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Cookbook Review: CakeLove: How To Bake Cakes From Scratch

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Dessert, Books, Comfort Food, Product Reviews, Baking

cakelove

Warren Brown’s first foray into cookbook writing, “CakeLove: How to Bake Cakes from Scratch”, was published on May 1st, and like many dessert lovers and home bakers, I could barely contain my enthusiasm when I finally got to plunk down my $27.50 for the oversized tome, full of beautiful photographs by Renee Comet.

If the name Warren Brown sounds vaguely familiar to you, it may be because you’ve seen him on Oprah or Today, or maybe because of his second (third, now) job hosting Sugar Rush on the Food Network. Brown left his law career and opened his first CakeLove bakery in Washington, DC in 2002, which has since branched out to three bakeries and a cafe, with two more bakeries in the works.

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Recipe: Birthday Brownies

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Dessert, Comfort Food, Chocolate, America, Baking

birthdaybrownies

I have a friend who requests one thing for his birthday every year - brownies. After a few trial and error batches with various recipes, I discovered this recipe two years ago and have never looked back - the combination of easy preparation and a texture that falls somewhere between a cake and a piece of fudge make this recipe a winner.

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz 70% bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3/4 cup cold butter, cut into chunks
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 t vanilla
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Click to continue reading Recipe: Birthday Brownies


Recipe: Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Breakfast, Side Dishes, Snacks, Comfort Food, Recipes, Cheese, Vegetarian, America, Baking

rl-biscuits

Seafood is not that big a thing around Gear Live’s virtual offices. And while I can’t speak for the other editors, I’ve been known to hit up the neighborhood Red Lobster solely for the biscuits. Unfortunately, the staff at the ol’ RL didn’t take kindly on a person who goes in alone and has nothing but biscuits, a side salad and water. That left me trying to recreate the little starchy wonders at home.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup margarine or butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups of baking mix (I use Bisquick)
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Click to continue reading Recipe: Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits


Sausage Ball Recipe

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Appetizers, Snacks, Recipes, Beef, Pork, Baking

sausage balls

These Sausage Ball appetizers are great for entertaining. They come together quickly, freeze well, and can be baked up in a snap.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups baking mix (I use Bisquick)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 pound ground sausage (any kind), uncooked

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Recipe: Cranberry Lemon Muffins

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Breakfast, Dessert, Comfort Food, Recipes, Fruit, Baking

cran-muffin

I’m on a personal mission to get you baking, readers! These cranberry lemon muffins, which I’ve adapted from Nigella Lawson’s classic “How To Be A Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking”, are easy, fast, and delish.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 1/3 all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Juice and and chopped zest of 1 lemon
  • Approximately 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 5 ounces dried cranberries

Click to continue reading Recipe: Cranberry Lemon Muffins


Ranch Oyster Crackers Recipe

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Appetizers, Snacks, Recipes, Baking

oystercrackers



Some people can take or leave oyster crackers. Often overlooked when they arrive with your soup or salad, I say that these little hexagonal nuggets of salty, starchy goodness are completely underrated. This recipe, passed to me by my mom via her godmother, has been not only a party hit but a comfort food when I’m craving something savory.

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Recipe: Dave’s Grandmother’s Pound Cake

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Dessert, Comfort Food, Baking

poundcake

Cake. We can all agree that it’s awesome, correct? Good. While it’s undeniably easy to stop in your trendiest neighborhood bakery or pick up a boxed mix and a tub of frosting (and please just… don’t), making a cake from scratch is not nearly as intimidating as you might think. In fact, I’m fully confident that anyone with a mixer and a bundt pan can successfully bake this cake. Besides, starting from a recipe as great as this one, you don’t have to be an expert baker, you just have to have good notes from the real recipe experts - in this case, grandmothers.

Click to continue reading Recipe: Dave’s Grandmother’s Pound Cake


Recipe: Vegan No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Posted by Jenni Burns
Categories: Dessert, Snacks, Recipes, Chocolate, Vegan, America, Baking

No Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Our family likes to make up a batch or two of these healthy to keep in the freezer, they work great for when we are feeling like something sweet but not wanting to be “bad.” They make a healthy for the whole family, and they are so easy to make. I make these cookies if I am wanting to do some cooking with the kids but don’t have time to make something that is really involved. Because you don’t have to bake these cookies, they make up in less than 30 minutes.

Vegan No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil (or other shortening of choice)
  • 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, less if you don’t like a really rich flavor
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 2 cup rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat combine the maple syrup, oil, cocoa and cinnamon. Boil for three minutes, stirring constantly.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter, rolled oats and vanilla until well blended.
  3. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto waxed paper (I used foil and sprayed it so they wouldn’t stick) and chill to set, about 30 minutes. Keep refrigerated.


Recipe: Blueberry Pecan Whole Grain Muffins

Posted by Jenni Burns
Categories: Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dishes, Snacks, Recipes, Grains, Nuts, America, Baking

Blueberry Pecan Whole Grain Muffins

I made these last night to go with our dinner and, wow, they were awesome! The kids loved them--in fact, I think they would have preferred to just have muffins for dinner! I got this recipe from All Recipes and altered it quite a bit. I was very happy with how they turned out, very moist and full of flavor. If you want a little sweeter muffin, add more honey, or just drizzle a little honey on your warm muffin. These were great, we will be trying them again soon.

Click to continue reading Recipe: Blueberry Pecan Whole Grain Muffins


Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Posted by Jenni Burns
Categories: Dessert, Snacks, Comfort Food, Recipes, Chocolate, Sugar, America, Baking

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

About three years ago my family took the plunge and left white flour behind. We have switched from using white flour to using only flour. It’s been a slow process, I began with exchanging portions of white flour for wheat in recipes that called for all purpose flour. This slow change allowed our palates time to get used to the change in flavor and texture. Now we use almost 100% whole wheat in all our recipes. Most people who prefer the taste and texture of white flour, will be surprised that these are made from 100% whole wheat flour. In fact my neighbor told me, “I think these are the best chip cookies I’ve ever eaten!” I adjusted this recipe from an old church from my childhood. These have definitely become a family favorite, but we try not to make them too often, you can’t just eat one!

Click to continue reading Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe


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