Dessert Recipes

BBWU: Chubbies aims to live off the fat of the Loop's new infusion of Wash. U. kids

Slideshow: Inside Chubbies in the Delmar Loop

Top 5 Recipes to Celebrate 4/20 -- From a Professional!

Didn't win our 4/20 Cannabis Cupcakes giveaway? Fret not, dear reader. Gut Check has a treat for you! It just so happens that a person of our acquaintance -- we'll call her "Mary Jane" -- spent three years traveling the jam-band circuit, supplying cannabis-based baked goods to hungry audiences from ... More >>

Food Photo Essay: The Block Restaurant Butcher and Bar in the Central West End

Editor's note: Sometimes food renders Gut Check speechless. That's why God invented the DSLR. In our continuing effort to cause your mouth to water onto your keyboard, we bring you our weekly Food Photo Essay... This week's edible pixels combine to form the recently opened Central West End location ... More >>

First Look: Chronicle Coffee Opens on North Grand

Sitting on the former site of the Blumeyer Housing Project -- St. Louis' last housing project dedicated to families -- Chronicle Coffee (1235 Blumeyer Street; 314-534-0524) aims to revitalize the area in a way the housing project never could. The shop, which opened on February 22, serves coffee, smo ... More >>

Holiday Cocktail Countdown #4: Milagro's Spicy Chocolate Martini

Like any red-blooded American, Gut Check uses liquid medication to cope with holiday stress. Not only does a good winter cocktail make it possible to tolerate family members, say, inquiring about your procreation plans, it helps keep you warm, too. From now until Christmas, we're calling upon local ... More >>

Update: Six Buttery Recipes for the Holidays

http://commons.wikimedia.org​Update: A Norwegian blogger named Tommy recently posted a vlog where he expressed disgust at Americans who've been taking the crisis lightly. We're also pretty sure he calls us fat, and he mentions something about Norwegians eating cats. Check out the video after t ... More >>

Holiday Cocktail Countdown #9: Mangia Italiano's The Grinch

Like any red-blooded American, Gut Check uses liquid medication to cope with holiday stress. Not only does a good winter cocktail make it possible to tolerate family members, say, inquiring about your procreation plans, it helps keep you warm, too. From now until Christmas, we're calling upon local ... More >>

Recipe: Melba's Baked Pork Chops from Stirring it Up with Molly Ivins by Ellen Sweets

Mabel SuenCopies of Stirring It Up with Molly Ivins now available at Left Bank Books.​Last week, Gut Check spoke with St. Louis native Ellen Sweets about her new book, Stirring it Up with Molly Ivins. The memoir celebrates Ivins' life by taking a deep look into her joyous domestic side. As a t ... More >>

Marianne Prey of Extra Virgin's Recipe for Jaffa Mousse

Read more about Marianne Prey and Extra Virgin: an Olive Ovation here. Marianne Prey is an olive-oil enthusiast. She approaches the different varieties and flavors scientifically and is able to recommend the best oil to fit each customer's particular preferences and needs. "My palate has become m ... More >>

#50: Bread Pudding at Harvest

Evan C. Jones​How good is the bread pudding at Harvest (1059 South Big Bend Boulevard, Richmond Heights; 314-645-3522)? When Gut Check dropped by to pay homage to this favorite desert, chef de cuisine Brendan Noonan came clean about his consumption. "I've already had four portions of the bread ... More >>

Sanctuaria's Joel Clark Creates the Schweddy Ball Fizz Cocktail

Sarah Baraba​Gut Check tried Schweddy Balls ice cream last week. We found the gimmicky ice cream to be surprisingly tasty! Meanwhile, the name of the flavor alone has left a bad taste in these ladies' mouths: One Million Moms has started a letter writing campaign and boycott to pressure Ben & ... More >>

Casey Shiller of Jilly's Cupcake Bar: Recipe for Banana Toffee Cupcakes, a.k.a "Space Monkeys"

This is part three of Emily Wasserman's Chef's Choice profile of confectioner Casey Shiller of Jilly's Cupcake Bar. Part one can be found here. Part two, a Q&A with Shiller, is published here. Emily Wassermancaption​Walking into Jilly's Cupcake Bar (8509 Delmar Boulevard, Ladue; 314-993-5455) ... More >>

Janet Shulman of the Caramel House: Recipe for the Caramel House Baked Apples

This is part three of Mabel Suen's Chef's Choice profile of confectioner Janet Shulman of the Caramel House. Part one can be found here. Part two, a Q&A with Shulman, is published here. D. E. Shulman​Janet Shulman knows sweets. Before forming the Caramel House company on her own, she started ... More >>

