Niqui Bakes

Niqui Bakes An Italian former Chef/Baker creating and sharing recipes. Italian expat living in California. Former chef who has returned to baking in recent times.

Spurred by friends and family, I recently started offering my cookies and cakes for sale in El Dorado County, California. Eventually, I will be set up with a website and all proper contact links and info. Right now I am "flying the plane while it's being built". Good metaphor, don't you think? Anyway, for a little longer, message me here via Messenger to get in touch. My bakes are mostly from my I

talian recipes, some German (I lived there as well a while back), and all baked from scratch using the freshest and best ingredients, as organic as possible. That is how I eat, so that is how I bake!

06/03/2026

🍋 THE ULTIMATE LEMON CAKES | 1 RECIPE FOR 4 VERSIONS 🍋
+ a bonus recipe!

These are the most satisfying set of lemon cakes for lemon lovers.
They are all tender and light, yet moist and rich in flavor.
I have collected them into a beautifully designed downloadable PDF

🍋 Recipes included are:
- Classic Lemon Loaf with Lemon Glaze
- Upside-Down Lemon Loaf Cake
- Upside-Down 8-inch Round Lemon Cake (in photo)
- 9-inch Round Lemon Curd Swirl Cake
- Bonus Recipe: my Lemon Curd

🍋 You will also get:
- exact recipes that are fine tuned and perfected
- separate recipes for each version
- recipe-specific tips for each variation
- overall baking tips
- step-by-step images as needed
- live Amazon links to special ingredients & utensils (just in case)
- summary table of ingredients

🍋 Available in ENGLISH & ITALIANO

Price is $6.50
🩷 Link to purchase: https://buymeacoffee.com/fdtb93k6gt/extras/286716

HAPPY BAKING!
xoxo
M

After several delays (for reasons most of you already know), I am finally excited to announce my Curated Recipes project...
05/22/2026

After several delays (for reasons most of you already know), I am finally excited to announce my Curated Recipes project!

These are recipes which I have developed and perfected over the years: mostly new ones (to you), some revamped from my restaurant years, and a few already published on my website and also revamped.

I am offering them as separate recipes (available in both English and Italian) so you can purchase just the ones you want. They come in downloadable PDF format so you will be able to save them on your devices and have them with you wherever you go.

To keep things simple, I have set up shop on a secure external platform called Buy Me A Coffee. Purchasing is easy and affordable, as prices start at $3.50 (USD).
I currently have 4 recipes already available for purchase with more to come by and by.

What you will find in each beautifully designed PDF:
- Exact recipes (in grams) that are fine tuned and perfected
- Recipe-specific tips for optimal results
- Overall baking tips
- Process images as needed
- Extra version(s) when available
- Live Amazon links to special ingredients and utensils

You can find out more and purchase from this page on my website: https://lifeoutofbounds.com/downloadable-recipes-sweet-things/

If you are a baker, I trust you will enjoy this new project of mine. If you are not a baker, maybe you know someone who is and it would be wonderful if you were to share this post with them. You could also purchase a recipe as a gift and then ask them to bake it for you!

And fear not, there are still plenty of recipes available for free on the blog.

Happy Baking!
xoxo
Monica

Because, sometimes, the ultimate comfort food (other than Sunday Brunch) is afternoon tea in the garden.These wonderful ...
05/15/2026

Because, sometimes, the ultimate comfort food (other than Sunday Brunch) is afternoon tea in the garden.
These wonderful treats are from Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol (Sonoma County, California) - which I definitely recommend.

I actually have a full and photo rich post about them on the blog if you like, right here:
https://lifeoutofbounds.com/.../patisserie-angelica.../

Wishing you a wonderful weekend of ease and comfort.
xoxo
M

I had forgotten how easy and good Pie Pops are till I made some for a friend’s birthday tea party over this past weekend...
04/22/2026

I had forgotten how easy and good Pie Pops are till I made some for a friend’s birthday tea party over this past weekend.

