Happy Day to all those who are celebrating being mothers and having mothers. And a peaceful day to those who are spending the day thinking of beloved mothers passed.

For those venturing into the kitchen to say it with homemade sweets, here are a few beautifully instructive videos.

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Box Fancy

If you’re looking to jeuge up a box cake, try using some icing techniques from Vancouver baker extraordinaire: Lyndsay Sung, founder of Coco Cake Land. Her cake bases are all made from scratch, but it’s the thought/frosting that counts.

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Here’s a recent CBC short on Lyndsay if you’re looking for more inspiration.

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Pavlova

As a sweet-toothed Mum, I’ve been fêted with all sorts of wonderful desserts: ginger cakes with toffee sauce, chocolate lava cupcakes, homemade coffee ice cream, chocolate dipped cookie cups. One particular favourite: Pavlova. And who better to lead us through a recipe than the wonderful Mary Berry.

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No Bake Truffles

We first discovered these when faced with no oven, no microwave, no outdoor fire pit, and no time to create trays of homemade goodies for a bake sale. Even those who like to measure ingredients to the millilitre can confidently experiment with cookie and chocolate flavours in no-bake truffles.

Here’s a No-Bake Birthday Cake Oreo Truffle tutorial from Gemma Stafford and Brandi Milloy.

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Grand Marnier Cheesecake

For my Mum, it was all about the cheesecake. She would seem delighted at whatever youthful baking experiment I presented her. But, nothing brought out the happy clap and request for seconds like Grand Marnier cheesecake.

The recipe came from The Best of Bridge. Royal Treats for Entertaining, a book I unearthed from Mum’s kitchen shelves. Do excuse the splotched-up state of the recipe below. Neatness was never the highlight of my report cards.

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We would delete the walnuts (blech) and replace the vanilla with liqueur – often Grand Marnier, but sometimes alternates like Baileys or the Jamaica-brewed Tia Maria.

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Butter Tart Squares

And finally, in honour of my Mother-In-Law – one of those gifted bakers who can whip up cookies, cakes, squares, and crumbles in no time – Butter Tart Squares.

This tutorial comes to us via Canadian baker and Food Network host: Anna Olson.

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Happy Mother’s Day to you and your families ♥

Written by Elizabeth Newton
www.creatorsvancouver.com

Header: Brooke Lark