Dessert, as a course, wasn’t always the grand finale.
In fact, dessert as we know it, a separate sweet moment, only appeared in the 17th and 18th centuries. Before them, sweet dishes were scattered throughout the meal, often served alongside meats and stews, or used to aid digestion. 
Speaking of dessert, let’s talk about one of the hardest ones to make: The Macaron.

Music+Sound Credit:
Heartbeat sound - Foley Heartbeat by rosshutton.
(https://freesound.org/people/rosshutton/sounds/806645/)
Midnight Latte by araorenda.
(https://pixabay.com/music/beats-midnight-latte-247647/)
Palace Garden by HarumachiMusic.
(https://pixabay.com/music/modern-classical-palace-garden-386499/)
Sweet by MusicWord.
(https://pixabay.com/music/modern-classical-sweet-264573/)
Warm Embers Guitar 01 from GarageBand.

Research Sources:
API, Shopify. “The Origins of the Macaron: The History of an Exceptional Pastry.” FAUCHON Paris, 22 July 2024, www.fauchon.com/en/blogs/news/origin-macaron.
Gershon, Livia. “The Invention of Dessert - JSTOR DAILY.” JSTOR, 21 Aug. 2019, daily.jstor.org/the-invention-of-dessert/.
Huntsberger, Jenna. “History of Desserts.” Whisked by Jenna, 16 Nov. 2019, whiskeddc.com/blogs/whisked-blog/history-of-desserts?srsltid=AfmBOooY7LWT4sX7_VcErNT-kXKl4jAmZy8XaABskqnhlAOsJ2ShQoll.
JORDAN, Anne. “Catherine de Médici and Her Contributions to French Cuisine.” Aquitaine Travel Guide, 17 Apr. 2025, aquitainetravelguide.com/catherine-de-medici-and-her-contributions-to-french-cuisine/.
Krondl, Michael. Sweet Invention: A History of Dessert. Chicago Review Press, 2016.
Macarooz. “History of Macarons.” Macarooz, www.macarooz.com/pages/history-of-macarons?srsltid=AfmBOorjRakugqgtI0oPb2X28gtrGVcgwtAJcgBOpnhR0XD88D3XY82J. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
L’Italienne: Catherine de’ Medici | the Florentine. The Florentine, www.theflorentine.net/2019/04/12/litalienne-catherine-de-medici/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
Testere, Alex. “Who Came up with the Modern Dessert Course?” Saveur, 18 Feb. 2017, www.saveur.com/dessert-course-history/


Baking Because Murder is Wrong Episode 1: Pastel Perfection - Biting into the Macaron

Was tiramisu born as a love letter to a countess, or as a clever trick to sell more mascarpone?
Some call it the most romantic dessert in the world, even an aphrodisiac. Others call it a 20th-century marketing masterpiece. Either way, this cocoa-dusted creation has always whispered the same thing. Desire.✨

Music+Sound Credit:
Cinematic Transition 27 — From GarageBand.
Hip Hop Gentel Piano — From GarageBand.
Lofty Goals Piano — From GarageBand.
Myer_food_court_rundle_mall_ambience_02 by roisin.gleeson.
(https://freesound.org/people/roisin.gleeson/sounds/699140/)
Orchestra Strings 15 — From GarageBand.
Single Shot Americano Sax Sample 02 — From GarageBand.
Single Shot Americano Sax Sample 03 — From GarageBand.
Warm Embers Guitar 01 — From GarageBand.

Research Sources:
Accademia Del Tiramisù. “The Origin of Tiramisù: ‘Fact and Legend’.” Accademia Del Tiramisù, 7 May 2018, www.accademiadeltiramisu.com/en/the-origin-of-tiramisu-fact-and-legend/.
Krondl, Michael. Sweet Invention: A History of Dessert. Chicago Review Press, 2016.
Osteria Via Stato. “The Mystery (and History) of Tiramisu.” Osteria Via Stato, 24 Feb. 2023, www.osteriaviastato.com/the-mystery-and-history-of-tiramisu/.


Baking Because Murder is Wrong Episode 2: "Pick Me Up" - The Most Romantic Dessert？

Imagine walking under cherry blossoms in spring. Petals drifting, a gentle breeze, and in your hand, a skewer with three little dumplings. Pink, white, green, still warm from the fire. This is hanami dango. 
Meanwhile, in a small shop, someone unwraps a soft, pastel mochi ball. Inside, sweet red bean paste. Smooth, dense, comforting. This is daifuku.
Two sweets. One chewy and communal, the other soft and solitary. Both were born from rice, ritual, and centuries of celebration.🍡

