Cinnamon Rolls

The final sprinkling of cinnamon before you roll up the dough is my favorite moment of cinamon roll construction:

I tend to be patient and let my dough rise overnight, and then I can have a warm treat in the morning:

Of course, since these were traveling before being baked, I neglected to get a photo of the final product. Here is the final rolls waiting to be well wrapped against the elements:

What? No Kneading?

It doesn't look like much, and honestly, it is no work at all. I've taken this recipe for "minimalist" bread with no kneading, and added some whole wheat flour (experiment to see what proportion you like):

The worst of it is flipping your dough into a couche, and then into a pan!

And yes, beautiful bread. Gently lifted out of my cast iron pot, here with tongs.

Bread Fail: Mom's Potato Bread

Mashed potatoes:
In the past, I've made Mom's Potato Bread - the bread that started it all!

A few weeks ago, faced with leftover mashed potatoes, I made an attempt. I thought to myself that perhaps I could be healthier, and try adding some whole wheat flour.

I didn't even take any pictures. It was that bad.

Peanut Butter Brownies

Friends, I have lost my camera. Therefore, I only have finished brownies for you, taken with a camera I now share:
Other things lost are a few batches of bread and a lovely layer cake with homemade lemon curd and meringue buttercream.

Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

I cubed some leftover raisin challah (it was a few days old):

Made a quick custard - milk, eggs, spices and a nice splash of bourbon:

mix it all together:

Then bake: bread pudding! You can't go wrong.

Popovers

A rainy night and leftover soup compelled me to make popovers:

I used a new to me recipe that involved a blender. I used my immersion blender, and a larger than usual container:

This batter rests for 15 minutes, then off to the oven. done!

Raisin Challah

I enjoy holidays associated with food, and well, when a holiday is associated with a bread, I am certain to make some:
Last week was Rosh Hashanah, and a common item on the table is a raisin challah, made in a round loaf.


I used this recipe from King Arthur Flour, with a little honey and a lot of delicious golden raisins. Here is the dough, freshly mixed and a bit shaggy:

I kneaded the dough a bit although the recipe did not call for it. My dough seemed to need it:

After a rise and a bit of deflation, I started kneading in the raisins:

And eventually managed to col the dough into a spiral in my pan:

And here it is, risen, just before heading into the oven:

Bread I Like: The Black Hound Bakery

These delicious cakes are also tiny, bigger than a cupcake and fun to share:

And elaborate:
The Black Hound Bakery also makes regular sized caked, cookies and other sweets, but I kep coming back to eat more tiny cakes.

Preview: Lemon Whipped Cream Cake

I like making lemon flavored baked goods:

Like those that include a good homemade lemon curd:

And many, many layers:
video coming soon.

Angel Food Cake

Angel Food Cake really shouldn't be too difficult. You just beat egg whites...

For a very, very long time:

And when they are finally done, sugar added and all:

Fold in a bit of flour and bake:
The batter can only be baked in this specific pan so that it can climb up the sides - and though it came out well...I neglected to get a picture of the final product.

Light Wheat Bread

This slightly rough looking dough, set to rise, is made partially with whole wheat flour, and some oatmeal, for a hearty, yet light, texture:

It was still a litle lumpy looking when I rolled it into a loaf:

But rose nicely:

And sliced into nice sandwiches:

Bread I like: Tai Pan Bakery in Chinatown

Come to New York City and visit this (or any, really) bakery in Chinatown, and try something new - maybe a tart made with matcha, or beans:
Or even some of the simple, light cakes above.

There are more elaborate creations too:

Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

They don't look like much here:

I was interested in this recipe because it's written similarly to a brownie recipe - mix together eggs and sugar, then add chocolate melted with butter:

Add flour:

And in this case also add coconut, and bake!

Brownies: A New Recipe to Try

How bad can a recipe be if it includes three sticks of butter?

And mixes up nicely in one bowl?

The New York Times has never let me down with new and delicious brownie recipes before, and didn't with this rich treat.

Challah

It's farm share season again, and in addition to the fresh produce in my kitchen, this means I have a lot of farm fresh eggs:

Clearly, I turn some of them into dough for Challah:

Once the dough is well kneaded, I set it to rise:

A few hours later:

I split the dough into six parts:

And braided it:

Yum.