Genetti

My children have grown up eating Genetti made by their paternal grandmother Doris from a recipe she learned from her mother-in-law Nicoletta. The only difference is that in this Italian family Genetti were called Ninna Nonna. For the last 30 years I never knew that the fluffy little cookies with a vanilla glaze really were derived from this Italian traditional cookie- Genetti. Where the term “Ninna Nonna” came from I don’t think we will ever know- but in our house they will always be known as Ninna Nonna. Now the other fact is that mine don’t taste quite that same as Grandma Doris’s, but as she past away this winter this rendition is all the family has left.

Genetti

Continue reading →

This entry was posted in Cookies.

Chateau Elma’s First Birthday

I can’t believe that I have been blogging for one year already and I totally missed Chateau Elma’s First Birthday! Not sure how that is possible, first that a whole year has gone by and second that I forgot when I started- must have something to do with turning that half century mark! But the centre of my kitchen is still there and flour is everywhere so some things haven’t changed.

butcher-block

When I first started this project of a baking blog I wasn’t sure that I would be able to come up with at least one new recipe every week- turns out that most weeks I was able to post two recipes. Now if I can only keep it up next year. The most difficult thing it turns out is taking the photos of the final product. If I have made the baked goods for a dinner or a special person it seemed a bit rude to cut into it to take photos while the daylight was just perfect. But I got over that and now no one seems surprised to see a piece missing and it is usually sitting on a pretty plate out in my sun room. That is where these Buttertart Squares were photographed.

Buttertart Squares

Speaking of photos I have learned a lot about the different computer programs for optimizing my photos and most of the info is thanks to my Graphic Designer son Matt!  I have really enjoyed watching and listening to him explain things to me- he actually learned things in college and he is brilliant at his craft. It is so nice to have an interest in common and something we can share that has definitely been the bonus of this blog. It isn’t every mother who can say that she can sit down with her 21 year old son and spend an hour together on a project. Not that he agrees with me- he usually doesn’t, but then I go ahead and do it my way anyway, after all I am the mom and I like girly stuff like cursive script and pink.

Happy Birthday

Thanks go out to all of my friends and family who have shared my blog on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. So great to see all of my daughter’s fellow law school students visiting my blog. If I can encourage young adults to cook and bake I will consider this adventure a success.

Hope you have all enjoyed the first year as much as I have and here is to a second year of blogging- let’s see where it takes us!!!

This entry was posted in General.

Baked Sticky Chicken Wings

Well this isn’t my standard baking post- it is about baking but no dessert this time, it is all about Baked Sticky Chicken Wings! Once you try this method of making chicken wings you will never bother with frying again. The trick is in the dry rub and the slow bake, then adding a layer of yummy bbq sauce just at the end. Believe me- your family will love these wings.

Baked-Sticky-Chicken-Wings

Continue reading →

This entry was posted in Chicken.

Perfect Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting

The Perfect Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting is a recipe that every home baker needs in their repertoire.  What makes this Chocolate Cake so special is the simplicity of the batter and the frosting. The batter is mixed all in one bowl and the frosting has only 2 ingredients!  I have posted this cake recipe before with a little more decadence but for this one it is all about the chocolate.

Chocolate-Cake

Continue reading →

This entry was posted in Cakes.

Pistachio Thumbprint Cookies

Well March is finally here, unfortunately the snow is too and it is still falling! When will spring come??? At least we have a fun little day to celebrate early in March – St. Patrick’s Day so I thought I would start working on some green inspired delights. These Pistachio Thumbprint Cookies are a delectable little bite of a cookie rolled in bits of green pistachio – like little green St.Patrick’s Day decorations. The cookie base has very few ingredients so doesn’t take much time to whip it together.

Pistaschio-Thumbprint-Cookies

Continue reading →

This entry was posted in Cookies.