butter loves company

new york food blogger and lifestyle influencer

kentucky butter cake

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This butter cake will surprise you. I had never had Kentucky Butter Cake before the random Tuesday when I made this recipe and sat in awe of its deliciousness.

kentucky-butter-cake

While the ingredients are uncomplicated, and the cake is seemingly simple with no icing or frosting, you’ll be surprised at the satisfying flavor the moment you take a bite. I officially want to make this Kentucky Butter Cake recipe a weekly occurrence. 

The butter and buttermilk in the cake give it moistness and body and baking it in a bundt pan leaves it with a sweet, thinly crisp exterior that reminds me of the top of a corn muffin from Dunkin’ Donuts. (Or, I guess just Dunkin’ now.) And, if you’ve had one of those, you know how good that flavor and texture is. 

After you bake this rich butter cake, you pierce its warm top with a skewer or toothpick to make tiny little tunnels for your BUTTER SAUCE to seep in. I mean, enough said. The key is to pour the sauce, which you prepare while the bundt cake is baking, over the poked cake while it is still hot and in the pan. It soaks into the crumb of the cake to add flavor and moisture into its crevices.

  • kentucky-butter-cake

I’m not positive where Kentucky Butter Cake got its origin, having just stumbled across it when looking for a simple and delicious vanilla pound cake, but after doing some research it seems to me that the luxurious butter, sugar, vanilla sauce is what makes this butter cake an official Kentucky Butter Cake. Wherever it came from, I’m glad it’s here!

kentucky-butter-cake
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kentucky butter cake

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Category: Cake

Cuisine: Dessert

Servings: 1 bundt cake

kentucky-butter-cake-1

Ingredients

    For the Cake:
  • 3 cups/13 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup butter (room temperature)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 4 large eggs
    For the Sauce
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

  1. Set your oven rack just below the center and preheat your oven to 325°F. Generously grease and flour a 12-cup bundt pan or spray it generously with a non-stick baking spray. This is important so the the cake will invert cleanly after it is baked.
  2. In a large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, 2 cups of sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, buttermilk, 1 cup of butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla, and the eggs. Mix on low until the flour is absorbed and then increase the speed to medium to beat for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  4. While the cake is baking, place a small saucepan on the stovetop and add to it the 3/4 cup of sugar, 1/3 cup of butter, 3 tablespoons of water, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Turn the heat on to low and cook, stirring, just until butter melts but do not bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. When the cake is complete, remove from oven and place on a rack (keep in pan). While it is hot, pierce it all over with a toothpick or skewer to create little tunnels for the sauce.
  6. Pour the hot butter sauce over the warm cake and let the cake stand 5 to 10 minutes, or until sauce is absorbed.
  7. Carefully turn the cake out onto a serving plate and let cool completely (if you can wait that long) before slicing and serving

Notes

Recipe adapted slightly from The Spruce Eats

https://www.butterlovescompany.com/2019/08/15/kentucky-butter-cake/

If you’re looking for other delicious cake recipes, might I suggest:

Berry Ricotta Cake

Pumpkin Bundt Cake

kentucky-butter-cake

kouign-amann recipe (breton butter cake)

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One of the best bites you’ll ever have: the kouign-amann is a croissant-like pastry with layers-upon-layers of buttery, flaky sweet dough with a sugary crisp top and a caramelized sticky bottom.

kouign amann pastry

I can’t even remember the first time I ate one of these perfect pastries because I was swirled immediately into a doughy dreamland. It was the most luscious bite I’d ever experienced and I knew right away it was my new favorite.

  • kouign amann 2

So, What Is a Kouign-Amann?

The kouign-amann pastry (which is pronounced like QUEEN A-MAHN) is a French pastry that originates from the Brittany region of the country. This is why you may also see it referred to as “breton butter cake.” “Kouign-amann” actually comes from the local Breton terms for “butter” and “cake” so you know it going to be good. I’ve heard that it is typically baked into one large round cake shape but any time I have seen it at a bakery, or have made it myself, it is in muffin-like form.

kouign amann pastry

Making It at Home

This is the best kouign-amann recipe that I have found in my tests and is adapted slightly from Joanne Chang in the Flour, Too cookbook. First, you’ll bake the dough base, let it rise, and chill it so it will be easier to roll out. Then, once rolled, you will smear it with a layer of butter. Then comes the folding and rolling lamination process. This is critical to getting flaky layers of dough when you bake. Near the end of your folding and rolling, you introduce some granulated sugar so that some of the layers are lined with sweetness. Lastly, you’ll cut the laminated dough into squares and dip them into (yes, seriously) more sugar, let them rise in a muffin pan, bake, take a bite, and enter dreamland.

