Sugar & Spice by Celeste

  If you love both Carrot Cake and Cheesecake and don't want to decide between the two, these delicious bars were made for you!  They marry the two desserts beautifully together into a bar that is perfectly sweet, but not overly so.  They were great served at room temperature, but even better the next day once they had a chance to chill. Just be prepared...they tend to disappear FAST! I loved this recipe because it includes both cinnamon and nutmeg, giving the carrot cake batter that warm, wonderful flavor that only a nice dose of spices can.   The cheesecake batter comes together quickly and its fun to swirl the two batters together into luscious swirls on the top. Enjoy!   Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars Adapted from: Mel's Kitchen Cafe Ingredients: Carrot Cake: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon 3/4 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp salt 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 large eggs ...

This cake is not for the faint of heart and quite possibly is the most decadent and rich cake I’ve ever made.  It’s actually the birthday cake that I made for my Dad back in November.  He requested a chocolate peanut butter cake, and boy did this one deliver!   I mean, how could it not be love at first bite?! Any cake with chocolate ganache tempting you as it drips down the sides ever so delicately is always delicious in my book.  The addition of actual Reese’s cups just sends this one right over the edge into chocolatey, peanut buttery perfection! Also, chocolate cakes made with a cup of boiling water are always super moist.  This one is no different.  I really think that step gives the cake a great texture. If you have a Reese’s lover in your life, you simply MUST try this.  In fact...it would make for a wonderful Valentine’s Day dessert! Aren’t they just the cutest?! Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with Reese’s Adapted from:   Life, Love ...

Of all the cakes on my blog, this Strawberry Cake continues to be a standout family favorite. I can't tell you how many times I've made this throughout the years.   Yesterday, we celebrated my husband, Brad's, birthday.  We sure do love this guy, and we're constantly laughing at all of his antics...We think he's pretty great.💓   He requested this strawberry-filled, deliciously sweet dessert for the big day, so Caroline and I got to work whipping one up.  It has a strawberry cream cheese icing that's just perfect, as well. I prefer using fresh strawberries and pureeing them myself, but you can use frozen in a pinch. Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake Adapted from:  Cooking with Paula Deen   magazine - May/June 2008 Ingredients: 1 box white cake mix 1 (3-ounce) box strawberry flavored instant gelatin 1 lb. fresh strawberries, pureed 4 large eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup water Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows) Garnish: sliced fres...

Ahh, the joys of baking.  It's my therapy.  :) Today, I'm bringing you a gorgeous, mouth-watering concoction that you will love.  This beautiful, lemon-flavored bundt cake is smothered in a delectable chocolate glaze that falls over the edges and wraps the entire cake in an oozy, goozy hug.  The cake itself is studded with little bits of candied lemons that give it both a satisfying and surprising twist with each bite. This cake is so unexpected, thanks to the lemon.  Yet, somehow, the flavors are perfect together.  The addition of buttermilk in the cake batter helps to keep it moist and lends a wonderful texture.  I love baking with buttermilk and substitute it into all kinds of recipes whenever I can.   Although the recipe might seem a little long, I promise it's not complicated.  It would be an ideal baking session for a lazy weekend afternoon, when you can take your time and enjoy the process.  A few tips to keep in min...

Can you feel it?  The Christmas spirit, that is?? This time of year is magical.  My parents and grandparents made this time of year so special and unforgettable growing up.  From hearing Santa on the roof, to spotting Rudolph's shining red nose in the Christmas Eve sky, to impatiently waiting at the top of the stairs with my little sisters on Christmas morning, waiting until we were given the go-ahead to come scrambling down the stairs to see what goodies Santa had brought. Even as an adult, those memories make this time of year just as special. As I sit here illuminated by the glow of the Christmas tree lights, I'm thankful for the blessings that have come my way.  Among all the holiday shopping, parties, and gift wrapping, it's always fun to bake traditional Christmas goodies.    It just wouldn't be Christmas-time without some homemade sweet treats.   When it comes to traditional holiday desserts, I can't think of any cake more remi...