Vom Fass Samples Absinthe as Part of Let Them Eat Art

Deborah HylandVom Fass' absinthe​Long before Willard Scott was terrifying small children as the first Ronald McDonald or Tony the Tiger and Spuds MacKenzie, the Green Fairy was luring consumers to indulge in her wares: absinthe. And just like with Happy Meals and Joe Camel, the fuddy duddies f ... More >>

John Griffiths of Truffles: Recipe for Olive Oil Shortcake

This is part three of Amanda Woytus' Chef's Choice profile of chef John Griffiths of Truffles. Part one can be found here. Part two, a Q&A with Griffiths, is published here.Amanda WoytusThe Olive Oil Shortcake at Truffles​We know what you're thinking: Rachael Ray nearly ruined olive oil for al ... More >>

Reine Bayoc of SweetArt Bakeshop: Recipe for Jezebel Bars

This is part three of Emily Wasserman's Chef's Choice profile of bakery chef Reine Bayoc of SweetArt. Part one can be found here. Part two, a Q&A with Bayoc, is published here.Chrissy Wilmes​ Making recipes and presentation less and less conventional, more and more bakers are deviating from th ... More >>

Ericka Frank of the Cakery and the Cup: Recipe for German Chocolate Icing

This is part three of Chrissy Wilmes' Chef's Choice profile of bakery chef Ericka Frank of the Cakery. Part one can be found here. Part two, a Q&A with Frank, is published here. Chrissy Wilmes​Cupcakes have experienced quite the spike in popularity these last few years, and bakers have gotten ... More >>

#95: Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

Mike Appelstein​Let's stipulate from the start that bread pudding isn't a "St. Louis dish," as such. Apparently first concocted as a way not to waste stale bread, this dessert staple has lasted for centuries and still shows up on brunch and dessert menus from Argentina to Louisiana. (We once h ... More >>

C Notes: Ian completes the journey through his 100 Favorite St. Louis Dishes

Not Invited to the Royal Wedding? Celebrate From Across the Pond With Treats from Queen's Cuisine

Image viaRoyal bride and groom shortbread​Gut Check happily celebrates National Pretzel Day, National Doughnut Day and 50%-Off-Cadbury-Crème-Egg Day, also known as Easter Monday (okay, we sort of made that one up). Naturally, we're beyond ecstatic about the royal wedding. Pageantry, crown jew ... More >>

Dirt: An Earth Day Treat for Kids of All Ages

Kholood EidEarth Day calls for ... a supersweet snack made with packaged, processed ingredients!​ Earth Day is upon us -- meaning it's time to celebrate (and/or mourn) the earth's glory (and/or imminent destruction). While there may be plenty of Earth Day-related activities scheduled for the L ... More >>

Salt: Wesley Johnson's Latest Venture Is a Restaurant to Savor

Chrissy WilmesThe view of Salt from Lindell Boulevard.​Driving down Lindell, it's easy to misconstrue the beautiful building Salt occupies as a residence. The white, pillared manse -- which in fact is a former residence, albeit a big-ass one --identifies itself by only a simple street number a ... More >>

Eat Your Way Out of the Snow: Seven Snow-Based Recipes

Did you scoff at the storm warnings, shun the overcrowded grocery stores, and post insults on Twitter about just how stupid it is to panic at the impending snowmaggedeon/pocolypse/MG? And do you now find yourself snowbound and eying your dog because he's looking mighty tasty? Don't panic! And plea ... More >>

Agi and Aaron Groff of 4 Seasons Baked Goods & Catering: Recipe for Dutch Almond Cookies

This is part three of Holly Fann's Chef's Choice profile of Agi and Aaron Groff of 4 Seasons Baked Goods & Catering. Parts one and two are accessible here and here. Holly FannDutch almond deliciousness​ A favorite among 4 Seasons customers, Dutch Almond cookies are crunchy and not too sweet. ... More >>

Get cooking: The recipes from our feature story

Robin Murphy's Spicy Pistachios

​This is the final installment of Robin Wheeler's Chef's Choice profile of Robin Murphy of Baileys' Chocolate Bar, Rooster and the Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar. Part one is available here; part two, a Q&A, is posted here. Robin Wheeler​Robin Murphy had already proven herself at Baileys' Choc ... More >>

Beckie Jacobs' Dipstik Sundae and Homemade Peach Ice Cream

This is the second installment of Robin Wheeler's Chef Choice profile of Beckie Jacobs of Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream. Part one is a profile of Beckie Jacobs. Part three, a Q&A, will follow.Robin Wheeler​Browse the commercial ice cream freezers at the grocery store, and you'll find no lack ... More >>

Chef's Choice Recipe: Jennifer Pensoneau's Cochon de Lait and Cherry Cobbler

This is part two of Robin Wheeler's Chef's Choice profile of Jennifer Pensoneau of JFires' Market Bistro. Part one can be accessed here. Part three, a Q&A with Pensoneau, is here. Robin WheelerThis little piggy looks delicious!​The cochon de lait at J.Fires' Market Bistro reflects the Louisia ... More >>

Chef's Choice Recipe: Marilyn Scull's (Mom's) Gooey Butter Cake

This is part three of Robin Wheeler's Chef's Choice interview with chef Marilyn Scull of Ann & Allen Baking Company and Park Avenue Coffee. Part one is available here; part two is here. Robin WheelerGooey butter batter!​Marilyn Scull's culinary education came in the most fundamental form - h ... More >>

St. Patrick's Day Special: Bake Your Own Chocolate Stout Cupcakes!

