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Butternut Squash and Leek Galette

Butternut Squash and Leek Galette

Butternut Squash and Leek Galette

 

For the galette dough

5-1/2 oz. (1-1/4 cups) all-purpose flour; more for rolling

1-1/2 oz. (1/3 cup) fine or medium yellow cornmeal

1 tsp. granulated sugar

1 tsp. kosher salt

3 oz. (6 Tbs.) unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

3 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup cold water

For the filling

3-1/2 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

3 thyme sprigs, plus 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves

Kosher salt

2 large leeks, trimmed, cut lengthwise into quarters, then sliced thinly crosswise to yield 2 cups

1 large clove garlic, finely chopped

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

4 oz. fresh goat cheese

1 T. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Freshly ground black pepper

1 large egg beaten with 2 tsp. water or cream

Flaky sea salt

Balsamic glaze, for serving (optional)

 

Pulse the flour, cornmeal, sugar, and salt in a food processor to combine. Add the butter. Pulse until the butter is distributed and pea-size crumbs form. Add the oil and water, and process just until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.  Position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat the oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment, and brush the parchment with 1/2 Tbs. of the oil. Put the squash on the baking sheet in a single layer, and brush with 1 Tbs. of the oil. Add the thyme sprigs to the baking sheet, and sprinkle the squash with 1/2 tsp. kosher salt. Roast until just tender and browned in places, 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 Tbs. oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks, garlic, pepper flakes, and a pinch of kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally and lowering the heat as needed, until the leeks are tender and browned in places, 5 to 8 minutes. Let cool. In a small bowl, combine the cheese, parsley, a pinch of kosher salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Crumble with your fingers to combine.  Between two sheets of lightly floured parchment, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle. The dough will be soft and the circle thin, so very carefully slide the parchment with the dough onto a large baking sheet; it’s OK if some of the dough hangs over the side for now. The dough may tear now or when folding it later; if so, it’s not a big deal. Just pinch the dough together and move on. Sprinkle half of the goat cheese mixture (about 1/2 cup) over the center of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Top with the leeks, then the squash, then the remaining 1/2 cup goat cheese mixture and the thyme leaves, leaving a 1-inch border. Fold the edge of the circle up and over the filling, pleating as you go. Brush the edge with the egg wash. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours. When ready to bake the galette, position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat the oven to 400°F. Bake until the crust is browned, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool briefly before slicing. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and serve warm or at room temperature with balsamic glaze on the side.

Lemon, Coconut, and Pistachio Cake

Lemon, Coconut, and Pistachio Cake

Lemon, Coconut, and Pistachio Cake

 

1/2 cup Unsalted Butter , room temperature

1 1/4 cups Granulated Sugar , divided

3 Large Eggs , room temperature

1 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1/4 tsp Baking Soda

1/4 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

1/3 cup Shelled Unsalted Pistachios

1/2 cup Full-Fat Coconut Milk

1 T. Lemons , zested (about 2 lemons)

1/3 cup Lemon Juice , freshly squeezed, divided

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

2 T. Full-Fat Coconut Milk

1 T. Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan, line the bottom with parchment paper, then grease the paper and flour the pan. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup) and Granulated Sugar (1 cup) . Beat on medium speed for 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy. With the mixer on medium speed, add the Large Eggs (3) one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Beat for one more minute, until the batter is pale and thick. In a medium bowl, sift together the All-Purpose Flour (1 1/4 cups) , Baking Powder (1/2 tsp) , Kosher Salt (1/2 tsp) , and Baking Soda (1/4 tsp) . Add the Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (1/4 cup) and set aside. Place the Shelled Unsalted Pistachios (1/3 cup) in the bowl of a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. Remove 1 1/2 T. and set aside for garnish. Continue processing until the pistachios are very finely ground. Measure to make sure you have 1/4 cup, and add it to the bowl with the dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine Full-Fat Coconut Milk (1/2 cup) , zest of the Lemons (1 Tbsp) , Lemon Juice (3 Tbsp) , and Vanilla Extract (1/2 tsp) . Add the wet and dry mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Do not overmix. Transfer to the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a rack set over a tray to continue cooling. In a small saucepan, combine the Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup) , Full-Fat Coconut Milk (2 Tbsp) , and Lemon Juice (2 Tbsp) . Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then remove from the heat. While the cake is still warm, slowly pour the syrup over the top of the cake. Sprinkle with the reserved pistachios and Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (1 Tbsp) , cool completely, and serve.

Crunchy Seed Braid

Crunchy Seed Braid

Crunchy Seed Braid

 

283g (1¼ C.) lukewarm water

35g (3 T.) vegetable oil

241g (2 C.) Bread Flour

170g (1½ C.) White Whole Wheat Flour

43g (½ cup) traditional rolled oats

1½ tsp. salt

25g (2 T.) sugar

28g (¼ cup) nonfat dry milk

2 tsp. instant yeast

 

1 large egg white beaten with 1 T. cold water

85g (generous ½ cup) mixed seeds – poppy, sesame, flax, fennel, and anise are all good choices.

 

Mix all of the dough ingredients, and mix and knead – by hand, stand mixer, or bread machine – to make a smooth, supple dough. Place the dough in a lightly greased, covered container, and allow it to rise for 60 to 90 minutes (it will become quite puffy, though it may not double in size). Gently deflate the dough, and divide it into three pieces. Roll/stretch each piece into a 60cm (24-inch) log. Brush the logs with the beaten egg white, coating them as well as you can. Sprinkle with the seeds. Roll them over, brush with egg white, and sprinkle on more seeds. Roll them around a bit, to coat as completely as possible. Allow the logs to rest for 15 minutes, uncovered. Squeeze the three logs together at one end, braid, and when you get to the end, squeeze the three pieces together and tuck them underneath. Transfer the braid to a lightly greased or parchment-lined pan, brush with more egg white, and sprinkle with any leftover seeds.

Cover the braid, and let it rise for 1 hour, till the braid has become noticeably puffy. Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 220℃ (425°F). Bake the bread for 15 minutes. Tent it lightly with foil (to prevent over-browning), reduce the oven temperature to 180℃ (350°F), and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the braid’s internal temperature registers 89℃ (190°F.)

Remove it from the oven, and cool on a rack.

Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Fresh Cranberry and Salted Caramel

Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Fresh Cranberry and Salted Caramel

Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Fresh Cranberry and Salted Caramel

 

1 small sugar pumpkin, halved, seeds scooped, roasted until tender and puréed (about 1½ cups prepared pumpkin)

1½ cups heavy cream

½ cup whole milk

⅓ cup sugar

3 large eggs

2 egg yolks

⅛ tsp. salt

⅛ tsp. ground allspice

⅛ tsp. ground ginger

⅛ tsp. ground cinnamon

1 T. vanilla extract

10 cups (from 1 loaf) country-style bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

3 T. butter, melted

1 cup fresh cranberries, halved

 

1½ cups granulated sugar

10 T. unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes

1 scant cup heavy cream

2 tsp. kosher or sea salt

 

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan. Whisk together prepared pumpkin purée, cream, milk, sugar, eggs and yolks, salt, spices and vanilla until smooth. Add cubed bread, butter and cranberries and stir to coat bread. Allow to soak for 30 minutes. Transfer to the baking pan. Bake, uncovered, on middle rack until custard sets, about 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to sit and cool slightly before cutting. Salted Caramel Sauce: In a heavy-bottom 4-quart saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue stirring and melting sugar until sugar begins to turn a light to medium amber color, then stop stirring. When sugar is reddish brown, carefully add butter and whisk together. Sugar will bubble up, so use caution and a long whisk. Add cream and continue to whisk over medium-low heat until smooth. Add salt and whisk again until smooth and creamy. Reserve to cool slightly or make ahead and microwave to reheat. Drizzle bread pudding with caramel sauce before serving.

