Oh lord, where do I begin? You know when you have one baking goal for the day and then it kind of seems like Jesus and Buddha and Mayor Daley and everyone else in charge of your life just doesn’t allow it to happen? Well, that was my Sunday. All I wanted was to make [...]

In theory, baklava cupcakes are a good idea, and I’m sure with some trying, they will come out better than they did on this attempt. We’re lucky to live around the corner from Nazareth Sweets, which aside from having a name that makes me think of church, is surely in my top-5 list for best [...]

lovely Originally uploaded by Bake & Destroy Last week end Tony and I snatched up a jar of cashew macadamia nut butter from Trader Joe’s. I thought it would make a delicious frosting and we spent the day going back and forth about what kind of cupcake such a rich frosting flavor would be best [...]

I think most people, having spent the week end with their fellow baking blogger and Internet life partner, would start off their post with a fabulous tale of co-baking and recipe swapping. Not I! Oh, The Urban Housewife and I had fun alright – discussing blogs we love and hate, shopping at Renegade in the [...]

pink cupcake Originally uploaded by Bake & Destroy! I am adrift in a sea of homework, barely able to reach the surface long enough to breathe, eat a real meal or gasp-blog. I graduated almost a month ago, but I’m finishing my last few credits over the summer semester and it’s the craziest school has [...]

Matcha green tea cupcakes Originally uploaded by Bake & Destroy! For months now there has been some kind of crazy matcha green tea powder shortage in Chicago. A few months ago I called every Whole Foods and every Asian grocery in the city and couldn’t get my hands on any. Finally a Trader Joe’s employee [...]

cream de menthe cookie Originally uploaded by Bake & Destroy! Last week I gave an interview to a fellow journalism student at Columbia who was profiling “an alternative Chicago voice.” I have a very alternative voice. In fact I once had a musician boyfriend marvel at my ability to match Mike Ness’ tone exactly. That’s [...]

Zombi 2 MuffinOriginally uploaded by Bake & Destroy! Yesterday I watched Fulci’s Zombi 2 for oh…the 500th time? But this time I watched it as a student (in my zombie class) and paid more attention to the cinematic elements and cultural context of the film. I also paid attention to the eye-splinter scene because it’s [...]

I heart Cakespy Originally uploaded by Bake & Destroy! My sister-in-law is in town for the holidays and we decided right away we wanted to bake together. I’ve been wanting to make the Boston cream pie cupcakes from Julie Hasson’s 125 Best Cupcake Recipes and figured in this case four hands would be better than [...]

red velvet cupcakes Originally uploaded by Bake & Destroy! I had a request for red velvet cupcakes from a girl who said her aunt used to make the best red velvet cake but never makes it anymore. No pressure. So, I turned to my girl Paula Deen. I figured a proper Southern lady would have [...]