As of yesterday, I am officially the big 3-0.   I know, right?!?  YUCK.  As it turns out though, 30 isn't so bad.  In fact, I'm pretty excited to see what the next year has in store.  If my thirties are anything like my twenties, I can only be happy.  After all, I've always been a glass half-full kind of girl.  :) To celebrate, my sweet Brad baked me the most delicious, mouth-watering cake.  It was a strawberry cake with dark chocolate frosting.  So, if you're a fan of chocolate-covered strawberries, then friends ,this is YOUR cake!  I've been obsessed with THIS STRAWBERRY CAKE from the first time I baked it.  I've made it countless times since, and friends and family always request it.  I got to thinking - Wouldn't it be heavenly smothered in chocolate frosting instead?  The answer?  A resounding YES!  Brad used Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa for the frosting, because we are big fans of darker...

Do you like pineapples, bananas and shredded coconut? Do you like deliciously layered cakes? If you answered yes, then you are going to be in love with this cake.  A cake SO good, that it has actually become the most requested recipe in Southern Living magazine history !  It was o riginally submitted by Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, NC and featured in the February 1978 issue of the magazine. I can remember my mom and grandmother making this years ago, and it has always been one of my favorites.  My Aunt Sheila also made it every Thanksgiving.  There's just something about the bananas mixed with the crushed pineapple in the yummy cake batter, and don't forget the scrumptious cream cheese icing smothered over each layer.  The chopped pecans on top add the perfect nutty crunch, and I like to add a little shredded coconut to mine. I made this particular cake for my wonderful mom-in-law's birthday recently.  Everyone loved it, and several folks...

Today, I'm feeling thankful for time spent with family this past week, flawless weather on this gorgeous Saturday, having the chance to photograph an engagement this morning (Congrats Justin & Jamie!), and I'm also thankful for stumbling upon this recipe at the beginning of summer.   Why the beginning, you ask?  Well,  one bite of this scrumptious cake will have you dreaming of all the different summer fruits that you can top it with in the coming months. This recipe is a major new favorite.  The batter bakes up into a delectably moist cake with a great texture (Hello, buttermilk!).  The addition of freshly whipped cream on top lends a strawberry shortcake-ness that you'll love.  Plus, it could be topped off with a wide array of different fruits.  I can't wait to get my hands on fresh peaches and blueberries at the farmers' market soon, so that I can make this again.   The bottom line?  This cake will make you (...

Folks, this just might be the most decadent, mouth-wateringly rich, sinfully delicious cake that I've ever made...seriously. Brad wanted a chocolate-peanut butter cake for his birthday this year, and you know how it goes - Ask, and you shall receive!  I wanted to make my awesome hubby an extra-awesome cake this year.  I came across this recipe over at Smells Like Home, and I stopped in my web-searching tracks the minute I saw it. It was perfect looking - Three rich, extra chocolately layers of cake were surrounded by a creamy, peanut-buttery icing.  And if THAT wasn't enough to get your mouth-watering, it was all topped off with a gorgeous layer of chocolate ganache, artfully dripping down the sides of the cake. Seriously!? You'd think that this cake would take hours upon hours in the kitchen to skillfully create.  The truth?  It's easy.  I promise.  Trust me! This cake is absolutely worth every single calorie that is hiding inside ...

  It's not often that I have time to make a recipe TWICE before posting it here on the blog, but folks, this cheesecake is so good that that's exactly what happened.  Now, this certainly won't help with any diet-related new years resolutions that you may be planning, but sometimes the calories are worth it! My little niece requested a "chocolate cheesecake with whipped cream and cherries on top."  This beauty of a cake was the result.  I found it over on Joy of Baking , and it sounded incredible.   You start by making a super-duper-easy chocolate crust with chocolate graham crackers and melted butter.  That's followed by an indulgent filling made with cream cheese, melted chocolate and sour cream.  It's all topped off with an easy yet heavenly ganache, made with - you guessed it - MORE chocolate. The texture of this cake is what makes it so special.  Cheesecake is one of those things that can be tricky.  My first few experie...