As much as I love to travel, Dorothy was right – there is no place like home. After a busy four days, it was great to be back at my abode, especially with some warm weather and beautiful sunshine. Here’s a little peek at what kept me busy this weekend.
Rebuild – I was in New York City on Thursday for the We Rebuild Day. It was an incredible experience. Liz Frantz of Better Homes & Gardens wrote a beautiful article detailing the day. Click here to read it. I will be sharing my recap tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Shop – While in NYC, I had a couple of free hours so I walked down Fifth Avenue, one of my favorite places to do a little shopping. Anytime I’m in the city, I like to hit up a few of my favorite shops to do some clothes shopping. Two of my favorites are Zara and H&M. This trip I discovered a new favorite, Joe Fresh. The colors and styles are so bright and happy and the prices are beyond reasonable. Their polo shirts were only $12! I was tempted to buy one in every color.
Read – I also picked up the new book, Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisenberger. It’s the sequel to The Devil Wear Prada. I actually never read the first book, so I’m hoping that seeing the movie will be enough to get me caught up. Does anyone know if the movie and book were similar? Either way, I think this will make the perfect summer read!
Lunch – After my time in the city, I drove up to Connecticut to spend some time with Eddie Ross. Eddie is the new East Coast Editor/Producer for Better Homes & Gardens. I’ve been a big fan of Eddie’s for quite some time so it was a joy to spend a couple days with him behind the scenes of the shoot. He was so generous and welcoming. Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos to share at this time because the content is a bit of a secret until it’s out in the issue. I’ll share some behind-the-scenes shots as soon as the issues are released.
Wear – I picked up this floral shirt at Zara. I’m totally in love with it. Have you jumped on the floral bandwagon? (And sorry about the ginormous picture of my face.)
Smell – I also got my hands on the new scent from LACAOSTE. It’s called L.12.12 Noir. I’m actually super picky when it comes to cologne, but I’m loving this. I’ll be giving away two bottles of this on the blog later this week.
Bake – After traveling for four days, I was overjoyed to be home on Sunday. I spent the day doing laundry and catching up. Thanks to some amazing advice from my mom, I whipped up a quick apple crostata. There’s nothing like baking to really make all of your senses feel instantly at home. I’ll be posting the recipe soon. And there’s a secret ingredient in the crust. Any guesses?
I hope you had a delightful weekend! What fun things did you do or find?
As much as I love to travel, Dorothy was right – there is no place like home. After a busy four days, it was great to be back at my abode, especially with some warm weather and beautiful sunshine. Here’s a little peek at what kept me busy this weekend. Rebuild – I was in […]
I have been obsessed with these slate boards from the Brooklyn Slate Co. quite some time. I actually discovered them via Fab.com. (You may remember seeing them in a few recent posts including this one and this one.) The Brooklyn Slate Co. is such a fantastic brand. They get all of their slate from upstate New York and transport it back to Brooklyn where they cut it, clean it, and make it food safe. Talk about American made! They’ve teamed up with Fab.com to get their products to the masses. Including me!
Well, with all my porch projects this week, I finally got to play around with the slate boards I bought. Today I want to share three uses for them. (You got a sneak peak at those uses earlier this week.) I’m using the 12 x 18″ board for this post, but Brooklyn Slate offers a variety of sizes. This 5 x 18″ one is on my shopping list.
So let me show you what I’ve come up with.
To start, I decided to use the board as a placemat. This particular size is perfect for a standard dinner plate. (Even though, I later realized there is an actual placemat board.) I’m typically using white or colorful surfaces when it comes to plating, so it was fun to mix things up with a darker color.
This charcoal black works perfectly with the bright bold colors I’ve come to love. It really makes them come alive. It makes an ideal base for starting your table setting. Even the gold flatware looks extra special.
I also love that you can write on the boards. How fun is that? Whether it be your guest’s name, a fun quote, or something that ties in with the theme of your dinner – the options are truly endless. Since you’re just writing with chalk, you can easily wipe it away at the end of the evening.
Now that the table is set, we need a menu. Prop up the slate on a shelf or leave it laying flat. Then, using chalk, simply jot down your menu for the evening. It doesn’t getmuch easier than that.
Don’t worry too much about your penmanship as long as its legible. I love the look of something done by hand. I think it has a special way of making people feel appreciated.
