MAK and Her Cheese

Candy Bar Layer Cake

This candy bar layer cake features rich and moist Dutch chocolate cake layers baked on a sandy, buttery shortbread crust, filled with a thick salted toffee sauce, fudgy chocolate ganache, and hunks of Heath bar, all covered in the silkiest, most luscious milk chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream. The very best of a Twix and Heath bar turned into the ultimate candy bar-inspired cake of your dreams. I've been dreaming up different versions a candy bar-inspired cake for about as long as I've been baking. Finally, I can present you with what I consider the ultimate combination of candy bar elements in the form of a rich chocolate layer cake. Though I originally planned on adhering strictly to the flavors of Twix--shortbread cookie, thick caramel, and milk chocolate--eventually it hit me... What rule says I have to stick to the flavors of one candy bar? There are no rules. Thus, we have a mash-up of my favorites: crunchy shortbread cookie (think Twix) thick salted ...

Layers of soft & buttery spiced vanilla sponge, gooey peach filling made with fresh sweet peaches, crunchy toasted brown sugar crumble, and luscious browned butter cream cheese buttercream. The ultimate cake to celebrate summer’s best! This peach crumble cake the epitome of a summer dessert (and my official new favorite for summer). Think gooey baked…

The SOFTEST buttery vanilla cake layers are speckled with bits of milk chocolate, filled with fudgy ganache and satisfying hunks of mini Cadbury eggs, and coated in fluffy malted milk chocolate buttercream as spoonable as a milkshake. Aka the dreamiest cake for Easter.Everything about Easter makes it my favorite holiday–spring, pastels, flowers and eggs and bunnies…

This is the MOISTEST, SOFTEST, FUDGIEST chocolate cake, leveled up with warm notes of gingerbread, a crunchy cookie crust, rich chocolate ganache, sweet and nutty toffee bits, and creamy whipped browned butter cream cheese buttercream. It’s the ultimate celebration cake for Christmas or any wintry occasion.Take my chocolatiest Dutch chocolate cake, mix in brown sugar,…

The rich, savory, and sweet flavors of French onion soup meet hearty mac & cheese in this comforting, elevated side dish. Featuring earthy, sweet caramelized onions, white wine, aromatic thyme, roasted garlic, nutty gruyere and sharp aged white cheddar in a creamy, buttery sauce, and toasty sourdough. It doesn’t take much to explain why this…

Soft, buttery overnight brioche dough is rolled up with a rich and fudgy chocolate babka-inspired filling and honey toasted pecans. After baking, the warm, gooey rolls are topped with creamy browned butter mascarpone frosting. They are the most divine treat for a holiday morning. I can say with total confidence that these chocolate pecan brioche…

Extra moist pumpkin spice cake layers with a crunchy Biscoff cookie crust, dreamy browned butter cream cheese buttercream, and rich homemade salted butterscotch sauce. It’s the BEST cake for fall! I can’t tell you how excited I am about this new pumpkin crunch cake. The cake layers are sooooooo soft and moist and pillowy, and…

This juicy and satisfying Greek-inspired salad is loaded with roasted turkey, crispy bacon, briny artichokes, peppadew peppers, olives, and pickled onion, tangy feta, creamy avocado, crisp veggies, bright herbs, toasted sourdough, and a smooth tahini dressing with lemon and honey. This post comes to you as part of my juicy/satisfying salad campaign. It’s for those…

Hearty pasta smothered in a thick & creamy sweet potato sauce with roasted garlic, herbs, rich smoked gouda, gruyere, and aged white cheddar. Topped with candied bacon and baked until irresistibly crisp and melty. Perfect for a mouthwatering holiday side dish or cozy winter dinner. When it comes to holiday meals, for me it’s…

Nutty browned butter and brown sugar, bold apple cider, warm spices, rich maple and white chocolate, all baked into the most magical soft, chewy cookie and topped with a drizzle of maple cream. If you’ve been wondering whether you really need the apple cider sitting in the special cooler at the front of the market…

Griddled French toast made with buttery soft brioche infused with vanilla and warm spices. Topped with a heavenly citrus maple cream cheese glaze and maple toasted pecans. Deceptively quick and hassle-free with indulgent & nostalgic flavor and textures. Fun fact about me: My #1 favorite breakfast/brunch item is always French toast. Always. I usually don’t…

Tender vanilla cake layers filled with creamy vanilla bean whipped white chocolate ganache and crunchy Biscoff cookie butter, all covered in the silkiest, smoothest, dreamiest cookie butter Swiss meringue buttercream.When it comes to cake, chocolate is almost always the obvious answer for me. So when a dear friend requested vanilla cake for her birthday, I…

Roasted turkey, crispy bacon, fresh sweet corn and fennel, tangy pickled onion, avocado, toasty sourdough, bright herbs and crisp greens with a thick & creamy homemade garlic parmesan miso Caesar dressing. An elevated, outrageously flavorful, extra crunchy, super satisfying take on the classic.Another crunchy salad to add to the lineup. ASAP. Try it for a…

Fresh juicy strawberries, crisp greens, fennel and leeks, pickled red onion, ripe avocado, roast turkey and crispy bacon, creamy gorgonzola, sweet & spicy toasted walnuts, basil pesto, and homemade honey balsamic dressing. Aka the best of spring loaded up in the ultimate flavorful and satisfying salad. If you’ve been keeping up with Punxsutawney Phil and…

This light, creamy, and satisfying twist on classic potato leek soup features wholesome white beans and crispy bacon or pancetta. It’s blended to silky-smooth perfection and finished with creme fraiche, lemon, and bright herbs.By this point in February, most of us are completely over the whole winter thing and ready for a taste of spring….

Quality feta, olive oil, honey, herbs, pepper, and 15 minutes are all you need to make this sophisticated, comforting, crowd-pleasing, unbelievably delicious baked appetizer.This honey baked feta has been one of my go-to appetizers for years. The post is long overdue because the baked feta tends to be demolished before I can photograph it. I…

Crispy ham, sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, melty sharp cheddar, mashed & seasoned avocado, sweet & spicy peppadew peppers, tangy pickled red onion, and an oozy fried egg sandwiched on a thin onion bagel and grilled until hot and toasty. Without sounding overly dramatic, this is the most savory, flavor-packed, comforting, satisfying, mouthwatering concoction that I…

A thick & hearty whole grain buttermilk waffle loaded with warm gingerbread spices, dark chocolate chips, and topped with a light & creamy vanilla bean maple mascarpone glaze.Before abandoning all the festive and comforting flavors of the holidays in exchange for the gloomier half of winter, you have to try my all-time favorite, most satisfying…

Soft and buttery homemade brioche dough is rolled with orange marmalade and spices, baked until fluffy, gooey, and golden, then topped with a beautiful sweet orange glaze. These orange rolls make the perfect bright, citrusy treat for Christmas morning. The dough can be prepped the night before so they are completely hands-free in the morning….

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