Category Archives: Baking

Raspberry Lemon Muffins with Pecan Streusel

Posted on by
Reply

Muffins are a great way to start the day, or a perfect snack – go ahead and try these, you will make them your house favourite! Swap out the raspberries for blueberries, or chop any fruit in season – such a versatile recipe.

FullSizeRender

Topping:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
Muffins:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk ** see below
1 tsp vanilla
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries

** If you don’t have buttermilk (and I usually don’t!) squeeze about 1 tbsp lemon juice into a 1 cup measure, add 1 tablespoon plain yogurt, whisk well and add milk to reach 1 cup.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

To make the topping, in a medium bowl, mix together the topping ingredients until crumbly. Set aside.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the melted butter. Add the buttermilk and lemon zest and whisk to combine, add vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir just to combine. (Batter will still be somewhat lumpy; do not overmix.) Gently fold in the raspberries so the berries do not break and scoop into the prepared muffin tin. Crumble the streusel topping over the muffins and bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

Let cool in the muffin tins for 10 minutes, then remove and cool on wire racks.

Blueberries and Cream French Toast

Posted on by
1

First – no photo yet of the french toast dish!! We dove into this too quickly – but I promise a photo the next time I make this, and it was such a hit that I am sure it will happen again.

I wasn't fast enough to get a photo of the french toast, but I think you can tell how delicious the blueberry orange sauce is - Stella's spoon wasn't fast enough for her so she had to tip it up!!

I wasn’t fast enough to get a photo of the french toast, but I think you can tell how delicious the blueberry orange sauce is – Stella’s spoon wasn’t fast enough for her so she had to tip it up!!

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup butter, softened
zest of 1 orange
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 loaf french bread – cut into 1″ slices
1-2 cups blueberries

In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, butter and orange rind. Add eggs, one at a time until well blended – slowly stir in milk.

Place bread slices in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish, overlapping the bread slightly. Let stand 15-20 minutes, or cover and put in the fridge overnight.

Before baking, uncover and sprinkle with blueberries. Bake at 325 for 45-60 minutes until golden brown. Sprinkle with a dusting of icing sugar, and serve with warm blueberry orange sauce.

BLUEBERRY ORANGE SAUCE

1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup water

In medium sauce pan, stir the sugar, cornstarch and water – heat until gently boiling and add:
1 cup blueberries
1 orange – minced fine, and the zest
Cook until the juices are clear and the sauce has thickened.

Spinach and Artichoke Bread Pudding (Stuffing Muffins)

Posted on by
2

This is a great change from the usual stuffing – goes really well with any roast – beef, turkey, chicken or lamb. We’ve had it with all! Now a family favourite. Even better is that leftovers make a fantastic snack or breakfast.

Spinach Artichoke Bread Pudding

Trust me - this will be your new favourite savory stuffing or bread pudding! Trust me – this will be your new favourite savory stuffing or bread pudding!

Preheat oven to 350

1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup sliced celery
1 tbsp roughly chopped garlic

Saute until onions, celery and garlic are soft and translucent. Set aside to cool.

In large bowl combine:
12-14 cups cubed stale bread (I like calabrese or french)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp Italian seasonings
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
3 cups chopped fresh spinach
1 tin artichoke hearts, roughly chopped (tough outer leaves removed)
1/4 cup minced parsley

Toss gently to combine

Mix together:
4 large eggs
3 cups cream
2 cups milk

Add the onion mixture and the egg/milk/cream mixture to the large bowl with bread and vegetables.

If the bread does not absorb all the liquid right away – set aside until it does.

Put all the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish and sprinkle the top with more freshly grated parmesan and a dusting of salt and pepper. Bake at 350 for approximately 1 hour.

Our family really likes the crunchy bits of stuffing or bread pudding, so I baked this earlier in the day in muffin tins so there were lots of edges, then turned it into a clay baker and warmed it all up for dinner.

If you really want to take this over the top …. crumble a bit of brie cheese into the dry mixture before adding the onion and milk mixtures.

Orange Cranberry Muffins

Posted on by
Reply

These muffins are delicious, light, fresh and so so simple!

Orange Cranberry Muffins

Combine:
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Set aside – and in either a blender (or bullet) mix together;
1 orange, cut into segments (remove the zest first and set aside)
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 egg

Blend well, and then stir gently into dry ingredients with:

1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries
zest of 1 orange

Stir only until combined – then put into muffin tins.

Makes about 14-16 depending on size.

Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes. Check them at 12 …

You could easily substitute the cranberries for dried blueberries or raisins – go ahead and experiment.

Pumpkin Oat Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

Posted on by
1

It is that pumpkin time of year …. they fill the house with a fabulous aroma when roasting them to make into magical scones, muffins and pie. This pumpkin streusel muffin is so good you will be happy it makes such a large batch!

Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

MUFFINS
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup applesauce
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

TOPPING
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter, softened
6 tablespoons rolled oats
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans (lightly toasted)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease or line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

Combine 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup oats, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.

