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Dessert First

a san francisco food and travel blog | all things sweet

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Peanut Butter Melting Moments with Caramelized Banana Cream

Apr 16 by Anita 21 Comments

Sometimes you want something fancy and elaborate, other times you just want simple. These days, with a constantly in motion 2 year old, my taste veers decidedly towards the simple: things I can make in the hour or two of free time I get while baby is napping, treats that she can enjoy just as […]...

Filed Under: Cookies, Recipes Tagged With: banana, cookie, melting moments, pastry cream, peanut butter, yo yo

{Cookbook Review}: The Baking Bible and Ischler Cookies

Dec 9 by Anita 23 Comments

  2014 has been a banner year for baking cookbooks, especially these last couple of months when several of pastry’s most respected and beloved authorities released new, major works. My nightstand is groaning underneath the weight of these books and my kitchen has been in constant action as I’ve happily baking through new recipe after […]...

Filed Under: Cookbooks, Cookies, Recipes Tagged With: baking bible, cookbook, cookie, ischler, review, rose levy beranbaum

Almost Autumn: Grapeskin Flour and Almond Vanilla Madeleines

Sep 5 by Anita 10 Comments

  Happy September! Although we’re still weeks away from the end of summer, I know thoughts of fall are already on many minds. Out here in the Bay Area though, the sunny days are just hitting their stride. Short and sunglasses are still out in full force, and it’s peak wedding season up in wine […]...

Filed Under: Cookies, Recipes Tagged With: cookie, grapeskin flour, madeleine, wholevine

Marking a Milestone: Chocolate Whipped Cream Cookie Sandwiches

Mar 31 by Anita 3 Comments

Dear readers, I’m back! Apologies for my extended absence, as the last few weeks were given over to finishing edits on my third cookbook. It’s with a sense of relief and anticipation that I let go of the manuscript, and let the publisher take over. I’m looking forward to sharing more about the book as […]...

Filed Under: Chocolate, Cookies, Recipes Tagged With: book, chocolate, cookie, lemon, whipped cream

‘Tis the Season

Dec 5 by Anita 32 Comments

I love December, the gentle melancholy as we tiptoe to the end of the year, juxtaposed with the swirling joyousness of the holidays. I always smile when I realize the approach of things that suffuse me with the warm, fuzzy holiday spirit: gaily colored Christmas cards in the mail; children running about in puffy, scarf […]...

Filed Under: Chocolate, Cookies, Recipes Tagged With: chocolate, christmas, cookie, ganache, macaron

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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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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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