Power & Glow — Bita's debut cookbook is coming summer 2026!
Sholeh Zard is a Persian saffron rice pudding. I call it a pudding as it has a custard-like consistency however it is made with water, not milk. This is an iconic Persian delicacy served traditionally for ceremonial events or for guests. As with most Persian desserts, sholeh zard is beautifully aromatic thanks to the generous…
This recipe is for easy-to-make, absolutely aromatic, and delicious Yazdi cakes. Eating these tiny cakes will bring back sweet memories of childhood and distant lands. The flavors are so Persian and include delightful cardamom and light rosewater essence. My modern twist is to top Yazdi cakes with a luscious buttercream frosting infused with saffron. Make…
Persian Pistachio Brittle is a clever, fast, and easy recipe for a decadent toffee treat. It is made with butter, brown sugar, soda crackers/Saltine crackers, and a hint of Persian saffron. The result is an addictive, salty-sweet, crunchy snack. Satisfy cravings for an old classic Persian treat called “sohan” in 15 minutes from start to…
This recipe for Twisted Peppermint Cane Cane cookies is especially for my close neighbors, friends, and family that have taken home these cute, twisted, minty sugar-coated cookies over the years. Peppermint Candy Cane cookies are light and creamy, sweet and delicious. They are fun to create and even more fun to eat. Is it…
This healthy pumpkin cake recipe goes back a number of years on this recipe site. Using ingredients such as Greek yogurt, pumpkin, and whole wheat flour, it’s healthy baking at its finest! There is no white sugar or butter in this fall cake. We creatively blend a combination of coconut sugar, honey, and unsweetened apple…
This healthy pumpkin scones recipe is a favorite from the Oven hug archives. It’s an easy recipe we love to pull out on crisp, fall days. Fill up a platter with these luscious scones made with whole wheat flour, seasonal pumpkin purée, and fun fall spices. They are easy to decorate with swirls of sweet…
Persian desserts are aromatic and unique. Persian rice pudding, “Shir Berenj” in Farsi, is translated as milk-based rice. Shir berenj is a simple, homey, comfort dish that is often enjoyed as a cozy winter snack or dessert. Milky Persian rice pudding calls for modest, simple ingredients – rice, milk, sugar (or honey), rose water, and…
Persian ice cream, Bastani, is traditionally a rich, decadent dessert made with heavy creams, tons of eggs, sugar, saffron, a touch of rose water, and bits of crunchy green pistachio nuts. Nice cream is made with a base of ripe, frozen bananas and is dairy-free and sugar-free! It’s easy to whip up as a snack,…
This recipe is for gluten-free, super soft sugar heart shape healthy almond flour cookies. We cut down on sugar in the base of these cookies using only a few spoons of brown sugar and a spoon of maple or date syrup. What better way to show someone you love how much you care than baking…
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you might be familiar with this fan-favorite recipe for healthy whole wheat cherry hand pies. Made with an unsweetened, buttery crust, every bite is filled with delicious honey-sweetened black cherries. They are simple and fun to make and best of all you get a cute mini…