Instead of using the board for your menu, you could list the recipe for a cocktail, a special message to the party’s honoree, or a favorite quote to set the mood for the evening.
Last but not least, as I showed you Monday, the slate board works great for its intended purpose – a cheese board.
The cheese and its accoutrements look fabulous and rich on a black surface. As I mentioned above, the slate has a way of making colors pop!
Again, using the chalk, you can list the name of the cheese or recommend cheese pairings.Your guests’ questions are answered without a lot of fuss so they can focus on having a good time. More of this cheese spread can be seen here.
So that’s it, three fabulous uses for a slate cheese board. Which is your favorite? What other ways would you use slate boards?
A big thanks to my friends at Fab.com for providing me with the Brooklyn Slate Co. Cheese Boards to use in my post. As always all the opinions, thoughts, and ideas listed above are my own.
I have been obsessed with these slate boards from the Brooklyn Slate Co. quite some time. I actually discovered them via Fab.com. (You may remember seeing them in a few recent posts including this one and this one.) The Brooklyn Slate Co. is such a fantastic brand. They get all of their slate from upstate New York […]
This past weekend I spent a lot of time sprucing up my little side porch for summer. I’ve been trying to get my house in order so that I’m ready for company at a moment’s notice. That way, when someone says she or he will be stopping by or just shows up on a whim, I’m not in a state of panic trying to quickly make my house, or in this case my porch, presentable.
I’ve recently teamed up with Lowe’s as one of their Creative Idea Bloggers and couldn’t be more excited. One of our challenges this month was to create outdoor party decor. This was the just the excuse I needed to get my porch ready for a spur-of the-moment party or get-together. I wanted party decor that would last all season. To achieve this, I added three things to my space: sparkle, color, and candlelight!
First up, I have three plant stands that I kept them on my porch all winter long, and apparently the weather got the best of them. Covered in rust spots, they needed a good coat of paint. In past years, I used black and later white. This time around I wanted something different – something special with a little sparkle. Want to guess what color I chose?
Gold, baby! Okay, I may be taking this gold thing a little too far, but I can’t tell you how much I love this transformation. A few coats of Rust-Oleum metallic gold paint did the trick! The plant stands definitely are showstoppers. Who would have imagined gold could look so great outdoors?
Once my plant stands were ready, I needed some color. One of the easiest ways to add a splash of color outside is with plants! I loaded up some of my favorites and tucked them in wherever I could.
I love the way plants look so different throughout the course of the day. Whether it’s mid-afternoon, or just before sunset, they really make a space come alive!
The glider on my porch, which belonged to my grandparents, is in need of a new paint job. But to be honest, I don’t mind a few chips here and there – it adds character. I did, however, want to jazz up the seat a bit with some colorful and comfortable cushions. These striped cushions were the perfect fit!
Last but not least, I scattered a few citronella candles around the space. I must have sweet blood because I’m a target for mosquitoes. Anyone else? I’m hoping that these candles will keep my bug-bite free!
So that’s my porch, dressed and ready for a party any time of day. It’s amazing what a little sparkle, color, and candlelight can accomplish! What do you think?
Join me tomorrow and Friday as I continue to share ideas for the porch, including three ways to use slate boards and a delicious new cocktail recipe!
I am a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas Network (along with some other really fantastic bloggers). I did receive a Lowe’s gift card to complete my porch projects. As always all the opinions, thoughts, and idea listed above are my own.
This past weekend I spent a lot of time sprucing up my little side porch for summer. I’ve been trying to get my house in order so that I’m ready for company at a moment’s notice. That way, when someone says she or he will be stopping by or just shows up on a whim, […]
Some of the best parties are just for two. Whether you are planning a get-together with your someone special or an afternoon chat with an old friend, having a snack on hand is a must. Setting it up beautifully on your porch on a warm summer day makes it even better. Here is my recipe for a quick, easy, and gorgeous cheese party for two.
First up, the snack. Naturally, cheese is what comes to mind. The Extra Sharp Cheddar from Cracker Barrel is one of my favorite go-to cheeses. Its rich, full flavor makes it pair really well with in-season summer fruits. As you can see, I’m serving it with cherries and grapes. I also include some crackers and pepperoni for that classic flavor combination.
