Who Tara O'Brady, freelance food writer, mother of two young lads, and the one behind Seven Spoons

Where Niagara, Ontario

Time 2:21 p.m

What's a typical dessert for you? I'll admit a particular fondness for ice cream. Strawberry Swirl with lots of vanilla bean in spring, Raspberry Ripple with lemon curd and crushed meringue in summer, Espresso Caramel studded with cookies in winter, and this chocolate one pretty much any time of the year. Give me a bowl and a spoon, and I'm happy. Our 6-year-old named these {above} Sugar Buns, so that's the name that's stuck—he believes the sugar crust is the best part, and I won't argue. But sugar is just the beginning, and then that swirl is made up of lots of good stuff including browned butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, crystallized ginger for some zing, and fresh orange zest to set it all off. The dough is flaky and a texture in-between a traditional sweet roll and a danish. And these aren't for after meals only. They're the sort of sweet to keep around to have with tea or coffee at any time of day {as a bonus, they look pretty out on the counter}. 

What's your dream dessert? A plate of galettes cancalaises or the mille-feuille from Olivier Roellinger's Grain de Vanille in Cancale, France. Either would embody the very definition of dreamy.

How often do you treat yourself to dessert? As often as possible.

Thanks Tara!
— Joanna

{photo of dessert by Tara, photo of Tara by her husband Sean}