Chickadee's Bake Shop

08/21/2016

Katharine Hepburn’s Brownies Recipe

Dear ones,
Here is Katharine Hepburn's brownie recipe. You're welcome!
http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/10782-katharine-hepburns-brownies?em_pos=large&emc=edit_ck_20160819&nl=cooking&nlid=66774122

Much like its author, this recipe is a no-fuss classic It calls for just 1/4 cup of flour, which yields an incredibly rich and gooey brownie, and it's super easy to make So easy, in fact, that baking a batch of these might just become part of your weekend routine.

07/17/2016

Dear ones,
Not on Facebook these days but wanted to share with you my latest order: two dozen Sue's Linzer Cookies for my dear friend Sue Horn, after whom they are named. She has family members in Colombia who have become enthusiastic Chickadee's fans, so much so that they have told her to not come back without Sue's Linzers!! Haha!! But this time, the Linzers were for her nephew's graduation party in New York. I packed the crap out of them, she took them up there in her carry-on, and they were gleefully savored by one and all.

06/05/2016

The epiphany that turned me into a good baker

Dear ones,
For your reading pleasure...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/the-epiphany-that-turned-me-into-a-good-baker/2016/03/28/a13d06ee-f220-11e5-89c3-a647fcce95e0_story.html

It took a crash course to teach me: You must understand the rules before breaking them.

05/30/2016

Dear ones,
It just so happens that my brother, whom I mentioned in my last post, was celebrating his birthday yesterday. I asked my dad what we could get him or do for him. When he commented, "Maybe a cake from Publix, but he and Laura (my sister in law) are gluten sensitive," I just looked at him and said, "You remember I make cakes and I can do gluten free cakes, right?" 😂
So, I made Marion a gluten free version of Patrick's German Chocolate Cake.

05/28/2016

Dear ones,
Father's Day is just a few days away. How about showing your favorite dad in your life how much you love and appreciate him with some love from Chickadee's? My three suggestions are Bubby's Brownies, named after my own dad, Marion's Homemade Oreos, named after my brother, and Patrick's German Chocolate Cake, named after a friend, all three of whom are stellar dads. You know the favorite dad in your life wants some Chickadee's love! Place an order before the rush.
Pictured: Patrick's German Chocolate Cake

05/21/2016

World's Best Chocolate Cake Might Be in Lisbon

Dear ones,
The world's best chocolate cake is purported to be in Lisbon, Portugal. According to the baker, "It's not just a chocolate cake, it's the way people feel about the experience of coming to us and trying the chocolate cake. So it's, I guess, attention to detail and the love to our customers, and chocolate of course!"
They totally get it. 🤗🤗🤗

In this video by Food & Wine, get an inside look at Lisbon's Landeau Chocolate, that may just be serving out the best chocolate cake in the world.

05/03/2016

When Vanilla Was Brown And How We Came To See It As White

https://www.facebook.com/NPR/posts/10154391460601756

Vanilla has become a cultural metaphor for blandness and whiteness. But the flavor's history is rife with conquest and slavery and theft.

04/23/2016

Hello dear ones,
This evening a friend of mine was hosting a birthday gathering at his home for family and friends in Lilburn. I did another Patrick's German Chocolate Cake. This time I laid a different ganache pattern across the top but apart from that, it was the same. It was a big hit. (A few people were saying things like, "That was honestly the best cake I've ever had!" And "I'm not a cake person but I REALLY liked this one!") The PGCC could very well become one of the most popular cake items on the Chickadee's menu. It has already become one of my personal favorites for sure! Mission accomplished once again! 💜🎂💜

02/21/2016

Hello, dear ones!
I know it's been a while... Chickadee's is still around, but has just been attending to other pressing priorities in the nest. 😊 Today we celebrated the birthday of the baker's best friend. Normally she requests the gluten free version of Chickadee's OMG Coconut Cake (one of my three signature cakes), but this time we decided to do something just a little different - instead of the coconut buttercream and toasted coconut flakes I normally use to decorate this cake, we did raspberry buttercream. The result was an amazingly complex cake. The brightness and slight tartness of the lemon and fresh raspberries in the raspberry buttercream frosting perfectly offset the rich almond, vanilla and coconut nuances of the coconut cake. It all came together in a symphony of flavors that got two enthusiastic thumbs up from the birthday girl and all the guests. Mission accomplished!

