Happy 4th Day of Christmas!!
In my newest novel, The Knight Before Christmas, my characters, Emma Westwood & Austin Knightley, make a special dessert — a chocolate-apricot torte, reminiscent of the famous Viennese Sachertorte. My husband and I were in Austria back in the mid-1990s, and we each enjoyed a generous and oh-so-chocolaty piece of the original!
Now, I’m a big fan of ALL things chocolate, but I’m not necessarily the best baker… I can say with certainty that my characters are much more skilled in the kitchen than I am! Still, I love to read about sweet, delicious recipes from all countries & cultures (chocolate or not — I’m not that picky!), and it’s music to my ears to learn about the interesting dessert experiences friends of mine have had at home or during their own travel adventures.
So, to accompany this virtual slice of Emma & Austin’s torte (see below!!), I’m asking only one question: Could you please describe for me one dessert you’ve tasted and loved? It can be simple or complex, from your home or abroad, very sweet or only mildly so, a holiday specialty or a favorite from any time of the year…whatever is memorable to you that you’d like to share. I’d love to hear about them all. (And my mouth is already watering in anticipation!!)
***
Perfect Pair Series:
Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match
Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet
***
Mirabelle Harbor Series:
Take a Chance on Me
The One That I Want
You Give Love a Bad Name
Stranger on the Shore
One Night Love Affair
Coming Home
Going for It
***
Wishing all of you a wonderful (and delicious!!) holiday season and the very best for 2020!
xox
Marilyn 😛
63 comments
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I make a homemade, flourless chocolate cake. Deep, rich, and chocolately, it’s covered in a chocolate ganache.
Wow! That sounds very like the elusive dessert I described from Cocolat!
Author
Oh, my goodness! That sounds delicious, Denise…yum!
I’m a sucker for summer pudding. You line a bowl with crustless bread so there are no gaps. Fill with berries like red & black currants, strawberries & raspberries. Cover with more bread & put in fridge for a day. Invert on a plate & serve with whipped cream. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4516/summer-pudding
Pavlova’s nice, too – a big meringue circle filled or topped with cream and fresh fruit. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/12126/easy-pavlova/
Do you see a theme here?
Author
Beatrice, LOL! I see your theme and love the direction your thinking leads you… 🙂
Oooh. My daughter in law makes a to die for eclair cake! I would have to go look up the recipe, which I’m too tired to do right now, but if I win I’ll share it! (Will that give me a better chance?) JK!
Really, I can look it up if anyone wants it. It’s pretty simple.
Author
Taswmom – ohhhh, that eclair cake sounds so tempting!
For my birthday one year (back when I was a teacher), one of our school secretaries surprised me with her homemade eclair cake and, boy, was it ever good. I still daydream about it!! 😀
My favorite dessert was Chocolate Truffle Cake (if I remember the name correctly – it was decades ago) from Cocolat in Berkeley, CA. Alas, I was a poor graduate student at the time and couldn’t afford this treat nearly as often as I would have liked. They also made chocolate rum truffles. Both were absolutely luscious, with the chocolate a deep and dark ganache, plus a hint of rum. I seem to remember that the cake included whipped cream. I no longer live in Berkeley, and neither does Cocolat, so no opportunity to enjoy this dessert, which I can now afford (my arteries perhaps not so much, though) unless I can figure out how to recreate it.
Please enter me in the drawing. If I win, I would like Pride Prejudice & the Perfect Match.
Author
Lois, you’re absolutely entered in the drawing!
And just the name “Chocolate Truffle Cake” is enough to win me over!! This sounds AMAZING… *drool* 😀
I had a couple of chocolate rum truffles from Godiva a few years back and could have eaten the entire platter — they were SO good!! Mmmm.
My mother-in-law makes an apple bar in a 9×13 pan. She drizzles a white glaze on top of it. Now add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and WOW a fantastic dessert. It’s even better warm. (Think apple pie but thinner.)
