Celebrations in the Philippines are never complete without the Leche Flan. Even just the thought of the Leche Flan gives a warmth feeling and brings back lots of fond memories growing up in the Philippines.

30 years ago a little girl with wild red curls flung sprinkles and red hots all over a cookie tray and was filled with pride at her creations. Every year since, her friends and family have looked for these cookies in the mail on holidays. This melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie recipe has been in my family since the 80's, and I'm thrilled to finally have the illustrative skills to share it with the world.

Christmas pudding is a type of pudding traditionally served as part of the Christmas dinner.

For the Global cuisine challenge.

Fave Memory. Snow Ice Cream! My granny lived with us when I was growing up in Ohio and we would have snow days, she'd say go get me some snow and I'll make ice cream. So I'd fill up a big bowl and she'd whip it up. I'm not exactly sure what was in it- maybe vanilla, milk, perhaps an egg, chocolate sauce on top. It was cheap and good and I remember if fondly. Hoping for a snowy winter here in Portland this year!

Biancomangiare is a typical treat of my little and colorful Sicily. It's a poor sweet, quick and easy to cook but very very tasty.
Still today I remember the smell. My home smelled like milk and vanilla. My mom has no head for sweets (she just loves eat them!), but with the Biancomangiare she was able to gain my brother's mouthfeel and mine, making us to think she was an amazing pie maker and storming the medal "What a Godness!" :)
Today the recipe passed down to me and every time I'm enjoying this cake I go back in my mind to that kitchen that smells of milk and vanilla and I'm a child again.

One Day a neighbor posted a notice for a cake decorating class. It was the 70’s, we were living in the Alps in Germany. 5 of us signed up, all young new moms, all thousands of miles from home. Each week we’d eagerly pile into her tiny kitchen, bumping hips& elbows, stirring bowls full of sugar & cream. We’d share the frustrations of all new moms, colicky babies& sleepless nights while we practiced making rosettes, ribbons, stars& letters, licking our fingers & eating our mistakes. Leaving on a sugar high, we were happy for a night out. I baked& decorated cakes for years. It was that time in life with lots of baby showers, christenings & kids birthdays. Looking back it reflects the times& the trends: lots of Barbie bundt cakes, R2D2, Bert & Ernie, Cookie Monster & Holly Hobby. Cars & trains were also popular. I loved baking, creating & “painting”with icing. I loved the little jars of food coloring &, ok, I loved licking the leftovers. This is the original recipe from that class. I still have my notebook!

I never got to have coffee with my grandmother, she passed away when I was 10, but I can imagine that this would be a regular thing for us if she were here.

The Bunny family is having a Birthday Bash. Mom bunny is whipping up some Chantilly Cream. Yum. This recipe is inspired by memories of my mom whipping cream and dolloping on plain chocolate cupcakes. Yum.

Birthday Bash!
Why wait all day for cake when you can start your special day with birthday pancakes?! Starting with a traditional pancake recipe, add cake mix for a yummy twist. And then top it off with frosting. Microwave the frosting for 10 seconds and stir to make a delicious drizzle on top, and don't forget to add more sprinkles!

A family favorite - as light as a cloud!

No celebration can be complete without sprinkles

*Birthday Bash submission

I vacation in Mexico every year over my birthday, and wanted to celebrate Latin American cuisine in this illustration!

A jammy creamy birthday berry bonanza

A Filipino dessert through Spanish influences that incorporates custard made of milk (leche). Filipino parties or festivals cannot be complete without this popular and well-loved dessert.

These cookies were my Nana's (my great-grandmother) and were my absolute favorite growing up. They're pretty easy to make and absolutely delicious!