Summer Comfort Food: Blueberry Bread
August 12, 2010
I have so much going on this week, and it’s the kid’s last week before school starts. I was craving something blueberry, yet comforting, and came up with this recipe for Blueberry Bread. My daughter, Leigh, helped me prepare it, and we decided to add cinnamon and orange zest which actually bumped up the flavor nicely. I tweeted and put a Facebook message while it was cooking in the oven (smelled heavenly), and I received incredible responses. So, here it is!
Blueberry Bread
Prep:
20 minutes
Cook:
1 hour, 15 minutes
Yield:
8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
11/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
11/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
11/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
11/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Grease an 8-x 4-inch loafpan
3. In a mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and eggs.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir into egg mixture alternating with milk. Fold in orange zest and blueberries. Pour into prepared pan.
5. Bake in preheated oven 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes.
2. Grease an 8-x 4-inch loafpan
3. In a mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and eggs.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir into egg mixture alternating with milk. Fold in orange zest and blueberries. Pour into prepared pan.
5. Bake in preheated oven 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes.
4 Responses to “Summer Comfort Food: Blueberry Bread”
marla {family fresh cooking} says:
August, 17 2010at 09:34 am
I bet this satisfied your cake & blueberry craving! It looks delicious :) xo
Shannon says:
August, 23 2010at 11:35 am
This looks amazing. I love your site and can't wait for you cookbook!
Amy says:
August, 23 2010at 11:34 am
I made this over the weekend and it was the best Blueberry Bread recipe I have tried!
Maria says:
August, 14 2010at 03:04 pm
Love this recipe!
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Healthy Breakfast or Afternoon Snack for Kids and Adults: Pumpkin Muffins
April 20, 2010
We love pumpkin in anything at my house, and these Pumpkin Muffins are my kid’s favorite. I modified this recipe from Ellie Krieger’s recipe from The Food Network. I increased the spices a bit and used allspice instead of cloves. Pumpkin Muffins are perfect for an afternoon snack or quick on-the-go breakfast. These have saved me when we are flying out the door to school in the morning and to sports activities in the afternoon. Also, they are as pretty, and delicious, as they look.
Pumpkin Muffins
Prep:
20 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Yield:
12 servings
Ingredients
Cooking spray
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-grain pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsulphered molasses
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup confectioners sugar, sifted or chopped, toasted pecans
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-grain pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsulphered molasses
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup confectioners sugar, sifted or chopped, toasted pecans
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, molasses, oil and 1 egg until combined. Add the other egg and whisk well. Whisk in the pumpkin and vanilla. Whisk in the flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the buttermilk. Whisk just until combined.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pan and sprinkle with the powdered sugar or toasted pecans. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of 1 of the muffins comes out clean.
5. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the muffins to loosen them and unmold. Cool completely on the rack. Top with powdered sugar or pecans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, molasses, oil and 1 egg until combined. Add the other egg and whisk well. Whisk in the pumpkin and vanilla. Whisk in the flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the buttermilk. Whisk just until combined.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pan and sprinkle with the powdered sugar or toasted pecans. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of 1 of the muffins comes out clean.
5. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the muffins to loosen them and unmold. Cool completely on the rack. Top with powdered sugar or pecans.
One Response to “Healthy Breakfast or Afternoon Snack for Kids and Adults: Pumpkin Muffins”
kathryn N. says:
April, 30 2010at 07:59 am
Can you just use 2 C all-purpose flour and no pastry flour?
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Spring Little Cakes: Easter Petis Fours
April 01, 2010
My daughter’s Leigh’s favorite dessert is Petit Fours, and these remind me just like her: sweet, pretty and incredible! I thought for Easter and spring, I would offer this recipe from Land O Lakes butter that I use when I’m short on time. It uses a cake mix which really cuts down on the work. These are light and taste as good as they look.
Petit Fours
Prep:
2 hours
Cook:
20 minutes
Yield:
4 dozen
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
1 (18 1/2-ounce) package white cake mix
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Icing Ingredients
3 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla
3 drops food color
Candy flowers, if desired
Frosting flowers, if desired
1 (18 1/2-ounce) package white cake mix
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Icing Ingredients
3 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla
3 drops food color
Candy flowers, if desired
Frosting flowers, if desired
Preparation
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 (8-inch) square baking pans. Set aside.
2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, adding 1/2 teaspoon almond extract with water. Evenly divide cake batter between prepared pans. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely. Trim edges from cake; cut each cake into 24 (1 1/2 x 1-inch) pieces.
For the icing:
1. Combine sugar, cream of tartar and water in 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil (12 to 14 minutes). Cover; boil 3 minutes. Uncover; continue cooking until candy thermometer reaches (228°F. to 234°F.) or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a 2-inch soft thread (15 to 20 minutes). Remove from heat; cool to 110°F. or until bottom of pan is slightly warm to touch (do not stir) (1 hour). Stir in powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon almond extract and food color.
