I found the recipe for this Banana Split Cake from an old Better Homes and Gardens magazine where they took retro BHG recipes and remade and reshot them to see if they were still relevant (and still worked). It was a fun concept because the original photograph was amazing. The styling and lighting was something right out of the 1970’s, which makes sense because that’s when it was taken. Anyhow, I loved the idea of a cake that tasted like a banana split, so I was determined to give it a go. If you follow me on Instagram, you might’ve seen that I flopped the first attempt. I followed the recipe step by step, but something went wrong. It just didn’t come out right. The layers weren’t distinct and the cake was really tough and dry. I was devastated because I was so excited for this recipe and I obviously lost my touch and I really hate failing at things. I tossed the cake and tried it all over again the next day. I realized when I was preparing the chocolate and strawberry layer the first time around, I over-mixed the batter hence why it became to dense. So I changed the original recipe a tad to ensure that the second round was a bit more successful. I remade it and hit the nail on the coffin because the cake is amazing. I got over the fact that I had failed the first attempt, and have come to the conclusion that I need a few mishaps like these every now and then, only to humble me and make me a better baker/cook. What else can we do? Just gotta keep trying and never give up. Lucky for us we now have a great cake to enjoy.
…
My collaboration this month for 
…
Sometimes I’m faced with the dilemma of having to choose between a doughnut or a cookie. Believe me, it’s one of life’s toughest decisions, and one that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. Because I consider us good friends, and because I want to make things as easy on you as possible, I’ve decided to combine the two together so that you no longer have to make that difficult choice for yourself. Thanks to these Baked Oatmeal Raisin Doughnuts, you can now have a cookie in doughnut form; satisfying two cravings at once. You don’t have to thank me, you just have to give them a try soon because they’re out of this world.
…
I’m a little obsessed with sandwiches, and I’m sure you’ve picked that up by now because I have an abnormal amount of 
…
I’m always so adamant and a firm believer that we all need a weekend cooking and/or baking project that’s a bit more labor intensive. Something that we wouldn’t really try during the week because we don’t have the time or patience after a long day’s work. The weekend is for trying out those new recipes we’ve found around the web, and have earmarked during the week. Recipes that take longer than half an hour and require more than just one pot or one baking sheet. Recipes that get us excited to step into the kitchen and try something new. Isn’t that what half the fun of cooking is all about? That’s how this “Cheers to the Weekend” segment was born. I felt that I needed to share recipes on Friday that you can save for the weekend, which required a bit more attention to detail, but at the same time were stress relievers because I don’t know about you, but cooking and baking to me are is something I do to relax and just have some fun. This week, I’m sharing my love of coffee cake and cinnamon rolls, but rather than having to decide between which dessert to make, I’ve combined the two together. This Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake is a cross between two classics that we can’t get enough of. Lucky for us all, we no longer have to choose between either because thanks to my collaboration with
…
I know we just got through Labor Day and that technically marks the final days of summer, but if you’re in Southern California it feels like summer is just getting started with this heatwave of never-ending proportions. Can it just cool down already, please? At the same time though, I’m already seeing Halloween decorations and pumpkin recipes everywhere I turn and I’m like, “Labor Day was literally three days ago, can we get a little breather before we start thinking spooky time?” I’m a fickle individual, what can I say? If you’re in other parts of the country and you’re experiencing the opposite effects of what I just described, and you just want to hang on to those last fleeting moments of the sunny season, then this dessert is for you. It’s like if the classic strawberry shortcake went on a much needed tropical vacation to the Bahamas and decided to get a makeover; one that Rupert Holmes himself would approve of. If you get that really bad, really cheesy reference, then we can still be friends. It’s classic piña colada cocktail meets quintessential strawberry shortcake (minus the strawberry) with pineapple and coconut and rum instead and I don’t think any of us will mind too much. Grown ups deserve to have fun with dessert as well and I think that if we can just hang on to summer a little bit longer before we dive straight into pumpkin spice mania, then we’re doing our small part for society.
…
The first thing we should get out in the open is the giant elephant in the room. You know it’s there. I know it’s there. Yes these are doughnuts but they’re bagel doughnuts. They’re not sweet at all—like we’ve come to know with traditional doughnuts—and aren’t meant as a dessert or sweet treat, but rather they’re meant to be eaten like you would a savory bagel; for breakfast or brunch. If you’re a big fan of everything bagels with cream cheese, like I am, then these baked everything bagel doughnuts might just be your new favorite recipe to try the next time you’re having people over for brunch, or just to make during the week for your family before work and school. The second thing we should discuss is that they’re super easy to put together because you can make them by hand, without any fancy equipment. They’re a lot easier to make than actual homemade bagels, so that’s a plus in it of itself. No one has time to make traditional bagels what with the dough rising and the boiling and the baking. If you do have the time, you can check out these 
…
Chocolate, peanut butter and banana are a three way match made in heaven. It’s like they were destined to be together forever in perfect harmony, and it’s definitely a flavor combination I can live with forever and ever without any complaints. My question to you is simple; how do you take a classic banana cream pie — a beloved pie that will always be held with much esteem by many people — and make it even better? If your answer to my question is to reinvent said banana pie with the addition of chocolate and peanut butter, then you’re 100 percent correct. You win at this thing called life. Chocolate crust with a layer of dark chocolate ganache filled with vanilla pudding and fresh banana slices, then topped with a fluffy peanut butter whipped cream and sprinkled with chopped honey roasted peanuts and chocolate shavings…no, you’re not imagining this, it’s actually a reality. You don’t have to pinch yourself because you’re already awake. It’s a dream come true and a must on your summer to-make list. It’s rich pie that will knock you out. Make it this week and share with your family and friends. They’ll be forever in your debt and that’s an advantage you can keep up your sleeve until the most opportune moment. 
…
I know what you’ve been thinking lately, “I’d really love to create a big summer feast with family and friends, but I don’t know where to begin?!” I know this because I went through the exact same thing just recently. Now that Julian and I have moved into a house, we’re looking forward to entertaining more often because we actually have the space for it. With just a few helpful tips and tricks up our sleeves, we can all create an amazing summer get-together that everyone will enjoy. And that’s no joke. The first thing is that you want to keep things simple. Simplicity is key. Now is not the time to make a five course meal that will keep you in the kitchen all day long. You’ll never enjoy the dinner that way. Choose dishes that are seasonal and easy to make; that don’t require too much attention at the stove. A set it and forget it mentality is your friend. Whatever you can create ahead of time will save you a lot of heartache. While casual is best, that doesn’t mean you have to let presentation go out the window. Finally, don’t be afraid of color when it comes to serving and displaying the beautiful food you’ve created. 
…
I always have these grandiose plans of making a weekly pizza night happen in my house, but after about two weeks I get bored of having the same thing over and over again, and so sadly I drop all plans and dreams of this wonderful idea. I still love pizza though, so it’s not like I’m shunning it forever. It’s just that I need some diversity in my meals on a week to week basis; call me crazy. Because my love for pizza runs deep, I think the most obvious and smart thing to do is to think of new and exciting pizza recipes that will still fit the bill but with a fun twist. These Chicken Enchilada Pizzas are gluten-free thanks to corn tortillas, and then topped with beans, chicken cooked in homemade enchilada sauce, and sprinkled with an array of Tex-Mex taco toppings that we all know and love. It’s new and exciting enough to give pizza a second life at your house from week to week. If you’re a big fan of enchiladas, then I highly recommend these pizzas because it’s two of our favorites dishes rolled into one. They’re fully customizable so keep that in mind the next time you’re in need of a quick and easy dinner idea. 
…
