Hazelnut Biscotti with Chocolate Drizzle

by Helen Kain | Dec 16, 2022 | Christmas, Cookies & Bars, Fall Recipes, Winter Recipes

A traditional Italian pastry, biscotti owe their dry, crunchy texture to the twice-baked method. First, the dough is shaped into a log and baked. Then, once cooled, it’s cut along the diagonal and baked again until each biscuit is crispy and golden, which makes them...

A Snowman Tea with Cupcakes to Top Off a Baking Day

by Helen Kain | Dec 16, 2022 | Christmas, White, Winter Tablescapes

Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house,…creatures are in a flurry of activity. My baking partner-in-crime, Leanne, and I got together this week for our annual Christmas baking day. What fun to get caught up with mixers whirring and baking...

Botanical Wreath

by Helen Kain | Dec 11, 2022 | Christmas, Green, Pink and Red, Recent, Winter Tablescapes

From 2013 to 2016,  Williams Sonoma gave us this classic combination of rich red berries and winter greenery, Botanical Wreath. I must have been asleep at the switch because it completely passed me by at the time. But when a couple of plates in the pattern swam into...

White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cheesecake

by Helen Kain | Dec 9, 2022 | Cakes, Christmas, Winter Recipes

What could be more suitable for the holidays than a creamy, rich cheesecake with a crisp gingersnap crust and a tangy cranberry orange filling? The white chocolate ganache topping is garnished with sugared cranberries and white chocolate chips. Not only festive, but...

Eric + Eloise, Bespectacled Animals

by Helen Kain | Nov 27, 2022 | Antique glassware, Christmas, Green, Pink and Red, Purple, Winter Tablescapes

Unusual colours, an odd number of plates—five—snowy scenes and animals wearing spectacles. Ok, not your usual Christmas tableware. But somehow, it all comes together for a joyously zany table. Please meet Eric (or Eloise). I’m not sure which is which. As...

Homemade Poppycock

by Helen Kain | Oct 23, 2022 | Christmas, Desserts, Halloween

As a child, the approach of Christmas heralded the arrival of several treats in our house: Quality Street Chocolates, Petticoat Tails Shortbread, Terry’s Chocolate Oranges, and my hands-down favourite, Poppycock. The first three items still fill me with delight,...