Chocolate Haupia Pie

Here in Hawai’i we enjoy a traditional dessert called Haupia, which is basically sweet coconut pudding. Well today I’d like to share a traditional recipe with a modern day twist! The steps are simple and the best part is you don’t need an oven! The buttery-sweet crust is filled with a creamy haupia and chocolatey filling and topped with homemade whipped cream. Your mouth will be happy, happy, happy after you try this Hawaiian speciality! It’s “Broke Da Mouth” that’s our way of saying delicious in Hawai’i!!! Enjoy!

Zucchini Cake

As a child, I remember my family making banana bread.  Until recently I had never really heard of zucchini cake.  I love the vegetable, but I never knew that it could be made sweet as well.  I loved the entire process of making this cake.  I loved the new cream cheese frosting as well.  Everything is really simple to make.  I would encourage you to try this recipe.  It would also be really good as cupcakes.

Fruit Dumplings

The fruit dumpling is hard to resist for several reasons. One: you no longer have to choose between your favorite fillings and flavors. This pocket-sized treat boasts a sturdy dough that can hold in everything from baked apples to pumpkin puree to toasted pecans with cinnamon sauce (personal favorite..hint,hint). Possibilities are endless! Two: did I mention portable? Ditch the plate and fork. Take a dumpling for each hand and try them all. Then return for more. After all, they’re small… right? Three: all the crust you can handle. Cinnamon and sugar help this dough brown and bake beautifully, making soggy …

Mary’s Cheesecake

Cheesecake is one of those versatile desserts that can be eaten alone or with a variety of toppings to please any palate.  This recipe is simple to make and guaranteed to be the hit of any party!

Spicy Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is a wonderful blend of sweet and spice that works perfectly at the end of a meal or accompanied by a cup of hot tea or coffee.  This recipe is easy to make and easier to eat!

Cinnamon Maple Butter

An easy spread that not only can be used on anything, but it feels like fall in your mouth. Perfect on bread, bagels, cinnamon rolls, waffles, and pancakes. Gives anything a sweet cinnamon and maple sweetness taste.   CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts of categories that were …

Banana’s Foster

Courage is all  this recipe really requires. I will say ample overhead clearance helps a great deal  as well  though. Banana’s Foster is ready in an instant and easily altered to individual liking’s. Not a banana fan? Trade the banana for cherries, apples, or even orange slices. Let your local liquor store fuel your inspiration by visiting the wide variety of miniature bottles they carry. They make for a large selection for guests to choose from AND won’t break the bank when experimenting  with new flavors. Leftover cranberries from Thanksgiving? Flambéing them in this cinnamon and sugar mixture and topping …

Filled Coffee Cake

More of a breakfast cake than a dessert in my eyes, filled coffee cake is my go to “chaser” for mornings when I need more than a second cup of coffee. If you can resist eating the entire pan, this cake freezes well if wrapped tightly to eliminate as much air as possible. It’s easily reheated and is sturdy enough to withstand a dunk or two into your cup for a double punch of coffee flavors. Any number of nuts can be used in this recipe as well (I used leftover pecans here) so clean out the pantry and get …

Maple Breakfast Cake

Nothing says breakfast like sweet, warm, maple syrup. Instead of pancakes, try it with another delicious treat…cake! Maple Breakfast Cake is a hearty and sweet delight perfect for cold mornings and hot cups of coffee. Try frosting it with Maple Sugar Frosting     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on …

Ginger Cake With Pear Puree

A perfect and easy cake for the holidays or when the air is cold! Uses pears and the spices of fall to create a gentle cake to serve alongside some hot cocoa!     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts of categories that were put out by Eat …

Kate’s Cosmic Carrot Cake

The Carrot Cake came out very moist. Almost every carrot cake I have every tried have been incredibly dry, so I really enjoyed this dessert. I will definitely make this again.     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts of categories that were put out by Eat Smart …

Blitz Torte

This recipe was a little difficult to complete but I am glad to have made it. It was an awesome opportunity and I thought it came out beautifully.

Strawberry Banana Muffins

This recipe was blackberry muffins but I instead changed it all up since I don’t like blackberries, and to be honest, I was a bit skeptical about the change I thought I wasn’t gonna be able to make it work since I had to change it but fortunate me I was able to make it work and it turned out great I have had a change-up recipe but I always have been afraid of the outcome of the flavors, you know sometimes when you change something up you have to be able to make sure of the flavors combination you …

Pumpkin Custard Dessert

This custard is one of the classics….It is simply delicious. The recipe is very easy to follow and it bakes up bubbly and golden brown. And the aroma that fills your house as it is baking  is another added bonus. Top it with whipped cream and enjoy!!!!

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

At first, this was supposed to be an apple cake, but I decided to do cupcakes instead, because when I bake I take my treats to my husband’s work, so it’s much easier to make cupcakes than a cake. They give me feedback on what was wrong or what is good about them. They are my best test subjects. The apple cupcakes were a hit.

