Cakes, Desserts

Pumpkin Date Cake with Maple Caramel Sauce

Makes 8 to 12 servings This cake is a cross between sticky toffee pudding and a fluffy pumpkin snacking cake. It is lightly spiced, spongy and moist, and best when bathed in maple caramel sauce. Leftover sauce should be refrigerated and lightly heated before serving. Substitute about 2 teaspoons of […]

Desserts, Pies and Tarts

Raspberry Mascarpone Tart

Makes one 9-inch tart A simple but stunning tart that features ripe raspberries on a layer of lemon and honey-sweetened mascarpone. Try substituting other berries depending on what is available at your local farm stand. Strawberries are a typical early summer choice, but as the berry season comes into full […]

Cookies, Desserts

Raspberry-Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Makes 4 dozen cookies Soft and tender, with a tart jam filling, these are ideal cookies to enjoy with a cup of tea (or, maybe your morning coffee!). We’ve used raspberry jam, but you can use any you would prefer. These cookies can be baked in advance. Store wrapped at […]

Pies and Tarts

Rhubarb Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie Rhubarb is tart, but well-balanced by the oat crumble we’ve paired it with here. Some rhubarb stalks may be tender enough, but if your rhubarb has a thick outer membrane (you can tell by peeling a bit back with your fingers), you may want to remove […]

Cookies

Roll-Out Sugar Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies, depending on the size of the cookie cutter You are an artist, and the holiday cookie plate is your canvas! This year, we would like to give you the gift of sugar cookies that are easy to make, hold their shape when baked, and are […]

Desserts

Rosemary Polenta Cake with Savory Strawberries and Goat Cheese

Makes 12 servings This recipe is adapted from the menu of the Gatehouse restaurant on the CIA’s Napa campus in St. Helena, California. It is sweet and savory (mostly sweet!) and is the perfect way to showcase in season strawberries, though we think peaches would also be delicious. The whipped […]

Desserts

Sabayon and Fresh Berry Trifle

Makes 6 servings A trifle traditionally includes cake doused with sherry, a custard, and fresh fruit. This trifle introduces an egg-based sauce that the French call sabayon and the Italians, zabaglione. Marsala, with its rich, raisin-like flavor, gives the custard the same heady aroma that a classic trifle introduces by […]

Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Say “I Love You” with Chocolate

We don’t know about you, but when we think about Valentine’s Day, we think chocolate! Chocolate candies, chocolate cookies, chocolate brownies. Hm. Cookies and brownies… If one is great, how good would they be combined!? This Valentine’s Day, if you want to bake something for a special person – maybe […]