PNW Cranberry Tart

PNW Cranberry Tart

PNW Cranberry Tart

 

For the pastry:

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 stick plus 2 T. cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1/3 c. ice water

 

For the filling:

1 lb. cranberries, preferably locally grown

1 scant c. sugar

2 T. orange liqueur (triple sec, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, etc.)

2 T. cornstarch

Zest of 1/2 large orange

Egg white (optional)

 

Preheat the oven to 375°. In a food processor, combine the flour with the sugar, salt and butter and process for about 5 seconds. With the processor running, drizzle in the ice water over the flour mixture until the pastry just begins to come together, about 10 seconds. Transfer the pastry to a work surface, gather it together and pat into a disk. Wrap the pastry in plastic or wax paper and refrigerate until chilled, about one hour. Just before the dough finishes chilling, place cranberries in a large bowl and add sugar, liqueur, cornstarch and orange zest. Remove dough from refrigerator and place on well-floured surface. Roll out into large round approximately 14-15″ in diameter. Transfer to large, parchment-covered baking sheet (I usually fold the dough in half very carefully, transfer it to the sheet and unfold it). Brush the bottom of the dough with a very thin coating of egg white to within 4″ of the edge. Place cranberry filling in the middle, keeping it within 3-4″ of the edge of the dough. Lift the edges of the dough and fold over on top of filling, pleating it slightly to keep the tart’s rounded shape. An option here is to brush the dough with egg white and sprinkle it with sugar to give it a shiny appearance. Place in oven and bake at 375° for one hour or so until filling is bubbling and crust is golden.

Cheddar and Dill Buttermilk Quick Bread

Cheddar and Dill Buttermilk Quick Bread

Cheddar and Dill Buttermilk Quick Bread

 

2 cups flour

2 T. sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg

1/4 cup melted butter

1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg. Whisk the melted butter into the buttermilk mixture. Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mix, and gently combine. Don’t over mix the batter. Stir in the shredded cheese and dill. Line a 9 x 5 baking tin with parchment paper and bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.

Lemon-Honey Tea Cakes with Buttermilk Glaze

Lemon-Honey Tea Cakes with Buttermilk Glaze

Lemon-Honey Tea Cakes with Buttermilk Glaze

 

1 lemon, zested

3/4 cup granulated sugar

7 T. butter

7 T. honey (1/4 cup plus 3 T.)

1 egg

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/8 tsp. lemon extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 T. buttermilk

A pinch of salt

1/4 tsp. lemon extract

Up to 1 T. fresh lemon juice

 

Preheat oven to 300’F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick baking spray with flour. You can also butter and flour each well in the tin. Rub the lemon zest and sugar together in a small saucepan until the mixture is fragrant and looks like wet sand. Add the butter and honey and stir over low heat until the butter is melted, the sugar is dissolved, and the mixture is smooth except for the lemon zest. Remove from heat and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, and lemon extract. In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Add half of the flour’ mixture to the buttermilk mixture and whisk until just combined. Do the same with half of the butter mixture. Repeat until all the ingredients are added, whisking just until the batter is smooth. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, and bake 22-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes then take them out and let cool completely on a wire rack. If they don’t easily pop out of the muffin tin, run a small paring knife around the edge of each cake to loosen. While the tea cakes cool, make the glaze. Combine the powdered sugar, buttermilk, salt, and lemon extract in a medium bowl and whisk until completely smooth. Whisk lemon juice in, a little at a time, until the glaze is just barely thin enough for dipping. When the tea cakes are cool, dip the top of each in the glaze. Let the excess glaze drip back into the bowl then turn the cakes right side up and place back on the cooling rack. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Gingersnaps with Juniper Berry Glaze

Gingersnaps with Juniper Berry Glaze

Gingersnaps with Juniper Berry Glaze

Juniper Berry Glaze

 

½ cup of Milk

2 T.ps. crushed Juniper Berries

2 cups of sifted Icing Sugar

Hopefully, you already have Juniper Berries on hand. If not, you can go to your local Health Food store and they most likely have some.

 

To make the glaze, crush 2 T. of Juniper Berries in a coffee grinder or spice grinder. Or with a Pestle and Mortar. Or you can even put them in a Ziploc bag and run a rolling pin over them…or crush them with a mallet.  Place them in a small pot. Add ½ cup of milk. Put on the stovetop on low…like setting 1-2. The idea is warmth will help infuse the flavor. You do not want to burn the milk, so keep it on low. As you let your milk and Juniper Berry infuse, bake your cookies! Once your milk is reduced by half, it’s ready for straining. We are going from 1/2cup of milk to 1/4cup of milk. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on your stovetop. Low and slow will make a stronger flavored infusion! Strain your mixture with a fine metal sieve. Take the back of a spoon and press the milk-soaked berries through the fine metal sieve. This will get more of the ‘berry pulp’ and the berry skins will be left behind. There won’t be too much to press through and the pulp will transfer on the underside of the sieve, so be sure to scrape it off and add it to the milk infusion.  Add ¼ cup of the milk infusion to a mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, or a stand mixer, add icing sugar in small amounts – up to two cups, or desired consistency. It should have a ‘runny’ texture…but not really runny. Take cooling racks and place wax paper underneath (wax paper will make clean up easier when the icing drips off the cookies). Place cookies on top. Transfer icing to icing bag, or by spoonful, drizzle icing over baked, cool-downed cookies. Leave on cooling rack until icing has set.

 

¾ cup Shortening

1 cup of White Sugar

¼ cup Molasses

1 Egg – beaten

2 cups of Flour

2 tsps. of Baking Soda

¼ tsp Salt

1.5 tsp of Cinnamon

0.5 tsp Clove

1 tsp Nutmeg

2 tsps. Ginger (or more to taste)

 

You can replace these traditional spices with 1 T. ground, dried spicebush berries and 2 ½ tsp. ground, dried wild ginger rhizomes

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream shortening, sugar molasses, and egg until well mixed and slightly fluffy. In a separate bowl, add dry ingredients together and mix well. Add dry ingredients to creamed ingredients. With clean hands (no rings), mix well. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop cookies onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Note: at this stage, you can dab each cookie into white sugar to have that coated sugar look. But since we are adding a glaze, I would recommend skipping the extra sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cookies will have a ‘cracked’ appearance. Transfer to cooling rack (with Wax Paper underneath). Once cool, drizzle Juniper Berry Glaze over the cookies. Let glaze set

Triple Ginger Snaps with Sorghum

Triple Ginger Snaps with Sorghum

Triple Ginger Snaps with Sorghum

 