Next, the table setting. I’m a huge fan of pulling accessories, new and old, from around my house to create a unique and interesting tablescape. To give my table a little height and drama, I set a slate cheese board on an old soda create. Not only does this add interest, but my cheeseboard doubles as a centerpiece. The slate surface also is a perfect spot for making little notes and drawings with chalk.
A candle in a gold lantern adds sparkle and picks up touches of gold in the napkins and flatware (I told you I am obsessed with anything gold these days).
A washi tape flag (Just add a piece of washi tape, sticky sides together, to the end of a stir stick and make a v-cut in the end) is a fun element and lets your guest know what kind of cheese he or she will be enjoying.
To complete the look, I put a natural element at each place setting. Plants create a welcoming touch and are a wonderful way to finish off a tablescape. This potted succulent can even double as a favor for your guest to take home to remember your afternoon. How sweet is that?
Using things you have around your house keeps a small get-together inexpensive and ensures a personal look. As you know, I love mixing new and old. The old crate paired with the touches of gold literally gives me designer goosebumps. I love it. Well, that’s all the advice I have for today. Plus, my afternoon date is about to arrive. I’m off to enjoy some conversation, cheese, and maybe a bottle of wine. Cheers, friends!
Some of the best parties are just for two. Whether you are planning a get-together with your someone special or an afternoon chat with an old friend, having a snack on hand is a must. Setting it up beautifully on your porch on a warm summer day makes it even better. Here is my recipe […]
When I started this A Year of Yeast series, I knew that one of the things I wanted to tackle was pizza dough. In my opinion, being able to whip up a quick pizza is sort of an essential culinary skill. Although pizza sometimes gets a bad rap in the dietary department, I think there are ways to make a version that is both healthy and delicious.
So today I want to share my new go-to recipe for Whole Wheat Pizza Dough. I found it earlier this week when I was looking for recipes on BHG.com. (I’m a contributor to their food blog, Delish Dish so every other week, I pick a recipe and recreate it with my own little twist).
I was thrilled to see this recipe for Pizza Dippers. I love my pizza extra saucy! I was even more excited that the recipe included homemade pizza dough and the option to make the dough whole wheat. Perfection!
First, let me tell you, making pizza dough from scratch is easy peasy. As with most yeast-based recipes, it does require a little planning, but it’s totally worth it. You could even whip up a batch of dough one evening and leave it in your refrigerator until the following night.
The resulting dough is both soft and flavorful. I like my dough on the thinner side, so I rolled it out quite a bit. I also love how this recipe includes a little cut out for extra sauce. It’s such a unique way to serve pizza.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ – 1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
1 package active dry yeast
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup warm water (120 degrees F to 130 degrees F)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Let’s get baking:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, yeast, sugar, and salt; add the warm water and oil. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping the bowl as needed. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes.
Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the whole wheat flour as you can. Knead in remaining whole wheat flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total).
Shape dough into a ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place until the dough doubles in size (about 45 minutes).
Punch dough down.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Cover; let rest for 10 minutes.
Pretty easy, right? So now that you know how to make the dough, click here to head on over to BHG’s Delish Dish to learn how to put together the rest of this recipe for Pizza Dippers! You won’t be disappointed. Not only are they delicious, but they are fun to eat, too!
Enjoy!
When I started this A Year of Yeast series, I knew that one of the things I wanted to tackle was pizza dough. In my opinion, being able to whip up a quick pizza is sort of an essential culinary skill. Although pizza sometimes gets a bad rap in the dietary department, I think there […]
Lessons From: Amy Poehler, Adele, Zooey Deschanel, Oprah, Jimmy Buffet, Amy Poehler (Part 2), RuPaul, Tina Fey Hope you are having a fab weekend friends!
After my trip to NYC on Sunday, I traveled four hours to Sandusky, Ohio with my family to go to one of my favorite places, Cedar Point.
In case you’ve never heard of Cedar Point, it is probably one of the best amusement parks in the country (in my opinion, at least). When I was growing up, my family we would take a vacation every summer. These getaways typically involved an amusement park since we’re sort of roller coaster junkies. After my brothers and I finished school and started our careers, the annual family vacations stopped. Life just got too busy, I guess. Thankfully, over the past couple years we’ve resurrected this wonderful tradition.