07/18/2015

Bubby's Brownies, made on July 3 2015 for the Xperience Connections women's networking event.

07/18/2015

Dear ones,
I completely forgot to share that Chickadee's now has fans in Colombia!! They love Sue's Linzer Cookies (which are the lovely sugar-dusted cookies with the heart cutouts you see at the top of this page).
Enjoy your weekend!!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155031374750244&set=a.10151421015690244.821006.596705243&type=1

06/29/2015

Dear ones,
Here's Alton Brown's recipe for Individual Peach Upside Down Cake. As usual, he has a very scientifically effective (and delicious) way of doing it. https://www.facebook.com/altonbrown/posts/1105153609514246

06/04/2015

Dear ones,
Introducing... The Bronut!
😂
Unlike a cronut, which is a cross between a croissant and a donut, the bronut is a brioche feuilletée, which is a cross between brioche, a croissant, and a donut. It's less fratty than it sounds.
http://www.foodandwine.com/fwx/bronut-strives-be-more-trendy-less-fratty-it-sounds?xid=soc_socialflow_facebook_fw

05/29/2015

Cakes and Cookies

05/29/2015

Dear ones,
Father's Day is right around the corner ... If you're in the Atlanta area and not quite sure what to give your favorite pops for his special day, why not treat him to some Chickadee's goodies?
My recommendation is Bubby's Brownies! I use a traditional brownie recipe with some extra Chickadee's magic tricks thrown in to guarantee moist, chocolaty, phenomenal brownie goodness. They're an American classic, just like my dad, "Bubby." :-)

05/28/2015

Hello, dear ones!
It's been a while since I've posted, I know, but it's because this chickadee has been quite busy "hatching" some new creations and adding them to the menu. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to ...
-- Judy's Triple Ginger Cookies: For the ginger lovers, these chewy gingersnaps are topped with candied ginger and ginger sugar. (Named after one of my translation clients.)
-- The Orangie (Angie's Chocolate Grand Marnier Cake): Are you a fan of Grand Marnier or the combination of chocolate and orange? If so, you MUST try this decadent cake! No, those aren't chocolate-dipped Cheetos in the photo, although that would be an interesting pairing ... they're candied mango slices dipped in Grand Marnier-infused chocolate ganache. Yeah, baby! (Named after my big sorority sister.)
-- Darby & Dalton's Chocolate Chip Cookies: A simple classic loved by kids and grownups alike. The grownup version has an intriguingly addictive touch of fleur de sel. (Named after the two adorable toddlers of one of my sorority sisters.)

11/19/2014

Dear ones,
Chickadee's menu is available for browsing in the "About" section of this page. I've named every one of my cakes and cookies after people who either gave me the recipe for the cake or cookie in question, or who inspired it. So check it out - you may just see your name in the menu, permanently associated with a fabulous Chickadee's creation!!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!

11/19/2014

Chickadee's Bake Shop

Dear ones,
I know, it's been a while ... Chickadee's has been hibernating but is now active again. The website at www.chickadeesbakeshop.com is currently inoperable due to issues with the web developer. So in the meantime, while these issues get worked out, if you wish to place an order, you can download a .PDF of the menu (with pricing) on this page, under the "About" section. Thank you all so much for your patience and support. I look forward to receiving your orders as the holiday season begins in all its warmth and splendor!!!!!!!!!!!

