Spinach and Cheese Strata

This was made for Easter brunch. I loved that it was make-ahead and this morning I just had to let it sit for half an hour on the counter before throwing it in the oven for 45 minutes.

We used a cheese that I'm not familiar with- Gruyere cheese. My sister told me it's a stinky cheese that melts well. It was good :) I also was not familiar with stratas. I read that it is similar to a bread pudding, which doesn't appeal to ME but I knew it would turn out well.

The verdict: everyone loved it. I saw second helpings.

We also had:
Honey Baked Ham
Juicy Strawberry Scones
Fresh fruit and dip (my Mom brought this, I'm guessing at the recipe)
Carrot Cake cupcakes
Caramel corn "carrots"
Mimosas

Click here for the stolen recipe.

Carrot Cake

Mmmm. Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is one of my favorites. I knew that I would make carrot cake for Easter and I knew I'd bring out Baking Illustrated for the perfect recipe. My sister gave me this book for my birthday and I love it. I need to use it- often!

I turned the cake into cupcakes and then decorated for Easter. The cream cheese frosting was a disappointment (lumpy) but I didn't follow the recipe exactly, not making it in a food processor but with my stand up mixer. I added coconut that I dyed green to look like Easter grass and a Peep sits on top. The cupcake baskets I found at Michael's. This all just came together, I didn't know I'd use the Peeps, I didn't know about the coconut grass until a few days ago after I bought the cupcake baskets.

All this work just for a couple of guests but I love it. I love to bake and follow recipes!

Click here for the stolen recipe. I did follow the recipe in my cookbook but if figures that one of blogger greats also tried the recipe!