Music+Sound Credit:
Hanami Dreams - Japanese Lofi with Spring Vibes by lofiroomcafe
(https://pixabay.com/music/beats-hanami-dreams-japanese-lofi-with-spring-vibes-352434/)
Henshin (Folk Acoustic Japanese Koto) by Music_Unlimited
(https://pixabay.com/music/world-henshin-folk-acoustic-japanese-koto-324253/)
Japanese jazz 2 by Superpuyofãns1234
(https://pixabay.com/music/traditional-jazz-japanese-jazz-2-385180/)
Kyoto Traditional Japanese Music by Prettysleepy
(https://pixabay.com/music/world-koto-traditional-japanese-music-264711/)
Sakura dance background music, traditional japanese by unknown 
(https://pixabay.com/music/world-sakura-dance-background-music-traditional-japanese-165338/)
Warm Embers Guitar 01 — From GarageBand

Research Sources:
Chen, Namiko Hirasawa. “Daifuku (Video) 大福.” Just One Cookbook, 15 Feb. 2025, www.justonecookbook.com/daifuku/.
“Daifuku: The Best Japanese Dessert! - Tokyotreat Blog.” TokyoTreat, 1 Mar. 2023, tokyotreat.com/blog/daifuku-the-best-japanese-dessert.
“Daifuku Mochi, the Delicious Japanese Pastry.” Japan Experience, www.japan-experience.com/plan-your-trip/to-know/japanese-food/daifuku-mochi. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
“Daifuku Mochi: The Beloved Japanese Sweet Filled with Happiness.” KimEcopak, www.kimecopak.ca/blogs/cuisine/daifuku-mochi. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
Hideo Takahashi. “Discover the Sweet World of Daifuku and Other Japanese Delights.” JAPANBITE, japanbite.com/blogs/food-drink/discover-the-sweet-world-of-daifuku-and-other-japanese-delights. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
“Japanese Daifuku Mochi: History, Types & Fillings - Sakuraco.” Sakuraco | Japanese Snacks & Candy Subscription Box, sakura.co/blog/types-of-daifuku-you-need-to-try. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
Stephens, Megan Taylor. “What Is Dango, and How Do You Make It?” Bokksu Snack Box, 5 Aug. 2025, bokksu.com/blogs/news/what-is-dango-and-how-do-you-make-it.

Baking Because Murder is Wrong  Episode 3: Sweet Sticks and Soft Bites - The Story of Dango and Daifuku

Cake wasn’t always this soft, this luminous. Once, it was dense slabs baked for gods, sacrifices in the desert wind. Somewhere between those sacred fires and the powdered sugar of Versailles, cake changed. 🍰

Music + Sound Credit
French Romance by geoffharvey
(https://pixabay.com/music/folk-french-romance-377125/)
Happy Birthday by BackgroundMusicForVideos 
(https://pixabay.com/music/special-occasions-happy-birthday-357371/)
Minuit dans le vieux Paris by Jean-Paul-V
(https://pixabay.com/music/modern-classical-minuit-dans-le-vieux-paris-317360/)
Warm Embers Guitar 01 — From GarageBand
Wedding - Romantic Love Wedding Music by BackgroundMusicForVideos (https://pixabay.com/music/modern-classical-wedding-romantic-love-wedding-music-257918/)

Research Source:
“A History of Desserts with Royal Connections.” Rowies Cakes, www.rowiescakes.com.au/a-history-of-desserts-with-royal-connections/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
Andersen, Charlotte Hilton. “This Is the Real Reason Why Wedding Cakes Are White.” Reader’s Digest, 3 Oct. 2025, www.rd.com/article/history-of-wedding-cakes/.
“Blowing out Birthday Candles Is Surprisingly Ancient.” History (National Geographic), www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/history-of-birthday-candles. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
Hagan, Elizabeth. “The Sweet History of Birthday Cakes.” The Sugar Association, 21 Nov. 2022, www.sugar.org/blog/the-sweet-history-of-birthday-cakes/.
“The History of the Wedding Cake: From Sacred Symbol to Sweet Statement Piece.” Canadian Wedding Photographers, canadianweddingphotographers.com/blog/history-of-wedding-cake. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
The Story of Sugar in 5 Objects | British Museum. British Museum, www.britishmuseum.org/blog/story-sugar-5-objects. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
TraybakesAdmin. “The Sweet History of Cake: From Ancient Origins to Modern TRAYBAKES!” Traybakes, 13 Sept. 2024, www.traybakes.com/the-sweet-history-of-cake-from-ancient-origins-to-modern-traybakes/#:~:text=Cakes%20have%20been%20a%20part,a%20new%20era%20for%20cakes.

Baking Because Murder is Wrong Episode 4: "Let them eat cake." Or "A piece of cake."

Podcast Monday - Today in Music History 120125

Feliks Banel's guest on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY is world-renowned landscape architect - and renaissance man - Laurie Olin.

Laurie Olin has been associated with many high profile projects around the world, and taught at the University of Pennsylvania for decades. Earlier in his career, Olin studied architecture at the University of Washington, and spent several years in Seattle from the late 1950s to the early 1970s working with a range of architects and civic leaders, and later writing poetry. In those formative years for the modern city, he was part of a vibrant community of artists and scholars, and was involved with design projects and grassroots preservation efforts that still resonate today in 21st-century Seattle.

