May 2025 A Note from Marcy

Dear fellow bakers and friends,

As a baker and a Canadian, I’m a fall-and-winter girl. I naturally identify with the ‘bakey’ seasons and those that call for endless cups of coffee, books on the couch and a background theme song those opening lyrics are: ‘Preheat oven to 350 F’. It’s my comfort zone. But as May 5^th is my birthday, I’m also a spring lass and that along with the sprouting flowers, berries and rhubarb go a long way to make me feel at home in spring as I do in the chilly months. Mind you, in Montreal, it’s still pretty chilly. The geese have landed, strawberries are on sale and my rhubarb is peaking out but it’s hardly toasty outside.

Montreal’s weather, like New England’s weather, also explains why most Montreal women spend a great deal of time telling the menfolk in their lives why they need at least eight coats. Our Montreal (and Maine) sisters understand. You need a coat or two for rain, a lightweight but warm coat for the mall, a down coat for winter walking, a Melton or more fashionable coat for social events where you don’t want to wear a nice outfit and cover it with a parka. Then there’s the sporty-hooded raincoat-cum-windbreaker for athletic days outside or running to yoga and trench coats that replace the Melton ones for more elegant times. Then there’s the dog-walking, taking out the recycling ‘old’ schleppy coat, etc. etc. Plus who can give up an old denim jacket? Anyone who lives in similarly mercurial weather with short springs and falls gets it. We have a coat Rolodex for all types of rain or shine, and temperatures from 10-30 F, 40-60F and 65-70F (with morning or cooler evenings factored in). Never argue with a Montreal woman about how many coats she needs.

But enough about coats, it’s time to look at this month’s baking. I created a super-duper cake for a 1,2,3 Strawberry Shortcake, a free Strawberry Rhubarb Galette or open-faced tart, a mouth-watering Tollhouse Confetti Cookie and a hold-the-phone, terrific buttery Croissant Bread. In this quartet of fresh baking, you’re sure to find something to adore.

Happy Baking and sweet times from my kitchen to yours,

Marcy Goldman
Master Baker and Author
www.Betterbaking.com
Est. 1997
Montreal, Canada

Free Recipe of the Month

Roasted Rhubarb Rustic Tart
https://betterbaking.com/free-recipe/
This is utterly spring-like and bursting with sweet tart notes. Roasting the rhubarb beforehand goes a long way to make this especially luscious. A perfect Mother’s Day brunch offering.

Buttery Croissant Bread
https://betterbaking.com/recipe-items/no-knead-croissant-bread/
What something is exceptionally easy and exceptionally delicious I do a double-take. This is a recipe for the ages. Tastes like a croissant, slices like bread, as easy as toast to make.

Supermarket Yellow Cake Strawberry Shortcake
https://betterbaking.com/recipe-items/supermarket-strawberry-shortcake/
I  like biscuit-based shortcakes but sometimes I want something a little more delicate. That’s when I make this golden cake with whipped cream and fresh berries.
It’s a stunner.

Confetti Tollhouse Cookies
https://betterbaking.com/recipe-items/confetti-tollhouse-cookies/
I’ve always had a penchant for confetti in baking but wanted a confetti cookie that was buttery-crisp, chewy and tender. So, I had to create one myself! This is a perfect spring cookie.