Coffee Cake

Homemade Coffee Cake

Like coffee cake? Well, this one takes the cake for sure. Eat it plain with the crumb topping or place a dollop of whipping cream or icing or hey, make that caramel sauce from yesterday's post! Yum. Full recipe to follow pictures. 

Serve plain or make a frosting from
powdered sugar and cream

In a large mixing bowl, add 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
I used dark brown sugar

Add in 2 1/2 cups flour
I used King Arthur unbleached
all purpose flour
Add 1/2 tsp salt

Cut in 2/3 cup butter or shortening
I used Land O Lakes salted butter

Cut in until mixture resembles coarse crumbs,
remove 1/2 cup crumb mixture
set aside
add 2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
to remaining mixture in bowl

In a second mixing bowl
beat 2 eggs lightly with a fork, then add 1 1/3 cups buttermilk or sour milk
I used 1 tbsp vinegar and finished the 1 1/3 cup with half and half
then
add the wet ingredients into the dry, stir just to combine well.
Because of the butter, it will be slightly lumpy.

Pour batter into prepared (sprayed with cooking spray, I use Pam)
9 x 13 inch baking dish

Sprinkle on reserved crumb mixture
Bake at 350 degrees (preheated)
35 minutes baking time

Hot from the oven! 35 minutes was perfect in my oven.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Bake time 35 minutes makes 18 servings total time about 45 minutes

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2/3 cup butter or shortening

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 beaten eggs

1 1/3   cups buttermilk or sour milk

1/2 cups chopped nuts optional 

Directions:

Grease the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 pan set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, brown sugar and salt, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1/2 cup crumb mixture. Stir in baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg into remaining crumb mixture. 

In another mixing bowl, beat 2 eggs and add buttermilk. Mix to combine. Pour egg mixture into dry ingredients all at once. Mix well and pour into prepared pan. Top with reserved crumb mixture and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees 35-40 minutes, test with a toothpick. Serve warm. 

Recipe on page 308 Better Homes and Gardens new baking book 1998

Homemade Caramel

Very good over the homemade vanilla ice cream 

This jar was handy, it is too big for this amount.  As you can see, it does make quite a bit of caramel.

One cup of sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Keep stirring, the sugar will begin to clump.

See, it is clumping!

Beginning to melt now!

Stir in 6 tablespoons butter cut into small pieces when the sugar is all melted and amber.

Keep stirring, I promise your arm won't fall off!

Keep stirring!

Now drizzle in the 1/2 cup heavy cream (whipping cream)

Stir in the salt, if desired. I wish I'd left it out of mine. 

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

6 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted) cut into small pieces

1/2 cup heavy cream (whipping cream)

1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt optional

Directions:

Heat the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stir constantly with a wooden spoon

Sugar will begin to form clumps then melt into thick amber liquid. Don't burn it, keep stirring

When sugar is completely melted, stir in the butter. This will bubble rapidly and may splash you, so be careful!

Stir the butter into the caramel until it is completely incorporated. May take 2-3 minutes

Slowly stir in the cream, stirring while adding.

Boil for one minute, remove from heat, 

Stir in the salt. 

Cool before using.

Serve over ice cream or cake.

Eat it with a spoon!

Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks (if it lasts that long!).

Warm slowly before using, place jar in water bath to warm.

This would be good to put into jelly jars and give as gifts at Christmas time. It would be good over homemade cinnamon rolls or coffee cake..... hum.....

I love all y'all❤️

To be continued........

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

So on Sunday I decided I wanted to try to make some ice cream. I bought a vanilla bean on Saturday to have because I've seen them used on cooking shows and I wanted to try it. And I did and today I tried the ice cream. It is good, and I will use that recipe again. And I will continue to use real vanilla beans from time to time, but because they cost a bit more than vanilla extract, it won't be in everything I make. For special occasions, though, worth the extra cost!!

The ice cream freezer I use is made by Cuisinart. I have had it for years, and have not used it in years. The freezer bowl goes in the freezer at least 24 hours before you want to use it, no salt or ice is required. The paddle fits inside and turn it on and in about an hour or so, you will have ice cream. These can be bought at Macy's and Dillard's I know. I don't have an old fashioned ice cream freezer that uses ice and rock salt. I might get one of those this summer though. 