  • kouign amann pastry

Kouign-Amann Pastry Recipe

Recipe from Flour Bakery

Makes 12 small cakes

Ingredients:
1 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 3/4 cups (385 grams) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 cup (2 sticks or 225 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature (it should be very spreadable)
1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar, plus more for rolling and coating

Instructions:

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together the yeast and 1 cup warm water (about 110°F) until the yeast dissolves and the mixture gets a little foamy indicating the yeast is active. If the yeast doesn’t foam, discard and start again.
  2. To the bowl with the yeast, add the flour, salt, and 1 tablespoon melted butter and mix on low speed for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the dough comes together and is smooth. (If the dough is too wet, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of flour; if it is too dry, add 2 to 3 teaspoons of water.) The dough should be soft and supple and should come away from the sides of the bowl when the mixer is on.
  3. Transfer the dough to the lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to proof in a warm area for 1 hour. Then transfer the dough to the fridge and proof it for another hour.
  4. Transfer the dough from the fridge to a generously floured work surface. Roll it into a rectangle about 16 in/40.5 cm wide and 10 in/25 cm from top to bottom. With your fingers, or a small spatula, press or smear the room-temperature butter all over the right half of the dough. Fold the left half of the dough over the butter, and press down to seal the butter between the dough layers. Turn the dough 90 degrees clockwise so that the rectangle is about 10 in/25 cm wide and 8 in/20 cm top to bottom, and flour under and on top of the dough.
  5. Slowly begin rolling the dough from side-to-side into a rectangle about 24 in/61 cm wide and 12 in/30.5 cm from top to bottom. If the dough is sticky, feel free to continue flouring the surface as needed to prevent the rolling pin from sticking. Once it is rolled, lift the right third of the dough and flip it over onto the middle third. Then lift the left third of the dough and flip it on top of the middle and right thirds (like folding a business letter). Your dough should now be about 8 in/20 cm wide, 12 in/30.5 cm from top to bottom, and about 11⁄2 in/4 cm thick. Rotate the dough clockwise 90 degrees; it will now be 12 in/30.5 cm wide and 8 in/20 cm from top to bottom, with the folded seam on top. This process of folding in thirds and rotating is called turning the dough.
  6. Repeat the process once more, patiently and slowly rolling the dough into a long rectangle, flipping it upside down as needed as you roll it back and forth, and then folding the dough into thirds. The dough will be a bit tougher to roll out and a bit more elastic.
  7. Return the dough to the baking sheet and cover it completely with plastic wrap, tucking the plastic wrap under the dough as if you are tucking it into bed. Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes. This will relax the dough so that you’ll be able to roll it out again and give it more turns. Don’t leave the dough in the fridge much longer than 30 minutes or the butter will harden too much and it won’t roll out properly.
  8. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a well-floured work surface with a long side of the rectangle facing you and the seam on top. Again, roll the dough into a rectangle about 24 in/61 cm wide and 12 in/30.5 cm from top to bottom. Sprinkle 3⁄4 cup/150 g of the sugar over the dough and use the rolling pin to gently press it in. Give the dough another fold into thirds and turn as directed previously. The sugar may spill out a bit. That’s okay, just scoop it back in.
  9. Once again roll the dough into a rectangle 24 in/61 cm wide and 12 in/30.5 cm from top to bottom. Sprinkle the remaining 3⁄4 cup/150 g sugar over the dough and use the rolling pin to press the sugar gently into the dough. Give the dough one last fold into thirds and turn. Return the dough to the baking sheet, cover again with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for another 30 minutes.
  10. Meanwhile, liberally butter the cups of the muffin tin and set aside.
  11. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Sprinkle your work surface generously with sugar, place the dough on the sugar, and sprinkle the top with more sugar. Roll the dough into a long rectangle 24 in/61 cm wide and 8 in/20 cm from top to bottom. The sugar will make the dough gritty and sticky, but it will also make the dough easier to roll out. Using a chef’s knife, cut the dough in half lengthwise. You should have two strips of dough, each 24 in/61 cm wide and 4 in/10 cm from top to bottom. Cut each strip into six 4 in/10 cm squares.
  12. Working with one square at a time, fold the corners of the square into the center and press down so they stick in place. Shape and cup the dough into a little circle, and press the bottom and the top into more sugar so that the entire pastry is evenly coated with sugar. Place the dough circle, folded-side up, into a cup of the prepared muffin tin. It will just barely fit. Repeat with the remaining squares. Cover the tin with plastic wrap and let the cakes proof in a warm place (78°F to 82°F/25°C to 27°C is ideal) for 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the dough has pouffed up.
  13. About 20 minutes before you are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C, and place a rack in the center of the oven.
  14. When the dough is ready, place the muffin tin in the oven, reduce the heat to 325°F/165°C, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool just until you can handle them, then gently pry them out the muffin tin onto a wire rack and leave them to cool upside down. They are extremely sticky and will stick to the muffin tin if you don’t pop them out while they are still warm. Let cool completely before serving.
kouign amann recipe
kouign amann recipe



the springiest snack spread

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Spring is HERE! Thank goodness, amirite? I don’t care if winter coats are still necessary in New York, as soon at Daylight Savings hit and the temperatures rose above 50 degrees, I decided I would force warm weather feels in the kitchen. Bring on all the fresh herbs, veggies, and spring appetizer recipes.

One of my favorite things to do during the summer months is to take out a cheese board around 5 or 6 pm, when the sun is angling down to bless us with golden hour, opening a crisp bottle of wine, and put out a snack board for a pre-dinner bite.