I made extra and put them in the freezer. They defrost quickly and are perfect for when a small sweet treat is “desperately” needed. 😄
Or you can make a bunch ahead for a party, too! Use your favorite pastry, or get mine, which is a classic Italian “pasta frolla”. Use your favorite fillings... or mine.

You can find the recipe right here:
https://lifeoutofbounds.com/2015/06/20/assorted-pie-pops-recipe/

Have fun baking!
xoxo
M

Where to Eat in Italy | Varese town and surrounding area | Lombardia, Northern ItalyDuring my most recent six-months-lon...
04/08/2026

Where to Eat in Italy | Varese town and surrounding area | Lombardia, Northern Italy

During my most recent six-months-long stay in Italy I wasn’t able to explore much. However, in the few moments of escape with friends, I have had the opportunity to discover some really good restaurants in my own area, which I am very happy to recommend.

Some I have known for a while, some are new to me. So I decided to gather them into a new blog post - which will be kept updated by and by.
That way, if you are planning to travel to Italy and explore the area of the many, many lakes, you can have a reference for where to eat well.

Here is the link to the post: https://tinyurl.com/yf4dh3zx

Happy trails and Buon Appetito!
xoxo
M

Lentil Soup with Chestnuts, Kabocha and Rosemary 😋 This recipe bridges the pumpkin series and the soup season, which we ...
11/03/2025

Lentil Soup with Chestnuts, Kabocha and Rosemary 😋

This recipe bridges the pumpkin series and the soup season, which we have definitely entered here in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a crowd pleaser (also because the amounts are enough for a good 10-12 portions), flavorful and easy to make.

Recipe at this link:
https://lifeoutofbounds.com/.../lentil-soup-with.../

Enjoy, and Happy November!
xoxo
M

As I continue with my Pumpkin recipes series, here is one that is easy, flavorful and healthy! Warm Quinoa with Mushroom...
10/30/2025

As I continue with my Pumpkin recipes series, here is one that is easy, flavorful and healthy!
Warm Quinoa with Mushrooms, Kabocha and Thyme

Can be made ahead and easily reheated, though it’s even excellent at room temperature. It will be perfect for Thanksgiving and all the Holidays, too!

Recipe at this link:
https://lifeoutofbounds.com/.../quinoa-with-mushrooms.../

Enjoy!
xoxo
M

My next recipe using pumpkin/squash is what I used to call (at my restaurant in Italy, in my previous life): Purple Swee...
10/20/2025

My next recipe using pumpkin/squash is what I used to call (at my restaurant in Italy, in my previous life):
Purple Sweet Potato, Kabocha & Onion Millefeuille with Taleggio & Honey.

I know, long “fancy” name, but it’s descriptive, so that is what is important in menus.
Anyway: other than the fact that prepping vegetables is always a bit of work, this recipe is easier than it sounds.

I used to serve it in single portions just like you see in the images, but you can prep it family style in a large baking dish, then spoon it out, making it perfect for a festive meal, like Thanksgiving.

Get the recipe and all details at this link:
https://lifeoutofbounds.com/2015/10/20/purple-sweet-potato-kabocha-onion-millefeuille-with-taleggio-lehua-blossom-honey-recipe/

Enjoy!
xoxo
M

As I continue my series of recipes with pumpkin/squash, here is some classic Italian comfort food with a pumpkin twist:G...
10/17/2025

As I continue my series of recipes with pumpkin/squash, here is some classic Italian comfort food with a pumpkin twist:
Gnocchi alla Romana with Kabocha and Sage.
This dish is easy and inexpensive to make. Can be made ahead. Can be frozen. Perfect for a change for Thanksgiving. The kids will love it!
The classic topping is just a bit of Parmesan and butter, but I tend to like to change things up. Find the recipe at this link:
https://lifeoutofbounds.com/.../gnocchi-alla-romana-with.../
Enjoy!
xoxo
M

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Cameron Park, CA

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