Although things are bound to change some over the years, there’s nothing better than returning to a place you loved as a child. Memories come flooding back with each step. Familiar sights, scents, and sounds make it seem like no time has passed. It’s kind of magical. I’d give anything to go back to one of those family vacations or my youth. Clearly, I know that’s impossible, so returning as an adult is certainly the next best thing. It’s also amazing to have technology at my finger tips. While I avoided work as much as possible, I loved snapping and sharing pictures of all the coasters. Even if you don’t ride them, aren’t they beautiful?
Just for fun, here are a few numbers for you. We spent 17 hours in the park over 2 days. We road all 14 roller coasters and the 3 thrill rides (some multiple times) for a total of 26 rides. We went 120 miles per hour and were 427 feet in the air. Yeah, it was pretty amazing. And for those of you who are familiar with the park, my favorite coasters are Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, and The Maverick.
So, I’m curious, how many of you like riding roller coasters? Have you ever been to Cedar Point?
After my trip to NYC on Sunday, I traveled four hours to Sandusky, Ohio with my family to go to one of my favorite places, Cedar Point. In case you’ve never heard of Cedar Point, it is probably one of the best amusement parks in the country (in my opinion, at least). When I was […]
As I mentioned yesterday, this past weekend I traveled to New York for an amazing project with my friends at Better Home and Gardens. On June 6 Meredith (the company behind some of our favorite magazines such as Traditional Home, Everyday with Rachael Ray, and BHG) will join with Rebuilding Together to rebuild homes on Gerritsen Beach, one of the many NYC communities hit hard by Hurricane Sandy this past October. Meredith is sponsoring the transformation of two community locations and three private homes
All of us who are involved in this important effort had the opportunity to visit three of the homes that will be repaired and rebuilt. I can’t even begin to describe the devastation that these folks endured. They lost not only the entire first floor (or more) of their homes but all the cherished memories that those spaces held.
The story that touched me the most was of a woman who lost custom cabinetry built by her late father. All that was salvageable was a small section of ceiling he had built. My heart went out to her. While some work has already begun, on June 6, I will head back to NYC for the actual build day. At that time I will join hundreds of people from Rebuilding Together, Meredith, and Lowes to install appliances, put in cabinets, paint, landscape, and so much more. One home will be specifically worked on by the Better Homes and Gardens team. The folks at Crate and Barrel have generously offered to furnish the home. How awesome is that? At the end of the day, these folks will finally be able to return to a normal life in a home that is both safe and beautiful
Two community locations are also included in the rebuild. The first is Kiddie Beach, a small beach area where families gather during the summer months. After the wrath of Sandy, homeowners feared this area would not reopen this season. The Vollies Memorial Hall will also see some improvements. This space is used to train the Community Emergency Response Team. Supplies are stored here in time of disaster and emergency. Even at-risk youth are trained at this hall to develop first responder skills and a sense of purpose in the community.
While this visit left me feeling deeply saddened about the loss that folks experienced,I was inspired by their courage to move forward. I’m not sure how I would find the strength after losing so much. I can’t tell you how excited I am to return in June to be a small piece of a very large puzzle and to help get these people back in their homes. I’m honored and humbled that BHG has invited me to participate and give back to a community that is so deserving.
For more information about this project and ways you can help, visit WeRebuild.com (this site will be live on Friday, May 24).
As I mentioned yesterday, this past weekend I traveled to New York for an amazing project with my friends at Better Home and Gardens. On June 6 Meredith (the company behind some of our favorite magazines such as Traditional Home, Everyday with Rachael Ray, and BHG) will join with Rebuilding Together to rebuild homes on […]
Other than a Cupcake Tasting Party, a Cheese Tasting Party just may be one of my most favorite things. Having a tasting party is a fun way to experiment with new foods and flavors. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a night in with the girls (or guys), a tasting party can be both fun and educational. Plus, since you can prepare most things in advance, it’s an incredibly stress-free way to host a party. It just takes a little planning. I’m here to help with that!
Today I wanted to share six easy steps for hosting a fabulous and fun Cheese Tasting Party.
Let’s get started!
Step One: Buy Some Cheese
First things first – you’re going to need some cheese. Plan on serving 4 to 6 ounces of cheese per guest. Unless you know that your friends really like to eat. I mean, can you ever have too much cheese? I also suggest having 5 or 6 different varieties. I’d recommend Extra Sharp Cheddar from Cracker Barrel as a great cheese to anchor your board. It’s delicious and reasonably priced. Buy cheeses that you love and don’t be afraid to experiment with a few new varieties as well. A cheese tasting party is the perfect occasion to do this.