We’ll nibble on all the juicy produce, savory cheese, and always, always, something salted and crunchy, like Harvest Snaps. I’m kicking off spring with this snack board filled with a super herb-filled green goddess dip (we’re talking dill, parsley, mint, basil and more), crispy greens like blanched asparagus and sliced cucumbers, rounded out with cheesy Harvest Snaps in their Parmesan Roasted Garlic and White Cheddar Flavors because, duh, a cheesy snack is destined for your snack board. I love that all the items on this board feel like wholesome options for starting the season.

This is the type of snack board you could pack up into little bags and take with you on a picnic in the park or put together really quickly for a last-minute plate to bring to a friend’s house. You can customize it with whatever dip or veggies you prefer, and Harvest Snaps also have so many flavors so you could try out a different one to mix it up!

Harvest Snaps are made from wholesome green peas, red lentils or black beans. Quick tip: if you are looking for Harvest Snaps in your grocery store, mosey over to the produce section and that’s where they’ll be. Find them near you here!

Happy Spring loves!

The Springiest Snack Spread

Ingredients

Green Goddess Dip (adapted from New York Times):

  • 1/2 cup fresh dill
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 scallions, white and green parts
  • Juice of one lemon
  • Pinch kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise, optional

Celery Sticks

Sliced Cucumber

Green Grapes

Blanched Asparagus

Harvest Snaps in your favorite flavor (I used Parmesan Roasted Garlic and White Cheddar)

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a food processor, add all of the ingredients for the Green Goddess Dip, and pulse until blended into a nearly smooth puree. Scrape into a small serving bowl.
  2. On a medium flat platter, place the dip bowl on one side of the plate. Add the celery sticks, grapes, and cheese slices in clusters, saving a spot for crackers or Harvest Snaps. At this point you can refrigerate until close to serving time.
  3. When ready to serve, remove from the fridge and add the Harvest Snaps. Serve!

Thank you to Harvest Snaps for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

harvest snaps snack appetizers

5 Tips for Hosting a Fancy Last Minute Dinner Party

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This post has been sponsored by Delizza. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sometimes, you have time to plan for a dinner party in advance. Other times, you want to take advantage of the moment and get together at the last minute. Don’t let the fear of hosting stop you from inviting friends or family over. Because we are relatively new to New York and still trying to meet people, I always like to keep some last-minute dinner party tricks in my back pocket in case we have a last-minute opportunity to invite people over.

  • Dinner Party Tips

We recently had a few friends by, and I was so grateful to have these Delizza Mini Chocolate Mousse in my freezer so I could focus on just making dinner in time. I actually remember my mom used to keep the cream puffs on hand when I was growing up for the very reason of hosting fancy last-minute parties. People would be so impressed and she would be able to stay stress-free. You all know how much I love to cook, but sometimes you simply have to keep it easy!

Here are 5 tips for throwing together a last minute dinner party that feels fancy-pants:

  • Last Minute Dinner Party Tips Delizza
  1. Less is more for decor – Don’t worry if you don’t have time to set up an elaborate tablescape. Simply let your meal be your centerpiece. Leave a carafe of water and a bottle of wine in the middle of the table (if you’d like) and serve dinner right at the table in big dishes. It will make everyone feel comfortable to help themselves to more. If you have a few unscented candles on hand, scatter them on the table to add some atmosphere.
  2. Spruce up your water – Something super simple that can feel fancy is some amped-up water. Fill a pitcher with water and thin slices of fruit or fresh herbs. Lemons, limes, orange, cucumber, and mint are great additions to your regular H2O. Add this to the dinner table ‘centerpiece.’
  3. Get the guests involved – Ask your guests to help with some of the prep, whether that is dressing a salad, opening a bottle of wine, slicing bread, or setting the table.
  4. Pass the pasta – If you don’t have time to run to the grocery store or make an elaborate braise or sauce, turn to a pantry staple that still feels indulgent. Pasta is cost effective and, if you get a shape that is a little out of your norm, say bucatini or cavatelli, it will feel special. All you need from there is a little butter, salt, pepper, and Parmesan, and you’ll be able to make a tasty and fancy-feeling meal.
  5. A frozen dessert is essential – If you’re going to be making dinner last minute, then you definitely don’t want to worry about making something from scratch for dessert. The Delizza Mini Chocolate Mousse is perfect for us. They have a crunchy Belgian chocolate crust, a smooth filling, and little sprinkles on top. They are reminiscent of the fancy desserts you might find at a nice restaurant during a night on the town. Delizza also makes Belgian Mini Eclairs and Mini Cream Puffs like my mom used to keep on hand. If you want to see where they are sold near you, here is their store locator!
  • Mini Chocolate Mousse

With these couple quick tips, you can be ready to party in no time!

coffee toffee cookies

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coffee cookie scoops

The rich flavor of espresso combined with the sweet, caramelized crunch of toffee meet in this crisp-chewy coffee toffee cookie, perfect for the holidays. This a cookie for coffee lovers, ‘not-too-sweet’ people, and cookie-for-breakfast people. (Raises hand.)

