There’s something about cold blustery days and holiday celebrations that inspires one to whip up some sinfully delicious concoction in the kitchen. More than a mere collection of cooking sites, this is a sweet recipe designed to chase those winter blues away.
www.baking.about.com
The About.com site has to be the absolute I-authority about anything on earth and beyond. On their “Dessert and Baking” page, you’ll find 100 articles along the lines of History of Chocolate, Baking with Kids, Norwegian Desserts, Breakfast Sweets, Holiday Cakes, Pies, Cobblers Crisps and so much more. You can look up a long lost recipe on the Bulletin Board, register for a newsletter to whisk scrumptious new ideas to your inbox, and even contribute “Tried and True” tips of your own. Quite naturally, there are traditional treats like classic cheesecakes, brownies and cookies, but there are also Jewish desserts, Ethnic options, Low Fat/Low Carb goodies and “Fair and Carnival” favorites.
www.dianasdesserts.com
This is the type of home page really worth checking out. San Francisco native Diana Woodall has turned this website into a tribute to cooking methods handed down by her entire family. The graphics are charming, but more importantly, the recipes, all beautifully illustrated with photographs, really inspire you to get into the kitchen and try them out. Aside from tips and ideas, this site is essentially divided into two books, in turn subdivided into a multiplicity of categories. “Diana’s Recipe Book” has lots of ideas for the holidays, and beyond: Cranberry Tiramisu, Christmas Stollen, Hot Buttered Rum to name but a few. The Guest Recipe book is chocked with contributions from surfers just as greedy as you.
www.godiva.com
The world’s most famous chocolate has its own-very-own site. And, what a sight it is! Of course, everything has been lusciously photographed. What better way to incite you to shop at their online boutique. But, click on the Recipe link and you’re in for a surprise! There are tips for all kinds of breads, brownies, mousses and frozen delights... all with one ingredient in common: Godiva chocolate.
www.desertrecipes.com
This site, sponsored by Arrowhead Mills features over 750 dessert recipes, many of which are simple and easy to make. Some of the cakes and pies are modern updates like the “Elvis Presley” cake (white mix, crushed pineapple, sugar, cream cheese, butter, vanilla and chopped pecans...) while others are down-home “faves.” Yummy !
www.bettycrocker.com
How could we talk about desserts and not mention America’s first lady, on the baking front? Betty Crocker has her own site and it’s filled with holiday classics from Christmas tree cake to sparkle cookies. In addition to scores of recipes for a wide cross section of goodies, there are also tips to help you in the kitchen — ranging from picking the correct pans to storing and freezing your home-concocted creations.
