Award-winning journalist and editor for 25 years, Joy started her career at the Saratoga News and the Los Gatos Times-Observer. She now follows her culinary passions while freelancing. Reach her at joyofdesserts@gmail.com.

10 easy dessert and baking tips just in time for the holidays

  High-quality extracts provide more flavor for baked goods. Related Articles More tips More for Fall & Winter More of Joy's DESSERT articles Easy recipes More on alcohol and desserts More on fruits and nuts  1.  To Roast Nuts: Spread nuts in a single layer in a shallow pan coated lightly with butter, margarine, or oil. Roast in moderate oven, stirring occasionally until nuts color slightly. They will darken once they're away from the heat.  2.  To Toast Nuts: Use a dry pan and proceed as above.  3.  For a great bread crumb coating mixture, use 1 cup...

5-minute, fast and easy pumpkin pie milk shake recipe, diet variation too

  Fast and easy pumpkin pie milk shake/Kraft Related Articles More pumpkins More ice cream and frozen treats More for Fall & Winter More easy recipes Joy's most recent DESSERT recipes Those of us living in California, or other warm climates can still enjoy milk shakes and ice cream.  And there are those of us who do enjoy these cold treats even during the  coldest days of the year! Here's a fast pumpkin pie flavored milk shake you'll want to make lickity-split.  All it takes is a blender, or even just a pitcher with a tight-fitting lid if the ice cream is already...

5-minute, fast and easy pumpkin pie cup recipe

 Easy Pumpkin Pie Cup/Kraft Related Articles More easy recipes More tips and tricks More for Fall & Winter More pumpkins Joy's most recent DESSERT articles This recipe is so fast and easy, you can teach your children to make it in just 5 minutes, and there's no hot oven to worry about . It makes a sweet afterschool snack, or even  a dessert younger children can be proud of bringing to the familly dinner table. Pumpkin Pie Cup Recipe Total Time: 5 minutes Makes: 1 serving Ingredients: 4 small cookies such as Nilla Wafers or  sugar cookies 1 pudding snack such as JELL-O...

Easy walnut maple syrup cookie recipe from San Francisco Chef Emily Luchetti

    Chef Luchetti's walnut maple cookies/Walnut Board Walnuts and maple syrup are both in peak of season, and are a great flavor pairing.  Local San Francisco chef Emily Luchetti, an authority on flavor and a consultant for the California Walnut board created this delicious cookie recipe so appropriate for Thanksgiving treats and all through the holidays. "Walnuts are an oilier nut but still not as strong or dominating as a pecan.  I like to combine walnuts with maple in desserts.  They work with apples as well as pears or quince,"  Luchetti said in ...

National Chocolate Day - Celebrate with recipes; fun facts, nutritional information

  Magic chocolate cookies transform into cake! Chocolate lovers rejoice!  Today is National Chocolate Day.  Because chocolate is so well-loved in the United States and world-wide, it is celebrated several times during the year, and there are many variations on the theme like American Chocolate Day, or National Fudge Day, too. Chocolate can be healthy.  Jacques Torres, "Mr. Chocolate" himself recently sent out this tweet "Could chocolate prevent malaria? The Bill & Melinda foundation thinks it might!" Find out lots more chocolate nutrition and fun...

10 pumpkin facts: fun trivia and nutritional information

  Pumpkins ready to be Jack-O-Lanterns or be eaten/Wikimedia Since childhood we are all used to carving Jack-O-Lanterns for Halloween.  Through the fall season and Thanksgiving these autumn beauties - from white ghosts to bright red turbans -  greet us from a neighbor's front steps, from a store display, or even scattered throughout our own homes. Here are 10 fun trivia and also nutritional information we should all know about pumpkins.  With their bright orange and red skins and flesh so full of beta carotene which convert to Vitamin A, they are great for healthy...

Baked pumpkin custard recipe instead of traditional pie saves calories, fat, is gluten-free

  Baked pumpkin custard is gluten-free/CA walnut board This baked pumpkin custard recipe is a smart take on classic pumpkin pie for those trying to save some calories, fat, or even eliminate gluten.  Just by skiping the crust, this recipe for pumpkin custard, has 70% fewer calories, 97% less saturated fat than a traditional pumpkin pie, and it is gluten-free.* These crustless, individual custards can be baked either in small, hallowed-out pumpkins, or in ramekins.  Instructions are given for both methods. Baked Pumkin Custard Recipe Ingredients 6 small sugar pumpkins, 12 - 16...

Walnuts -- 10 important facts to know about walnuts

  Walnuts pack nutritional value/California Walnut Board Walnuts -- Ingredient of the week Ten important things to know about walnuts     1. Unique among nuts, walnuts contain the highest amount of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the plant-based omega-3 essential fatty acid, required by the human body.  A one-ounce serving of walnuts provides 2.5 grams of ALA. 2. Walnuts are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may improve blood lipids and other cardiovascular disease risk factors.  Walnuts also rank high in antioxidants.  3. California walnuts are harvested...

Conde Nast boots Ruth Reichl, closes Gourmet magazine

  Gourmet closes after November issue.   The last Gourmet magazine is coming to the November newstands. The venerable, 68-year-old Gourmet magazine has been slated for slaughter by its publisher Conde Nast come next month's November issue.  Nothing is sacred in this economy. Conde Nast announced this morning that it will close Gourmet Magazine on the eve of its December anniversary due to lack of profitable advertising and a poor economy.  Gourmet's first issue was published in December 1940. “These businesses should be 25 percent net margin businesses,”...

Ten food and baking tips

  A scale provides the most accuracy for consistant recipes.   1.  When baking, use applesauce for half of the called-for shortening. The applesauce will help retain the moisture in baked goods, while reducing the amount of calories and fat.   2.  When using apples or pears in a recipe, don’t automatically peel the skin, as it offers fiber and nutrients.   3.  Storing flours in your freezer, especially if you live in a hot climate or don't use them often, will prevent bugs from attacking your supply, and lengthen the shelf life.  It will remain...

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