I’ve been working on my holiday cookie baskets for friends and neighbors and was reminiscing with Greg about our favorite new cookies of the year. I make quite a few cookies each week so there was a lot to think about. Some of them were too light or summery for inclusion in a holiday gift tin (Although I’m usually not picky, just prioritizing time, ha!). One of the standouts from the year was these Coffee Toffee Cookies which originated from America’s Test Kitchen. The first one or two times I made them we loved them and the only tweak I thought I would make for personal preference was to go even stronger with the coffee flavor to give them a little oomph so they didn’t spread so much. That’s where we are here.

These cookies are noticeably java flavored, using instant espresso dissolved in warm water, and they have little bits of crunch from Heath toffee bits. Since there is a bit of melted butter and sugar, the cookie is at the edge of ‘stick to your teeth’ chewy, which I love, but also not overly sweet.

Coffee cookie scoops

coffee toffee cookies
adapted from america’s test kitchen
makes about 14-16 3-inch cookies

ingredients:

  • 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons instant espresso powder
  • 1 tablespoon hot water
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (4 1/2 ounces) toffee chips (I used Heath milk toffee bits)
  1. Position oven racks in the middle thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In the bowl of your electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whisk espresso powder and hot water together until espresso powder dissolves (you may need to swirl it with a spoon if the attachment doesn’t catch the bottom). Add the melted and cooled butter and the granulated sugar and mix until combined. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, and then vanilla until smooth.
  4. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture into the butter coffee mixture until incorporated. Swirl in toffee chips.
  5. Scoop cookie dough and place onto prepared cookie sheet, leaving 3 inches between each scoop since they tend to spread a little. Bake until puffy and the edges are set but the middles still look a little wet, 14-16 minutes. Let cookies cool slightly on the sheets before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

Enjoy cookies for breakfast? You might also like these coffee cake cookies.

goat cheese pumpkin pie

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Before you roll your eyes and tell me Thanksgiving is over and that you’ve experienced pumpkin overload (especially if you just made this), hear me out on this pumpkin pie with goat cheese.

goat cheese pumpkin pie

A friend of mine shared this recipe from Munchies with me and it sounded too interesting not to try for a Thanksgiving dessert. This goat cheese pumpkin pie sits in an gingery almond cookie crust that has gone savory with fresh earthy rosemary and the filling, a simple blend (literally blended) of pumpkin puree, cream cheese, and tangy-funky goat cheese, requires no baking at all. Greg, my mom, and my brother Garrett will tell you I was hesitant about making this because of the no-bake-factor, an atypical attribute of a traditional pumpkin pie, but, I’m so glad I gave it a shot.

goat cheese pumpkin pie

Not only is this goat cheese pumpkin pie simple to put together—your only effort going towards squishing the crust up the sides of a springform pan—but it also proved to be a crowd pleaser. Even after our Thanksgiving dinner complete with four turkeys—one baked, one fried, one BBQ’d and bacon wrapped, and one deboned, stuffed with herbs, and grilled—even after all of the mashed potatoes and stuffing and cranberry sauce was weighing in our bellies, nearly all of our family and friends topped their dessert plates with a sliver of the orange-hued pie.

There were too many requests for the recipe for me not to share with them, and with you, even if you keep it bookmarked until next year.

goat cheese pumpkin pie

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goat cheese pumpkin pie

Servings: 1 9-inch pie

goat cheese pumpkin pie

Ingredients

    for the crust:
  • 2 (5.25-ounce) packages Anna's Almond Thins (or any similarly thin gingersnap cookie). These are Swedish Pepparkakor which are a ginger cookie.
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter), melted and cooled
    for the filling:
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 8 ounces soft goat cheese, at room temperature
  • 4 ounces full fat cream cheese (half of a standard block), at room temperature
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Position oven racks into the bottom and middle third of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Grab a 9-inch round springform pan and set it nearby. You could likely use a 9-inch pie dish as long as the sides are ~2 inches high. In this case you will cut and serve from the dish rather than removing before serving.
  2. In the work bowl of a food processor, pulse together the cookies, rosemary, and salt until combined. Add the melted butter and run until well combined, stopping and scraping down the bowl to ensure the butter is evenly distributed. The dough should stick together when pinched.
  3. Press the dough firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan so there are no holes (give your food processor bowl a quick rinse since we are making the filling with this as well). Don’t worry about getting all the edges even. Take a piece of foil and gently press it into the pan to keep the dough in place when baking. Place a cookie sheet on the bottom rack of the oven and then bake the crust on the middle rack for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and then continue baking for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the edges are golden. Set aside to cool.
  4. While the crust is cooling, prepare the filling in the cleaned work bowl of your food processor. Combine the pumpkin, goat cheese, cream cheese, butter, sugar, salt and all the spices and blend until very smooth. It may take a few minutes but you want to get rid of all the chunks. Scoop into the cooled, baked pie crust and smooth the top. Cover and refrigerate until the filling firms up, about 6 hours, or overnight, before serving.

