This Australian pavlova recipe is easy to make, looks beautiful, and is a delicious gluten-free dessert any time of year. Why did I wait so long to make pavlova? I have no idea. As soon as I tasted this crunchy, creamy, fruity dessert I was kicking myself for not making it years ago. Don’t make the …

To kick off the new year I’ve got a delicious Italian recipe to share with you: my friend Chicca’s Italian Almond Chocolate Cake.  I’ve made this cake twice now and I’m sure you’ll love it. It’s easy to make. It’s not super sweet – no icing needed, just a dusting of powdered sugar. You can even make …

Today’s International Baking Adventure is Lebkuchen Cookies — a German Christmas baking favorite! These soft, flourless cookies are filled with ground hazelnuts and almonds, candied citrus, and topped with chocolate or sugar glaze.

Made with fragrant Dutch Speculaas Spice, these delicious cookies deserve a spot on your holiday baking tray! Included in this recipe are two ways to make Speculaas Spice Cookies – thin and crispy or soft and chewy. Both are super easy. You’ll love them! A while back I shared how to make Dutch Speculaas Spice …

This German Käsekuchen (German Cheesecake) is made with Quark and has a hint of lemon. One bite and you’ll swear you’re in Germany! There are many variations of German cheesecake. This version is light, fluffy, and has a crust. If you’re looking for a denser cheesecake or a simpler and faster one without a crust, check …

Served warm and rolled in cinnamon sugar, these German Quark Balls (called Quarkbällchen in German) are lightly crunchy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. They might look like doughnut holes but their taste and texture is different due to the Quark cheese. Perfect for a special holiday breakfast, afternoon snack or …

If you’re shopping for meaningful, affordable, and useful gifts, you’re in the right place! All of the items below are things I’ve purchased or received myself this year and have used and loved. I’ve even got some special discounts for you if you order through my links — take a look below! Gift Idea #1: …

Quark is a healthy, versatile, and super delicious soft cheese popular in Germany and other parts of Europe. Not only can you bake and cook with Quark (mmmm…German Cheesecake), you can eat it for breakfast, enjoy it as a healthy mid-day snack or turn it into a heavenly dessert. Keep reading for my homemade plain …

I’d always wanted to try an international candy box, because it’s just so fun to try candy from around the world. Even better? Add in cookies and snacks! So I was thrilled when my family sent my husband and me two international snack subscription boxes for our anniversary in August – Universal Yums and MunchPak. …

  This crustless German cheesecake uses Quark cheese – a German baking staple – instead of cream cheese. It’s quick, easy, and so good! Not sure what Quark is or where to find it? Keep reading! Are you a cheesecake fan? Want to branch out beyond cream cheese cheesecake? If so, give this super easy, …

These German Gebrannte Mandeln (almonds roasted in cinnamon and sugar) taste just like what you’d find at a German Christmas Market! They’re quick and pretty easy to make on your stove at home. Whether you miss the German Christmas markets or just want to make something new, try these almonds. You’ll love them!  When I …

I send advent calendars every year to family members and friends. Some years I go ALL OUT and make each one from scratch (like the one my German host mom made for me when I was a teen), while other years I stick to simpler pre-made calendars filled with little chocolates or sweets.  If it’s …

Yes, you can make homemade crème frâiche! My easy homemade crème frâiche recipe is effortless — all you need is milk, buttermilk, and a jar. After making crème frâiche at home you’ll never want to buy it again! Wondering What to Do with Crème Frâiche? I’d never heard of crème frâiche until I moved to …

This 3-layer German Apple Streusel Cake is easy, beautiful, and absolutely delicious! If you’ve got apples, you’ve got to make this German cake. Serve with a side of freshly whipped cream. Yum! Apple cake (Apfelkuchen in German) is popular in Germany. You’ll find it in bakeries, cafes, and on kitchen tables for afternoon Kaffee und …

Got plums? Make German Pflaumenmus (German plum butter)! It’s super easy, an almost totally hands-off cooking process, and you can freeze any leftovers you have – if you have any left! When my friend Marliece (who lived in Germany the same year I did when we were high school students) shared photos of her German …

When I ask International Baking Club members about their biggest baking challenges, the topic of ingredients is always first to come up. Can I make recipes using ingredients I already have in my pantry? Do I need to buy a bunch of fancy or unfamiliar ingredients? Where can I find the ingredients I do need? …

This authentic German Apfelkuchen (apple cake) recipe features a moist custard cake topped with tender fresh baked apples. Using simple pantry ingredients, this cake is easy to whip up for a spontaneous afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen! I’ve got another delicious German dessert recipe for you! A reader emailed me recently looking for a recipe for …

You don’t need a lot of kitchen tools to make amazing international desserts, sweets, and snacks! But certain tools really do help you bake better. I’m more of a minimalist when it comes to kitchen tools and rarely buy anything that won’t get a lot of use. During the years I moved around a lot, …

If you’re looking for single-serve, no churn, easy 5-minute ice cream recipes you can make in a jar, you’re in the right place! All summer long I’ve been making lots and lots of no churn ice cream. I tried several methods (you can read about my experiments here), and once I figured out the recipe …

