powdered sugar – Notes From a Messy Kitchen

S’mores Campfire Cake

Cooking Time: 3 hrs

Uncategorized

I’ve been wanting to make a campfire cake for some time now, but hadn’t yet found the right occasion. I figured I’d bring it to work Bakeolution one of these months, but so far this year I’ve been pretty focused on international recipes. When I decided to have Courtney’s birthday...

Johanna

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Sweden: Prinsesstårta

Cooking Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Europe

Sweden

This one holds a special place in my heart, probably because this is how I remember princess cake: At a small cafe in Stockholm with my dear friends the Abbondantes during what was an amazing galavant across Europe. I remember walking the streets of Stockholm – probably looking...

Johanna

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Serbia: Vasa’s Torte

Cooking Time: 75 minutes hour + 2 hours to chill

Europe

Serbia

This traditional Serbian cake is flavored with walnuts, chocolate and fresh oranges. It’s light (in consistency, not calories!) and not too sweet, made up of three layers: a nearly flourless walnut crust, held up by egg whites; a walnut cream, flavored with orange zest and a touch of dark chocolate,...

Johanna

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United Kingdom: Beltane Cake

Europe

United Kingdom

Knowing I wanted to make a cake for my brother’s May 1st birthday, I decided to do a little bit of research into the origin of May Day. It turns out, May Day originated in the Celtic festival of Beltane, a celebration of fertility and renewal historically recognized across Scotland, Britain, and...

Johanna

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Syria: Ma’amoul

Asia

Syria

Ma’amoul are semolina shortbread cookies popular across the Middle East. They are filled with either dates or nuts – commonly walnut or pistachio. They can be decorated by hand, but are prettiest when made using special wooden molds tabu. Lucky for me, my colleague Bushra’s mom has a whole collection...

Johanna

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Slovenia: Prekmurska Gibanica {Bakeolution}

Cooking Time: 2.5 hours + 4 hours to chill

Slovenia

Funny story. Friday afternoon, my friend Sarah chatted me to remind me to bake for Bakeolution. I would bake, I told her, but I was going to make something easy. I’d hoped to make a Swedish princess cake, but no way would I have the time or energy for layers...

Johanna

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The Netherlands: Pannenkoeken Met Appelstroop

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

The Netherlands

Going Dutch today with Pannenkoeken met appelstroop! A favorite among kiddos in the Netherlands, pannenkoeken are commonly served at birthday parties and other special events. While pancakes in America are largely a breakfast staple, the Dutch often eat them for dinner. Many pannenkoekenhuisjes (pancake houses!) serve only these traditional pancakes, which...

Johanna

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Australia: Lamingtons

Cooking Time: 90 minutes

Australia

Welcome to the Outback! After giving New Zealand credit for the Pavlova, I figured I better smooth out diplomatic relations. Plus, after our little boy president had a tantrum and hung up on their Prime Minister, the least I can do is give a nod to a sweet treat that is...

Johanna

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New Zealand: Pavlova

Cooking Time: 1 hour 20 minutes, plus an hour or so to cool

Australia

New Zealand

On Friday, geologists announced the discovery of a viable contender for an 8th continent: Zealandia. The landmass is almost entirely submerged by water, except for its highest mountains: New Zealand. What a coincidence it was that that very evening I planned to travel to New Zealand, not to celebrate the...

Johanna

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Ingredient: powdered sugar