Columns to Savor
Catherine Christensen

Rhubarb

Shaker Lemon Pie

Silken Baked Custards

Soufflé Me

Cinnamon Girl: Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake, Rachel's Marshmallo Cinnamon Buns, and Snickerdoodles Cookies

Scrumptious Caramel Cheesecake

French Fruit Classics. Frangipane Tart
and Chocolate Cherry Clafoutis

Dog Days of Summer: "The Bomb" Pops: Strawberry Balsamic Yogurt Pops and Fudgesicles Two Ways

Frozen Delights: Pistachio and Chocolate Semifreddo and Nougat Glacé with Raspberry Coulis

Spark the Appetite!: Mangos Diablo, Pêches Louis, Bananas Foster and Basic Dessert Crêpes

The Amazing Erupting Volcano Cake

Pancakes and Waffles

Ooh la la...chocolat! Mousse au Chocolate and Mexican Chocolate Pots de Crème

Muffins: French Breakfast Muffins, Chocolate Raspberry Muffins, and Breakfast Power Muffins

Easy Holiday Cookies Plus Dried Cherry and Amaretto Nut Bread

Happy Thanksgiving! Divine Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie and Pumpkin White Chocolate Cheesecake

Spooky Cupcakes

Bar Cookies

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Decadent Cream Pies

Favorite Cakes for Summer Picnics, Barbecues, and Scrumptious Eating.

Glorious Cheesecake: Old-School Secret Recipe, Key Lime, and Chocolate-Mint Swirl Cheesecake.

Luscious Layers: Terrine, Classic and
Cooked Tiramisù, and Trifle.

Ganache!

Breakfast! Granola, Scones and Cinnamon Rolls

Fresh Pumpkin.

Quick Breads and Muffins.

Classic and Simple Fruit Pan Desserts.

Pies and Tarts.

Baking Expert
Catherine Christiansen

Ice Cream Cupcakes!

My first summer job was at Baskin-Robbins when I was 14 years old, back in the time when 14-year-olds were left to run an ice cream store. My friends and I did a pretty good job, scooping up cones and shakes and the glorious 10-scoop Matterhorn, while wearing our pink polyester outfits and dorky pink caps. When it was slow, the occasional hijink would break out—the best was to fling scoops of ice cream on the ceiling to see which flavor would stick the longest. (Daiquiri Ice.)

But to me the most delicious fun was decorating the ice cream cakes. The frozen cakes were trimmed and decorated with gooey fudge, clown heads and a shakily written Happy Birthday. Those masterpieces of frozen cake and ice cream were way too good to fling on the ceiling, and the combination of firm, rich and chilly cake layered with cold creamy ice cream will forever evoke memories of that freewheeling summer. 

So to celebrate August birthdays I give you ice cream cupcakes, individual frozen delights in flavors geared toward young and old. Bake up a dozen foolproof cupcakes in yellow or chocolate, add a bit of sweet syrup (infused with a splash of Kahlua or Grand Marnier, if you desire), then smooth on a scoop of softened ice cream, top with whipped cream and sprinkles and pop the whole thing in the freezer.  When they are good and frozen, fling them if you want, but make sure you aim them at someone who deserves something yummy.