2. Place wire rack on baking sheet. Place cake pieces cut-side up on wire rack. Carefully spread icing over edges of cake pieces using small spatula or spoon. Spoon about 1 tablespoon over top of each cake and let drizzle over sides. Repeat, coating each piece twice, if needed. (If icing becomes too thick, reheat over low heat until thin consistency and easy to drizzle (2 to 3 minutes)). Scrape icing from baking sheet; reuse, if needed. Garnish each petit four with candy flowers or frosting flowers, if desired.
2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, adding 1/2 teaspoon almond extract with water. Evenly divide cake batter between prepared pans. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely. Trim edges from cake; cut each cake into 24 (1 1/2 x 1-inch) pieces.
For the icing:
1. Combine sugar, cream of tartar and water in 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil (12 to 14 minutes). Cover; boil 3 minutes. Uncover; continue cooking until candy thermometer reaches (228°F. to 234°F.) or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a 2-inch soft thread (15 to 20 minutes). Remove from heat; cool to 110°F. or until bottom of pan is slightly warm to touch (do not stir) (1 hour). Stir in powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon almond extract and food color.
2. Place wire rack on baking sheet. Place cake pieces cut-side up on wire rack. Carefully spread icing over edges of cake pieces using small spatula or spoon. Spoon about 1 tablespoon over top of each cake and let drizzle over sides. Repeat, coating each piece twice, if needed. (If icing becomes too thick, reheat over low heat until thin consistency and easy to drizzle (2 to 3 minutes)). Scrape icing from baking sheet; reuse, if needed. Garnish each petit four with candy flowers or frosting flowers, if desired.
3 Responses to “Spring Little Cakes: Easter Petis Fours”
Robin Bloomston says:
April, 06 2010at 11:18 am
I am a Savages petit four junkie! Cant wait to make these, What cake mix brand do you suggest?
Kristi Rimkus says:
April, 02 2010at 09:48 am
How pretty! Perfect for Easter Sunday. How talented you are!
Pat Sinclair says:
April, 02 2010at 04:24 pm
i worked on this recipe when I was a free-lancer in the test kitchens at Land O'Lakes. Mine didn't look nearly as pretty!
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Easter or Summer Entertaining Idea: My Favorite Cupcakes
March 30, 2010
Lots of you have been writing to me asking for awesome Easter dessert ideas so how about these Easter Cupcakes? This recipe comes from “The Pioneer Woman Cooks” cookbook, and it is fabulous. If you’re short on time, I have also included a “cupcake express” recipe to save you time. Either way, I just simply sprinkled mine with spring sprinkles, a perfect look for this time of year.
Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Icing
Prep:
30 minutes
Cook:
22 minutes
Yield:
12 servings
Ingredients
2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 whole eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cups (plus one tablespoon) milk
FOR THE ICING:
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 whole eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cups (plus one tablespoon) milk
FOR THE ICING:
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. With an electric mixer, mix butter and sugar on high speed until fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl and mix for a few more seconds. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla. Mix to combine. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk in three batches, mixing for a few seconds after each addition.
Scrape sides of bowl, then mix one final time.
4. Fill paper-lined muffin tins 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until poufy but not brown. Cool before icing.
Chocolate Icing:
1. Mix ingredients together in a small/medium saucepan. Melt ingredients over medium low heat, stirring gently. Icing is ready when all ingredients are melted and combined.
2. Spoon warm icing over warm cupcakes, stirring icing to smooth after every third cupcake or so. Allow iced cupcakes to sit at least ten minutes before serving.
Simple express cupcake version: Combine 1 box yellow cake mix, 3 large eggs and 1/3 cup vegetable oil in a large bowl. Heat oven to 375° F. Line a 24-muffin tin with cupcake papers. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil, along with the amount of water called for by the package directions. Beat until well combined. Fill each cup 2/3 full. Place in oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake's center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and place on a wire rack; allow them to cool completely before frosting with store-bought frosting.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. With an electric mixer, mix butter and sugar on high speed until fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl and mix for a few more seconds. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla. Mix to combine. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk in three batches, mixing for a few seconds after each addition.
Scrape sides of bowl, then mix one final time.
4. Fill paper-lined muffin tins 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until poufy but not brown. Cool before icing.
Chocolate Icing:
1. Mix ingredients together in a small/medium saucepan. Melt ingredients over medium low heat, stirring gently. Icing is ready when all ingredients are melted and combined.
2. Spoon warm icing over warm cupcakes, stirring icing to smooth after every third cupcake or so. Allow iced cupcakes to sit at least ten minutes before serving.
