27th Stop: Burkina

According to infoplease Burkina Faso is

"Slightly larger than Colorado, Burkina Faso, formerly known as Upper Volta, is a landlocked country in West Africa. Its neighbors are Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, and Ghana. The country consists of extensive plains, low hills, high savannas, and a desert area in the north"

Read more: Burkina Faso: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/country/burkina-faso.html#ixzz2YONwToSe

It appears that Welshcakes...um...take the cake for dessert recipes.  I thank Ms. Travel-By-Stove  (link here) for her contribution to food.com, once again, and making my hobby just too sweet!  Recipe for Welshcakes with pineapple (yum!) is right here.

 

 

26th Stop: Bulgaria

I feel it my duty to share with you wonderful food bloggers out there who represent their countries so beautifully.  So, here, on my 26th stop to Bulgaria, I present you with a recipe for this cake called Negarche Cake (recipe here), from this website called http://bulgarianfood.net/. 

This is just one of those good old traditional family recipes that says more about its homeland than I ever could.

Thank you and enjoy!!!!

Monday Morsel: Oh Canada

 

Where have I been that I have NEVER heard of these bars before today??????

I must be living under a hot, boiling hot, desert rock.  (No not "dessert" rock as I would prefer to have it.)

Yes, that's it.  I mean, it really might as well be.

For a cool, refreshing treat, Canada seemed like a place to investigate for a Monday Morsel.  And look what I found:

 

 

Nanaimo Bars!

Delish recipe right here.

History of these charmers right here 

(courtesy of City of Nanaimo):  

This creamy, chocolatey treat's origin is elusive, shrouded in mystery, and claimed by many as their own. Of course, we know that Nanaimo Bars originated in Nanaimo, or they would be called New York Bars, or New Brunswick Bars.

 

25th Stop: Brunei

Found this tasty dessert recipe from a food blogger at 

http://myhomespunhaven.com.  Thank you and enjoy this recipe for  

Coconut Rice with Mango everyone!!!

Slap-Ya-Mama Cookies

With a cookie name like, Slap-Ya-Mama Cookies (recipe here), I sure hope Francine gets the recognition she deserves.

Go Francine!

Next episode is this Wednesday on CBS.

Monday Morsel: 3 Good Eggs

 

We are down to the final THREE. 

 

Francine, Darlene, and Brian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only time will tell...they are all winners, really.  

Did you watch last week's episode in which they had to bake French pastries?  

24th Stop: Brazil

OK, this website is so darn cute that I had to share it for my 24th stop...

which is to Brazil. 

Ole!

Now, it's too small to view here, 

so please check it out here.

This website, They Draw & Cook, is genius, so you need to know about it, regardless. 

 

Their subtitle is "Recipes illustrated by artists from around the world."

I know, right?

Frosty Coffee Pie for 4th of July

Taste of Home folks, 

it's as though you know me...

you really, really know me.

I love you for that,

 and for this recipe of Frosty Coffee Pie.

Wishing everyone a wonderful 4th of July.

Monday Morsel: American Baking Gets Hot!

I am really at a toss-up because I actually like all of the finalists remaining on The American Baking Competition.  But these two are my faves as of this moment:

 

Francine:

 

  (Learn more about Francine here.)

 

Darlene:

(Learn more about Darlene here.)

If you are not watching this show, fellow Bakery Travelers, you are missing out on a good summer treat.  These women know how to bake and do so from their heart and southern savvy.  I mean, they are good.

Happy Monday!!!

Butter Knows

We're having a heatwave!  The butter knows...because I exposed it to the outdoors today in a little photo blog essay of sorts for my wonderful readers...you!  Of course, I know what you are thinking...butter ALWAYS knows.  Yes, I know that, too.  But this was fascinating nonetheless. Heat and butter go well together...so might as well make the most of this heat.

 

The outdoor thermometer reads 121 degrees.  That's right.  121.  The TV and web news may be saying a high of 118. But I tell you, 121 it is (observe blurry photo below):

 

 

Butter ready for its close-up at 2:15 PM:

 

 

Butter at 2:20...FIVE minutes later:

 

 

 

Butter at 2:25...TEN minutes later:

 

 

 

Click here on "Why Butter is a Health Food."  

 

 

Enjoying the dog days of summer.

 

 

Argument for the Staycation

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.

Jane Austin

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.

Monday Morsel: Patriotic Dessert Squares

Perfect and perfectly easy, right? Check it out here.

If not for Memorial Day today, save this recipe for July 4th.

Monday Morsel Mad Men Desserts Continue

 

I'm just mad for Mad Men desserts, dahling. 

 

Here's a fun blogger who has pursued this Mad Men Desserts idea very well with the likes of cookies in honor of Peggy and Joan and an orange sherbet in honor of Megan Draper.  

 

Check it all out here.

 

 

Monday Morsel: Vintage Desserts

 

I am just really getting into the show, Mad Men. 

Hence...the theme for many Monday Morsels to come will be vintage desserts. Baked Alaska, anyone?

You know, as The Bakery Traveler, I time travel, too.

I really do.

Just wait and see.

Cake Pops for Mom's Day!

 

Sweet crafty kid and family friendly recipe for Flower Cake Pops.

Monday Morsel: Pioneer Woman

I just like Ree Drummond. 

This recipe is adorable. More May flowers.  

Happy Monday!

May Flowers are Edible Of Course!

Found this blog recently and REALLY like it. 

I mean, what's not to like, fellow Bakery Travelers? 

Busy Bee Loves Her Tea!

So ready for summer...and even its intolerably hot temps.

Honey Ice Tea

Busy Bee Shares Recipes with Honey

Since I am validating my "Busy Bee" status, I thought it appropriate to share some delicious recipes that use honey in them. This one is so dandy.  Says "welcome summer" all over it, doesn't it?  Will share another amazing delight with honey tomorrow!

Busy Bee!

So, this is me. Right now. Busy Bee.  I am just so busy with my day job that my hobby job of The Bakery Traveler has been on hold. I will be sharing wonderful worldly bakery adventures and treats very soon!  Honestly I cannot wait! Lots of sweetness on its way from me to you. Summer is on its way, too, and that is a great thing for bee like me.

Monday Morsel: April Showers...

We all know the old adage, "April showers bring May flowers." For some reason, this has me thinking of weddings! Perhaps my mind is focusing on weddings and wedding showers as I have a friend who is getting married soon. So I thought April would be a wonderful time to showcase some wonderful international wedding treats. The above is a photo of a traditional Ukrainian wedding bread called Korovai. There are so many gorgeous photos of this bread. Simply gorgeous.

Irish Soda Muffins

 

If you love Irish Soda Bread, you will love this recipe.

Lemon Crumb Muffins

Lemons at my leisure, and I hope at yours, too. 

This recipe for Lemon Crumb Muffins is flawless.

Luscious Lemons!

Lemons are in season...

... I had to share this luscious Lemon Tart Triangles recipe with you.

Monday Morsel: Irish Dairy Cake

This recipe for Irish Dairy Cake is authentic Irish all the way.

Different photos here of the same cake.

Have I told you I adore cake?  

I think it is one of the most amazing inventions ever.

Margarita Ice Pops

From Bon Appetit, Margarita Ice Pops...hey, it's getting hot out here!