Tip: Cracker Barrel’s signature square shaped cheese is designed to perfectly fit a cracker.
Step Two: Set up the Party
Presentation is important, right? Search your house for fun surfaces on which to display the cheese and your other fixins! Cheese is at its tastiest at room temperature so bring your cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before the tasting. Big chunks of cheese look best and retain their freshness. Cutting off a few slices encourages your guests to start tasting.
Tip: I’m a big fan of using neutrals when it comes to displaying food. White platters, slate boards, wood cutting boards, and marble pastry slabs are a few surfaces that really let the food shine!
Step Three: Share your Knowledge
Cheese is obviously delicious on its own, but it’s even better when paired with a great cracker or fresh fruit. Offer your guests a variety of accompaniments to pair with the cheese. Suggest some possible flavor combinations, but encourage your guests to come up with their own pairings, too!
Tip: Not sure what to serve with your cheese? Don’t worry! Some of my favorite accompaniments are olives, any fresh fruit or berries, sliced Italian meats, balsamic glaze, nuts, honey, jam and chocolate!
Step Four: Teach How to Properly Taste
Yes, there is a proper way to taste cheese and Cracker Barrel has perfected it – sniff, size it up, slice, smoosh, and savor! Use the guide below to impress your friends with your mad skills! Print out a few copies for the party as an easy reference for your guests.
Tip: Provide paper and a pen so guests can note their favorite cheese and which flavor pairings they like best.
Step Five: Serve up some Drinks
Wine is an obvious choice for pairing with cheese. To keep things simple, I suggest having one white and one red for your guests to choose from. For the white, try something light and crisp like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. For the red, you can never go wrong with a Pinot Noir. Be sure to also have water and soda available for those who don’t imbibe.
Tip: Buying wine can be expensive. If your guests ask about bringing something to the party, encourage them to bring a bottle of their favorite wine! Not only will your guests get to taste cheese, they’ll also discover some new wines.
Step Six: Relax and Enjoy
Finally, enjoy yourself. Formal tasting parties can be a drag. Encourage your guests to relax! Keep things fun and causal by turning up your favorite tunes. Urge your guests to taste, taste, taste and share their favorite cheese and flavor combinations. Remember, it’s a party! Have a great time!
Tip: Ask your guests to send you a list of their favorite songs. Make a playlist specific to your party so each guest can enjoy some of their top tunes! This is a great way for everyone to learn about new artists!
That’s it! My six steps for an unforgettable Cheese Tasting Party! Have you ever hosted a cheese tasting party? What additional advice or tips do you have?
Other than a Cupcake Tasting Party, a Cheese Tasting Party just may be one of my most favorite things. Having a tasting party is a fun way to experiment with new foods and flavors. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a night in with the girls (or guys), a tasting party can be […]
Celebrate – Belated Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms reading this! I hope you had a gorgeous day! Also more Mother’s Day hugs and kisses to my own dear mom. If you haven’t already guessed, my mom and I are pretty close. I cannot describe how much she means to me, how selfless she is, and what an amazing inspiration she is to me. Not only is she my mom, but she is also one of my closest friends. Yesterday we celebrated Mother’s Day at her house – it was wonderful!
Bake – For Mother’s Day I made these delicious Pink Lemonade Cupcakes. I posted the recipe on BHG’s Delish Dish this past Friday. You can check that out here.
Shop – On Friday Mom and I began our spring flower shopping. I feel like I need to do a flower-haul to show you guys what I got. Shopping for flowers, as I mentioned on Friday, is one of my favorite things to do!
Plant – I was also thrilled to find this fun little tree at Walmart of all places. The label calls it a Eugenia Topiary. The store had three of them and I decided to buy them all. I kept one and gave one to my mom and another to my dad’s wife. Everyone loved them.
Drink – We found a new (and absolutely delicious) spot for dinner. It’s called Buck’s Pizza. At first I assumed it was a local place, but after googling to find their website, I discovered that it’s a franchise. Who knew? The one near me just opened recently. The food was great, the service was quick, and to top things off, they serve Blue Moon! A winning combination!
Read – I was so excited to get this new cookbook from my friends at BHG. It looks amazing. I can’t wait to dig into it. It should be perfect for the summer. I’m not sure if it’s available for purchase yet. I’ll keep you posted.