2 1/4 cups unbleached flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. ground ginger

2 T. finely chopped candied ginger

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup sorghum

2 extra-large eggs

1 T. freshly grated wild gingerroot

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

About 1/3 cup sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350º F. In a bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, ground ginger and candied ginger; toss well to mix. In a food processor or a mixer, pulse or cream butter with the brown sugar until fluffy. Add the sorghum and mix until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, until mixed; add the gingerroot and vanilla extract and pulse or mix until combined. Add the dry ingredients and pulse or mix until just blended. Place the sugar in a saucer. Scoop the dough by the heaping tsp. and roll into balls. Roll each ball in the sugar to coat and place them on a baking sheet at least 2-inches apart. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until flattened and cracked on top. Remove the pan from the oven and let the cookies stand for about 2 minutes. Remove cookies from the pan onto baking racks to cool. Store in a tightly closed tin for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Spoon Bread

Spoon Bread

Spoon Bread

 

1 cup self-rising cornmeal

2 tsp. sugar

pinch baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup boiling water

1 ½ cups buttermilk

3 eggs

¼ stick butter, melted

 

Preheat oven to 375°. Put the cornmeal in a bowl and add the sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the boiling water. Add the buttermilk and then the eggs and butter and mix together well. Pour the batter into a greased cast-iron skillet and bake for 30 minutes.

Pistachio, Blue Cheese & Fig Puff Pastry Twists

Pistachio, Blue Cheese & Fig Puff Pastry Twists

Pistachio, Blue Cheese & Fig Puff Pastry Twists

 

1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 egg

1 T. cold water

3/4 C. fig preserves

3/4 C. crumbled blue cheese

1 1/4 C. pistachios, toasted

 

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Unfold the puff pastry sheets onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll out both sheets just enough to smooth out the creases (the pastry sheets will only increase in size about an inch on all sides after rolling out). Beat the egg and water and set the egg wash aside. Spread the fig preserve evenly over one pastry sheet. Sprinkle the blue cheese and 3/4 C. pistachios over the preserves. Lay the second pastry sheet over the top. Brush the top of the pastry with the beaten egg. Sprinkle 1/4 C. chopped pistachios over the egg wash, lightly pressing the nuts into the pastry. Turn the pastry over and repeat with the egg wash and remaining pistachios. Cut the pastry across the shortest width into 1/2-inch strips. Twist each strip and lay 1/2-inch apart on a silicone baking mat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until puffed and golden.

Pistachio Muffins

Pistachio Muffins

Pistachio Muffins

 

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup milk

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3.4 oz box pistachio instant pudding mix

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

Coarse sugar for the tops if desired

 

Optional: ¼ c. chopped pistachios (add to batter)

 

Preheat oven to 425° F. Line muffin tins with muffin liners (I used parchment paper liners (link in recipe card) and they worked great). In a medium bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, almond extract, and milk until fully combined and fluffy. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, pudding mix, baking powder, and salt. Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients and stir, just until mixed together. Lumps are okay. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tins, filling each cavity 3/4 of the way full. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if using. Bake at 425° for 6 minutes, then reduce the heat in the oven to 350° and continue cooking another 11-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not over bake. Allow muffins to cool for about 5 minutes before removing them from the muffin tin and transferring to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Lemon Sponge Cake with Pear Marmalade

Lemon Sponge Cake with Pear Marmalade

Lemon Sponge Cake with Pear Marmalade

 

Pear Marmalade needs to sit at least 3 hours; Make the day before.

 

Unsalted butter, for greasing the cake pans

2½ cups cake flour

½ tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

5 T. extra virgin olive oil

¾ cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs

Grated zest of 6 lemons

½ cup whole milk

¾ cup pear marmalade

Confectioners’ sugar, for garnish

 

Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour two 8­inch round cake pans. In a medium bowl, toss the flour, salt, and baking powder with a fork to mix well. In a large bowl, beat the olive oil & sugar together with an electric mixer until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Put the dry ingredients in a sifter & sift about one third onto the egg mixture. Add the lemon zest & fold in the flour and zest, then stir in about one third of the milk. Add the remaining flour and milk in two additions each, blending well. Turn batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25 minutes, or until cakes are beginning to pull away from sides of the pans & spring back when pressed lightly in the center with a finger. Turn the cakes out onto a rack, & invert onto another rack to cool. To assemble, place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread marmalade over the top. Place the second layer on top and gently press the layers together. Sprinkle the top of the cake with confectioner’s sugar.

 

For Pear Marmalade

 

2 lbs. firm unripe pears, peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces

1 ½ C sugar

3 cloves

1 T freshly ground black pepper

 

In a large bowl, mix the pears, sugar, and cloves together. Cover with a kitchen towel and aside for at least 3 hours to let juices start to run. Transfer the pear and juice to a large nonreactive saucepan, bring to a simmer, and simmer gently, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking, until the pears are tender. Remove from the heat, stir in the pepper, remove the cloves, & allow to cool.

Sheet Pan Vanilla Sheet Cake with Sprinkles

Sheet Pan Vanilla Sheet Cake with Sprinkles

Sheet Pan Vanilla Sheet Cake with Sprinkles

 

Cooking spray

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

4 large eggs

3/4 cup canola oil, or melted and cooled unsalted butter

1 cup whole milk

1 T. vanilla extract

 

8 T. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 T. whole milk

Disc sprinkles (optional)

 

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Coat a 13×18-inch rimmed baking sheet (also known as a half sheet pan) with cooking spray; set aside. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Add the eggs, oil or butter, milk, and vanilla and mix with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Pour the batter into the baking sheet. Bake until the cake is lightly browned and springs back when gingerly pressed with a finger, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool the cake on a wire rack while preparing the frosting. Make the frosting: Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and milk and beat until smooth and fluffy. Spread the frosting right on top of the cake and use the tip end of a small spoon to work the frosting back and forth, creating a striped pattern. Decorate with sprinkles if using. NOTES: Storage: The cooled cake can be covered with plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 7 days.

ABM Fluffy Bread Machine Rolls

ABM Fluffy Bread Machine Rolls

ABM Fluffy Bread Machine Rolls

 

1 1/4 cup milk

3 cups bread flour

3 T. sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 T. butter melted

1 (.25 ounce) package of active dry yeast (this equals 2 1/4 tsp.)

 

Place all the ingredients into the pan of your bread machine in the order that your machine. manufacturer recommends. Mine recommends them in order that I listed in ingredients. Set on DOUGH cycle and press START. When machine is finished remove dough from machine pan and place on floured surface, lightly deflating it with your hands. Divide the dough into 16 equal size pieces and roll into round balls. Spray a 13×9 pan with nonstick spray and place the dough balls onto the pan, placing them directly next to each other. Cover pan with cloth towel and let rise for 60 minutes. During this time the rolls will almost double in size. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake rolls for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown on top. Remove from oven and allow to cool down to touch. When serving the rolls, brush a little bit of butter on top of each one to give them a glossy finish.

