How did it become fall? It seems like just a few weeks ago I was sailing the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Appearances of plums and peaches everywhere, a lambent harvest moon, and now the year’s gone crepuscular. I know there are fall-weather fans who can’t wait to break out the scarves and wool coats; […]...
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentine’s Day to all! If you’re just here for cake, at the end of this post you’ll find a recipe for an absolutely addictive gianduja mousse cake. A rendition of flourless chocolate cake made even more irresistable by the addition of fresh toasted hazelnut paste to the batter. This is defnitely a one-slice-is-all-you-need dessert; […]...
Chocolate Malt Memories
Because I didn't have enough fun making an opera cake for Daring Bakers, I went for another layered, multi-component cake last week. Sometimes I like to go for simple, breezy creations and other times I just feel like challenging my skills. Making layer cakes is always an exercise that keeps me on my pastry […]...
Perfection, Once Again
At The Closing of the Year
I couldn’t resist using these molds this weekend. They looked like little snowflakes when I bought them but when the cakes are unmolded and covered with confectioner’s sugar they resemble snow-covered castles in the winter forest. I hope everyone is having a joyous holiday season. Thank you for visiting this little page, for all the […]...
Black and White Chocolate Cake
There are few things that denote time spent in the kitchen and special celebration better than a multi-layered, immaculately frosted cake. Next to tart dough, this was probably one of the most intimidating hurdles I faced in pastry school. The challenges in mastering this genre of dessert are manifold: to bake up nice even cake […]...
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. 
