Lievito Madre (also known as pasta madre) is a traditional Italian stiff sourdough starter. It is mild, gently sweet, and far less acidic than liquid sourdough starters, making it ideal for enriched doughs like brioche, soft sandwich loaves, rolls, and holiday breads.
Tag: baking
How to Grow Sugar Pie Pumpkins in Texas
A few years back, I grew two little pumpkins that changed everything about how I look at fall. They weren’t just any pumpkins — they were Sugar Pie Pumpkins, the small, sweet kind that bakers love for their creamy texture and rich flavor. I planted them in our raised hugelkultur beds here in Texas, and five months later, I was turning those homegrown pumpkins into the best Brown Sugar Brandy Pumpkin Pie my family had ever tasted.
🍂 10 Cozy Kitchen Essentials for Fall Baking Season
The mornings have finally turned misty again — that gentle, sleepy fog that curls around the house like a shawl. Out back, our pecan trees are shedding their golden leaves one by one, and the air smells faintly of cinnamon, woodsmoke, and something sweet baking in the oven.Inside, the kitchen hums softly — a pot of tea steaming by the window, a pie crust cooling, and two little boys in their pajamas standing on stools, faces dusted in flour.
16 Layer Medovik Honey Cake
When my husband’s 30th birthday came around, I knew I didn’t want to settle for an ordinary cake. A milestone like thirty deserves something with depth and meaning—something more than just sugar and frosting. After much thought, I landed on the perfect choice: a 16-layer Russian Medovik Honey Cake.
All Natural Lemon Chiffon Cake
When we were planning our daughter’s baby shower, I knew I wanted something extra special for the dessert table. The theme was “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and I thought, what better way to celebrate than with a star-shaped cake glowing with sunshine-yellow lemon flavor?
Rustic Cherry Galette
When summer cherries find their way to the kitchen counter, there’s something deeply nostalgic about transforming them into a dessert that feels both rustic and celebratory. A galette—the French free-form cousin of pie—offers exactly that kind of charm: unpretentious, flavorful, and steeped in culinary history. Today, we’ll dive into the story behind tart cherries, explore…
Sourdough French Boule
In our house of five, there’s one smell that always gets everyone flocking to the kitchen — the warm, toasty, slightly tangy aroma of our homemade sourdough French boule fresh from the oven. It’s the kind of bread that makes you stand a little taller when you set it on the table. Golden brown with…
Summer Scallion & Cheese Soufflé
How to Make a Cheese Egg Soufflé: The Cheese and Scallion Egg Soufflé is a classic dish that combines the delicate art of soufflé-making with the rich, savory flavors of cheese and scallions. This dish, with its roots in French cuisine, has become a beloved staple in kitchens around the world. In this article, we’ll…
Cranberry Orange Scones
How to Make Cranberry Orange Scones: Father’s Day in our household is always a special occasion, filled with laughter, love, and of course, delicious food. This year was no exception. My sons, Neil (2.5 years old) and Leon (1 year old), along with my husband, Mr. Reilly, enjoyed a wonderful morning together, baking and savoring…
Skylarks ~ Bird-shaped Buns with Raisins
How to Make Bird-Shaped Buns with Raisins: My young sons, Neil and Leon, really enjoy these charming buns. Baking is a wonderful way to connect with tradition and create lasting memories with family. One such cherished recipe is for bird-shaped buns, filled with raisins and decorated with wildflowers. These whimsical buns, known as “skylarks,” have…