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Machine

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Machine

ABM Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Machine

 

2 eggs

1/3 cup melted butter

1 ounce milk

2 mashed bananas

2 cups bread flour I just used all-purpose flour

2/3 cups sugar

1.25 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c . chopped walnuts

1/2 c . chocolate chips

 

Pour eggs, butter, milk, and bananas into the bread pan and set it aside. In medium bowl stir together all dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to pan. Press “Quick Bread” setting on your machine. When cycle is finished, remove bread from pan and place on a cooling rack.

Better Banana Cake with Caramel Frosting

Better Banana Cake with Caramel Frosting

Better Banana Cake with Caramel Frosting

 

1 package yellow cake mix

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup of water

1/2 cup of canola oil

3 large eggs

Quick Caramel Icing (see below)

1 cup of chopped pecans

Instructions

 

Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with Baker’s Joy non-stick spray. In the bowl of your mixer, add the cake mix, brown sugar and cinnamon and whisk to break up clumps. In a separate bowl, combine the bananas, water, oil and eggs until mixed together. Add to the dry ingredients. Beat on low for about 1 minute, stop scrape down the sides, and beat another 2 minutes on medium speed. Pour into the prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake another 25 to 30 minutes or until nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool in the pan. Pour icing over the still warm cake and sprinkle the pecans on top while the icing is still warm. Allow the cake to set for at least an hour to fully cool.  Variation: Make this an applesauce cake by replacing the bananas with 1 cup of applesauce

 

Quick Caramel Icing

 

1 stick of pure unsalted butter

1 cup of packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup of half and half

2 cups of sifted powdered sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

 

In a heavy bottomed saucepan, combine the butter and brown sugar and cook over a slightly higher than medium fire, until mixture begins to boil. This will take anywhere from 2 to 4 minutes depending on your stove. Once it begins to boil, slowly whisk in the half and half until well blended. Bring back just to a boil, turn the burner to low, remove the saucepan from the heat, add the powdered sugar and vanilla and blend. Return the saucepan to the burner and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth. Icing will get stiff quickly so you’ll need to immediately pour over cake and allow it to set.

ABM Wait for 10 Perfect White Bread

ABM Wait for 10 Perfect White Bread

ABM Wait for 10 Perfect White Bread

 

1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45degrees C)

2 T. white sugar

1 (1/4 ounce) package bread machine yeast (2-1/4 tsp.)

2 T. melted butter

2 T. oil (can use 4 T. of oil or melted butter)

3 cups white bread flour

1 tsp. salt

 

Place the water into the bread pan. Sprinkle the sugar then the yeast over the water; allow the yeast to foam for 10 minutes. Add in the melted butter, oil, flour and salt. Select the BASIC or WHITE BREAD setting and press start.

Summer Solstice Herby Honey Cookies

Summer Solstice Herby Honey Cookies

Summer Solstice Herby Honey Cookies

 

1 & 3/4 cups of flour

¾ cup softened butter

¼ cup honey

¼ cup brown or cane sugar

1 teaspoon minced thyme

1 teaspoon lavender buds

1 teaspoon minced rosemary

1 teaspoon minced sage

a few crushed cardamom seeds

pinch of salt

 

NOTE: I used more like a tablespoon of each herb in my cookies, but this might be too herbaceous for some, so adjust accordingly. And I also added 3/4 cup oatmeal to another batch of cookies and cut back on the flour. Feel free to experiment or use whatever cookie recipe you like…after all it’s not the cookie that matters as much as the spirit!

 

Icing:

 

3 teaspoons milk

1 cup icing sugar

a wee bit of grated lemon rind. (I also added lavender buds to the second batch of icing)

Coloring. I used a combination of golden beet juice, St. John’s Tincture and a pinch of turmeric powder, but of course, you could use a store-bought natural food dye.

 

Combine your milk and icing sugar. Slowing add in your coloring and mix until you find the desired color/consistency

 

Preheat Oven to 300 F. Beat flour, sugar and soft butter together until creamy. Slowly drizzle in honey while beating until mixture pulls together. Add minced herbs and petals, mix well through the dough. Divide into four balls and chill for an hour or so. Roll out and cut into round shapes. Add flour as needed.

Bake at 300 for 10-15 minutes. Let cool. Decorate using the flowers and herbs of the sun: petals of calendula, lawn daisies or ox-eye daisies (not store bought daisy chrysanthemums), St. John’s Wort, rose, or sprigs of rosemary, thyme and sage.

Peach Upside Down Mini Cakes

Peach Upside Down Mini Cakes

Peach Upside Down Mini Cakes

 

Non-stick cooking spray

1 T. unsalted butter cold

6 tsp. light brown sugar

For cake batter:

3 fresh peaches (Note 1)

1 ½ C. (190g) all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

2/3 C. (130g) granulated sugar

1/3 C. (90g) unsalted butter at room temperature

1 large egg at room temperature

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

½ C. (120ml) buttermilk at room temperature (Note 2)

 

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177° C). Spray muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. To prepare the topping: Cut 1 T. of butter into 12 equal parts. (TIP: cold butter is easier to cut.) Place each butter piece in 12 muffin C.. Sprinkle ½ tsp. of brown sugar into each muffin C.. Slice 1-2 peaches into thin slices. Arrange about 3 slices into the bottom of each muffin pan. To make the cake batter: Cut the remaining peaches into small cubes. You should get about 1 C. of cubed peaches. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a mixing bowl with paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract and beat it for another 2-3 minutes, or until well combined. The mixture should be fluffy and white. (Note: It’s totally normal for the mixture to curdle right after adding egg, but keep mixing and it’ll turn nice and fluffy!) Add half of the flour mixture into the batter, beat for 1 minute on low speed. Stir in the buttermilk and beat for another minute. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat just until combined. Don’t overmix the batter, or it’ll make tough cake. Fold in the cubed peaches. Divide the batter into 12 muffin pan C..  Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pan for 5 minutes. Then carefully run a butter knife around the edges to release the cake from the sides. Now, place a wire rack over the muffin pan and carefully turn the pan upside down to remove the cakes. Place an empty baking sheet to catch any juice, if needed. Cool the cakes completely before serving.

Holiday Eggnog Cake with Apricot Filling

Holiday Eggnog Cake with Apricot Filling

holiHoliday Eggnog Cake with Apricot Filling

 

1 package (18.25) yellow or vanilla cake mix, plain or with pudding

1 1/4 cups eggnog

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

4 large eggs

3 T. bourbon (optional), for brushing the tops of the cake layers

 

1 jar (10 ounces) apricot all-fruit spread

1 T. bourbon or water

Spiced cream cheese frosting:

4 T. (1/2 stick) butter, at room temperature

4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Heaping 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

 

