This year, I've decided to expand my baking methods repertoire by trying recipes that use batter making processes that I have not used before. And I'm documenting it all in my "dessert of the month" series. January - Gingered Pear and Blueberry Cobbler February - Angel Food Cake with Lime and Pistachios And now this cake for March! Now, before we proceed I … [Read more...]
Lime Cake
Any cake with more than two layers is a special celebratory cake in my cookbook. A spring green cake even more so. At the first sign of brilliant blue skies, I start to think of making my Aunt Kathy’s Lime Cake. Will it be for Easter, Mother’s Day, a birthday or a bridesmaids luncheon? All of the above. The inside of the cake gets its spring green … [Read more...]
Rolo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
I've just got to get this out of my system. Ever since I saw these Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies over at Picky Palate, I've been wanting to try something similar. I have a little thing for chocolate chip cookies. And by little, I mean big. And by big, I mean huge. And by huge, I mean... You get the picture. After making these, I'm really not sure that chocolate … [Read more...]
Using a Silpat Silicone Baking Mat
So I've been on a mission lately. You know the one...it happens every spring. Spring cleaning. Decluttering. Purging. And finding new treasures in the backs of shelves and bottoms of closets. One such treasure for me. A silicone baking mat. It was in a plastic tube. It had been in this tube since our wedding. Almost 9 years … [Read more...]
Lemon Poppyseed Muffins with Strawberries
Ask and you shall receive. Lemon Poppyseed Muffins with Strawberries The strawberries really level up these tasty muffins! 1 cup sugar1/2 cup butter or margarine (I used a dairy free margarine)1 Tbsp vanilla4 eggs1 cup milk (I used almond)Juice from 1 lemon1 tsp lemon zest2 1/4 cups flour1 tsp baking soda3/4 tsp baking powder3 Tbsp poppyseeds2 cups fresh … [Read more...]
Gluten Free Oat Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins
Here's a simple Gluten Free breakfast muffin for you...with a little chocolate-y surprise! They call for brown rice flour, and GF certified oats...both of which I had stashed on the gluten free shelf in my pantry. Stir in a few chocolate chips (here are my favorite allergy free chocolate chips), and you've got a lovely breakfast. When it comes to baking muffins or loaves … [Read more...]
Angel Food Cake with Lime Glaze and Pistachios
(No. I did not forget about my "dessert of the month" promise. Yes. I do realize that it's the last day of the month. I work best on a tight deadline! Translation: I am one giant procrastinator.) A match made in food heaven... Lime. and. Pistachios! I made this earlier this month when we had some friends from church over for dinner. I made the angel food cake the night … [Read more...]
Storing Yeast in Your Freezer
If you bake bread regularly, or you are thinking about starting, here's a little tip for you... Store your yeast in the freezer! It is certainly cheaper to purchase a jar of yeast than to purchase the strips. If you are planning to make more than 3 loaves of bread or 3 batches of dough for rolls, pizza crust, cinnamon rolls or other yeast bread, then … [Read more...]
Maple-Walnut Muffins
When signing books in Minneapolis last week, the lovely folks at Barnes and Noble asked if I'd like to take a book with me, as a thank you. My "dessert of the month" challenge came immediately to mind, and I knew that I had to get a baking cookbook of some sort. After careful deliberation, and much drooling, over at least 20 books about baking, each with stunning photographs, I … [Read more...]
Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies
When I was in Chicago last week, my sister-in-law took me to a favorite bakery in her neighborhood, Bake°. It is adorable, cozy little spot that reeked of butter upon opening the door. And when I say, reeked...I mean it in the most delicious way possible. I don't do much baking with real butter. So the smell of the buttery baked goods was deafening. (That is, if a smell can … [Read more...]