Lavender Tea Cakes

3 cups flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup almonds 1 1/2 cups sugar Finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons (1/3 to 1/2 cup juice) 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature 6 eggs, at room temperature 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and… Continue reading Lavender Tea Cakes

Banana Tartlets

 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup sugar Pinch of salt 1 stick plus 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces and chilled 1 large egg 1 tablespoon water FILLING  4 tablespoons butter   8 bananas, 4 mashed 3 tablespoons honey   1/4 cup fresh lemon juice Pinch nutmeg 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon icing sugar 1/2 cup… Continue reading Banana Tartlets

Lemon Meringue Pie

Crust: 1 1/4 cups flour 1 tbsp sugar pinch of salt 6 tbsp butter, cut into pieces 2 tbsp vegetable shortening ice water as needed Filling: 1 1/4 cups sugar 5 tbsp cornstarch 1 cup milk 1/2 cup cold water a pinch of salt 6 large egg yolks 2/3 cup lemon juice 2 tbsp lemon zest… Continue reading Lemon Meringue Pie

Smoky Deviled Eggs

 1 dozen large eggs  1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons crème fraîche 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 3 tablespoons finely chopped cornichons 2 tablespoons scallions, minced  Salt and freshly ground black pepper   Freshly ground white pepper 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder   1.           In a large saucepan, cover the eggs with cold water and bring to a boil… Continue reading Smoky Deviled Eggs

Lemon Chess Pie

Pastry: 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt   4 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into cubes 1/4 cup plus 1/2 tablespoon chilled solid vegetable shortening 3 tablespoons ice water Filling: 4 large eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 tablespoon white cornmeal   1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon… Continue reading Lemon Chess Pie

Chocolate Chip Blondies

2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 10 tablespoons butter 2 cups brown sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips 3/4 cup chopped pecans  Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Mix flour, 1… Continue reading Chocolate Chip Blondies

Toffee Chocolate Cookies

3/4 cup all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 pound bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped 1/4 cup (butter 1  cup (packed) brown sugar 4 large eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 6 ounce toffee bars , coarsely chopped 1 cup pecans, chopped Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl; whisk to… Continue reading Toffee Chocolate Cookies

Scones

1 3/4 cup flour sugar 4 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup currants 1 egg, beaten milk Preheat the oven to 400 F.  Combine the flour, 2 tbsp sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Cut in the butter until crumbly.  Add the currants. Stir in the egg and 1/2 cup milk… Continue reading Scones

Poppyseed Muffins

1 cup milk 1/2 cup poppy seeds 1/4 cup butter 3/4 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla 2 cups flour 3 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt Preheat the oven to 400 F.  Grease the jumbo muffin tin. Combine the milk and the poppy seeds in small bowl and let stand 10 minutes. Cream… Continue reading Poppyseed Muffins

Triple Chocolate Brownies

6 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped (3/4 cup) butter 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 large eggs 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a double boiler, melt the bittersweet chocolate and the unsweetened chocolate with… Continue reading Triple Chocolate Brownies