Place rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist three 9-inch round cake pans with vegetable oil spray, then dust them with flour. Shake out the excess flour; set pans aside. Place the cake mix, eggnog, oil, vanilla, nutmeg and the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are incorporated, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat for two minutes longer, scraping down the side of the bowl again, if needed. The batter should look well blended. Divide the cake batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans, about 11/2 cups of batter per pan, smoothing the tops with the rubber spatula. Place the pans in the oven. If your oven is not large enough to hold three pans on the center rack, place two pans on that rack and one in the center of the rack above. Bake the cake layers until they are golden brown and the tops spring back when lightly pressed with a finger, 18 to 20 minutes. The cake layer on the higher rack may bake faster, so it for doneness first. Transfer to wire racks and let cool for 5 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edge of each cake layer and give the pans a good shake to loosen the cakes. Invert each layer onto a wire rack, then invert it again onto another rack so that the cakes are right side up. If desired, brush the cakes with the 3 T. of bourbon, using 1 T. for each; set aside to cool, 15 minutes longer. Meanwhile, make the filling: Place the fruit spread and 1 T. of bourbon or water in a small bowl and stir until well combined.  Make the spiced cream frosting: Place the butter and cream cheese in a medium-size bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until well combined, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the confectioners’ sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon and beat with the mixer on low speed until the ingredients are well incorporated and the frosting has a spreading consistency, 1 to 2 minutes. To assemble cake, transfer one layer, right side up, to a cake plate. Spread half of the filling to the edge of the first layer, about 1/2 heaping cup. Place a second cake layer, right side up, on top of the first and spread the remaining filling over it. Place the third layer on top, right side up, and frost the top and side of cake, working with smooth, clean strokes. To make slicing easier, place the uncovered cake in the refrigerator until the frosting sets, 20 minutes. Store in a cake saver or loosely covered with waxed paper in the refrigerator for up to one week. Freeze the cake, wrapped in aluminum foil, for up to six months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Banana Bread Sheet Cake

Banana Bread Sheet Cake

Banana Bread Sheet Cake

 

3 – 4 ripe bananas (mashed about 1 1/2 cups)

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup butter (at room temp)

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup milk

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Set aside. With a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, mixing in one at a time. Then add the vanilla and mix until smooth. In a separate large bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a separate small bowl mix together the milk and sour cream. Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, followed by 1/3 of the milk/sour cream mixture and repeat until it is all combined. To this batter add the mashed bananas and mini chocolate chips, then combine. Pour the batter into your 9×13 baking dish. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. (Check your cake after 30 minutes to see how it is baking.) Cool and enjoy!

For no chew diet, break into small pieces or dip into milk before eating.

Almond Flour Sponge Cake

Almond Flour Sponge Cake

Almond Flour Sponge Cake

 

Makes 2 sheet cakes (13 BY 17 BY 3⁄8 INCH), 1 sheet cake (13 BY 17 BY ¾ INCH), or 2 round cakes (9 BY 1 INCH). Butter and flour if using round pans.

 

1½ cups almond flour

½ cup plus 1 T. cake flour

¾ cup granulated sugar

4 eggs

6 egg whites

Pinch of cream of tartar, unless using a copper bowl

Confectioners’ sugar, if making a sheet cake

 

If you are making round cakes, preheat the oven to 350°F and butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. If you are making sheet cakes, preheat the oven to 375°F and line two 13 by 17-inch sheet pans with parchment. Combine the almond flour, cake flour, and ½ cup of the granulated sugar in a food processor. With the motor running, add the eggs, 2 at a time, until the mixture is smooth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl large enough to hold all the batter. Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar (if using) on medium-high speed in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment for about 2 minutes or with a handheld mixer for about 3 minutes, or until medium peaks form. Add the remaining granulated sugar and beat on high speed for 1 to 5 minutes longer (depending on what kind of mixer you are using), until stiff peaks form. Mix one-fourth of the egg white mixture into the almond mixture until smooth, to lighten the mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold this mixture with the remaining egg white mixture. Transfer the batter to the cake pans or sheet pans. If you are using sheet pans, spread the batter with an offset spatula and run your thumb around the edges to make a small moat to keep the edges of the cakes from sticking to the pans. Bake round cakes for about 25 minutes, or until they bounce back to the touch. Bake sheet cakes for about 15 minutes, or until firm and they bounce back to the touch. If you are baking sheet cakes, sprinkle 2 sheets of parchment paper as large as the sheet pan with confectioners’ sugar. Run a knife around the edges of the cakes to make it easier to get them out of the sheet pans. Quickly flip out the cakes over the parchment paper as soon as they come out of the oven by placing the cakes right next to the parchment. Peel away the cooked parchment from the bottoms of the cakes. Cut the cakes into rounds or rectangles and layer them with the same fillings you’d use for a sponge cake. If you are baking round cakes, let them cool for 5 minutes in the cake pans and then turn out onto cake racks.

Spellbinding Sweet Woodruff Prosperity Cake for May Day Eve

Spellbinding Sweet Woodruff Prosperity Cake for May Day Eve

Spellbinding Sweet Woodruff Prosperity Cake for May Day Eve

Sweet Woodruff is a common ground cover garden plant, and while it is native to Europe it has naturalized in many of our forests. Leaves and flowers should be harvested just before and during blooming, but they must dried or at least wilted before using to capture their flavor/aroma. The stems are bitter, so make sure you just use leaves and blossoms.

 

By baking this magical Sweet Woodruff cake we can combine our magical powers together and cast a powerful blessing to enrich us, one and all and make our hearts merry. And here’s a little prosperity spell to say over your cake, while you’re making it, while it’s baking or just before you serve it. Abracadabra!

 

Money, money come to me

In abundance three times three

May I be enriched in the best of ways

Harming none on its way

This I accept, so mote it be

Bring me money three times three!

 

1 cup & 2 tsp. of DRIED Sweet Woodruff leaves and flowers (no stems!)

4 large egg yolks

4 large egg whites, at room temperature

3/4 cup organic cane sugar (or whatever sugar you like)

2 tablespoons cold water

8 tablespoons melted butter

3/4 cup of wholewheat, or spelt, or all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tsp. lemon zest

2 cups light cream

Powdered icing sugar for dusting

 

Three days before making your cake: Take your dried sweet woodruff and place in your cream. Stir well. Cover and allow to sit in a warm place for 24hrs. Then transfer to fridge. After two days, strain the plant material from the cream. Line a 8 X 8 inch square pan with sheets of parchment paper. Leave a generous amount sticking out from the sides. These will be your “handles” when you take the cake out of the pan. Heat Oven to 325°F. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks, sugar and water together until creamy and the sugar is dissolved. 5 to 6 minutes. Drizzle in the melted butter into the egg yolk mixture and mix well. Add in the flour, lemon zest, salt and two tsp. of dried woodruff (crumbled into a powder) then blend until fully combined. Add the milk or cream and mix them in gently. Whisk the egg whites on high speed until the egg whites hold stiff peaks. Add the egg whites to the yolk mixture and flour mixture. Stir VERY gently with a large spoon just a dozen or so times, leaving large clumps of egg whites in the batter. Do not overmix! Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake until the edges are set, the top is a warm brown, and the center is still a wee bit wobbly. 50 to 55 minutes. Leave the cake in the pan at room temperature until completely cooled. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Best left overnight. Dust with icing sugar and serve!