Zucchini Bread

I remember when my husband was stationed in Hawaii years ago, my neighbor and her husband use to make zucchini bread. I remember how amazing it would smell as it was baking. They would always bring some over, and it was really good. I have said for years that I would bake my own, but I never have until now. I always thought it  would be difficult to make but it wasn’t. It was actually very easy. This recipe is very easy to follow and it makes very good zucchini bread. The recipe makes 2 loaf pans, I love miniature …

Snickerdoodles

My family absolutely loved these cookies, they couldn’t stop eating them. I had to swipe two for myself before they polished them off. With such a simple and easy recipe to follow, I honestly did not think that they would turn out so good. So whip up a batch , pour a glass of milk or make yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy!!!

Zucchini Cake

Don’t sleep on this Zucchini cake!!  It is unbelievably good!  You would never suspect that there’s vegetables in this cake.  It’s so moist, light, flavorful, and simply delicious! Since this cake is so light, it doesn’t have any frosting and it’s not overly sweet you could even have a slice with a cup of tea for breakfast.  However you see fit to eat it, you will enjoy it!!

Apple Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze

Fresh apples are crisp and sweet and hit the spot on a hot day. I love to go apple picking in mid-summer and throughout fall each year.  I usually find that I have brought home too many for my family to eat while ripe.  If that happens to you or you are just in the mood for an easy apple snack or dessert this cake is for you.  It makes a great breakfast too, with coffee!    It is moist and tender and filled with nuggets of apple yumminess.  It is good by itself but the glaze offers a wonderful …

Maple Granola Snack

This very easy-to-make sweet treat adds a delightfully chewy and crunchy bite to your breakfast yogurt, parfaits, or as a snack by itself.   *This granola can be stored in an air-tight container in the freezer.   CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts of categories that were put …

Walnut Applesauce Cupcakes

Who loves applesauce? I love applesauce! This simple yet hearty recipe will appeal to the applesauce-loving kid in all of us! I normally don’t change recipes but for this one I added brown sugar instead of white to give it small but healthier touch. Be careful not to overmix and dry the batter out.  If you are like me you may be tempted to fill the liners to make more full cupcakes but trust me you won’t need to. The rise on these is perfect.  I enjoyed the smell of these as they baked! Smells like the holidays in your …

Pumpkin Crunch with Maple Cinnamon Glaze

It is that time of year again and I love all things Autumn…the colors, the cool evenings, and the smells.  Also it brings out the desire for pumpkin flavored everything. This recipe does not disappoint. It has all the flavors of Autumn and the feeling of comfort food at its best. This delicious dessert is like eating a flavorful pumpkin pie, a moist fluffy cake, and a delicious maple nut roll, all in one bite.  It is very easy to just throw together and it will taste like you spent hours in the kitchen making this masterpiece.

Maple Walnut Cheesecake With Winter Raspberry Fruit Glaze

This dessert definitely screams happy holidays! It’s not time constricting and it’s easy to make. A few things to know about this recipe;  cornstarch is the best substitute for arrowroot! the biggest difference between the two is arrowroot freezes and thaws without change so if you can’t find arrowroot you do have hope! Another thing to weigh out is maple syrup vs maple extract, the extract gives the maple its flavor and is much stronger than the syrup. I wondered about using fresh fruit since it was going to have to defrost the fruit anyway, however, I found that frozen …

Baked Carmel Apple Corn

This recipe reminds me a lot of harvest parties and having fun with family and friends. I recommend having this at your next get together, whether it is game night, movie night, or an office party I am sure it will be a big hit.

Cinnamon Maple Butter

It is impossible to not relish in the superior flavors of butter, maple syrup and cinnamon.  Whipped to perfection, they marry right before your eyes. This butter is so versatile, it can be added to a sweet potato, or used to make a streusel that will top ice cream or your favorite cake. Bake on top of your best piece of salmon or simply add it to your breakfast bagel. Enjoy the pure wonder of this butter.

Easy Maple Cranberry Butter and Cookies.

Cranberries are both sweet and tart in its’ flavor profile. Maple syrup is a complex flavor known for its’ hints of caramel and vanilla. Pairing these two ingredients creates a dynamic layer of flavors on the tastebuds. Now imagine making quick and simple butter with minimal ingredients creating a burst of possibilities to your palette? The ability to easily execute both a maple syrup butter and Cranberry Maple Butter, which is sweet condensed jelly. That’s precisely the experience I want to bring you as a Culinary artist. And in such, I made a few tweaks, like adding Mexican vanilla beans …

Pumpkin Maple Custard

Custard. Man, I wish I liked it, but you know that saying about kids either loving or hating what they had in utero? Yeahhhh…BUT, I can make a mean one!!! This one honestly was super fun to make, really easy, and smelled epic once done. Custard lovers will not be disappointed by this rather divine creation, and all it takes is a bit of patience. You ready??? Let’s do this!!!

Portuguese Baked Beans & Sweet Cornbread

Oh, the flavors in this dish!! Linguica isn’t found up here in northern Michigan, so I used hot chorizo instead. Please, please hunt linguica if you can, otherwise you can sub a good quality, savory sausage for this recipe. My diet doesn’t include 90% of most meats, but I did taste this before serving. My mouth was quite pleased with the results, and I encourage you to delve into the culture behind this creation and play with the spices you find. I also made a sweet cornbread to go alongside this, because I’m a Southern woman, and…beans!!! Would I be …