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Dessert First

a san francisco food and travel blog | all things sweet

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Pink Ombre Cake for Baby’s 1st Birthday

Feb 6 by Anita 13 Comments

A couple weeks ago Isabelle turned one year old. One! How did my inaugural year as a mom pass so quickly! I meant to post another update in between her six month milestone and now, but I guess a mega-ish update will have to do. Hopefully these periodic updates are still enjoyable!...

Filed Under: Cakes, Personal, Recipes Tagged With: birthday, cake, life, penelope, pink ombre, pottery barn, valentine's day

Pierre Hermé Hong Kong – Macaron Heaven

Jan 15 by Anita 11 Comments

One of the highlights of my visit to Hong Kong was a long-awaited reunion with one of my favorite patisseries: Pierre Hermé. While the macaron craze seems to have leveled out in the US, it’s going strong in Hong Kong. Ladureé and La Maison du Chocolat, among others, have already opened branches in Hong Kong, […]...

Filed Under: Asia, Sweet Spots, Travel Tagged With: hong kong, macaron, pierre herme

Looking Back, Looking Forward: Mango Mousse Cake

Jan 8 by Anita

Happy 2014! I hope you all had a great holiday and are staying warm and cozy wherever you are. Now that the business of 2013 is done, I’m looking ahead to this year and a fresh set of to-dos....

Filed Under: Asia, Fruit, Pastry, Recipes, Travel Tagged With: cake, chinese baking, hong kong, mango, mousse, vacation

My Favorite Baking Books for 2013

Dec 20 by Anita 2 Comments

Hi readers, It’s been a tough month. I have to admit it, this hasn’t been my best holiday season. Our first trip with baby Isabelle was a 15 hour flight to Hong Kong. And while I’m not going to complain about two weeks in glamorous Hong Kong or sunny Singapore, coming home was like falling […]...

Filed Under: Cookbooks, Reviews Tagged With: cookbook, review

The Holiday Gift Guide for the Dessert Lover

Dec 11 by Anita 2 Comments

Holiday greetings! I just got back from a trip to Hong Kong and Singapore, and will be leaving soon again to visit family in the midwest. Combined with a jet lagged baby, Christmas shopping, and other writing commitments, I’m afraid I haven’t been able to update this blog sooner. I’m so eager to do a […]...

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: gift guide

A Tribute to the Queen of the Daring Bakers

Nov 15 by Anita 13 Comments

The Chocolate Caramel Tart, from Daring Bakers August 2007 I’ve been busy for weeks with pre-trip madness, but on Tuesday I got a sudden, sad reminder of how fragile and precious life is. Lisa, the blogger behind La Mia Cucina and one of the founders of the Daring Bakers, unexpectedly passed away, leaving behind a […]...

Filed Under: Personal, Recipes, Tarts Tagged With: caramel, chocolate, daring bakers, tart

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Archives

best of dessert first


The Making of Macarons (Sucre Cuit Style)

Hong Kong Eggettes (Daan Jai)


Tis the Season (Chocolate Mint Macarons)

A Better Brioche


Consider the Humble Chocolate Chip Cookie

A Feast of Figs


Pure Dessert, Pure Inspiration (Chocolate Citrus Tart)

My Own Remembrance of Things Past: Daan Tats


The Slow Drip of Coffee on a Languorous Summer's Day

Still Life of Strawberry Tart

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about pastrygirl

Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. More about pastrygirl

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contact me

Please e-mail anita {at} dessertfirstgirl {dot} com with all collaboration inquiries, pastry questions, or just to say hi! I look forward to hearing from you!
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