Chickadees Bake Shop

08/11/2014

Part II of my update: Just because I've been planning for Burning Man doesn't mean that my kitchen has been quiet. Quite the contrary! In fact, just this weekend I made Kerstin's Black Forest Cake for a friend's birthday, and let me tell you, I think this is my best cake yet. I'm very proud of it.
The Black Forest Cake is a legendary German delicacy which hails from the Black Forest region of Germany. All too often in the United States, it is bastardized into this sickly sweet, gross concoction with fake maraschino cherries and canned cherry pie filling. Chickadee's Black Forest Cake is based on a classic German recipe that calls for three layers of chocolate cake soaked in Kirschwasser (cherry brandy), layered with a filling of espresso buttercream and fresh sweet black cherries soaked overnight in more Kirsch. The icing is made of heavy whipping cream with a touch of Kirsch, and the top is decorated with chocolate and more fresh sweet black cherries. It has a fairly high alcoholic content so it should be served only to adults. The only departure Chickadee's makes from the classic recipe is that I use Ghirardelli semi-sweet 75% cacao dark chocolate chips instead of chocolate shavings on top. This is the finished product. (Named in honor of a friend, Kerstin, who is from the Black Forest region of Germany.)

07/25/2014

Dear ones,
So I made a batch of Sue's Linzer Cookies for their namesake, my dear friend Sue Horn, to take with her on a trip to Colombia. (Sue's Linzers are the lovely powdered sugar-dusted cookies you see in the cover photo for this page.) When she got there, she e-mailed me to let me know that the Linzers were a hit and that Chickadee's Bake Shop now has fans on two continents!!! YAY!! Just had to share with you all!!

07/20/2014

Aerosol Cake Batter Is Real Now and Nothing Will Ever Be the Same

Hmmm. Interesting!! Thoughts, dear ones?

Just when you thought that mankind's genius could stretch no further, a solid year of research has given birth to a new apex in cake innovation. Friends, say hello to Spray Cake, the Harvard-bred cake batter in a can.

06/22/2014

Dear ones,
I am delighted to announce that Chickadee's has hit its 100th Like! And the fan who got Chickadee's there is my cousin, Nicole Kennedy Lane!!! Thanks, cuz!!!!! And thanks to all of you for your support of this venture which is so near and dear to my heart. Love to all!!!!!!!!

06/21/2014

Dear ones,
My mom, the inspiration for my bake shop, had a special love for chickadees and birds in general, but she also adored dogs and cats. In keeping with the spirit of Chickadee's, I've got goodies for the canines too!! Seriously!! Chickadee's has Coltrane's Doggie Cake and Harley's Doggie Biscuits. The Doggie Cake is made with carrots, peanut butter and other things dogs like, while the Doggie Biscuits come in large for the big 'uns and small for the little 'uns. Treat your favorite canine(s) to some Chickadee's today ... They'll lurve you for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Coltrane's Doggie Cake is named after my friend Ayo's Shih Tzu, Coltrane. He loves it and gives it two paws up, by the way. Harley's Doggie Biscuits are named after my friend Jennifer's one-eyed Chihuahua, Harley.)

06/19/2014

Have We Been Cutting Our Cakes Wrong This Entire Time? Yes Apparently We Have

Dear ones,
Here's the scientifically correct way to cut a cake. Just so you know. 😉
http://fwx.foodandwine.com/food/have-we-been-cutting-our-cakes-wrong-entire-time-yes-apparently-we-have

Judging by this video, British mathematician Alex Bellos loves cake but hates the way we’ve been serving i

06/17/2014

Julia Child's Reine De Saba | Epicurious.com

Dear ones,
Presenting Chickadee's Cake of the Week - Chocolate Almond Cake, a/k/a Reine de Saba ("Queen of Sheba") Cake. This cake was introduced by the legendary Julia Child in her book *Mastering the Art of French Cooking.* One taste of this dark, delicious queen and you will know why Julie's husband in Julie and Julia wanted to smear it all over his face!!!!
Http://Www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/blogs/editor/2012/06/julia-childs-reine-de-saba.html