Notes

Adapted slightly from Munchies

https://www.butterlovescompany.com/2018/11/28/goat-cheese-pumpkin-pie/

More Pumpkin Goodness:

Pumpkin Pecan Trifle

Glazed Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Spiced Pumpkin Muffins

pumpkin pecan trifle aka thanksgiving dessert “stuffing”

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This post has been sponsored by Eagle Brand®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

pumpkin trifle thanksgiving dessert

If I haven’t made it abundantly clear already, I should let you know now I am obsessed with the holiday season. Seeing pumpkins resting on doorsteps around Thanksgiving or string lights crossing branches in front of festive houses warms my little heart. I love getting together with family and friends during this time of year to celebrate, reflect, and simply enjoy good food and company. It is also one of the best times to bake. Hellooo, pumpkin.

pumpkin trifle thanksgiving dessert

pumpkin trifle thanksgiving dessert

This year, I’m combining some Thanksgiving dessert favorites into one incredible Thanksgiving Dessert “Stuffing” because why should the bready dinner side get all the love? If you like custard pie, pumpkin pie, or pecan pie at Thanksgiving (or anytime, really), you’ll love this Pumpkin Pecan Trifle which has a combination of all three, boosted with flavor using Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk in the pudding and buttercream.

pumpkin trifle thanksgiving dessert

If you aren’t familiar with sweetened condensed milk, have no fear! Simply put, it is milk from which the water has been removed and sugar has been added. Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk literally has just two simple ingredients: milk and sugar.

pumpkin trifle thanksgiving dessert

For this trifle, there are a few key elements that are easy to put together on their own and then layer amongst each other. First you’ll make a moist and spicy pumpkin pound cake, which can be made a few days ahead. You could substitute with a store-bought pound cake in a pinch. Next, you’ll make a batch of candied pecans and try not to eat them all before you assemble the trifle. Then you’ll put together the custard-inspired layer, which uses instant vanilla pudding as a shortcut. Finally, you’ll whip up a small batch of sweetened condensed milk buttercream to top the dessert off. Greg exclaimed that it was one of the best tasting buttercreams I have ever made. The pure milk and sugar turns delicious buttercream into amazing buttercream for you to share with family and friends.

While it seems like a lot of steps, it is truly a cinch as once you have the four components. Assembling this decadent trifle takes just moments.

pumpkin trifle thanksgiving dessert

Pumpkin Pecan Trifle AKA Thanksgiving Dessert “Stuffing”

Ingredients:

To Assemble:

  1. In a trifle dish, dollop about 1 cup of the pudding on the bottom and spread evenly to the edges. Top with a layer of pumpkin pound cake cubes, followed by a sprinkle of candied pecans (about 1/2 cup). Top the pecans with another cup of the pudding, followed by a layer of pumpkin pound cake cubes, followed by a sprinkle of candied pecans. Repeat these layers until you are out of pudding and pumpkin bread. Sprinkle your last pumpkin bread with some candied pecans.
  2. Using a piping bag or just with a spatula, pipe or spread the buttercream across the top of the trifle. Sprinkle with a few final pecans. Refrigerate for an hour or two before serving.

For the Pumpkin Pound Cake:

  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and line a 8 x 4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Butter or spray the pan with non-stick spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl or the bowl of your electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and both sugars until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, allowing each to incorporate before adding the next. Add the vanilla and pumpkin and mix to combine.
  4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, stirring until everything is combined.
  5. Scrape batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 50-60 minutes.

For the Candied Pecans

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 16 ounces (about 4 cups) unsalted pecans halves
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • Preheat oven to 300ºF, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, add both sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until combined. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the egg white, vanilla, and water together until frothy. Add the pecans and gently toss until the pecans are well coated. Add the sugar and cinnamon mixture and toss until pecans are covered.
  • Spread the pecans out in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 40-45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. The sugar mixture will harden on the pecans.

For the Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk Pudding:

  • 2 14 oz cans Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk, reserve 2 tablespoons in a separate container for the buttercream
  • 3 cups cold water
  • 2 packages instant vanilla pudding (the 4-serving sizes)
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together condensed milk, cold water and instant pudding until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until set.

For the Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk Buttercream:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons whole milk
  • 3 cups confectioners sugar
  1. In a medium bowl using a hand mixer (or in your stand mixer with the whisk attachment), beat together the butter, condensed milk, vanilla, and milk until combined.  Begin adding sugar, slowly, and continue adding and whisking until all the sugar has been added and the buttercream reaches smooth peaks.

pumpkin trifle thanksgiving dessert

strawberry cream cake

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Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite unexpected desserts. Traditional strawberry shortcake is super unassuming with its craggily biscuit-like shortbreads topped with loosely chopped berries and a dollop of cream. I’ve never met someone who did not devour a plate of strawberry shortcake when handed to them on a summer day.

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This cake-style riff on the summer favorite oozes SoCal summer style. It is a casual chic ode to the freshness of the season’s berries and the lightness of a fresh whipped topping.

I’m super excited to collaborate with America’s Test Kitchen again on the release of their new and first ever all-cake cookbook, The Perfect Cake!

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You may remember their The Perfect Cookie cookbook, from which I made these Dulce de Leche Sandwich cookies. In true ATK fashion, I have since turned to the cookbook when looking for inventive and reliable cookie recipe inspiration.

