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Vanilla and Salt

Baking, Cooking and Nursing

Blog and Activities

In addition to the recipes I share with you on this site, I also wanted to make a space to share about life and the things I love, as well as hear from you and highlight some parts of life that bring you joy and the things that you do to make the world a better place! I'm creating a book club with monthly reads here (and a connected video meeting for all interested), and you can click the Get In Touch button to contact me about being a part of the video meeting! Thanks for visiting, and I wish you health and happiness!

Ube Halaya Sticky Buns

When Ben started working at USC, he brought home the most delicious dessert from the Philippines called Ube Halaya. It's essentially Ube (purple sweet potato) cooked down with milk , sugar and coconut to make this thick, sticky jam/pudding. I can't get enough of it, and when a coworker brings it in to work, they always very kindly make sure we take home any extras so we can use it to make other treats! So far, I've made ube cold foam for my matcha lattes, put it on pancakes,

Hope Saxon

Apr 203 min read

Pistachio Pesto and Parmesan Babka with Spicy Tomato Jam

I decided to put a savory spin on my crowd-pleasing babka, and I'm so happy with how it turned out! The jam is a very easy, optional (but...

Hope Saxon

Jul 9, 20222 min read

My Chocolate Babka

It wasn't until I came to the East Coast that I ever tried babka, and I can't believe I'd missed out for so many years! I knew after...

Hope Saxon

Jul 8, 20223 min read

Black Bean and Butternut Squash Enchiladas

For the Filling 2 and 1/2 cups cubed butternut squash 1 can black beans 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1/2 cup jack cheese 3/4 teaspoon...

Hope Saxon

May 2, 20211 min read

Sourdough Morning Buns

I love a good indulgent breakfast on a weekend, and these pastries are the perfect sweet way to wake up! The sourdough brings a slight...

Hope Saxon

Apr 17, 20213 min read

Biscotti

I've been way too intimidated by the chance of failure to ever attempt to make my own biscotti. However, these were incredibly easy to...

Hope Saxon

Mar 1, 20212 min read

Super Moist Classic Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Buttercream and Berry Compote

3/4 cup all purpose flour 2/3 cup cocoa powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 2/3 cup...

Hope Saxon

Dec 18, 20202 min read

Latkes 2 Ways: Potato Leek and Spiced Miso Sweet Potato

Latkes are among my favorite foods in the world. I mean, what's not to like about warm, crispy, salty, fried potato pancakes?! I decided...

Hope Saxon

Dec 4, 20203 min read

Carmelitas

My first roommate when I graduated college (still one of my dearest friends to this day) had this running joke where he would drop hints...

Hope Saxon

Oct 2, 20202 min read

Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Pecans

Makes 12 cupcakes For the Cake: 1 and 1/2 cup all purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/3 cup water 1 and 1/4 cup white...

Hope Saxon

Sep 18, 20201 min read

The BFG (Balsamic, Fig and Goat cheese) Tart

We're saying goodbye to summer in a matter of weeks, and this summer has brought a strange mix of joy, sorrow, laughter, friendship and...

Hope Saxon

Sep 11, 20202 min read

Alfajores de Maizena

These soft cookies sandwiched with creamy dulce de leche bring me back to my time in Argentina, when I would walk to the bakery by my...

Hope Saxon

Aug 28, 20202 min read

Eggs Benedict on a Savory Cheddar and Chive Waffle with Silky Hollandaise Sauce

Makes 8 servings For the Hollandaise: 1 stick butter, melted 4 egg yolks 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice 1 pinch salt 1 pinch white...

Hope Saxon

Aug 14, 20202 min read

Peach Hand Pies

Makes 8 mini pies For the Crust: 2 and 1/4 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cubed 1/2 cup ice water 1...

Hope Saxon

Jul 17, 20202 min read

Garlic Buttery Pretzel Dogs

My friends and loved ones get a kick out of how much I love hot dogs. I eat them at every theme park, sporting event, and concert where I...

Hope Saxon

Jul 16, 20202 min read

Strawberry Shortcake Celebration Cake

Ingredients: For the Cake: 1/2 of a 3 oz pack of strawberry jello 1 and 3/4 sticks of unsalted butter 3 eggs 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons...

Hope Saxon

Jul 7, 20202 min read

Firework Cookies

Ingredients: 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 egg 3/4 cup all purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar...

Hope Saxon

Jul 7, 20201 min read

Summer Sides: Watermelon Salad with Halloumi, Basil and Lime

I combined two of my most loved ingredients into one totally refreshing, cool and flavorful side salad! The sweetness of the watermelon...

Hope Saxon

Jun 26, 20201 min read

Summer Sides: Creamy No-Mayo Potato Salad

As you know if you've used some of my other recipes, my hatred of mayonnaise keeps me from eating many of the foods deemed American...

Hope Saxon

Jun 26, 20201 min read

Grilled Chicken, Eggplant and Halloumi Pitas with Lemony Garlic Tahini Sauce

When I was in London with friends about a year ago, I had the most incredible halloumi pita sandwich, and I think of it so often, I had...

Hope Saxon

Jun 22, 20202 min read