Thanksgiving Cornucopia by Teresa Culletto This attractive focaccia filled with colorful vegetables and flowers will complement any fall feast. Ingredients 1 recipe for Basic White Focaccia or Basic Whole Wheat Focaccia 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive or neutral oil, divided 1 teaspoon lemon juice Bowl of ice water 4 leaves sage 6 leaves basil 4 sprigs parsley 1 red mini sweet pepper 2 yellow mini sweet peppers 2 orange mini sweet peppers 1 small red onion 4 grape tomatoes 1 pitted black olive 2 baby corns 1 mini purple potato 1 small leek 1 scallion (about 7 inches, or 18 cm, long) Flour, fo ..read more

Brandied Fruit By Scott Bradshaw Today, we’re going to embark on an eight-week journey of fermentation, patience, and a whole lot of sass. We’re turning brandy, yeast, and canned fruit into a boozy delight that will make your fruitcake the life of the party or your ice cream sundae the talk of the town. The Meet and Greet First things first, let’s introduce our main characters: brandy, yeast, and canned fruit. Brandy, the life of the party, is known for its rich, fruity flavor and its ability to make everything more fun. Yeast, the quiet but essential friend, is the one who makes the magic ha ..read more

The Amazing Amaryllis by Veronica Seta This gorgeous bloom symbolizes love and beauty—and we can certainly see why! Learn the accompanying bud to add a realistic touch to your floral arrangement. Edibles: Vegetable shortening Light green gum paste (Satin Ice) Edible glue Petal dust: foliage green, autumn gold, and ruby Equipment: 20-gauge floral wire (Hamilworth) Green floral tape (Hamilworth) Paintbrushes (Cerart) Size guide (Flower Pro Collection by Katy Sue Designs) Lily mold and veiner (Flower Pro Collection by Katy Sue Designs) Form the Bud Cut a 20-gauge floral wire in half and bend an ..read more

Ingredients to Make Butter Cake Uniquely Yours By Grace Wattikan Butter cake is a popular choice for dessert because it is simple and so very versatile. You can do so much when it comes to spicing things up and making a recipe unique and different. Here are some amazing ingredients you can consider adding the next time you decide to make a butter cake: Vanilla extract: A classic option for all your baking needs, vanilla extract brings a rich and warm flavor profile to any butter cake. Use pure vanilla extract whenever you can for the best results. Lemon zest: Grating fresh lemon zest into th ..read more

7 Ways Baking Can Boost Your Mental Health By Beth Rush How does baking help with mental health? Baking is an art and a science—and the process can be healing when you feel down. Creativity, concentration, and socialization come into play when working in the kitchen. The psychology of baking can be a powerful tool to boost your mood on bad days or as part of a greater treatment plan. You can certainly visit your local bakery, but baking these foods yourself can make you feel much better. Here’s why. 1. It releases stress. You might be wondering, “How does baking help with stress?” If you’ve n ..read more

Healthy Baking Alternatives for More Nutritional Benefits By Stanley Clark Whether you’re a chocolate cake devotee, a die-hard fan of peanut butter cookies, or a strawberry cream–stuffed pastries enthusiast, you can stir healthier swaps into your batter to boost the nutritional value of your favorite dessert. If you’re someone who bakes in the kitchen often, you’re probably thinking about ways to make your baked goods better for your loved ones’ health. How can you make baked goods tastier and healthier? Are there healthier substitutes for common baking ingredients? This article explains how ..read more

Christmas Joy By Ana Peck Wrap your cake in a rustic, engraved wood look. Edibles: Light brown fondant Brown petal dust Equipment: Rolling pin Metal edge ruler Dresden tool Wax paper Large round brush Cosmetic sponge Small flat brush Make Joyous Wood Grain: Roll light brown fondant to ⅛-inch thickness. Using the metal edge ruler, cut fondant panels to cover each side of the cake and the top. For the front-facing panel, use the Dresden tool to freehand the letters, applying medium pressure. The letters don’t have to be perfect for this rustic look. Use the narrower side of the Dresden to ..read more

Caramel Apple Popcorn Cake By ACD Editors A delicious brown-butter cake, layered with vanilla buttercream, caramel-apple filling, and smothered with a decadent caramel drizzle and freshly popped caramel popcorn. Brown Butter Cake Ingredients: · 2¼ cups all-purpose flour · 2 tsp baking powder · ½ tsp salt · 1¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature) · 1 cup white sugar · 2/3 cup lightly packed brown sugar · 3 large eggs (room temperature) · 1½ tsp vanilla extract · 1 1/3 cup buttermilk (room temperature) To make the brown butter: 1. Place the butter in a small saucepan over a medium heat until ..read more

Creepy Isomalt Flowers By Tammy Varela Create creepy flowers to decorate around the spindly spider showpiece. Edibles: Clear isomalt Bronze luster dust Dilution solution Gel food color: black, green Airbrush color: purple Equipment: Silicone eye mold Paintbrushes Silpat mat Blowtorch Scissors Fan Create the Eyes Heat clear isomalt to a boil, then let it settle for about 2 minutes. Pour the isomalt into the holes of the silicone eye molds, then pour it out.  You will be left with a clear coating then let it sit for a few minutes. Once cooled, take some bronze luster dust mixed with dilut ..read more

Kala’s Perfect Pipeable Swiss Meringue Buttercream Recipe by Kala Boulard at Almondsandapricots.com Ingredients for Swiss Meringue Buttercream  2 ¾ sticks of salted butter 6 large egg whites, at room temperature 1 ¼ cups (250g) granulated sugar 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract Pinch of salt (⅛ teaspoon) How to make the Buttercream:   Wipe down the mixing bowl, whisk attachments, and all other equipment with white vinegar to ensure there is no fat residue on anything before starting. Add the egg whites and sugar to a stand mixer bowl set over a double boiler. Stir constantly until ..read more