Joy Wilson's Blog, page 66

Gingerbread Swirl Bundt Cake

You know when you find that one clothing item that drapes perfectly, clings in the just the right place, is flattering and comfortable, is basically the unicorn of clothing items actually come true?  The item that makes us look like we’re wearing mascara and having a good hair day even if neither are true?  Ugh – it’s so elusive and when we find it we consider breaking the bank to have it in every color because it is perfect and these bodies are so hard to live in and dress well. 

If that clothing item were a cake – this is that cake. 

It’s perfect.

Continue reading Gingerbread Swirl Bundt Cake at Joy the Baker.

Spicy Broccoli Pizza with Homemade Pizza Crust

I like to challenge myself.  Yesterday’s challenge was pizza-related – and I’ll tell ya – many of my challenges involve yeast, flour and a very hot oven..  The challenge was whether or not I could make a homemade pizza faster than a pizza delivery dude could bring a pie to my house.  

It’s like a race against my very self, challenge accepted, and the reward and the pizza.  

The challenge is based on the idea that you might find yourself 30 minutes away from dinnertime with pizza in mind.  What’s the fastest homemade route?  Well it starts with a craving, Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast™, and sauce, cheese and broccoli.  

The topping for this particular pizza is inspired specifically by the spicy, garlic-y, bitter broccoli found on top of a Philly Roast Port Sandwich.

Continue reading Spicy Broccoli Pizza with Homemade Pizza Crust at Joy the Baker.

Let It Be Sunday, 249!

Hello friends! 

I’m on a high from one of the best Thanksgiving days ever. My parents came to New Orleans, bringing with them some of the finest Southern California weather.  They helped me hustle the Bakehouse together into a little wonder of a Thanksgiving home with dinner outdoors, drinks on the patio, every detail accounted for… and they only had to endure me being terribly bossy for two short days to make it all happen.

Continue reading Let It Be Sunday, 249! at Joy the Baker.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

I have a better understanding, and much more gratitude to my parents who managed to put actual warm dinner on the table all the nights of my young life.  They were hardly every overly fancy and they often involved a fish stick with a carefully drawn line of ketchup thankyouverymuch.  There were some nights (and gosh this memory came at me in a flash) we’d have something called CTOT – short for (oh god) Creamed Tuna On Toast. 

If you lived in the Wilson household you were welcomed to a dinner of pale skim milk gravy, oh just barely seasoned with a can of tuna stirred in.

Continue reading Stuffed Acorn Squash at Joy the Baker.

Let It Be Sunday, 248!

Hello friends!  Happy Sunday, indeed! 

This week I went to my sorta monthly acupuncture appointment where my kind acupuncture lady asked me all sorts of questions about my mood and sleep and digestion and cycle (all while making steady unwavering eye contact).  I mention this and that. I tried to meet her steady gaze.  I mentioned that I was… tired.  She stopped me, scrolling back on her computer.  She responded with something to the effect of: you know you always mention being tired.

Continue reading Let It Be Sunday, 248! at Joy the Baker.

Classic Pumpkin Pie with Chocolate Whip

Friends it’s time. This is not a drill. It’s time to fill the fridge with soon-to-be leftovers and preheat the oven for pies! 

It has come to my attention that I don’t have a classic pumpkin pie recipe on Joy the Baker.  I sure do have Pumpkin Pie Spice but left you with the spice and not the pie.  My apologies though really, the Internet and our grandmother’s have no shortage of pumpkin pie recipes. 

If you’ve been here for more than one holiday season, you know that the only pie I want to talk about this time of year is my Dad’s Sweet Potato Pie.

Continue reading Classic Pumpkin Pie with Chocolate Whip at Joy the Baker.

Let It Be Sunday, 247!

Hello friends! It’s Sunday, let’s do this! 

This week we turned my house into the tiniest cooking school, yet again. This time we welcomed Zoe Francois into The Bakehouse for a weekend of puff pastry and pie crust. It’s been tremendous so far and Zoe and I are both patting ourselves on the back, walking 8 people through puff pastry in 4 hours. Really, it’s a thrill to share my kitchen with a pastry chef I’ve admired for years.

Continue reading Let It Be Sunday, 247! at Joy the Baker.

Cinnamon Sugar St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

If I were to say my baking is influenced by a place, I’d call it a hodge podge of my Tennessee-raised grandmother (who may actually have been from Alabama), my California-raised father who loves figs and fruit pies, my California roots that may entertain coconut oil and avocado as substitutes for butter, and my New Orleans present who LOVES BEIGNETS WITH ALL

HER HEART. Throw in a few classic French pastry books, all of Dorie Greenspan’s advice and here we are… Joy the Baker. 

But I have a blindspot: cozy, homey Midwestern baking – most prominently a real-deal St.

Continue reading Cinnamon Sugar St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake at Joy the Baker.

Let It Be Sunday, 246!

Hello friends! Welcome to another fine Sunday.

I’ve been talking with friends this week and the consensus is that November has snuck up on us.  We were here, just minding our own business in the month of May- we might have rested our eyes and minds for a minute or two and WHAM- November is upon us… well on its way actually. Ok.  Ok ok. 

What we have to look forward to these next few months: a Thanksgiving feast (however that may take shape) with friends and family, and a holiday cookie swap this December.  Simple things.

Continue reading Let It Be Sunday, 246! at Joy the Baker.

Quick Homemade Puff Pastry with Vermont Creamery

Friends!  Game faces – ON!  The most delicious holiday of the year is fast approaching! 

Yea… we’re talking about Thanksgiving though here in New Orleans I throw a giant Friendsgiving at The Bakehouse. 

We’re four years into Friendsgiving and I, even thought, I have more than a dozen chairs in my house, it feels like I might need even more this year. These are all problems I welcome this time of year because my love languages are butter and feeding people.  

In the spirit of both BUTTER and FEEDING PEOPLE I come to you with a plan!

Continue reading Quick Homemade Puff Pastry with Vermont Creamery at Joy the Baker.