icing

Craving something sweet? Go all-out and add some flash to dessert with a creamy icing, sugar glaze or rich chocolate ganache.

Violets were my favourite flowers from a very young age. I loved the way they smelled, I loved the way they looked, and I loved the way that wild violets popped up in and around our backyard—so much so that they became my imaginary violet friends. My mom had this wonderful typewriter that typed in cursive script and as I told her the story of my little talking violets, she typed it up on red paper. When I moved to London and discovered a gorgeous French violet-scented syrup, I created this recipe to use it in.

For a going away party, we served up cupcakes with a special message. Get my decorating tips, plus more cupcake recipes.

Whether it be the first star of the night or a birthday candle, if you ask mini sous chef what she wished for the answer is always the same: cake. So with so much love for this particular dessert, I knew Chatelaine’s recipe for Vanilla cake with summer fruit would create a high level of excitement in our kitchen.

Whether you have a birthday or anniversary, or simply need a little inspiration for that giant bag of carrots sitting in the crisper, we have the perfect go-to cake.