I skipped a few weeks of “Bites from Other Blogs” at the end of last year — after reaching 450 posts in the series — because of holiday commitments. The series is back for 2017. This week’s roundup is a mixed bag: a few festive recipes, some new treats, and a selection of delicious ideas worth trying.
- The Whole Bite presents a show-stopping Chocolate Champagne Layer Cake that’s perfect for celebrations or any moment when you want to bake and open a bottle of bubbly. The intense chocolate cake is baked in a modest six-inch diameter, but it rises into three tall layers layered with champagne-spiked cake and a generous champagne-and-chocolate frosting. Elegant and indulgent, it’s a great pick for holidays, birthdays, or a special Friday treat.
- When you want a quick, satisfying sweet, a candy bar can be exactly right. Served From Scratch offers charming Mini Almond Joys — bite-sized homemade candy bars with a soft coconut filling, two crunchy almonds on top, and a chocolate coating. They’re the perfect snack-sized indulgence. For a shiny, professional finish, remember to temper your chocolate before coating.
- Peppermint bark is a seasonal favorite at my house, and if you have leftover bark, consider folding it into Peppermint Bark Oreo Brownies from A Cookie Named Desire. These fudgy brownies are rich with dark chocolate and brightened by peppermint. Oreos add a pleasant crunch and texture, while chopped peppermint bark makes each bite extra festive and indulgent.
- I baked a batch of Champagne Bars to celebrate the new year, but Joy the Baker also has a delightful option: Brown Butter Champagne Doughnuts. These baked doughnuts include a subtle hint of champagne in the batter and more pronounced bubbly flavor in the sweet glaze that tops them, making brunch feel a little more festive on any weekend.
- Recipe Throwback: Ten years ago I shared a recipe for The Cheese Board’s Currant Scones. The Cheese Board, a bakery and cheese shop in Berkeley, California, still makes some of the best scones I’ve tasted. If you’re nearby it’s worth a visit, and this recipe brings their notable scones to your home kitchen so you can enjoy them any time.