vanilla extract – Notes From a Messy Kitchen

Russia: Pashka

Cooking Time: 30 minutes + at least 8 hours to chill

Asia
Europe

Russia

So, I was trying to decide what to make for Easter, and I started seeing all sorts of Facebook ads persuading me to make Paskha – a Russian Easter dessert typical across many Eastern Orthodox countries. It’s traditionally made during Holy Week using foods forbidden during Lent (dairy, eggs), and then brought to...

Johanna

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Marshmallow Creme Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cornflake Cookies

Cooking Time: 1 hour + 1 hour to chill

Uncategorized

Do you ever find yourself at 10:30pm – having already made two batches of cookies, personally addressed nearly a hundred Christmas cards, wrapped close to 30 presents, and run about a dozen last minute errands – thinking, “maybe I should make just one more batch of cookies.” No? That’s because...

Johanna

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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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Gambia: Chakery

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Africa

Gambia

Chakery (sometimes spelled Thiakry) is the Gambian twist on rice pudding, made with couscous or millet, sweetened yogurt and sour cream. As Gambian cuisine tends toward the savory, it’s subtly sweet and lovely topped with fresh fruit – particularly a ripe mango. And if you have leftovers, it makes a...

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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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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Ingredient: vanilla extract