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

by Ree Drummond

Ingredients

   1 whole Vanilla Bean, split and scraped

   3 cups half and half

   2 cups sugar

   8 or 9 egg yolks

   3 cups heavy cream

Directions

Heat half and half with the sugar in a saucepan over low heat, add the scraping from the vanilla bean to this mixture and then place the remainder of the bean into the mix. Remember to remove and discard the bean after heating. 

Beat the egg yolks until pale yellow and thickened. You may use a mixer if you wish, it takes a few minutes by hand. Then, after the hot mixture is ready, temper the eggs by slowly adding half the hot liquid, a little at a time, to the beaten eggs, whisking slowly while adding. After you have added about half, pour the egg mixture into the hot mixture and cook slowly over low heat until it thickens. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and pour into the heavy cream. Stir well to incorporate. 

Chill mixture completely and freeze in an ice cream freezer until thick. You may eat this, but it is very soft. You can put it into a freezer safe container and freeze about 6-8 hours until firm. Enjoy! It is good. And it has flecks of vanilla throughout like Breyers Vanilla Ice Cream. It is good. 

Link to Pioneer Woman blog post with the ice cream recipe. There are photos and step by step instructions. 

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/07/vanilla-bean-ice-cream/

It is how I was raised

I was raised in the 60s and 70s. When I was raised, when someone close to you passed away, you cooked food and took it to the home of the closest relative. When Rick died, people brought food. No, you really don't feel like eating, but you must eat. Our bodies do need food to keep going. It is helpful to have that food brought in and that way, those who are grieving don't have to worry about cooking.

I did have some pans and plates to return and that really wasn't a problem because they all lived very close. I was very grateful to not have to worry about fixing food. There was plenty. 

Yesterday I took food to the Woosleys who lost their son early yesterday morning. I fixed a caramel pie with whipped cream, 2 coconut cream pies, and meatballs in spicy sauce. Everything, including the whipped cream was in a container that they don't have to get back to me. I picked up the disposable aluminum pans and a reusable but also disposable plastic container for the whipped cream when I went to the grocery yesterday. That is one thing I am going to stock from now on. Disposable pans and containers for these very times. People do die. And taking food has continued in our circle of friends. So, Stock up and when it's your turn to take, you can use the disposable items and not have to worry about (not that you would really worry, just a figure of speech) them having to get your pie plates and other containers back to you.

Disposable pie pans

Homemade coconut cream pie in a disposable pie pan. This pan had a plastic under thingy and a cover so the pie snapped securely in it and the meringue was safe as well as keeping the pie covered. The plastic was strong enough to help support the pie.  I made my favorite pie crust recipe and it worked very well. Next time I am out, I am buying more of these pans and I am going to make the crusts ahead of time and freeze. Then in a couple of weeks, I will take one out and use it. If Pillsbury can freeze pie dough, then I should be able to as well. I know, no preservatives in mine so they are healthier,, but they won't store as long as the dough-boys. But, I wont make many at least at first. I have had a few opportunities to use them lately unfortunately. I will let you know in a future post how it turns out. I may make a post about this as I go. We will see. 

Larger disposable pan, great for meats.

This pan had a lid as well, and I placed the meatballs in it and covered them. They made it over to the Woosleys without incident. And there is no cleanup after - they just toss the pan and done. And they can reheat the meatballs in the oven in that pan if needed.

These meatballs went in the disposable foil pan. 

Psalm 31:9

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.

I love all y'all❤️

To be continued..........

Brownies for 2!

So, did you ever have one of those days you just want a little bit of something sweet? Well, now here's your chance to have something without having to make a whole batch. These brownies are delicious. And they are just right for one or two people. And quick and easy to boot!

preheat oven to 300 degrees

Spray loaf pan with cooking spray, do not use larger pan

Melt butter 25 seconds in microwave, stir in sugar, add vanilla and egg then flour and cocoa; mix well

spread batter evenly in loaf pan, larger pan will cause batter to be too thin

bake for about 20-25 minutes until done

After baking, top with about 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips if desired

Cool, cut and enjoy. Makes 3-6 brownies depending on size

Snack size brownies:

Ingredients

1/4 cup salted butter

1/2 cups sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup flour

3 TBSP cocoa

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spray a small loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray, such as Pam.

Use a microwave safe bowl. Heat butter in microwave approximately 25 seconds - until mostly melted. Stir in sugar, stir until well mixed and butter has melted in. Next, mix in egg and stir until well incorporated. Stir in vanilla. Add flour and cocoa and stir just until mixed. Pour into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. (Check at 20.) Makes 3-6 brownies depending on size of cut. 