How early is too early for beer? One could choose to hold off until after sunrise. Fortunately, crumb toppings are the great equalizer: Is it breakfast? Brunch? Dessert? Who cares! It's beer! Here's to you, patron saint of unnaturally colored alcoholic beverages! These cupcakes have an exceptional ... More >>

Bryant Terry's Vegan Chocolate Pecan Pudding Pie: A Gut Check Kitchen Recipe Test

​Experiment: To commemorate chef/author/food activist Bryant Terry's visit to Washington University, bake a recipe from Terry's Vegan Soul Kitchen: Fresh, Healthy, and Creative African-American Cuisine. The chosen recipe: Chocolate Pecan Pudding Pie. [To read a Q&A with Terry, click here.] ... More >>

20 Unholy Recipes: Dishes So Awful We Had to Make Them

After about a year of perusing old-school cookbooks looking for weird recipes and spotting bizarre trends (hot dogs eggs, inside a Jell-O mold) from the '50s, food blogger Robin Wheeler compiled her twenty most stomach-turning concoctions. (Do not view this list before lunch. Jeez, or maybe after ... More >>

Throwback of the House: Holiday Binging with Weight Watchers' Maine Pumpkin Pudding

Todd Ehlers, Wikimedia Commons​Who did Weight Watchers in the 1980s? I did, in 1985, when I was 13 years old. Yes, that's insane. I was a little chubby, but I probably would have run it off while playing softball.I did lose weight. It lasted until about a week after I stopped the program. Having ... More >>

The Novice Foodie's Deadline Trick? A Candy Corn Treat

Kelli Best-Oliver​Much like deadlines, Halloween is a holiday that often sneaks up on me. I always have grand ideas for costumes (or columns), I lose track of time, and then I've got to throw something together. (Except for last year, when I planned my costume a year in advance.) This Halloween, ... More >>

Throwback of the House: Multi-Generational Poke Cake

Robin Wheeler​Even when I was a kid, I wasn't much of a fan of Jell-O. The only Jell-O-related food I really liked was poke cake. Make a white cake from a mix, poke holes in the top, pour ungelled Jell-O -- I preferred orange since I like that baby aspirin taste -- cover the cake and chill. The r ... More >>

Farmers' Market Share: Peach Pound Cake and Apple Honeycake

Alissa Nelson​While training for my first 100-mile bike ride last spring, I developed a terrible habit. Although I stocked my saddlebag with the finest in sports goos and my back pocket with peanut butter-and-banana sandwiches, I couldn't help but plan the huge meal I would eat as soon as I got ho ... More >>

Throwback of the House: Orange Jell-O for the Diet-Conscious Dearly Departed

Todd Ehlers, Wikimedia CommonsRobin Wheeler writes for the blog Poppy Mom. After years of making and eating fancy food, Robin is sick of it all. She's returning to the basics: recipes that haven't surfaced in three decades. She reports on the results for Gut Check every Tuesday.This week, I looked ... More >>

Cooking for Your Cat: Shrimp Frozen Yogurt

Do you miss good ol’ home cookin’? Revival wants to raise your spirits.

Taco Bell Bowlz bring on a serious case of existential angst

Kitchen Nightmares: The Mixing Bowl

There Goes the Eruv

You'll dig the delightfully unorthodox (yet totally Orthodox) food at Shmeers

All Abroad!

Bring an adventurous palate to these great spots, and your inner cheapskate will thank you

Flying Fish

Goofy name aside, Wholly Mackerel has a promising future

Urban Chic

Sqwires proves just how cosmopolitan St. Louis can be

The Anarchists' Cookbook

They make bread, not bombs, at the Black Bear Bakery

The Story of Eau

The Chase Park Plaza harks back to its heyday with the addition of a spectacular new restaurant

Russian Roulette

A visit to Astoria European Cuisine yields mixed but largely enjoyable results

Lorenzo's Toil

Dishing the latest addition to the Hill's restaurant menu

BERRY NECESSITIES

A sweet recipe from Hot Locust's kitchen, scaled down for yours