My mother loves vanilla cupcakes. Every birthday she requests vanilla on vanilla. This combination does nothing to spark my interest, but as a good daughter should I make them for her. I need more flavor in my cakes than just vanilla and as far as blonde cupcakes go these are my … [Read more...]
French Toast Bread
I am fighting a painfully frustrating war with my two year old son when it comes to eating breakfast. I feel like I have tried everything under the sun with virtually no successes. I win the occasional battle and think to myself, "okay, now we are finally on to something", … [Read more...]
Sunflower Seed Batard made with Sourdough
I think that most people who follow my site will agree that I really like making breads above all other things. I can't seem to help it. There is no other baked good that requires as much nurturing and understanding as a loaf of bread. It is unique in the fact that it really is … [Read more...]
Biscotti Picanti
I came across this recipe while searching for some different kinds of yeast breads to teach at one of my classes. I was looking for something that would have a very distinctive flavor and that would utilize some different techniques. This recipe has both of those and the spices … [Read more...]
Homemade Hamburger Buns
Summer is unofficially here again! I love that I live in New England and get to enjoy four distinct seasons. The start of a new season always gets me excited. I don't think I could ever live without the changing seasons, because when the seasons change so do the menu options. … [Read more...]
Country Sourdough Boule with Chocolate
I'll be honest, this bread turned out pretty amazing on the first try, which rarely happens when I am creating a brand new recipe, but I guess we all get lucky sometimes. The only thing I really changed from my first attempt was to add a little more chocolate. I only put about 4 … [Read more...]
Pane Siciliano (Semolina Bread)
I have made Pane Siciliano or Semolina Bread many, many times before, because I love its nutty flavor and beautifully golden interior crumb. A few months ago I was planning for my next session of baking classes and was trying to think of recipes that were not your everyday … [Read more...]
Creating your own Levain
I think breads that are leavened with a wild yeast have a much more complex flavor profile than breads that just use commercial yeast. You also get a bread that is entirely unique to you. This is because a levain that is from my home will be different than the one in yours, … [Read more...]
Braided Brioche
I love brioche!! How can you beat the oh so soft and rich interior of a bread that is made with so much butter? Well, I think spread a bit more butter on a slice and add a touch of fresh raspberry jam! This dough is hard to work with and I recommend making the dough by stand … [Read more...]
Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies
I really thought I was going to get a lot of things posted this holiday season, but such is life time got away from me. My grandmother got sick then passed away the week before Christmas, so posting didn't really seem that important. So, I apologize for all my cookie recipes … [Read more...]
Gingerbread Cookies
This year was my first attempt at making gingerbread. I never really thought I liked it before, but always thought my Christmas cookie platter looked like it was missing something without those little men smiling back at me. I decided to try a recipe from Peggy Porschen's Pretty … [Read more...]
Christmas Sugar Cookies
This is my favorite sugar cookie recipe of all time. It makes the perfect dough that is easy to roll out and the cut out designs hold their shape perfectly. I use 1/4" dowels as guides to roll the dough to a perfectly even thickness, but you can just estimate a 1/4" if you don't … [Read more...]
Whole Wheat Boule
Ingredients: 200 grams of refreshed levain or pre-ferment* 350 grams whole wheat flour 150 grams unbleached all-purpose flour 400 grams room temperature water 10 grams of salt 100 grams raisins Place the water and levain or pre-ferment into a large bowl and … [Read more...]
Whole Wheat and Raisin Batard
I really love playing with my favorite sourdough recipe. I have tried all different types of flour from spelt to oat, but this version made with freshly ground whole wheat flour is my new favorite (although I am sure I am not done playing with it yet). It is about one part whole … [Read more...]
Brod and Taylor Folding Bread Proofer Review
I think it was back in May or June; I was searching for new bread stuff on the internet like I often do. I probably drive my husband crazy with all the bread baking equipment I buy or ask for presents. He is at the point where he has no other option than to build me pieces of … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling
My son, Parker, used to eat everything I tried to feed him up until he was about 15 months old. Now he is nearing 19 months and gives me the tight-lipped, "I refuse to eat that concoction you call food" face. That is until I fed him these. I did not even assemble them yet, I just … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Doughnuts
It is October which just screams pumpkin to me. I will say though, that after Thanksgiving hits I am pretty much pumpkin free for the next 9-10 months. Since I made my own pumpkin puree this year I have an abundance of the stuff in the freezer so, I have been looking for all … [Read more...]
Apple and Sweet Cheese Bread
I love bread, I love apples...oh and I love cheese danish! So, this apple and sweet cheese bread is all encompassing for me. It is a nice enriched sweet dough with sauteed cinnamon apples and rich cheese danish filling. There are a lot of parts to it, but it is worth the extra … [Read more...]
Semolina Filone
This recipe is adapted from Artisan Baking by Maggie Glezer. I have made some tweaks to this recipe that make it work better for me, but I would definitely recommend Maggie's book. It is filled with beautiful pictures, great stories and amazing recipes. This dough is really … [Read more...]
Country Wheat Hearth Bread
This past weekend I was fortunate enough to stumble across a local store that grinds their own wheat flour. The sign above the flour said "yes, it really does taste better", and I couldn't agree more. I am not a huge fan of whole wheat flour, because most time I find it to be a … [Read more...]
Kaiser Roll Recipe
With the Fourth of July holiday almost upon us I was thinking of what things I would like to make and bring to the family picnics. So I thought, what would be better than bringing your own homemade rolls for burgers and sandwiches? It is something a bit unexpected, yet sure to be … [Read more...]
How to braid a 4 strand challah bread
Dough shaping technique - how to braid a 4 strand challah bread. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL5cuTpvp0U Divide your dough into 4 equally sized pieces and preshape them into short rough log shapes. On a minimally floured counter roll each piece of dough out into a … [Read more...]
How to shape a batard or torpedo shaped loaf of bread
Dough shaping technique - how to shape a batard or torpedo shaped loaf of bread. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcENyn6uO-M … [Read more...]
Rustic French Bread made with Levain
This is my mainstay bread. It is always in my freezer ready for an impromptu dinner party or just an accompaniment to Wednesday night's pasta dinner. I just pull it out of the freezer and place it in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes with the foil on, then remove the foil and … [Read more...]