This week's Julia Child birthday celebration recipe is Reine de Saba, which is a very lovely chocolate and almond cake from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Nearly flourless, Reine de Saba is rich, decadent, and full of intense chocolate flavor. It's the type of cake that satisfies extreme choco…

06/14/2014

Cakes and Cookies

06/12/2014

Dear ones,
Did you know that Chickadee's does GLUTEN FREE?? YES!! Not only does Chickadee's offer a tantalizing array of naturally GF options, like Bridget's Macarons de Clotilde (French hazelnut cookies) and Eric's Delight (a brand new cookie, more about that below!) but I can make a delicious GF version of anything on the menu that is not already GF! Chickadee's has got your back!! 😄

06/10/2014

Extravagant Wedding Cakes Rise Again

Dear ones,
I thought this NYT article was very interesting - and encouraging, since Chickadee's will be adding wedding cakes to its menu in the next few months. :-) Thoughts? Comments?
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/fashion/weddings/extravagant-wedding-cakes-rise-again.html?_r=0&referrer

Couples are returning to big weddings with show-off cakes.

06/08/2014

Dear ones,
Great news- this page has gotten 85 Likes, which is really fabulous! I'm so excited and honored to have gotten so many Likes so quickly after this page has gone up. We're just 15 Likes away from 100... So spread the word to your Atlanta friends!! Thank you!!

05/27/2014

Hummingbird Cake | MyRecipes.com

Dear ones, this week's Cake of the Week is Hummingbird Cake. Its origins lie in Jamaica, whose national bird is the hummingbird. (Jamaicans call the hummingbird a "doctor bird," so this cake is referred to as "doctor bird cake" down there.) In the late 19th or early 20th century, this pineapple, banana and nut-laden confection caught on in the United States, especially in the South, and to this day it remains a staple of Southern cake-baking. Chickadee's Hummingbird Cake is based on a Southern Living recipe which is the most-requested Southern Living recipe of all time. http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/hummingbird-cake-10000000387218/
(Named after Veronica, my "Jamaican mama.")

The ultimate recipe for Hummingbird Cake. It's the most requested recipe in Southern Living magazine history and frequents covered dish dinners all across the South, always receiving rave reviews.

05/22/2014

Hello, dear ones!
To celebrate the grand opening of Chickadee's online shop on June 1, I'm having my first giveaway. The first Chickadee's fan who answers this trivia question correctly will be given a gift certificate for a sheet of cookies (winner's choice of flavor), a $35.00 value. The question is:
Where does the chickadee's name come from?
Good luck!!!!

05/21/2014

Seeking Sweetness in Everyday Life - CakeSpy - Heaven-Sent: A History of Angel Food Cake

Y'all, this week's Cake of the Week is angel food cake, a truly wonderful contribution to the cake world and to culinary history in general.
While it is thought to have been created by African-American slaves, there is strong evidence that angel food cake may have gotten its start in the Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch communities.
Read more here:
http://www.cakespy.com/blog/2012/2/29/heaven-sent-a-history-of-angel-food-cake.html

Image: YumSugar This cloudlike cake would naturally be the first choice of mild-mannered angels: l...

05/16/2014

Dear ones,
I get so excited when a shipment comes in for Chickadee's! I go organic for most of my wet ingredients (eggs, butter, milk, fruit, jams/jellies, baking chocolate) and some of my dry (sugars, spices). But I use only King Arthur Flour products for most of my dry ingredients, because their performance and taste far surpass all others I've tried. Here we have sugar cookie mix, royal icing mix for the cookies (which comes out white but can be colored to any color you like and decorated with dragées, sprinkles or glitter), espresso powder (used in tiramisú and mocha cake), Bensdorp Dutch-process cocoa, almond extract, coconut extract, edible glitter. I have NO clue why I got a pack of red paper tulip cups (used for cupcakes), but I'll find a use for them!!