Chocolate and peppermint are two of my favorite flavors and when combined – well, it just doesn’t get any better. When I saw Fudgy Peppermint Cake being developed in the Test Kitchens, I was the first in line to volunteer to participate in the tasting sessions. Well, somebody has to do it :)

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and visions of pumpkins are swirling around in my head. Questions, really … Should I make a classic pumpkin pie for this year’s feast or something new and exciting? When I found the recipe for Pumpkin Cake Roll, I decided on the latter.

A number of years ago I regularly met with a small group of women from my church. We were all working moms who needed other working moms to bounce things off of, to share frustrations with and to enjoy the company of, knowing we were all experiencing many of the same challenges and joys. I guess they were my mommy support group.

I can’t eat a piece of carrot cake without thinking of my sister. Ever since I can remember, she has chosen to have a homemade carrot cake for her fall birthday. I should mention she is my older (and only) sister. I like to remind her that she will always be the older one, even though we are only 20 months apart.

Usually, I’m all about the sheet cake. But for birthdays or special occasions, layer cakes aren’t that much more work and the ‘wow’ factor is certainly higher! We had friends visiting and their daughter was turning seven. It was a predicted to be a hot day, so I wanted a cake that was light. I had made the Orange Cream Layer Cake once before and was dying to make it again.

Tortes are no kid's cupcakes - they're classy. They're a big deal dessert! What if I botch it? But here's what I discovered: tortes aren't that hard to make. They're luscious and rich and delicious, but you can make them yourself at home! Who knew I could be that kind of decadent chef? Well, you can too.

I’m often asked, “What’s it like to work in the Test Kitchen?” or I hear comments like “It must be a dream job!’. To tell you the truth being a Test Kitchen Home Economist is special and is the way I exercise my passion of sharing my love of food and recipes with consumers everywhere. Providing excellent recipes and baking and cooking information is what it’s all about. Some days it’s a piece of cake…. And some days, like any job, it isn’t.