It has been so busy lately that I haven’t taken the time to do one of my favorite things: actually read a cookbook from start to finish. This cookbook has 240 kitchen-tested recipes that you can trust to work perfectly each time. I’ve tried a handful of the recipes so far, such as the classic red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting (duh), classic white cake with Swiss buttercream (perfect for parties and celebrations), and then this strawberry cream cake recipe.

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I love this strawberry layer cake, not only because it’s beautiful with the strawberries peeking through the edges in the naked cake style, but also because the whipped cream includes one of my favorite ingredients: cream cheese. This addition helps by making it a little bit more sturdy than a traditional whipped cream and it adds a little tang reminiscent of a thicker frosting.

To make the juicy strawberry layer, you’ll chop and macerate the strawberries in a bit of sugar. This helps soften the berries and draw out their juices. The dough for the cake layer is light and airy, made with a number of egg whites to add lift and spongy texture.

America’s Test Kitchen’s The Perfect Cake cookbook has a mix of different cake types for any occasion, layer cakes, sheet cakes, tortes, bundts, snack cakes, and ice cream cakes. With plenty of options for customization, I’m excited to mix and match for my next celebration. A blackberry mascarpone lemon cake to celebrate a Wednesday? Count me in.

You could actually use the strawberry cream cake recipe and substitute in different berries I imagine if strawberries are not in season. Why not try it with some raspberries or blueberries? The main concept would be the same and you will not regret making the out-of-this-world cream cheese whipped cream.

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Print
strawberry cream cake

Prep Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Servings: 1 9-inch 3-layer cake

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Ingredients

    Strawberry Cream Cake
  • 1 cup (7 ounces) sugar
  • 1 1/4 cup (5 ounces) cake flour
  • 1 1/2 (teaspoons baking powder)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 5 large eggs (2 whole, 3 separated), room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch cream of tartar
    Filling
  • 2 pounds strawberries, hulled (6 cups)
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons kirsch
  • Pinch salt
    Whipped Cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (3.5 ounces) sugar
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups heavy cream, chilled

Instructions

  1. FOR THE CAKE: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325°F. Grease tall 9 inch cake pan and line with parchment paper. Grease parchment and flour pan. Reserve 3 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and remaining sugar in mixing bowl. Whisk in 2 whole eggs and 3 yolks (reserving whites), melted butter, water, and vanilla until smooth.
  2. Using a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat remaining 3 egg whites and cream of tartar at medium-low speed until frothy, about 1 minute. Gradually add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and beat until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Using rubber spatula, stir one-third of whites into batter and then gently fold remaining white into batter until no white streaks remain.
  3. Transfer batter into prepared pan, smooth top with rubber spatula and bake until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cake cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes, invert cake to remove it from pan, discarding parchment, and let cake cool on rack until cool, about 2 hours.
  4. FOR THE FILLING: Halve 24 of best-looking berries and reserve. Quarter remaining berries; toss with 4 to 6 tablespoons sugar (depending on sweetness of berries) in medium bowl and let sit 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Strain juices from berries and reserve (you should have about 1/2 cup). Pulse berries in food processor for about five 1-second pulses until coarsely chopped. In small saucepan over medium-high heat, simmer reserved juices and Kirsch until syrupy and reduced to about 3 tablespoons, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour reduced syrup over macerated berries, add pinch of salt, and toss to combine. Set aside until cake is cooled.
  5. FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM: When cake has cooled, fit stand mixer with whisk attachment and whip cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Reduce speed to low and add cream in slow, steady stream. When almost fully combined, increase speed to medium-high and beat until mixture holds stiff peaks, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes more, scraping bowl as needed (you should have about 4 1/2 cups).
  6. TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE: Using large serrated knife, cut two horizontal lines around the sides of cake. Then, following scored lines, cut cake into three even layers. Place bottom layer on platter and arrange ring of 20 strawberry halves, cut sides down, and stem ends facing out in ring around perimeter of cake layer. Pour half of puréed berry mixture (about 3/4 cup) in center, then spread evenly to cover cake. Gently spread one-third of whipped cream (about 1 1/2 cups) over berry layer, leaving 1/2-inch border from edge. Top with middle cake layer pressing lightly to adhere (whipped cream layer should become flush with cake edge). Repeat with 20 additional strawberry halves, remaining berry mixture, and half of remaining whipped cream. Top with remaining last cake layer pressing lightly to adhere. Spread remaining whipped cream over top; decorate with remaining strawberries. Serve. Cake can be refrigerated for up to 4 hours.
https://www.butterlovescompany.com/2018/05/24/strawberry-shortcake-cake/

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iced carrot cake cookies

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These chewy carrot cake cookies are filled with all the deliciousness and textures of a traditional carrot cake, including the cream cheese icing, just in easy portable form!carrot cake cookies | butter loves company

Have you ever felt like carrots are too often the sidekick, never really the star? Always the bridesmaid, never the bride! They are the dedicated friend who set you up with your soul mate. They are the matchmakers for your soups, setting the flavors up alongside other “Robins” like celery and onion. They nestle next to braised meats and potatoes in a hearty roast or stew, give a nice crunch when shredded and mixed with greens for a salad, or add a subtle sweetness to a coleslaw. Isn’t about time carrots had their time to shine?