Apple Yogurt Cake with a Cinnamon-Sugar Streak

Apple Yogurt Cake with a Cinnamon-Sugar Streak

Apple Yogurt Cake with a Cinnamon-Sugar Streak

 

Cooking spray or olive oil

1 1/2 cups whole regular or Greek yogurt, well-stirred

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

3 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 pounds apples (preferably tart, such as Granny Smith)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Pinch freshly ground nutmeg

2 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided

1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar

2 T. unsalted butter, at room temperature

 

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with baking spray or olive oil. Place the yogurt, granulated sugar, oil, lemon juice, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Peel and core the apples, then chop into rough 1/2-inch chunks. (Do not grate the apples or the batter will be too wet.) You should end up with 4 to 4 1/2 cups of apples. Add the apples to the yogurt mixture and stir to combine. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp. of the cinnamon. Stir just until no dry pockets of flour remain; set aside. Place the remaining 2 tsp. cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter in a small bowl and smash with a rubber spatula to combine.  Pour 1/2 of the batter into the pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture on top, dropping it on the batter in small lumps. Spread the rest of the batter over the top, then sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon-brown sugar. Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, covering with aluminum foil toward the end if the top is browning too much, 45 to 55 minutes. Place the pan on a wire rack and let it cool for at least 1 hour. Cut and serve the cake warm or at room temperature. Storage: This cake can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to 4 days, and it gets even more moist as it sits, due to the apples.

ABM Onion and Olive Bread (1 lb.)

ABM Onion and Olive Bread (1 lb.)

ABM Onion and Olive Bread (1 lb.)

 

8 oz water

2 T. olive oil

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ T. white granulated sugar

1 tsp. salt

¾ tsp. dried thyme

200 ml can of sliced black olives chopped

¼ cup dried minced onion

2 tsp. bread maker yeast

 

Add all ingredients in order given. This is critical! When adding salt, pour it around the outer edge of mixture, away from yeast. When adding sugar, pour it around the outer edge of mixture, away from yeast (opposite the salt) Yeast should be added last. Dig a small crater in the middle of the flour, away from the salt, sugar and water. Set bread machine on most appropriate setting – for my bread make it’s the “normal mode” setting (the same setting I’d use to make a regular loaf of white bread).  ** It is really important that you follow your manufacturer’s operating instructions for your bread machine when attempting to make any bread.

Parmesan-Herb Drop Biscuits

Parmesan-Herb Drop Biscuits

Parmesan-Herb Drop Biscuits

 

2 cups all-purpose flour

¼ cup grated Parmesan

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

½ tsp. dried oregano

½ tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. sugar

1 T. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

8 T. salted butter, cold

1 cup milk

 

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, basil, sugar, baking powder, and salt and stir until well combined. Cut the butter into small pieces and add it to the flour mixture. Use your hands to work the butter into the flour mixture until the butter is in very small pieces and the texture resembles coarse sand. Starting with ¾ cup of the milk, stir in just enough milk to form a thick, paste-like mixture. It should be very wet, sticky, and soft enough to scoop with a spoon.  Scoop 1/3-cup portions of the dough onto the lined baking sheet. You should have enough dough for 10 biscuits. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the biscuits have puffed up and are golden brown on top. Serve warm. Variation:  Substitute other herbs.  Recipe can be halved.

Bewitching  Maibowle Cream Cake for Beltane

Bewitching  Maibowle Cream Cake for Beltane

Bewitching  Maibowle Cream Cake for Beltane

 

3-4 tablespoons dried/wilted sweet woodruff

2 1/4 cups cake flour, sifted

2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

½ cup may wine

3 large eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons superfine sugar

Powdered sugar, for dusting cake (optional)

Whipped cream, for serving (optional)

 

Glaze

½ cup white sugar

¼ cup butter

¼ cup white wine

1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, or as needed

 

Place dried/wilted woodruff, whipping cream into a pot and set on lowest heat. Bring just to a simmer, then allow to cool completely Strain out the leaves, then chill in the fridge. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift flour mixture and set aside. In a bowl, whip the infused cream on low, gradually increasing speed to medium-high as the cream thickens, until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, whisk together wine, eggs and vanilla. Gradually add egg mixture; beat until thickened (like mayonnaise) and well combined. Gradually add sugar. Gently fold half the flour mixture into the cream mixture until flour is dissolved and well combined. Repeat the process with the remaining flour mixture. Transfer batter to the prepared cake pan. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the cake comes out clean and springs back when lightly pressed with your finger, 25 to 35 minutes. Combine 1/2 cup white sugar, butter, 1/4 cup white wine together in a saucepan immediately after removing the cake from the oven. Cook sugar mixture, stirring constantly, over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted 3 to 5 minutes. Spoon 1/2 the glaze over the cake while the cake is still warm. Let cool. Invert the cooled cake onto a cake plate and spoon remaining glaze over top of the cake. Allow the cake to absorb glaze, about 15 minutes. Using a metal spatula, loosen the top edges of the cake and invert onto the prepared wire rack. Let glaze set. Before serving, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

 

Maibowle Wine

A handful of wilted woodruff leaves (preferably harvested the previous day)

1 bottle of sparkling wine

2  bottles of  white wine,

¾  cup of sugar

Juice of ½ lemon

Directions

 

Pour one bottle of wine into the punch bowl, add the sugar and lemon juice stir until it has fully dissolved in the wine. Add the woodruff and let steep for 20 – 30 minutes. Remove the woodruff and discard. Add the remaining white wine and top off with the sparkling wine.  Chill and serve with ice and strawberries.

ABM White Bread

ABM White Bread

ABM White Bread

 

1 cup and 3 T. water

2 T. vegetable oil

1 ½ tsp. salt

2 T. sugar

3 ¼ cups white bread flour

2 tsp. active dry yeast

 

Add water and oil into the bread pan. Add salt, sugar. Add flour. Make a small indentation on top of flour and make sure it does not reach wet ingredients. Add the yeast to the indentation. Keep yeast away from the salt. Insert the bread pan into the bread machine, press it down to snap. Close the lid. Use Basic bread, 1.5 lb loaf, medium crust cycle. When bread is done, remove the bread pan using oven mitts. Turn over the bread pan and shake it to release the loaf. Let the loaf cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes.

White Chocolate Cranberry Tart

White Chocolate Cranberry Tart

White Chocolate Cranberry Tart

 

crust

1 1/2 C. gluten-free oats

1/2 C. almonds

5 tbsp coconut oil (melted)

2 tbsp maple syrup

 

cranberry layer

2 C. cranberries (fresh or frozen)

1 C. water

1/4 C. maple syrup

1 tsp agar agar

 

white chocolate layer

â…” C. coconut milk

â…“ C. cashew pulp (optional)

1 C. cashews (soaked overnight)

¾ C. cacao butter

¼ C. maple syrup

Pinch of salt

Optional: 4 tbsp vegan white chocolate

 

For the crust add oats and almonds into a food processor. Pulse until combined and add maple syrup and coconut oil. Process into a moist mixture. Firmly press dough into the tart and press up on the sides as well. Bake at 350F for about 10-15 minutes until crust appears golden brown. Let sit for about 5-10 minutes and then transfer onto a cooling rack.  In a small saucepan add cranberries, water and maple syrup. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes over low-medium heat until cranberries have broken down. With a hand mixer puree cranberries and add a little bit of water if sauce is too thick. Add 1 tsp of agar agar powder and simmer for another 5 minutes over low-medium heat. Set aside to cool for a couple minutes, then spread cranberry jam/sauce into the crust (½ way full) and let set in the fridge for another 15 minutes. In the meantime prepare the white chocolate layer. Melt white chocolate and cacao butter in a small saucepan over low heat and set aside.  In a food processor or high speed blender add cashews, maple syrup, coconut milk and cashew pulp. Process until completely smooth. Add melted chocolate/cacao butter and process until combined. Pour white chocolate mixture into the tart and let set in the refrigerator for about 2-3 hours. Garnish with cranberries and white chocolate chips and serve immediately. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

 

Cast Iron Peach Upside Down Cake

Cast Iron Peach Upside Down Cake

Cast Iron Peach Upside Down Cake

 

1stick butter

2 eggs

1½ cups sugar

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup milk

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Cream butter, eggs, sugar, and salt together. Add flour, baking powder alternately with milk; beat until fluffy. Add vanilla. Put a layer (¼”) of brown sugar in cast iron skillet. Lay peach halves over brown sugar (round side up). Pour batter over and bake in oven at 350°F for 55-60 minutes. Insert toothpick to check for doneness. To remove from pan, lay a flat plate over top of baked cake and flop cake onto platter. Any kind of fruit can be used.