Author
Diane, my husband and brother are both HUGE apple dessert fans, so I’m always on the lookout for good recipes that might delight them. This sounds fabulous!! Especially with the glaze…and the ice cream, too…
Mmm, one of my favorites is a raspberry charlotte, the America’s Test Kitchen version of a charlotte russe. Oh, it’s good! Labor intensive, but worth every moment of work. A chiffon cake shell, filled with a raspberry mousse, with swirls of seedless raspberry jam on top and fresh raspberries as a garnish. No chocolate involved, but it’s a perfect summer dessert.
Author
Oh, MeriLyn, this *does* sound good!! I love raspberries, as well, but I’m usually too lazy to do anything more than wash them & eat them right away. I’m going to have to try to make a moussed version sometime!!
A colleague of mine made this amazing dessert called „Yoghurt Bomb“. To make it you have to put yoghurt, whipped cream and some other ingredients in a colander with a dishcloth. This you put in the fridge overnight. The result is a pretty solid half ball you can decorate with some fruit or strawberry sauce – mhm yummy 😋
Author
Sabrina, this not only sounds really tasty but, also, healthy!!!
My son and I are big fans of yogurt — he and I are going to need to try out something like this 🙂 .
Perfect pair for me! (Please:)) I make a dessert for Passover and I make a lot to be frozen: chocolate chip mandelbrot- if you’re Italian their biscotti. Just enough chocolate to make it worth while and great for dipping in a cup of tea!
Author
Lily – ooooooh!! I LOVE dipping biscotti (or mandelbrot — you taught me a new word, thank you!) in coffee or tea. These sound wonderful… 😀
I absolutely love meringues with fruit and cream but I would have to say the most memorable dessert I’ve had would be during a meal for my Mum and Dad’s Ruby Wedding Anniversary in 1986! I had pancakes filled with cherries and served with cream. Obviously so delicious as I can still taste it 33 years later!
Runner up would be the apricot bread and butter pudding my daughter made served with custard!
Damn! I’m hungry now!!
Didn’t see there was a giveaway until I read Jeanne’s comment! Please don’t enter me.
Author
Glynis, I literally licked my lips when I read about your parents’ anniversary pancakes! With cherries…and cream…oh, my!!! 🙂 🙂 YUM!
And the giveaway is open for *nine* of my books — winners get to choose one book from the 2 Perfect Pair stories or the 7 Mirabelle Harbor books, so perhaps there’s still one of them that you don’t have yet…? xo
Many years ago, we were traveling and the hotel we were staying at had an Italian restaurant attached. I had a meal I will NEVER forget. To end such a delightful culinary experience was a tiramisu to die for. I had never tasted anything like it and have not since. I was in love. Your picture above is killing me. It looks so delicious. I already have both of your Perfect Pair books, however, The Knight Before Christmas is on my wish-list. Could Santa perhaps have an extra copy of it?
Author
Jeanne, ahhhhh, tiramisu!!!! (*a momentary pause while I swoon* LOL 🙂 )
We have family members who are Italian, so we’ve had homemade versions a few times and restaurant ones, too. Some were probably more authentic than others, but I’ll admit, I enjoyed them ALL!!
As for your book question, I’m always happy to substitute books for prize winners if they already have the story they won 🙂 !!
The first thought that you post sparked for me was my mother-in-law’s chocolate cake. It is made from scratch and is not too sweet or rich—just really, really good. It was the go-to favorite for all birthday celebrations. I’m now thinking I should try to get the recipe. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your books.
Author
ForeverHis – I have to say, almost anything that’s chocolate & made from scratch is going to be good!! I hope you’re able to get ahold of the recipe 😀
One of my favorite desserts is chocolate cupcakes with chocolate pudding inside.
Thank you for the giveaway!
Author
Darcy,
YUM!!! A double chocolaty delight! And I love that combination of cake plus pudding, too…so delicious!!
I’m better with cookies than cake. I’m happy as long as dessert is around
Author
Kathy, LOL!! My family and I would agree with you on the dessert…as long as there’s *something* sweet waiting for us, we’re good!!
😀 😀
Wonderful offer Marilyn! And Best New Year wishes to you as well .. I just read one of your book excerpts that has turned me to mush so I better get my entry in quickly! 😊
Dessert shared with friends in Scotland
Classic French Creme Brulee 💝
Creamy goodness of a gently sweetened vanilla custard glazed by the candlelight magic of the ice crisp carmelized sugar topping… luscious!
