Ok, this is a list that every person who has even a shred of passion in their soul is going to love. Because I tend to only associate with passionate people, and since you are reading this post, I know you too would drive miles out of your way for a fabulous Kouign-Amann, for example. Don’t know a Kouign-Amann from a Maple Bar? Allow me to tell you all about these amazing pastries.
A Kouign-Amann is a Breton cake, described in the New York Times as “the fattiest pastry in all of Europe.” The name comes from the Breton language words for cake (kouign) and butter (amann) and has a Celtic heritage. A Kouign-Amann is probably one of the most delicious morsels you will ever put in your mouth. They are sweet and savory, tender and chewy, and if you are a fan of salted caramel – well – you are really in for a treat. (See a picture under my recipe for Kouign-Amann.) And since I also brought up the subject of maple bars, I’ve got you covered there too! (Quick and Easy Baked Maple Bars.)
And lest you should wonder, yes, I love pastries and specialty baked goods with the passion of a true zealot. And I trust you are right there with me. (Why wouldn’t you be?)
Anyway, this is my list of recipes that help make me happy to be alive. (Well, along with my husband, family, friends, music, the view from our kitchen sink, our kitties, travel, camping, attending cultural events, my 5:00 martini, and a never-ending supply of books to read.)
May you too be happy to be alive. And I know. The world is really scary right now. I too am fearful. But for that very reason, we as cooks should try even harder to make the lives of those around us happier. And as the old Pillsbury commercial jingle goes – “nothin’ says lovin’ like somethin’ from the oven”. And it’s true. A simple batch of cookies can lift spirits. And if that’s the case, imagine what a beautiful Baba Au Rhum could accomplish! Don’t know about Baba Au Rhum? Look it up!
Peace and love to all.
MY FAVORITE PASTRY AND SPECIALTY BAKED GOODIES
Baba Au Rhum
Baked New Orleans Style Beignets (and beyond)
Braided Christmas Fruit Nut Yeast Bread
Bread Pudding with Spiced Rum Sauce
Candied Fruit and Nut Braided Yeast Bread
Christmas Berliner Stollen
Cinnamon Twists
Cream Cheese Danish
Cream Cheese Danish with Homemade Puff Pastry
Danish Puff
Dried Cranberry and Almond Braided Danish
Easy Cheesecake Fruit Bars
Easy Homemade Plain Croissants and Pain Au Chocolat Croissants
Holiday Austrian Kipferl Cookies
Holiday Fruitcake
Individual Jam Filled Cream Cheese Danish Pastries
Jam Tarts
Kouign-Amann
Krendl (Russian Christmas Bread)
Light and Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls with Rum Raisin Cream Cheese Frosting
Peach Kuchen
Quick and Easy Baked Maple Bars
Rugalach
Sticky Buns or Cream Cheese Frosting Topped Cinnamon Rolls