Posts in dessert
Bugie w/ Mamma D

Everyone's favorite Cucina guest joins me this week - Mamma D! Mom and I try our hand at a famous Italian carnevale dessert recipe that Nanny used to make for us at Easter time! Bottom line? You can't mess up friend dough!

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Winter Fruit Crostata

This Winter Fruit Crostata is the perfect holiday dessert for people who don't think they're good at baking! It's super easy, and the whole idea is that it has a rustic, imperfect appearance to it. Also, store brought pie crust is perfectly OK!

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Vin Santo Gelato

This simple homemade ice cream recipe uses a sweet Italian dessert wine, vin santo! Don't worry if you can't find it though, you can swap in your favorite dessert wine! This recipe does require an ice cream machine.

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Berry Tiramisu

This colorful take on the classic is perfect for Valentine's Day! Fresh or frozen berries, along with berry juice create the layers between the classic custard filling. Served in individual bowls (or for sharing!) it's a gorgeous finish to your Valentine's Day dinner!

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Zeppole

What better way to end the Feast of Seven Fishes than with some zeppole! This is my neighbor's family recipe and they turn out perfect every time! Crisp on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside! This recipe uses a small potato, but I know there's a lot of other versions out there! Like so many Italian Christmas Eve dishes, they're each as unique as the family that makes them!

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Affogato

Since the holidays will be looking a little different this year, I wanted to share a simple dessert that can be made quickly and easily, without creating weeks worth of leftovers! This easy affogato recipe shows you how to make the perfect pot of espresso, assemble and eat the dish! Plus it's a great way to make everyone happy because you can use any flavor of gelato (or ice cream) that you like! Try things like chocolate, hazelnut or peppermint!

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Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving 2020 is going to look a LITTLE different. But that doesn't mean we can't celebrate and enjoy! In this video I share three new recipes for a smaller crowd! Starting with my citrus and sage roast turkey breast. A simple Italian side dish of roasted fennel. And a unique and light dessert idea of cranberry granita! These recipes can help create a delicious dinner experience regardless of who is (or isn't) around the table this year! I hope you'll give them a shot and add them to your traditional fair. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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Pig Candy

I'm SO excited to be kicking off November with my friends at Groundwork Elizabeth and Urban Griddle! I headed to Urban Griddle to get their recipe for their fan favorite "pig candy" - and to get a sneak peek at the menu for November 7th's Urban Farm Dinner! Owner George Vlahos talks about why Groundwork Elizabeth is so important to him, and to the community! Plus we have a lot of fun!

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Limoncello

I can’t think of anything more quintessentially Italian Summer than limoncello. And what better way to hold on to these last few days than bottle it up!? My aunt’s been making limoncello for years now and it always turns out great. So I finally got around to asking her for the recipe - it’s amazingly simple, but like all things Italian, it takes time and quality to do right.

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Watermelon Mint Granita

This classic Sicilian dessert (now found all across Italy!) makes the perfect sweet treat to celebrate the good ol'U.S. of A! Granita is special because it's not flavored frozen water, but rather frozen puree of whatever you're looking for! Then it's mixed every 30-45 minutes during the freezing process, giving it its unique texture! In this video I'll show you how to make an easy mint simple syrup to flavor your granita with! Then we'll mix it with watermelon puree to make a beautiful, refreshing dessert - PERFECT for 4th of July weekend - or any time you want a light (healthy!) dessert for a hot Summer's day!

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Strawberry Crostata

Like so many of us, Mother's Day won't be what it USUALLY is for my family. So I wanted to come up with something fun, and easy, that anyone could tackle at home! I imagined my friends' husbands cooking with their kids; or adult children (like me!) cooking for their mom and dropping it at her door. And as always, I wanted to use fresh, seasonal ingredients. Strawberries were the immediate answer there - and a crostata sounded lovely. A simple recipe, with a few ingredients, that dads, kids, and big kids alike could easily create - without short-changing mom! Just like our current lives, this dessert is perfect in its imperfections. Happy Mother's Day to all the Mama's out there, sharing their love and strength with all of us trying to navigate this crazy world! We love you!

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Flourless Chocolate Torte

f you're looking for the perfect way to impress your love - look no further than this delicious Valentine's Day recipe! Flourless chocolate torte is one of those things that feels super fancy - but in fact only requires a few ingredients and about an hour to make! I make mine with vanilla bean paste and Italian espresso to amp up the flavors and give it great texture! Then serve it with fresh red berries and a dusting of powdered sugar! Yum!

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Fig Jam

It was an ancient Italian tradition to give jars of figs in honey to friends and family at the start of the year to encourage sweetness in their lives - so I decided to start the year with this fig and honey jam! Easy to make, perfect as a hostess gift (or, you know, for that person who got you something that you didn't get for - oops!), and delicious all around! Watch how easy it is to make this sugar-free jam at home! I use dried figs which are easier to come by this time of year. Swap the sugar for honey to keep with tradition. And infuse the jam with vanilla! Enjoy!

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Nonni's Chocolate Chestnut Torta
My great-grandmother only made this rich, chocolate and chestnut dessert once a year - for Christmas! It was usually served with a little corner cut off so she could taste it before she offered it to the rest of us! And while it's time consuming - the results are well worth it! Start by making a traditional chestnut puree, then add in chocolate and amaretti to create this mildly sweet but incredibly flavorful Holiday dessert! Mamma D is my very special guest this week as we get ready to celebrate Christmas in the Cucina! Buona Natale! 
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Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's baking season! To me, there's nothing better than a big platter, or pretty box loaded with cookies for the Holidays! It's what I've been giving friends and family for years! And is there anything more classic than a chocolate chip cookie!? Of course, I add my own spin to this easy cookie recipe. Like browning the butter, using dark brown sugar, and a hefty dose of vanilla bean paste! Then I load them up with walnuts and chocolate chips! But as always, you are free to start here and make your cookies YOUR way!

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Chocolate Chai Cupcakes

It's my BIRTHDAY! So I decided to share MY kind of dessert! I love cake but I like it to have something fun and unique to it. And I don't like sugar-laden desserts. Also, chocolate is my favorite. SO - I present to you, chocolate chai cupcakes! YUM! These are super easy to make at home, and I LOVE making my own frosting because again, I can control the flavor and sweetness. Plus I find frosting cupcakes oddly relaxing.

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Stone Fruit Cobbler

Summer may be ending but she's leaving us with some of her best produce! Stone fruits, peaches, plums, nectarines, etc - are in season and they make the BEST desserts! In this cobbler I use a mix of some of my favorites to create a simple fruit based dessert that isn't loaded with sugar! A bit of vanilla extract helps the fruits' flavor shine and those biscuits are perfect for soaking up all the juices! Top with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!

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American Pie

Check out my version of "American Pie"! The red, white & blue are deliciously proud in this peach berry pie! It's super easy to make and perfect for the 4th of July!

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Homemade Ricotta Cheese

Check out how fun and EASY it is to make fresh ricotta cheese at home! A few simple ingredients yields the most delicious, fresh ricotta! This is my go-to ricotta cheese recipe!

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