread that's pillow soft in the middle and yet wonderfully crispy underneath. A perfect accompaniment to any Italian dish, oooooh, especially lasagna (eyes rolling in the back of my head). Normally, I'd supply a pic of the tasty dish that inspired this

Perfect for Fall Pumpkin Bread

2009-10-07T08:00:00.001-04:00

Ah yes, fall has arrived! I can't think of a better way to kick off my favorite "baking season" than pumpkin, somethin', anything...pumpkin. This particular recipe is known as a "quick" bread. A "quick bread" is called such because unlike a bread where yeast is used as the leavening agent, this type of bread uses either baking powder, baking soda, or as in this case, a combination of both

Haunted Gingerbread House

2009-10-03T22:30:00.001-04:00

This gingerbread house centerpiece happens to be one of my favorite edible projects to date. The house is constructed out of a more durable gingerbread and "glued" together with a basic royal icing. I used fondant and gumpaste, along with other edible items for the figurines, decorations, and spoooooky graveyard. Although I constructed this decorative piece a few years ago, I continually

Bakespace International Taste Tour- Crepes!

2009-09-30T18:00:00.014-04:00

For this months "Bakespace International Taste Tour", we decided to do crepes. Although I had of course heard of crepes, I had yet to attempt them myself. I dunno, they've always kind of looked intimidating to me for some reason. So I did a bit of research, then turned to youtube to obtain some general direction. I was so relieved when I found these two adorable gals, name melded "ME" (that