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Baked Pumpkin Brioche Donuts

October 20, 2017 by Melina Thompson Leave a Comment

It is finally that time of year again when pumpkins are popping up everywhere, leaves are turning, the weather is getting cold and pumpkin spice is in the air. Well, sort of. It definitely is if you are making these Baked Pumpkin Brioche Donuts with Vanilla Cream Cheese Icing! These yeast donuts are baked but can be fried, if you’re up to it. Brioche donuts contain significantly more eggs and a whole lot more butter than regular yeast donuts which makes them richer and just, well, more delicious in my opinion. These babies here also contain pumpkin and pumpkin spice – the perfect treat for Halloween and Thanksgiving, or, really any time during this cozy season. …

Vanilla Chiffon Cake with Blueberry Buttercream

July 26, 2017 by Melina Thompson Leave a Comment

I made this Vanilla Chiffon Cake with Blueberry Buttercream for the first time about 4 years ago for my husband for Valentine’s, but didn’t get a chance to document it. I’ve been meaning to make this again ever since because it was so pretty and delicious (even my husband loved it! He’s not the biggest cake eater, ironically…) and I finally came around to it when Challenge Butter asked me to come up with a buttercream recipe for their Community blog.

There is just something about the combination of vanilla and blueberry – such a classic. This one here is made of light and moist layers of vanilla chiffon cake and blueberry Italian meringue buttercream. I love using chiffon cake for layer cakes because it is so incredibly soft and light and does not contain any butter, so when I refrigerate the cake, it does not get hard like most other, butter-heavy cakes.

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Apricot Tarte with Vanilla Custard

June 22, 2017 by Melina Thompson 2 Comments

I LOVE this Apricot Tarte with Vanilla Custard for 3 reasons: 1) It is one of my two favorite cakes my grandma used to make and takes me right back to my childhood, 2) it is super easy and quick (if you have the pie crust already made) and 3) it is damn delicious. The sweet and sour tartnesss of the apricots and the smooth vanilla filling in combination with a buttery and crunchy pie crust – divine!…

Blueberry Apple Pie with Rosemary

September 11, 2015 by Melina Thompson 3 Comments

In many parts of the country, the days are getting grey and cool and its time for tea and sweaters. Not so in Texas. Temperatures finally cooled from the 100s down to the low 90s but that won’t stop me from making cozy pie to get that fall feeling started! A classic blueberry apple pie with a twist, rosemary that is. Yes, rosemary! While lemon or grapefruit with rosemary has almost become a staple, there are tons of more fruit-rosemary combinations that taste amazing. Like blueberries. And apples….

Pear and Poppy Seed Coffee Cake

August 9, 2015 by Melina Thompson 4 Comments

Summer is already halfway over and I have not posted a single recipe! That makes me even more excited to share this super easy Pear and Poppy Seed Coffee Cake. Whether you’re planning a family picnic, BBQ with friends or just craving some cake (who needs an occasion anyway, right?), this coffee cake might be what you’re looking for. Fluffy cake with a pear and poppy seed filling, topped with buttery crumbles. If you can, enjoy it while it’s still warm… maybe with some vanilla ice cream?…