When I started the Overthinking Classics series a little over a year ago, it was with dishes like today’s Peach Cobbler in mind. Like any professional(ish) food person, I like to experiment with my chosen medium. But the experimental dishes aren’t the foods that got me into cooking and baking in the first place. Pies and cobblers were some of the first recipes my grandmother taught me. These are the dishes that got me addicted to the act of making food and feeding people. And while it’s fun to fiddle with nostalgic treats and turn them into something unexpected. Sometimes you just want the classic, straight-up and unadorned. And that’s what today’s Peach Cobbler recipe is. Easy, approachable, and incredibly delicious.
PB and Honey Donuts with Honey Roasted Peanuts
Today’s PB and Honey Donuts are a love letter to the first sandwich I ever learned how to make myself – peanut butter and honey. My mom was always keen on independence, so I started making my own school lunches fairly early on. But because my repertoire was limited, whenever I brown-bagged it to school chances were there was a PB and honey sandwich in that bag. And yes, I am old enough to remember a time when peanut butter was allowed in schools. You’d think after years of eating the same sandwich I’d be sick of it but I’m not. I still love the combo to this day, so much so that I saw fit to immortalize it in donut form. And the result was pretty spectacular if I do say so myself. So let’s dive in!
Rhubarb Cream Tart with Strawberry Meringue
Today’s Rhubarb Cream Tart with Strawberry Meringue takes the stars of the classic pie filling combo and has a little fun with them. There are few pie flavors that are as beloved as strawberry rhubarb, so I know I’m playing with fire here. But how can you say no to a beauty like this? This is one of those effortlessly beautiful desserts. No fussy piping or decoration is required. The second you pop that strawberry meringue on top, you’ve got a showstopper on your hands. The final floral flourish of lilac blossoms is nice but completely optional. You’ll have a fairyland-worthy dessert with or without the blooms. So let’s get started.
Carrot Cake with Pineapple Curd – Overthinking Classics
Easter is fast approaching, so it only made good sense to do an Overthinking Classics on the unofficial dessert of Easter – the carrot cake. I have no idea why carrot cake has anything to do with Easter. Growing up we were far more likely to indulge in a lemon meringue pie and carrot cake was more of a birthday thing. But I suppose I do have an idea. It probably has everything to do with the Easter bunny. In the video below I do dip into the origins of the cake but I don’t talk about the more fanciful trappings of Easter. I really should’ve because this holiday is strange. Stranger than a portly guy shoving himself down a chimney? I would still say yes. A bunny, a mammal, who leaves eggs is hella weird. But that’s not why we’re here, let’s talk cake.