Simple express cupcake version: Combine 1 box yellow cake mix, 3 large eggs and 1/3 cup vegetable oil in a large bowl. Heat oven to 375° F. Line a 24-muffin tin with cupcake papers. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil, along with the amount of water called for by the package directions. Beat until well combined. Fill each cup 2/3 full. Place in oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake's center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and place on a wire rack; allow them to cool completely before frosting with store-bought frosting.
No Responses to “Easter or Summer Entertaining Idea: My Favorite Cupcakes”
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Flourless Chocolate Torte: Gluten-Free and Wonderful for Passover and Easter
March 25, 2010
I have made this Flourless Chocolate Torte for several years for my wonderful family for Passover. It’s been a treasured recipe that I haven’t shared. When I got a note from my friend, Robin, saying that her son’s birthday falls on Passover this year, I knew I had to give her the recipe. So here it is…..You can substitute bittersweet chocolate for semisweet or mix the two. It is really easy to prepare and only a few ingredients. Just take your time and follow the directions very carefully. I was in a hurry and unhooked my springform pan too soon (trying to make it to my son’s baseball game) and it came out looking like a chocolate souffle as seen above. Still wonderful and sinfully rich.
Flourless Chocolate Torte
Prep:
20 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Yield:
8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
2 (8-ounce) packages semisweet chocolate squares, chopped
1 cup unsalted butter
6 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
Sifted powdered sugar
Whipped Cream (optional)
1 cup unsalted butter
6 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
Sifted powdered sugar
Whipped Cream (optional)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 425F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan; wrap bottom of pan with foil. (This will keep water from seeping in during baking.) Set aside.
2. Melt chocolate and butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Cool mixture slightly.
3. Beat eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating 5 minutes or until volume is increased 4 times. Fold chocolate mixture into egg mixture; pour into prepared pan. Place in a large shallow pan. Add water to depth of 1 inch.
4. Bake at 425F for 25 to 30 minute or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack at least 20 minutes. Remove sides from pan. Cool torte on wire rack. (Cake will fall and become uneven.) Dust with powdered sugar.
For whipped cream, beat whipping cream until foamy; gradually add 1/4 cup powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Serve with torte with strawberries and/or raspberries.
2. Melt chocolate and butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Cool mixture slightly.
3. Beat eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating 5 minutes or until volume is increased 4 times. Fold chocolate mixture into egg mixture; pour into prepared pan. Place in a large shallow pan. Add water to depth of 1 inch.
4. Bake at 425F for 25 to 30 minute or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack at least 20 minutes. Remove sides from pan. Cool torte on wire rack. (Cake will fall and become uneven.) Dust with powdered sugar.
For whipped cream, beat whipping cream until foamy; gradually add 1/4 cup powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Serve with torte with strawberries and/or raspberries.
One Response to “Flourless Chocolate Torte: Gluten-Free and Wonderful for Passover and Easter”
Robin Bloomston says:
March, 30 2010at 11:08 am
If the manna from the sky was this chocolate torte it would have been more than sufficient. It was absolutely delicious and made us very popular. It held a birthday candle well and was devoured. I have sent everyone to yor web page for the recipe. Thank you sooo much for the recipe!
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Iron Chef in Training: My Cooking Class with Lillian
October 29, 2009
Yesterday, I had so much fun with Lillian! I was asked to do a private one-on-one cooking class for Lillian, an incredibly talented second grader for one of her birthday presents. She has a passion for cooking, and wow was she fabulous! I tailored the class specifically for her, and we made an array of healthy snacks, desserts and she even decorated these awesome cupcakes for Halloween. We set up the food for a photo-shoot, just like I do on the set with national food magazines, such as Southern Living. We prop-styled, food styled and critiqued the photos. If you’re interested in this type of class for your child, parent-child, groups of four, college age, newlyweds or yourself, contact me for more information.
3 Responses to “Iron Chef in Training: My Cooking Class with Lillian”
Carol Scroggins says:
October, 30 2009at 06:48 pm
Allison, wonderful job with Lillian B., my neighbor's sweet grand daughter. Good idea for children, or for us adults! Will keep this in mind.
Donna Askenazi says:
November, 04 2009at 03:59 pm
Love getting your emails weekly. Recipes are easy, family-friendly and most of them are low fat and healthy. Always happy when you incorporate your kids in them and nthat inspires me to cook more with my kids. Love the updated website and all it's colors.
Danyle Taylor says:
August, 03 2010at 10:03 pm
Hello Mrs. Allison, I am 15 years old and me and my mom have been going through alot for a while and we are not as close as we us to be, I want to take up a mother daughter cooking class with her so that can make us close again. I live in Detroit, MI and I was wondering if you can give me any ideas on that or where i can go to take a cooking class with her? thankyou :-)