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cinnamon Roll Cake

 

3 C. all-purpose flour

1 C. white granulated sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

2 large eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 C. milk

1/2 C. salted butter (1 stick) melted

 

3/4 C. (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter softened to room temp (1/2 C. will be lighter and still taste yum)

1 C. packed light brown sugar

2 T. flour

1 T. ground cinnamon

 

2 C. powdered sugar

5 T. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

 

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray (I like the kind that has flour in it.) In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), combine ingredients for cake (except melted butter). While your mixer is running, slowly add the 1/2 C. melted butter. Mix just until combined (overmixing flour in baked goods can make it tough and rubbery.) Spread this batter evenly into your baking dish. In a small bowl, combine all your filling ingredients: softened butter, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Stir until combined well. Drop the cinnamon filling by spoonfuls onto the cake batter. Take a butter knife and make swirly, marble-effect patterns all around the cake. Drag the knife through both the cinnamon and cake batter. Bake the cake for about 35-40 minutes (it took about 40 minutes in my oven), until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract in small bowl. Pour the glaze over the warm cake.

Fluffy Banana Cake

Fluffy Banana Cake

Fluffy Banana Cake

 

1 ⅓ cup mashed bananas

2 ½ T. lemon juice divided

1 ½ C. milk

3 C. flour

1 ½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

⅔ cup butter softened

1 cup white sugar

½ cup brown sugar

3 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

 

8 ounces cream cheese

⅓ cup butter softened

3-3 ½ C. powdered sugar

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 ½ tsp. lemon zest from 1 lemon

 

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan. Place 1 ½ T. lemon juice in a measuring cup. Top to 1 ½ C. with milk. Set aside. Mix together mashed banana with 1 T. lemon juice, set aside. Beat together butter, brown and white sugar until combined. Add in eggs one at a time and vanilla. Mix on high until light and fluffy (almost the texture of frosting). Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to egg mixture stirring just until combined. (Do not overmix). Fold in bananas. Pour into prepared pan. Put into the oven and reduce heat to 300°F. Bake 60 – 70 minutes (see note below) or just until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (do not over bake). Remove from oven and place in the freezer for 45 minutes to make the cake extra moist. Cool completely before frosting. FROSTING: Cream together butter & cream cheese until fluffy. Add in lemon zest and juice. Add powdered sugar a little at a time until you reach desired consistency. Spread over cooled cake.  Note: The cooking time on this cake can vary! Mine takes about 60 minutes. Check your cake at 55 minutes, if it isn’t ready, continue cooking until a toothpick comes out clean (this can be up to an additional 20-30 minutes depending on your oven).

Basic Sponge Cake (Genoise)

Basic Sponge Cake (Genoise)

Basic Sponge Cake (Genoise)

3 eggs room temperature

70 g (1/4 cup + 2 tbsp) sugar

100 g (1/2 cup + 2 tbsp) cake flour

45 g unsalted butter melted

butter, parchment and flour for prepping the cake pan

 

Preheat the oven to 350ºF/175ºC. Trace and cut out a circle of parchment, grease the cake pan with butter, insert the parchment cut out and dust with flour. Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture triples in volume, reaching the ribbon stage. The ribbon stage is attained when you test the batter and it temporarily holds a shape. Sift the flour and fold it into the egg mixture in stage until incorporated. In a separate bowl, ladle out a portion of the batter and fold it with the melted butter. Return the buttery batter to the main mixing bowl and gently fold it with the remaining batter. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30 minutes. Check for doneness by inspecting to see if the edges have sprung away from the pan or by inserting a toothpick into the center. Allow it to cool on a wire rack for ten minutes before removing from the pan. Note: Genoise cakes are dryer than many sponge cakes. You can add moistness and flavor with a simple syrup of choice.

Lemon Squares

Lemon Squares

Lemon Squares

 

2 cups flour, plus 1/4 cup

½ cup confectioners’ sugar, plus 2 tsp.

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted

4 eggs

2 cups granulated sugar

â…“ cup lemon juice (from about 1 to 2 lemons)

½ tsp. baking powder

 

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together two cups of flour, 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar and the salt. Add the melted butter and stir the ingredients to thoroughly combine them. Spread the crust with clean hands in an even layer into a 9-by-13-inch pan and bake the crust for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice, baking powder and the remaining flour. Pour the lemon mixture onto the hot baked shell and bake it for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until it is just set. Using a small, fine-meshed sieve, sift the remaining confectioners’ sugar on top of the lemon squares once they have cooled. Cut the dessert into equal-sized bars.

Australia Damper Bread

Australia Damper Bread

Australia Damper Bread

 

Damper is a traditional Australian bread. In the past it was made over a campfire either in a billy can or by wrapping the dough around a green stick, and cooking the stick over the fire.

 

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sugar

2 T. butter or margarine

1 tsp. baking soda

 

Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix in the butter, forming fine crumbs. Mix in the milk to make a soft dough. Put the dough on a cutting board dusted with flour. Knead the dough until it is smooth. Spray a round cake pan with nonstick spray. Lightly dust the bottom of the pan with flour. Form the dough into a round loaf. Make a square cut across the top. Put it in the cake pan. Bake 35–40 minutes or until the outside is golden and a fork inserted into the bread comes out dry. Makes 1 loaf.

Peach Bubble Cake

Peach Bubble Cake

Peach Bubble Cake

 

1 pound fresh or frozen peach slices

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. cornstarch

2 T. salted butter

 

½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, at room

temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1½ tsp. baking powder

½ cup milk

 

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. To make the peach filling, place the peach slices in the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish or 8-by-8-inch casserole dish. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the peaches and toss to coat. Cut the butter into small chunks and sprinkle it over the peaches. Bake the peaches for 30 minutes. While the peaches are baking, prepare the cake topping: In a medium bowl, beat together the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and creamy in texture, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat again until smooth. In a separate small bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder. Slowly beat half of the flour mixture into the butter mixture, and then beat in half of the milk. Repeat with the remaining flour mixture and milk. Briefly stir the peaches to redistribute the sugar and butter mixture. Pour the cake batter over the top, making sure to evenly cover all the peaches. Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any filling that may bubble up and out while baking. Bake the cake for 35 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown on top and the peach filling is bubbling up around the edges.