Author
Faith Hope & Cherrytea – Ohhh, your description sounds as luscious as the creme brulee itself!! 🙂 🙂 Mmmmm…. LOVE the sound of it.
And thank you so much for your kind words about my story excerpt! I’m thrilled to know you enjoyed it. xox
My favorite is baklava, I think. Choosing is so very difficult. Thank you for the give away, bit since I have both I will back out of the give away.
Author
Debbie, our Greek friends & family members would wholeheartedly agree with you!! I absolutely love baklava, too. When I was a kid, I’d try to peel off the layers of filo dough from the top, one at a time, creating even greater anticipation before biting into it, LOL 😀 .
As for the giveaway, it’s open for 9 of my books (both of the Perfect Pair stories, and all seven of the Mirabelle Harbor ones). So, there might still be one of the MH series books you don’t have yet… xo
I cannot resist a macaron. Sweet, brightly colored, and so delicious…
Author
Kathy, YES, definitely!!
They are so cute & so tasty all at once 🙂 . YUM!!
Those covers look decadently delicious!
Author
Daveda,
Oh, thank you!! What a lovely thing to say — that’s so sweet!! xox
🙂
This time of year, it just HAS to be Christmas Pudding! My late mother-in-law used to make an absolutely delicious recipe for it. She’d make it in September, (well before Stir Up Sunday) so it had a really decent amount of time to mature. I keep saying I’ll do it but somehow never get around to it!
But like many other young people nowadays, our son and his fiancée aren’t keen on that, Christmas cake or mince pies. Just by chance, three years ago, when visiting friends, they introduced us to an apple dessert cake recipe invented by Mary Berry (of Great British Bake Off/Baking Show fame). It consists of a sponge cake mixture, half of which you put into a cake tin, then a layer of peeled, cored and sliced apples, then the rest of the cake mixture on top. The original recipe has almond essence in it and flaked almonds on top, but we prefer it with ground cinnamon in the mixture and Demerare sugar sprinkled on top. This has now become our “alternative” Christmas pudding. Hubby and I often have a helping of both!
If I’m lucky, I’d like one of the Mirabelle Harbour books, please. I’ll have to check which ones I already have, first.
Here’s a link to the recipe on Mary Berry’s w ebsite:
http://maryberry.co.uk/recipes/baking/the-very-best-apple-dessert-cake
I also think I may have made a typo when I input my email address in my original comment, as my usual avatar picture hasn’t shown up. Will make sure I get it right this time!
Author
Anji, I just followed the link you shared and read that apple dessert cake recipe — WOW!! It looks absolutely wonderful! I can see why it’s become a new family favorite! Thank you so much for sharing it. I may have to attempt this one for our next big family gathering. (Or, rather, I should give it a try at least once BEFORE the gathering, to make sure I don’t completely mess it up!! 😀 😀 ) xo
I love cheesecake and it can be had any time of the year. There’s one book in the Mirabelle Harbor series that I am hoping to win because it’s the only one I don’t have in my collection. Thank you, Marilyn. Have a wonderful new year!
Author
Luthien – Happy New Year to you, too!!!
And I love that you chose cheesecake. 🙂 There are so many delicious versions — you could have a different flavor every week!
xox
There is this desssert or you can have it like a snack. it is ground rice, I think. Then you add this special white sauce that is made up of sugar, anise and coconut milk. When I was a child they only serve it during Christmas time. I look forward to it every year. Now i think they can make it during sepcial occassions. But it will always remind me of Christmas.
Author
Oh, Buturot, I don’t believe I’ve seen this dessert before, but it sounds absolutely wonderful!! I love all of the ingredients you mentioned, and I can only imagine how delicious it must taste!! Thanks so much for telling me about it 🙂 .
I wish I can share it with you all. And honestly I don’t even know how to make it
Author
No worries!!