Whisk pumpkin puree, 1 cup brown sugar, white sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract together in a separate large bowl. Stir flour mixture into pumpkin mixture; mix well.

Combine dry ingredients for topping, then crumble in softened butter, mixing until it resembles crumbs.

Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin. Sprinkle each muffin with streusel topping.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes.

Torn and Tossed Garlic Bread

Posted on by
Reply

Everybody loves the crunchy crust and soft tender bits of garlic bread – why not get more of it?

Torn garlic bread is crunchy and soft all at the same time.

Torn garlic bread is crunchy and soft all at the same time.

I had a loaf of sourdough bread and half a loaf of French bread – rather than tear it I cut it all into approximately 2 inch pieces.

Melt 1/2 cup butter, stir in 2 garlic cloves and 1 small shallot – both chopped fine. Naturally, use more garlic if you feel so inclined (and everybody is eating it…).

In a large bowl combine the melted butter, garlic and shallot mixture – add in the cubed bread, season with salt and pepper and toss well.

This is great made earlier in the day too, just let it sit and absorb all those flavours.

When you are ready to serve, spread cubes on baking sheet – take care not to overcrowd the pieces. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes just until the outside is nice and crispy, golden brown.

Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve – everybody will love it!

Serve this with as any side dish, or with your favorite soup or salad.

Oatmeal Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted on by
1

Image

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 cups rolled (old-fashioned) oats
  • ½ cup coarsely chopped pecans (I like to lightly toast & cool them first)
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup coconut flakes
  • ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ½ cup lightly packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (can sub honey)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

 

  • Set 2 racks in the middle and upper thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
  • In a medium bowl, stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, oats, pecans, cranberries and coconut flakes together with a whisk or fork.
  • In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for 30 seconds until blended. Beat in the egg until smooth and barely fluffy. With mixer running on medium high, drizzle in the maple syrup, and vanilla until incorporated. Turn the mixer down to its lowest setting and gradually add the flour-oatmeal mixture
  • Drop walnut-sized balls of dough onto a nonstick or parchment-lined cookie sheet at 3-inch intervals. With moistened fingers, flatten and round out the cookies a little. Bake for 10 minutes, turning the pan once for even baking, then bake approximately another 7-10 minutes. They will not spread out or change in shape …
  • The cookies are done when they are lightly browned on top. Set the cookie sheets on a rack to cool.

Breakfast Cookies

Posted on by
Reply

Image

 

  • 1 ¼ cup flour (or any combination of whole wheat and white flours)
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 TBSP unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 medium carrot, grated
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup coconut
  • 1/3 cup raisins, or any dried fruit
  • 1/3 cup walnut pieces, lightly toasted in a dry skillet for 2 minutes, until fragrant and chopped (or any nut – chopped and toasted)

 

Place rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Whisk together flours, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Combine butter, oil and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high speed, scraping down sides if necessary, until sugars have dissolved and mixture is light in color, about 1 minute. Add egg, carrot, and vanilla and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add flour mixture and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add oats, coconut, raisins and walnuts and mix over low speed just until incorporated. Dough will be slightly sticky and less cohesive than traditional cookie dough. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Use a tsp to drop cookie batter on cookie sheet, or if you prefer a large cookie use a tablespoon between 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter, using the tsp you will get about 30-32 cookies. Repeat with remaining batter, leaving about 3 inches between cookies. Wet hands and use palm of hand to flatten cookies until about 1/4-inch thick. These cookies will not spread out, nor change shape so if you want a perfect cookie, create that shape before you bake it.

Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies are fragrant but still soft. Let cookies cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

This is a great recipe to adapt to your own preferences – I used blueberry craisins in my latest version, and will try adding zucchini next time ….

Kenzies Yummy Fruit Filled Muffins

Posted on by
Reply

Our amazing Nanny came up with these muffins, and they are fabulous …. Thanks Kenzie!

Image

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 stick butter melted and cooled
1 cup milk
1 cup fruit of choice

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs and butter in a separate bowl then mix in milk.
4. Mix wet and dry ingredients until just mixed then fold in fruit.
5. Bake for 20 minutes.

For a little extra fun topping, scatter a bit of your fresh fruit on top of the muffin, and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Banana Chocolate Chip Cake

Posted on by
Reply

This cake just keeps getting better – didn’t have quite enough banana, but I had made some apple sauce for baby Stella Rose, just enough to bump up the fruit to the 3 cups – so moist and delicious!

Chatty Kathy's avatarchattykathychatsandcooks

P1110037 P1100740 This was one of those favorite school box recipes. The kids loved it for years – and it was one of Meghan’s favorites so when she got married this year, I made it once again and it was just as popular.

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups bananas

3 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs, one at a time – beating well with each until the battery is light, creamy and fluffy.  Add vanilla and banana.  Mix until smooth. 

Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda.  Add to butter, egg, banana mixture alternately with the sour cream. 

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon

Spread half in a greased and floured 9×13 baking pan. Sprinkle half the brown sugar, cinnamon mixture over…

View original post 79 more words