I was thrilled to celebrate fall with so many lovely bloggers a few months ago and we are excited to come together again to give carrots their due…here is our celebration of carrots!

When you think of carrot desserts, more likely than not, carrot cake comes to mind. It was probably carrot’s Oscar winning role at one time. It is hard not to love the combination of carrots, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and texturizing extras like pecans, raisins or pineapple.There are few carrot-related dishes that are more iconic than carrot cake. If for whatever reason to don’t love carrot cake as-is, the tides turn as soon as it is slathered with a smooth cream cheese frosting. Done deal.

I usually save making my favorite carrot cake for later in the spring, but for the celebration, I thought there was no better time to dip my toe into transforming one of my favorite spring desserts into a cookie. I made a few tweaks for this in order to keep a little more structure. Cookies made with moist ingredients like carrots or pumpkin are often very cakey. These definitely skew that way, but the addition of bread flour and oats give these cookies a more traditional chewy cookie feel. One thing that does not change, of course, is the cream cheese frosting. This time it is more of a drizzle, but you’ll have enough leftover to dip the cookies into. That wasn’t an accident. 😉

carrot cake cookies | butter loves company

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iced carrot cake cookies

Servings: Makes about 24 cookies

carrot cake cookies | butter loves company

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cup bread flour (If you don’t have bread flour, sub with more all-purpose flour. The results will vary a little.)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cup raisins
    For the Icing:
  • 4 ounces full fat cream cheese (half a standard block), softened
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, bread flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until combined. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix to combine.
  3. With the mixer on low, gently pour the flour mixture into the wet mixture and continue mixing until combined. Stir in the shredded carrots, chopped pecans, raisins, and oats until evenly distributed.
  4. Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour (You may scoop the dough prior to refrigerating if you’d like. It is often easier than scooping out chilled dough.).
  5. When you are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350° and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Scoop out the chilled dough and place on the prepared pans, leaving 3 inches between each dough ball. Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the tops are puffed and the edges are set. It is difficult to overbake these cookies since there is a lot of moisture. 🙂
  6. While the cookies cool, prepare the icing by mixing the cream cheese, confectioners sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until it is a smooth, thick liquid. You can test the drizzle by dipping a fork into it and lifting it 6 or 8 inches above the bowl, allowing the icing to drip off. You’ll want it to run in a steady stream but be thick enough that it takes a few seconds for it to dissolve back into the bowl.
  7. Drizzle the cooled cookies with the prepared icing and enjoy.
https://www.butterlovescompany.com/2018/02/07/iced-carrot-cake-cookies/

carrot cake cookies | butter loves company

If you are feeling inspired by the carrot, definitely poke around some of the other bloggers recipes! The creativity is incredible!

Square Meal Round Table’s Rainbow Carrot and Ricotta Tart

The Cooking of Joy’s Candied Carrot Rose Tart

Better with Biscuits’ Carrot Souffle

This Healthy Table’s Beet and Carrot Galette

Always Eat Dessert’s Carrot Cake Squares with Orange Glaze

Figs & Flour’s Thai Peanut Pizza

Fufu’s Kitchen’s Oven Baked Carrot Fries Drizzled with a Tahini Sauce

Flours in Your Hair’s Carrot Pecan Cookies

Hola Jalapeño’s Roasted Carrots with Chipotle-Honey Butter

Worthy Pause’s Paleo Thai Curry Carrot Soup

Something New for Dinner’s Minted Sous Vide Carrots with Balsamic Vinegar and Goat Cheese

What Great Grandma Ate’s Paleo Carrot Mug Cake

More Icing Than Cake’s Spiced Quinoa & Roasted Carrot Salad

Hot Dishing It Out’s Vegan Carrot Whoopie Pies

Katie Bird Bakes’ Carrot Cake Scones

Confetti Kitchen’s Harissa-Roasted Carrots with Lentils and Yogurt

Easy and Delish’s Carrot Spaghetti

Pie Girl Bakes’ Five Spice Carrot Bundt Cakes with Bourbon Cream Cheese Glaze

Smoothies and Sundaes’ Carrot Cake Sourdough

Zestful Kitchen’s Moroccan- Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Food by Mars’ Paleo Carrot Walnut Loaf Cake

Cosette’s Kitchen’s Sumac Carrot and Feta Salad

Measuring Cups Optionals’ Carrot Curry Soup

Rezel Kealoha’s Turkish Yogurt Carrot Dip

Pies and Prejudice’s Carrot Pie with Maple & Cardamom

Amanda Skrip’s Rainbow Roasted Carrots with Citrus Fennel + Arugula

Baking The Goods’ Roasted Carrot & Herby Feta Galette

Marianne Cooks’ Carrot and Zucchini Mini Muffins with a Cinnamon Frosting

Rumbly in My Tumbly’s Chai Carrot Pie

Cook Til Delicious’ Mini Carrot Cake

What Annie’s Eating’s Roasted Carrots with Herby Carrot Top Salsa Verde

It’s a Veg World After All’s Zesty Sunflower Carrot Spirals

Lady and Larder’s Carrot Crudite Board with Z’atar Hummus

Prickly Fresh’s Carrot Cake Blondies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Suburban Pie and Treat’s Carrot Pineapple Raisin Pie