Recipe found on Pinterest 

Recipe source: Cooking Classy

Enjoy!!

I love all y'all! ❤️

To be continued.............

Using a bread machine

Have you ever used a bread machine to make a loaf of bread? Do you have one and you are intimidated by it? I have owned 3 bread machines in my life. The first one was horrible. The loaf was tall like this image from Google. It was difficult to get a "good" loaf from this machine. The next machine I bought made a "traditional" loaf. It was simple to use and made great bread. Then our house burned. I replaced that machine over 15 years ago with my West Bend Baker's Choice Plus machine. It bakes a traditional loaf in about 3 1/2 hours. And it is good.

tall loaf, image from Google

When I first started making bread in the bread machine, I had a difficult time. It wouldn't rise, so, I called the help line. That was when they recommended "jar" yeast for bread machines. My favorite is Red Star. You can't always find that though so I also use, and like, Fleichmann's Rapid Rise in the jar. It is for bread machines, and you can use it for regular baking as well.

                              

I have always used White Lily Unbleached Bread Flour for my bread making. I tried many, many brands including Martha White and Pillsbury. I felt White Lily was best. Then I used King Arthur and oh, my. It is the softest flour to the touch and nothing I have made with it has ever failed. Flour does make a difference. I will now and forever use King Arthur Unbleached All Purpose flour for my bread making. For ever.  AND NEVER, EVER use margarine in your bread making! If it calls for butter, USE BUTTER!! It makes it so much better, plus the water content of margarine can flatten your loaf!

google image, old fav

google image, new fav

So today I got an email from the King Arthur folks. Sunday Recipe Roundup. The King Arthur baking site is also linked on this blog to the left if you are on a PC. There was a recipe at the bottom of the email with a recipe for bread, and since I had already considered making a loaf, I opened the link and read the recipe. I decided to try the loaf and wow. What a loaf of bread! It is super!! Best bread I ever made, and not to brag, but I am a pretty great baker.

Always use real butter in the bread recipes that call for butter! NO margarine substitution!! 

So the recipe is as follows: (ALWAYS follow the ingredient add order recommended by your machine!!)

for large (1 1/2 to 2-pound) machine

• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1/3 cup lukewarm milk
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 3/4 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast

1) Put all of the ingredients into your machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.

2) Program the machine for basic white bread, and press Start.

3) When the loaf is done, remove the pan from the machine. After about 5 minutes, gently shake the pan to dislodge the loaf, and turn it out onto a rack to cool.

Yield: 1 loaf.

Set your machine accordingly and turn it on! In about 3 1/2 hours you will have a perfect loaf of bread! Good luck!  Cut the butter into small cubes and have it be close to room temperature for better mixing. 

So hard to wait for it to cool enough to slather it with Land O Lakes butter!

Happy baking!

I love all y'all❤️
To be continued...................

some images are mine, some from google and some from King Arthur email

Pioneer Woman Strawberry Sparkle Cake

Yesterday my grandbabies spent the day and night with me. They are still here this morning, playing angry birds on my iPhone. They are mesmerized.  We made (yes made) an angel food cake yesterday. My first angel food cake. Ever. It isn't bad at all and was much easier to make than I thought. The recipe can be found on http://thepioneerwoman.com and is called Strawberry Sparkle Cake. Search the cooking section, it comes up with step by step instructions. Read it all the way through before you start. Easy!

Like my Fiesta cake plate? I do!! The finished product looks wonderful on it!!

The pictures of the cake on the website look much better than mine but it still tastes very good!

Homemade angel food cake after it cooled

Slice off part of the top and set it aside, then dig a trench and place strawberry filling in the trench and replace the top. 

whip cream with a little powdered sugar and use as frosting then top with strawberries

Enjoy!

Tobi says it is 1000% good!

Bubba just likes it

To make the strawberry filling, take a small box of strawberry jello and add the hot water as called for, stir and dissolve completely. Then instead of cold water or ice, take one package frozen sliced strawberries and place in jello. Stir until well coated, jello with thicken as it sits. Don't thaw the strawberries or use fresh at this point. You need the frozen berries to gel the jello. You won't use all of it. 

Yummy. My babies got it right!

I love all y'all!❤️

To be continued............