Picca Desserts

This Tres Leche cake from Picca was one of the best desserts I've had in a very long time! I wish this photo better captured the complex layers within this small glass. There were so many textures and flavors in this cake, every bit was a whole new experience.

These Churros were great too - they were filled with a Amazonian fruit which I can't remember the name of... But the three dipping sauces, caramel, apricot and mint chocolate, were all great!

Vegan Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake from Real Food Daily was surprisingly good! I'm definitely a snob when it comes to chocolate and instantly disregard vegan or gluten free options. However, I really enjoyed this; it was very chocolatey in flavor and the texture was completely normal - very impressed!

Mini Pumpkin Pecan Pies

In honor of Fall, I decided to make a seasonal treat and instantly thought pumpkin! I found this super easy Mini Pumpkin Pecan Pie recipe from The Food Network and it turned out really well.

First I mixed the dry ingredients with freshly chopped pecans thanks to my new Cuisinart.

This turned into a nice, and super sticky, dough.

I divided the dough into 24 little sections and rolled them into balls, using tons of flour. These were pressed into mini cupcake tins and baked.

I used about one big scoop of this giant can of pumpkin to make the filling while the dough was in the oven.

Then I added the filling into the mini tins, topped each one with a full pecan, and continued to bake.

They turned out really well, sort of more like a muffin than a pie, but nevertheless very tasty.

Pumpkin Pot de Creme

This pumpkin pot de creme from Vinoteque was amazing! The creme itself was fluffy yet dense and so flavorful. The whipped cream was topped with spiced chocolate and accompanied by a ginger snap. This is a perfect fall dessert.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

I had this great ice cream sandwich at Magnolia in Hollywood. It was my favorite combination: mint chip ice cream with chocolate chip cookies. I also tasted the salted caramel which was very tasty as well. I highly recommend it!

Churros Rellenos

After eating an unbearable amount of food at Rosa Mexicano we ordered Churros for dessert. Some were stuffed with raspberry sauce, some with caramel sauce, but they were all coated with an insane amount of cinnamon sugar. They were great! The insides were gooey and undercooked, the outside were crispy, and the chocolate dipping sauce was amazing.

Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Peanut Butter Icing

I decided to make these Banana Cupcakes for a friends birthday, and felt that the perfect icing to match would be a Chocolate Peanut Butter Buttercream!

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First I mixed all the dry ingredients together...


Then mashed the bananas, and added the wet ingredients...


Mixed it all up really well, leaving the banana slightly chunky...


I used a small ice cream scoop to evenly portion out the batter into mini cupcake pans.


While they were in the oven, I made the icing...


I used the electric beater to make sure all the peanut butter was mixed well...


Put it into a piping bag...


And iced each cupcake with a swirl!


To show that they were banana flavor, I used a banana chip to top each cupcake. They turned out really well, and it was surprisingly easy!

Vanilla Bake Shop at Century City

I have been a big fan of Vanilla Bake Shop for a while now (see HERE), so I was happy to find their Century City location is open! I tired three mini cupcakes: Vanilla with Chocolate, Vanilla Bean and Chocolate with Sea Salt (New Flavor). As always they were fantastic, especially the Vanilla Bean, and not just because it's pink.



They also have a great selection of French macarons! I chose the Hazelnut, which is basically stuffed with Nutella and therefore the best thing ever, and the Salted Caramel, which was also great.

Cake & Art

For a friends surprise party, they got this insane cake from Cake & Art in West Hollywood. They did an amazing job of superimposing his face into the Blade Runner movie poster!


The cake itself was red velvet with a thick buttercream frosting.


The middle cream cheese layer had tons of little chocolate chips, which was a great touch. This was a perfect cake for a birthday party!

Ladurée in New York!

I never thought this day would come! Finally, the world's best French macarons have landed on American soil, right on 70th and Madison. This Ladurée location shares the same decor as those in Paris, which fits in perfectly on the Upper East Side.

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Although there was a line, I had so much to look at in the store beyond the realm of sweets.


The most beautiful boxes.


Various Animal Chocolates.



Macaron Scented Candles.


And finally, the Macarons!


Although I bought several boxes on this day, here is my cute pink box of six.


Blackcurrant & Violet


Vanilla


Pistachio


Orange Blossom


Strawberry & Mint


Chocolate



I'm madly in love with this store, and can't wait to go back...

Brunch at Penelope

While in New York, I had brunch Sunday Morning at Penelope, an adorable little place that reminded me of a country house.


All of their baked goodies looked amazing!


I ordered the Nutella French Toast, which was delicious! A great last meal in NY.

Peanut Butter Cup Brownie

This Peanut Butter Cup Brownie from Vinoteque was really great. The brownie itself wasn't anything too special, but the peanut butter ice cream was. It sat on top of whipped cream with caramel sauce and chopped peanuts. Everything at this restaurant was great, I love Tapas, and I will definitely be going back.

Taste of Beverly Hills: Picnic In The Hills

The final Taste of Beverly Hills event today was themed "Picnic in the Hills" and was sponsored by Target. They handed out large jars at the door, and set up an adorable lemonade stand which was necessary on this insanely hot day!

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The stand perfectly captured the essence of Summer.


The bar tenders were cranking out lemonade, which included mint, strawberries and watermelon.


It was great! Super sweet and refreshing.


We were even allowed to take lemons home!


Mint Hummus on a Cracker, and Curry Chicken Salad on Pumpernickel from Literati Café


Assorted Baked Goods from Richard Ruskell Pastries at the Montage


The best chocolate milk I've ever had from Ruskell Pastries at the Montage


Strawberry Thyme Flavored Ice from Ice Ice Shavie


Farro Arugula Parmesan Salad from BLD/Grace


Fried Chicken with Fresh Corn Salad from Lexington Social House (this was a favorite)


Roasted Tomato Tartlet with Blue, Goat and Ricotta Cheeses from Vinoteque on Melrose


Peanut Butter Empanadas with Fluff and Chocolate Sauce from Vinoteque on Melrose


Sweet Tomato Gazpacho with Bacon from The Curious Palate


Root Vegetable Ravioli with Butter Sage Sauce from Erbe Matte (this was another favorite)


Chocolate Challah from Got Kosher?


An Interview with "Hungry Girl" Lisa Lillen


Mini Sloppy Joe from Clementine (this was another favorite)


Pizza from Pitfire Pizza


Debi Mazar and her husband Gabriele Corcos from "Extra Virgin" Cooking Pasta and Salad



Mini Cornbread Muffins with Blueberries from Huckleberry


Spinach, Quinoa and Pulled Pork from Huckleberry


Rigatoni Bolognese from Terroni


And Finally, a Q+A with Giadi De Laurentiis!

What a great weekend, I'm so happy to have been able to attend. Can't wait for next year!