I’m definitely going to remember it, though, and keep a look out for any dessert that sounds like it… 😀 xox
My son made this year a chocolate salami. It’s chocolate filled with dried fruits and Marshmallows. It was wrapped in paper and cord and looks like a real Salami. The tasting was very very good. Do you know this recept?
Thank you for the change to win one of your books.
Author
Simone, I just *love* the idea of “chocolate salami” 😀 😀 — what a great name for such a tasty combination of treats!!
I’ve never been lucky enough to try this, but I hope I’ll get to sometime!
Sticky Toffee Pudding with vanilla ice cream! When my son and I were on a driving tour of Scotland, we would try the sticky toffee pudding at restaurants to see which one was the best. The dessert now reminds me of the fabulous memories from that vacation.
Author
Eva. just the name — Sticky Toffee Pudding!!! — would be enough to win me over! 😀
It sounds delicious, and I love that it reminds you of a wonderful trip with your son. xox
When I was in college and worked for a stationary store the owner made this incredible coconut cake from scratch. It was rich but not too sweet. It was delicious. I still think about it often.
Thank you for the giveaway.
Author
Coconut…YUM!!
I’m glad it was such a memorable cake, Dung! It sounds wonderful… 😉
Thanks for sharing that dessert with me!
My husband loves when I make my lemon meringue pie. Crust from scratch and big tall beautiful meringue. Mmmmm….
Author
Oh, Becky, my husband and I are HUGE lemon meringue pie fans!!
I’m so impressed that you can make the crust from scratch — wow!
🙂 🙂
On my trip to London this summer, I learned of an easy and delicious dessert called Eton Mess – strawberries, crushed meringue, and whipped cream all mixed together. YUM!
Author
Madenna,
I may have to go back to London just to try this dessert, LOL!
It sounds like something I’d love… Thanks for telling me about it 😀
My Mum makes a no Bake half vanilla half chocolate cheesecake that is really good. My brother is the real baker in the family though and he makes all kinds of cakes, cheesecakes, and other baked goods that are really good. He even makes a challah bread occasionally.
Chocolate covered strawberries and grapes are also a good dessert we make occasionally.
Thank you for the giveaway and have a Happy New Year!
Author
Chelsea, I love the idea of a no bake cheesecake! And I’m so very impressed that your brother can make challah bread (I love to eat it, but I’ve never attempted it myself 😉 ). And chocolate covered strawberries…*swoon!!*
Happy New Year to you, too!! xo
Author
First & foremost, thank you to EVERYONE who took the time to stop by and comment!! I absolutely loved reading about your memorable desserts… xoxo Hope 2020 has gotten off to a fabulous beginning for each of you!
Also:
The random drawing is completed!!
The 4 winners are:
Taswmom
Faith Hope & Cherrytea
Anji
Eva Edmonds
CONGRATS to you all! Please let me know (here in the comments, via email – MarilynBrant@gmail.com – or through a direct message on FB) which one of these nine books you’d like, which format (epub, mobi, or pdf) you’d prefer, and the best email address to send it to you 😀 .
Here are the book choices:
(from the Perfect Pair series)
Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match
Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet
(from the Mirabelle Harbor series)
Take a Chance on Me
The One That I Want
You Give Love a Bad Name
Stranger on the Shore
One Night Love Affair
Coming Home
Going for It
Hope you’ll enjoy whichever story you select!! 🙂 🙂
Yay, happy news!
Please may I have the second Mirabelle Harbor book, The One That I Want? I already have the first and a couple of the others but not No. 2 for some reason. Kindle format (mobi) is the preferred one and you can send it to me at the email address I use for comments here, which I presume you can retrieve from your end.
Author
Anji, Absolutely!!
Just looked up your email address and sent you the mobi copy of The One That I Want!! I truly hope you’ll enjoy this Mirabelle Harbor romance! 😀 xo
Got it! Many thanks, Marilyn.
Yay!! 😊
Hope you’ll enjoy it, Anji! xo
I have read and enjoyed your latest book. Dessert: my favorite – an American classic is apple pie ala mode. Thank you for your generosity to the readers here. I had two cataract surgeries over the holiday on top of family get-togethers so saved these blogs for now.