Hello Flour’s Macro-Friendly Carrot/Tomato Soup w/ Grilled Cheese

Le Petit Eats’ Carrot Cake Breakfast Bars w/ Maple Coconut Icing

Flotte Lotte’s Carrot Apple Pie

Smart in the Kitchen’s Curried Carrot Ginger Soup (Whole30) 

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seeded whole wheat banana bread

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From Lindsay Maitland Hunt’s new cookbook Healthyish, this Seeded Whole Wheat Banana Bread is the healthy banana bread recipe you will keep going back to!

whole wheat banana bread 11If you aim to eat a little healthier most of the time, I hear you. Generally speaking, despite the constant availability of cookies and other desserts in our apartment, we tend to eat fairly healthy in our day-to-day. Okay, maybe healthy-ish is more accurate.

There are no off-limits restrictions for cravings. I have always believed that getting too wrapped up in something you consider a “diet” sets you up for failure and there is no reason to set yourself up to feel bad. By healthy-ish I mean, we try to cook what our bodies crave and keep our meals balanced where possible. For example, if you want mac and cheese, drop in some kale or spinach as well, or try making your salad dressing at home, or maybe something can be so delicious you won’t even realize that—Bonus!—it is also good for you.

whole wheat banana bread 11

Lindsay Maitland Hunt’s new cookbook Healthy-ish is the embodiment of how we cook most days. Filled with recipes that are satisfying, simple, and good for you, but not too good for you, this cookbook allows you to celebrate your pasta cravings, surprise yourself with easy flavorful sauces, and still have a sweet treat to boot.

One of the first recipes I tried from the book is this Seeded Whole Wheat Banana Bread. Banana bread is such a great staple bread, and there are so many options for personalizing. Take a look at this Bourbon Banana Bread or this Brown Butter Banana Bread with Crumble and you will appreciate that there can never be too many banana bread recipes. Each brings its own flavor profile and texture, despite its shared over-ripe banana beginnings.

This seeded version is no exception. Filled with texturizing sesame seeds, poppy seeds and walnuts, it becomes a whole new entity. The little seeds crunch and pop in your mouth keeping things interesting. Since we’re only using whole wheat flour here, we’ve got another reason to feel good about cutting a thick slice of this bread, and slathering it with a hefty pat of butter. Hey, we are being healthy-ish afterall.

For this recipe, I used my new favorite Non-Stick Pro 1lb Loaf Pan from OXO, which, at 8.5 x 4.5 inches, is the perfect size to hold in the thick batter and allow it to rise nice and tall. The square edges are great for keeping your bread’s structure as well. I also scooped and measured with OXO’s Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set which has handy magnetic handles to keep the cups and spoons together for easy storing. Cool your bread on a good cooling rack like this Non-Stick Pro Cooling and Baking Rack which is PFOA-free and swiss-engineered for exceptional performance and food release. The wire pattern is optimized for 360° air circulation, for quick cooling and even baking.

If you haven’t tested the temperature of your oven before, I highly recommend doing so. Even if you set your oven to a certain temperature, there can be quite a variation depending on the model and environment. At my parents’ house, for example, you have to set it to 400°, if you are looking for 350°. Grab an oven thermometer, like the OXO Chef’s Precision Oven Thermometer, and find out your oven’s baseline.

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seeded whole wheat banana bread

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Servings: Makes 1 loaf

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) neutral oil, such as canola, vegetable, or grapeseed, plus more for pan
  • 1 1/2 cups (6.4 oz./190 g) whole wheat flour, plus more for pan
  • 2/3 cup (135 g) plus 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 cup (35 g) plus 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
  • 1/4 cup (46 g) plus 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup mashed banana (from about 3 really ripe bananas)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (4 oz./120 g) pecans or walnuts, toasted, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º. Oil and flour an 8 1/2 x 4 ½ inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper. Mix 1 Tbsp. sugar, 2 tsp. poppy seeds, and 2 tsp. sesame seeds in a small bowl; set aside.
  2. Whisk baking powder, salt, and remaining 11/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup poppy seeds, and 1/4 cup sesame seeds in a medium bowl.
  3. Whisk banana, eggs, vanilla, and remaining 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup oil in a large bowl. Fold in dry ingredients until just combined. Stir in pecans. Scrape batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Sprinkle reserved poppy-sesame-sugar mixture evenly over.
  4. Bake bread until a tester (a toothpick works here) inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs attached, 50–60 minutes. Let cool in pan 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and let cool completely. If you feel comfortable, carefully invert loaf over sink to catch any loose seeds and sugar. Bread keeps well for a few days, tightly wrapped at room temperature.

Notes

Recipe from Lindsay Maitland Hunt’s new cookbook Healthy-ish

https://www.butterlovescompany.com/2018/02/04/healthy-banana-bread/

whole wheat banana bread 11

Thank you to OXO for partnering with me on this post! As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for your support of the brands that make blc possible! xo

Hi! I'm Jenna, founder of butter loves company. From holidays to Tuesdays, let's find a way to make every meal special.
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