Monday Morsel: American Baking Competition

 

Well, I'm hooked.  Anyone else?

If you're not sure what this show is about, read this:

 

 

A new competition baking series on CBS! The American Baking Competition will feature skilled amateur Americans competing in baking challenges with one ultimately being crowned the winner.

 

 

The 10 bakers were chosen from a nationwide search of amateur bakers at local casting bake-offs. Proving the joy of baking's broad appeal, the six female and four male home bakers have varied lives and jobs, including a firefighter, photographer, homemaker, attorney, advertiser, home health care provider, college student, retiree, project manager and a baking enthusiast trying to go pro.

 

 

Each week, The American Baking Competition will feature these passionate home bakers competing in three unique challenges - "Signature Bake," "Technical Bake" and "Showstopper Bake." The contestant who out-bakes the rest is that week's "Star Baker," while the one whose creations fail to impress is eliminated. The final challenge will be between the three remaining contestants, one of whom will go on to be crowned the best amateur baker in America and win the $250,000 grand prize. The winner will also be awarded a publishing contract with Simon & Schuster to publish their own cookbook with Gallery Books. The Series -- shot on location in North Georgia www.tourgeorgiafilm.com -- premieres Wednesday, May 29th at 8/7c! 

It's so fun and good for the whole family.

Happy National Fudge Day

 

June 16 is National Fudge Day!

 

Happy National Fudge Day!

 

I wrote a review of some fab, local-ish fudge here.

 

 

23rd Stop: Botswana

I very much would love to travel to Botswana "for reals" one day. The wonderful books by one of my favorite authors have made me long for this part of the world. Thank you, Alexander McCall Smith!

 

So, imagine my joy when I found this cookbook.

 Yes, this is the kind of thing I geek-out about:

 

 

My baking motivation is suffering from an overly-dramatic heat exhaustion I know is really plain laziness. Due to this, I have not tried to bake anything from this book (my local library doesn't have it and I am trying not to spend too much money on books! Argghh.  Not easy!) But here is a recipe for a perfectly named treat from this cookbook called Persuasive Fruit Cake.  If you are a fan of Mma Ramotswe you will appreciate this cake name completely. You know it is good because Mma Ramotswe would not make anything bad.  While focusing on Botswana today, I would like to share a blog with you I have found in my recent online culinary travels. I made a reference to this blog in a recent entry. The writer here has tried some recipes from Botswana and even shares photos from her life in Africa. She is awesome and can be found at A Hungry African.

 

 

Be well, my fellow international dessert travelers. 

Hello Poland! Hej!

Love this! 

Lemons and blueberries - they're just where my taste buds are at this moment.This lovely bundt cake is called Easy Polish Lemon-Blueberry Bundt Cake. 

 

In my alphabetical dessert travels, I am nowhere near Poland.  In fact, I have been on my way to Botswana for quite some time and have been rather at a standstill.  Customs!  No, seriously. I have found a wonderful African writer's blog about her culinary journeys in Botswana and will be sharing her with you soon. She has an awesome blog and makes all sorts of African main dishes and desserts. She is truly a find.

 

In the meantime, if the summer heat is getting to you as it is me, then perhaps you might enjoy this little detour to Poland.

 

 

 

 

 

7-Up Cake

 

 

I am on this soda-inspired dessert kick. 

Gorgeous and super-easy recipe here.

Monday Morsel: Coca-Cola Cake

How retro is this?  Coca-cola cake.
There is something so very Mad Men about this.
And this recipe is va-va-voom good. 

Monday Morsel: Skillet Upside Down Cake

You know the Drapers enjoyed this Skillet Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

My Mad Men vintage dessert love continues.