Rachael Ray

I am primarily a cookie baker but once in a while I will try and pull out a cake. I made this chocolate mousse cake this weekend that had multiple steps and some chilling and assembly time, but was worth the effort. A layer of chocolate mousse is sandwiched between two thin layers of chocolate, orange and toasted hazelnut cake, with more mousse piled on top, and a chocolate glaze and chocolate shavings really puts cake this over the top. I served it sliced thinly with a scoop of coffee ice cream on the side. And I am wondering why my pants were snug Monday morning? This is a special cake perfect for a special occasion. Chocolate Mousse Cake (adapted from [...]...

Always on the lookout for a new muffin, I went to my old friend Joy the Baker’s blog and came across these berry streusel muffins with the right amount of jam (key - not too much) swirled in. A new regular in my repertoire for sure. Joy says any kind of berries (including frozen, which I used here) and jam can be used -added bonus. Raspberry Jam Streusel Muffins (adapted from www.JoytheBaker.com) (click here for printable recipe) Ingredients: 6 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup milk 2 eggs 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups flour 3/4 cups sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2- 1 cup frozen or fresh raspberries (or berry of your choice) 3 tablespoons raspberry jam (or fruit jam of your choice) For the topping: 3 tablespoons cold butter, [...]...

I am always on the lookout for a new bar recipe that is a little bit more upscale than your typical brownie. Think dinner party but your kids will also love them. These grasshopper bars fit that bill - elegant and delicious, and special enough for company. They have three layers and there is some chilling time required, so give yourself some time here. They store well in the fridge so you can make them up to 4 days in advance. Grasshopper Bars (adapted from Baked Explorations: Classic American Desserts Reinvented by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito) (click here for printable recipe) Ingredients For the brownie base: 3/4 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 5 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate (60-72%), chopped (or use [...]...

When should girls start wearing makeup? I think the the answer is to follow your daughter’s lead and make sure whatever she chooses to wear - be it clothes or makeup - is age appropriate. There is nothing worse than seeing a young girl who is trying to look too grown up. I want to grab her and say “Honey - don’t rush it! There is plenty of time.” I also think there is a fine line between being too controlling and setting some parameters for your kids when it comes to self expression. I used to walk to school with a neighborhood friend in 5th grade whose mother picked out her clothes for school and my friend had no choice [...]...

I know it’s winter, but I made this ice cream pie for a party last week and decided it is truly a year-round treat. You can make it ahead of time, it’s special, and loved by all ages. Remember the Fudgy the Whale cake from Carvel? How I wanted one of those cakes for my birthday. I never had one, but still remember the cookies crunchies in the middle of the traditional Carvel cake fondly. This ice cream pie is truly deluxe and brings it to an adult level. You can customize with your favorite ice cream - I used mint chip because I was serving it to kids and adults, but coffee ice cream would give it a grown up [...]...

I wrote a blog back in December about my struggle with my 11-year old daughter and her lack of reading for pleasure. I got a variety of great advice from readers, including: require her to read every day, lay off entirely, let her pick a book and we would read it together, and since she is attached to her iTouch, get her a Kindle or Nook. The Nook was actually the number one item on her Christmas list, but I have to say I was torn as to if we should get her one or not. Why? I wondered if she should have the luxury of new electronic “toy” if she wasn’t showing any interest in reading anyway. I wondered [...]...

Gymnastics, ice skating, ballet, piano, sailing, tennis, skiing, golf, soccer, basketball…this is just a partial cumulative list of the activities in which my three kids have participated over the years. Clearly they are very lucky - they have had the opportunity to try out a lot of sports and activities. However, in more than a few cases their interest ultimately waned or occasionally, they struggled to finish out their commitment. They started out the lesson, or team, coming on like gangbusters, and by then end I am facing tears, coaxing and sometimes bribing them to finish. An example: my 6th grader daughter has played soccer since she was 4 (do we start everything too young these days? I think yes but [...]...

Like most of us, I am trying to get my eating under control in honor of the new year. My pants are more than just a little tight and I am petrified to get on the scale as a result of my holiday binging and extreme baking (new category of baking). If I am able to sit down to breakfast, I try to keep it simple and stick to eggs, oatmeal or yogurt. However, many times I am running out the door and don’t have time to sit down - I will try and remember to grab a piece of fruit and a bar (I like Cliff Bars and Kind Bars) so I am not ravenous by 10 am and eating [...]...

My kids and I made this cake over the holiday break and it was fun for the kids and surprisingly delicious - moist and chocolaty. The best thing about the recipe is that there is no bowl required - the cake is mixed and baked in the same pan. I don’t even fully grasp how it is so tasty - the cake is butter and egg-free. This is a great activity for the littlest of kids - a fun activity for a winter afternoon. Crazy No-Bowl Cake (click here for printable recipe) Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup cocoa 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup cold water 1/2 cup chocolate chips Directions: Spray an 8-inch baking [...]...