Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting

I've already discussed the phenomenon known as coffee shop-stage fright, but I'd like to delve deeper into this issue. When I order a frou-frou drink, it's a treat. I am treating myself for doing good things like pilates + yoga, or for allowing someone to pull in front of me on the highway. And even though I feel that I've earned the right to a calorie-laden caffeinated cup of 16oz bliss, I cringe when asked if I'd like whole milk or skim.

Of course I want whole milk, I just don't want to have to say that I want it.

Tuesdays with Dorie: Ginger-Jazzed Brownies

Autumn is the perfect season for brownies...brownies, favourite books and Simon & Garfunkel. Fresh ginger-infused brownies are an ideal match for a cozy novel and a weathered chair. I rarely make a recipe more than once, but these rich, moist brownies were worth another visit.

Lemon Chess Tart

Why do some drivers insist on keeping their cars 10-inches away from the rear of mine, as though we're caught in some cosmic, magnetic force field. Can't they see the gigantic tank going 10 miles under the speed limit that's right in front of me?

I'm the Jan Brady of the road. It seems like I'm almost always sandwiched between a slow driver and a speedaholic. But maybe we all think of ourselves this way...as good drivers who run into not-so-good drivers. I'm sure if I struck up a conversation with the tortoise and the hare, both would complain about each other, and me for being in the way of their unspoken feud.

Tuesdays with Dorie: Basic Biscuits

I'll get to these charming little biscuits in a second.

First I'd like to thank one of my lovely readers for letting me know that some of my food photos were being used without my knowledge or permission. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I've never had to deal with this kind of situation before, and it made me a bit nauseous. Have I been too naive in thinking that photos could be used without asking? I'd hate to think so. When someone asks if they can use a photo, my camera and I are truly flattered, and I always say yes. All I ask is that they give credit where credit is due.

Apricot-Rosemary Squares

I've always wanted blonde hair. A hair-stylist once told me that I could pull it off. My friends said No way. I listened to my friends. Last week though, I came *this* close to doing it. But as I was on my way, trying to decide between a shade of light caramel or deep butterscotch, I noticed the dark eyebrows looking back at me in the rear view mirror...they decided to side with my friends. Traitors.

Coconut Ginger Cake

When it comes to baking layer cakes, my oven refuses to cooperate. If it were human, my oven would be a spiteful curmudgeon; the stubborn sort who'd make a face and press their lips together when you try to be nice by offering him a bite of something delicious. But it's also quite wily and takes great pleasure in throwing last-minute curve balls. I tried to pull a fast one by pretending to prepare a sheet cake instead of a layer cake. Apparently, even when I don't make direct eye contact, my oven still knows what I'm doing.

The cake is sitting pretty in the photos, but it's all thanks to a clever little photo trick known as 'cropping.' In reality, some of the cake clung to the pan like gum to a shoe. But it was amazing... beyond delicious and in the end that's all that truly matters, right?

Spiced Brown Sugar Cookies

In my cupboard sits a small container of ground cayenne pepper. It sits and waits and hopes that it's sole purpose in life is not to be part of some cleanse diet.

Never fear, cayenne pepper, I promise to give meaning to your existence by incorporating you into as many brownies, cookies, and cakes as I see fit. Lemon juice and maple syrup, that goes for you too.

I've made peace with the tasty trio. We're all friends again. Now let's talk cookies, shall we?