Lemon Lavender Sweet Rolls with Lemon Mascarpone Frosting

Lemon Lavender Sweet Rolls with Lemon Mascarpone Frosting

Lemon Lavender Sweet Rolls with Lemon Mascarpone Frosting

 

¼ cups warm water (about 110°F)

2¼ tsp. active dry yeast

1 cup granulated sugar, divided

3 large eggs

½ cups buttermilk, at room temperature

1½ tsp. sea salt, divided

4½ cups all-purpose flour, divided

8 T. melted unsalted butter, divided

2 T. lemon zest

½ tsp. ground cardamom

1 T. dried culinary lavender

Lemon Mascarpone Frosting (recipe below)

 

Lemon Mascarpone Frosting

 

¾ cups mascarpone cheese

1½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

1½ tsp. lemon zest

3 T. fresh lemon juice

3 T. milk

 

In a small bowl, whisk together warm water and yeast. When yeast is dissolved, whisk in ½ tsp. granulated sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, until mixture foams up. Meanwhile, in the bowl of standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk eggs to combine; add buttermilk and whisk to combine. Add in yeast mixture, ¼ cup sugar, and 1¼ tsp. sea salt. Remove bowl from mixer and add about 2 cups flour and 6 T. melted butter. Stir with a rubber spatula until evenly moistened and combined. Add 2 more cups of flour, return bowl to the mixer, switch to the dough hook attachment, and knead with dough hook at low speed for 5 minutes. Touch the dough; if it is sticky, continue to run the mixer on low speed for up to five minutes more and add more flour, a T. at a time, until the dough is soft and moist, but no longer sticks to your fingers. The dough will pull away from the sides of the bowl, but stick to the bottom. Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface; knead by hand about 1 minute to ensure that dough is uniform. If it sticks to your work surface, knead in more flour, a T. at a time, until it no longer sticks and all the flour is kneaded in. Spray a plastic mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray and place the ball of dough into the bowl. Spray the top of the dough with cooking spray then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Set the bowl in a warm, draft-free area until it has doubled in volume, about 2 hours. Brush the bottom and sides of a 13×9-inch baking pan with 1 T. of melted butter. Turn the dough ball out onto a work surface and pat it into a rectangular shape. Roll the dough into a 16×12-inch rectangle. Brush the dough with the remaining 1 T. of melted butter, leaving about ½-inch of dough unbuttered at the top edge. Combine remaining ¾ cup sugar, lemon zest, cardamom, and ¼ tsp. sea salt in a small mixing bowl and mix together with your fingers, rubbing between your fingers to get the oils out of the lemon zest and release the flavor. Sprinkle evenly over the buttered surface, leaving about ¾-inch uncovered on the top edge. Sprinkle evenly with lavender. Gently press everything into the dough, then roll into a tight cylinder. Pinch the seam of the dough to seal it, then stretch the roll to about 18 inches length and adjust the roll to make sure the thickness is uniform all the way down. Slice into 12 even rounds. Place buns, cut side down, into your buttered 13×9-inch baking pan. There should be some space between the rolls. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and set it in a warm, draft-free area until the rolls get puffy and press against each other, about 1½ hours. Meanwhile, adjust your oven rack to its lowest position, place a baking or pizza stone on the rack (optional), and heat the oven to 350°F. Place your baking pan on the pizza stone (or directly onto the rack). Bake until rolls are golden brown on top, about 25-30 minutes. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes. When the rolls are still warm, spread Lemon Mascarpone Frosting on the top of the rolls. Serve warm. Lemon Mascarpone Frosting While the rolls are cooling, make the glaze. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the mascarpone cheese with the paddle attachment until smooth, about 1 minute. When the mascarpone is lump-free, gradually add in confectioners’ sugar with the mixer on low speed. Add the lemon zest, turn the mixer up to medium speed and beat until creamy. Turn the mixer back to low, and slowly add the lemon juice and milk, beating until the frosting is uniform. It should be somewhat thin, but not runny.

Lemon Mascarpone Sticky Buns

Lemon Mascarpone Sticky Buns

Lemon Mascarpone Sticky Buns

 

¾ C. Whole Milk

1/3 C. granulated Sugar

1 T. active drive yeast

2 large Eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces

 

1/2 cup butter, melted, plus extra for brushing

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 T. freshly grated lemon zest

Pinch of cardamom

Pinch of salt

8 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature

 

8 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest

4-5 T. milk

 

In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low heat until just warm, 105 to 110°F. Stir in 1 T. of the granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let sit for 5 minutes, or until foamy. Whisk in the eggs until smooth. Whisk in the vanilla and lemon zest. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, remaining granulated sugar, and salt. Slowly add the milk mixture, mixing on low speed until combined. Add the butter 1 piece at a time, beating until combined. Mix on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, or until the dough is silky and smooth. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, then cover with plastic wrap. Let sit for 1 to 2 hours in a warm spot, or until doubled in size.

On a floured work surface, roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 18″ x 12″.

 

Brush 1/2 cup of the melted butter all over the dough. In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, lemon zest, cardamom, and salt. Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1″ border around the edges. Drop dollops of the mascarpone all over the dough. Tightly roll the dough up from 1 of the long ends into along log. Slice into approximately 1″ rounds. Place the rounds in a buttered 13″ x 9″ baking dish. Brush with additional melted butter and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 3 50°F. Bake the buns, uncovered, for 45 to 50 minutes, covering them with foil if they start to brown too much. You want the bottom to be bubbling and the buns to be

set.

 

In a large bowl, whisk the mascarpone until creamy. Whisk in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest. Gradually stream in the milk and stir until a glaze forms. You will have to stir for a minute or 2 to remove any lumps and bring the glaze together. If the mixture still seems too thick, add more milk 1 T. at a time, whisking well until smooth. Pour over the hot sticky buns. Serve immediately!

Apple Crumb Bars

Apple Crumb Bars

Apple Crumb Bars

 

2 T. butter

7 C. peeled and sliced apples (about 7 medium sized apples)

¼ cup apple cider or juice

1 T. cornstarch

2 tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. nutmeg

½ tsp. salt

 

1 ¼ C. flour

½ cup brown sugar

¼ cup sugar

1 ½ C. oats

¼ tsp. salt

10 T. butter, chilled and cubed

 

vanilla ice cream – for serving, optional

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and set aside. In a large sauté pan over medium high heat, melt the butter and add the apples. Stir to coat the apples with the melted butter. Mix the apple cider or juice with the cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the cornstarch is dissolved. Stir into the apples and reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking until the apples begin to soften, about 5 – 7 minutes. Set aside. Meanwhile, in a food processor add the flour, sugars, oats, and salt and pulse 4 – 6 times or until the still has some whole oats in it. Do not pulse until the mixture is fine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly with pieces about the size of marbles. In the prepared baking pan, add one-half of the crumb mixture and press down. Layer the apples on top and sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture and press down lightly. Bake for 30 minutes. Increase oven to 425 degrees and continue baking until the top of the bars are golden brown, about another 10 – 15 minutes. Let cool and cut into bars. Serve alone or topped with vanilla ice cream.