In a long conversation recorded on December 1, 2025, Laurie Olin covered a lot of ground, and helped evoke many well-known people and iconic places from a heady era in a young Seattle of the 1950s and 1960s.

For more information about Laurie Olin's teaching:
https://www.design.upenn.edu/people/laurie-d-olin

For more information about Laurie Olin's work:
https://www.theolinstudio.com/people#/laurie-olin/

Laurie Olin's October 2025 letter for The Cultural Landscape Foundation regarding Gas Works Park:
https://www.tclf.org/laurie-olin-threats-gas-works-park

CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms’ quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle.

Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes.

BONUS EPISODE: The Heady Seattle Years of World-Renowned Landscape Architect Laurie Olin

How did the Olympics give us those giant inflatable tube dancers? And in what country will you find the famous Crooked Tree Forest? Hear the Off Ramp Trivia Podcast. 

294 Your Move Trivia

In the second part of our in-depth conversation with Dr. Kálmán Mizsei, former EU Special Representative and one of the most knowledgeable experts on Moldova, we move from history and identity to the hard geopolitical questions shaping the country's future. We explore where Moldova truly stands in its EU accession process, why internal reforms and EU institutional changes are equally essential, and how Russian influence, energy dependence, and Transnistria continue to complicate the path forward.
Dr. Mizsei offers a rare insider’s view on Moldova’s political landscape, the role of President Maia Sandu, the limitations of neutrality, and the economic and security “quick wins” Moldova must achieve in the years ahead. This episode goes far beyond headlines—unpacking the structural, political, and strategic dilemmas that define one of Europe’s most fragile frontiers.
Support our mission to amplify Central European perspectives:
👉 www.centraleuropeanaffairs.com/donate 

#69 Mizsei: Beyond Aspirations: What EU Accession Really Means for Moldova | Hosted by Szilard Szelpal

Poet Steven Reigns’ memorial memoir chronicling his profound six-year friendship with Michael Church who died of AIDS in 2000 (“Outliving Michael,” Moon Tide Press, 2025) is presented in an original sound collage with archival news reports and the friends’ favorite music (produced by Brian DeShazor).

Plus United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has a message of hope for World AIDS Day, despite the disastrous combination of drastic funding cuts and official anti-gender and anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. (NewsWrap returns next week).

All this on the December 1, 2025 edition of This Way Out!

Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Steven Reigns’ Outliving Michael  | This Way Out Radio Episode #1966

Podcast Tuesday - Today in Music History 120225

For a quarter of a century, the unfettered voices of LGBT people have been broadcast around the world on "This Way Out."  The award-winning internationally is distributed weekly on over 200 local community radio and online stations around the world (carriage list at thiswayout.org), can be heard via podcast (thiswayout.org and iTunes) and direct satellite (World Radio Network) and is available on CD by subscription.

With only modest funding from foundations, Overnight Productions, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) has remained true to its commitment to provide this high-quality LGBT programming to a global audience -- and to offer the program free of charge. 

Follow us on Soundcloud to hear the weekly show … and maybe some surprises! Archived programs available at http://bit.ly/dduN0p. For our whole story -- including how you can contribute -- please visit our website at http://thiswayout.org!

Welcome to Baking Because Murder is Wrong. The show where we slow down, preheat the oven, and uncover the stories and sweet secrets behind the iconic desserts we all love. 
Grab a whisk, because we are about to bake some history.

CASCADE OF HISTORY is the only LIVE radio show presenting news and stories about people doing cool things with and for history in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia. We talk about people, artifacts, books, maps, photos, places, landmarks, public lands, state and national parks, trails, highways, and the historic events that can bring us all together.

The show is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time on SPACE 101.1 FM (and streaming via http://www.space101fm.org ) from studios located on the shores of Lake Washington in historic Magnuson Park in Seattle, former site of Sand Point Naval Air Station (though sometimes CASCADE OF HISTORY originates from remote locations around the region). The podcast feed consists of the weekly broadcast, plus frequent bonus episodes with timely and topical interviews, vintage local audio or other Pacific Northwest history-related content - and sometimes even BREAKING NEWS.

Producer and host Feliks Banel is an Emmy-winning and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning broadcaster, and former deputy director of Seattle's Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI).

Send your questions, comments, guest suggestions, news tips and other correspondence to cascadeofhistory@gmail.com.

31 year veteran Sports talk host. Follow on Twitter @BigOShow. Watch the daily show on #YouTube search & Subscribe #BigORadioShow.

The Off Ramp Trivia podcast. Slow down, steer clear of crazy and take a side road to sanity with Bob & Marcia Smith.  PHOTO by Christopher Michel.

Central European Affairs is the digital magazine of our Foundation. It provides an analysis of the most distinguished topics related to democracy, rule of law, authoritarianism, human and digital rights in Central Europe. In CEA Talk, the journal’s podcast, international experts give insights into details of international politics and business.

New tracks tagged #history