If you love honey and almonds, you’ll swoon over German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich). This traditional German treat has two layers of yeast cake, a vanilla cream filling, and a crunchy gooey honey almond topping. If you’re looking for an easy authentic German dessert that will fly off your cake plate, this is it! So …

If you want to Christmas like a German this year, you’re in the right place! Whether you’re planning a trip to Germany at Christmastime, are interested in how Christmas is celebrated in Germany or want to incorporate German Christmas traditions, decorations, and recipes into your own celebrations at home, keep reading! In this article I …

Looking for a new homemade ice cream recipe that doesn’t require an ice cream maker? Want to kick your basic vanilla ice cream up a notch? Got some left over clotted cream? Try this easy no churn clotted cream ice cream recipe! If you want to go right to the clotted cream ice cream recipe …

If the awe-inspiring architecture, lush countryside, and historical intrigue of Italy aren’t enough to send you into sensory overload, the abundance of tasty classic Italian desserts in pasticceria windows will surely do you in. From expertly layered chocolate cakes to cream-filled pastries to boozy breads soaked in rum, searching for mouthwatering treats in Italy is …

You only need five ingredients and one bowl to make this easy traditional Irish Soda Bread! Whether you make it with currants (my favorite), raisins, dried cranberries or plain, I’m sure you’ll love it. Then, if you’ve got leftovers, make my one bowl Irish Soda Bread Pudding – it makes a delicious dessert, afternoon snack …

  Creamy, chocolatey, and full of toasted hazelnuts, this homemade Nutella is out of this world! You only need a handful of ingredients and 15 minutes to make this amazing chocolate hazelnut spread. Confession: I love Nutella. Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread) used to be something I only ate in Germany but nowadays you can easily …

When it comes to cuisine, Switzerland may be best known for its cheese dishes fondue and raclette but there are plenty of sweet treats to tempt you, too. My husband’s aunt lives in Bern and on our many visits to her house we’ve always been served up the most amazing cakes. As well as aunty’s …

I started drinking tea when I moved to Germany as a teenager, and quickly became a fan of all kinds of German tea. Especially German chamomile and peppermint on cold winter evenings. It seemed like everyone I met in Germany had both in their kitchen cupboards at all times. These days, so do I. But …

Mascarpone is a creamy Italian fresh cheese that is super easy to make at home using only 2 ingredients! Use in tiramisu, icing, whipped cream, tarts, pasta, and much more.

I’ve got two very simple and super tasty holiday treats for you! First up is Golden Syrup Chex Mix and then, for the chocolate lovers, Speculaas Spice Muddy Buddies. You can whip these up in just a few minutes and are perfect for holiday office parties, watching cheesy holiday movies on Netflix or for snacking …

German Rum Balls (Rumkugeln) are a Christmas favorite! These no-bake treats couldn’t be easier to make and are perfect to bring to holiday parties, to add to your cookie tray or for delicious post-dinner snacking. You can make chocolate rum balls with or without hazelnuts and adjust the rum flavor to your liking.  Tips for …

  I shared this great deal on my other website (the one that helps people with the challenging transition of returning to your home country after living abroad) and I thought you might also be interested!  [sc name=”Amazon Affiliate”]   If you’ve lived abroad – or are living abroad now – check out Arriving Well: …

Buttery yeast bread with candied zest, sliced almonds, rum-soaked raisins, currants, and dried cranberries (and marzipan if you like it) topped with a buttery layer of powdered sugar – one of the best German Christmas treats!  This is a robust Stollen tutorial. If you want to go right to the recipe, click on “Jump to …

If you want to make homemade clotted cream, this is for you! I’ve made it many, many times now, and in this article I share all the details about what works and what doesn’t. If you want to get right to the recipe, click “jump to recipe” or scroll aaaaaall the way down. If you …

Since golden syrup is one of the IDB’s most popular recipes, I thought I’d share an easy dessert that uses golden syrup and is out of this world delicious: mini treacle tarts!  These individual treacle tarts are two bites of buttery, lemony deliciousness. The slightly salty almond shortbread crust pairs well with the sweet filling. …

Looking for Christmas inspiration? Want to kick your baking up a notch? Check out these mouthwatering European Christmas favorites! They’re easy to make at home using items you probably already have in your pantry. Your friends and family will love these European Christmas cookies, cakes, pies, and other scrumptious treats!  

I don’t make too many layer cakes these days but I do make one each year on my birthday (and my husband’s if he wants one). I dream up a flavor profile and then go search for recipes. This year, I craved apples and spice. The cake I made was SO incredibly good, I decided …

It’s just not Christmas without a big plate of cookies! Give one, two or all of these easy cookies a go this holiday season!

When you’re traveling, sometimes you want to carry everything in a backpack or travel purse. Other times, you’d rather keep certain items close to you, whether out of safety concerns or because you’d simply rather not carry a purse or bag. You could wear a money belt — but money belts can get bulky, make …

All over Colombia, there are unique sweets and desserts. Here are 10 of the best!

These 10 must-try Hungarian desserts and sweets will certainly leave you happy and satisfied.