Travel – Speaking of BHG, I’m heading back to NYC later this week for a fun and meaningful event with them. I’m thrilled to again be in the city for a few days. Stay tuned for details on that!
Other than Mother’s Day, my weekend was pretty uneventful. It was a bit chilly around here with temperatures dropping below freezing at night and snow flurries during the day. Yuck! This cold weather needs to go!
Any who, what exciting things did you do or find?
Celebrate – Belated Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms reading this! I hope you had a gorgeous day! Also more Mother’s Day hugs and kisses to my own dear mom. If you haven’t already guessed, my mom and I are pretty close. I cannot describe how much she means to me, how selfless […]
Let the spring planting begin! After finding some herb garden inspiration, I decided to create one of my own. Do you remember that chicken feeder I used as a centerpiece a few months ago? (Side note: Folks on Pinterest and other social media outlets were mortified that I put a chicken feeder on my table. I understand the concern. Chickens are not the cleanest creatures. But I thoroughly scrubbed and disinfected the feeder before bringing it into my house.) Well, the centerpiece probably lasted a week. The plants died, and it was a pain to move around. Down to the basement it went. Now, the feeder is making a glorious comeback as an herb garden.
I like it much better this way. The feeder holds eight six-inch pots. There are several kinds of herbs, including mint (apple, orange, and chocolate), curry (not sure if / how I’ll use it), basil, rosemary, lemon thyme, and flat leaf parsley.
The feeder fits perfectly on the ledge of my side porch, which is right off the dining room. It’s a super convenient spot for gathering herbs. I can’t tell you how nice it is to have this porch cleaned up and ready for company. Shannon, when should I expect you and John for sangria?
I made a few DIY herb markers, too. Yes, these are the same flags I used in my Blackberry Mint Juleps and Pink Lemonade Cupcakes. I just put a piece of washi tape, sticky sides together, on a stir stick and made a v-cut in the end of the tape. I used a gold sharpie to write the name of the herb. Too easy. Too cute.
I don’t know how well the markers will stand up to the elements, but I really only need them to last through the summer. I think I should be good. I’ll keep you posted.
Since there is still a chance for a frost around these parts, I’m not going plant crazy yet. However, I did get a plant for my scale basket. It’s clearly not as voluptuous as my plant from last year. These things take time.
Tonight I’m heading out with my mom to a local nursery and Lowes and as usual I will probably come back toting lots of plants. I always tell myself not to buy so many flowers. But then, when I’m in the nursery, I’m overcome with this intense urge to buy every flower in sight. I can’t explain it. Please tell me I’m not the only one.
Have you started your spring planting? What herbs are must-haves in your garden?
Let the spring planting begin! After finding some herb garden inspiration, I decided to create one of my own. Do you remember that chicken feeder I used as a centerpiece a few months ago? (Side note: Folks on Pinterest and other social media outlets were mortified that I put a chicken feeder on my table. […]
A Year of Yeast has been trucking along for over four months. Can you believe it? I have to tell you I’ve been enjoying every minute of it. As I enter month five I can honestly say my fear of yeast has pretty much subsided. Today I wanted to try something in the sweet category.
As you may remember from one of my Weekend Wanderlust posts, I was drooling over this recipe from Martha Stewart. Little balls of dough dipped in butter, dredged with cinnamon and sugar, and drizzled with a delicious glaze. I’d say they are similar to monkey bread but a bit drier and lighter. Plus, the glaze sends these little bits over the top.
Being a huge fan of sweets, I am tempted to sit down with this pan and gobble them all up with a big glass or milk or a hot cup of jo! Who’s with me?!
Look at the ooey, gooey goodness
Okay, I can’t take it anymore. Enough chatter, let’s get baking!
Cinnamon Bun Bites
Cinnamon Bun Bites
Here’s what you’ll need:
Bites:
1/2 cup warm water
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 stick unsalted butter, softened, plus 1/2 stick, melted, and more for coating the dish
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Vanilla Glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pour water into the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle yeast evenly over water, and let stand until foamy, 5 to 7 minutes. Whisk until smooth, then whisk in 1/2 cup flour to form a loose paste. Let rise in a warm place until yeast mixture has risen and fallen, about 30 minutes.
Add eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, vanilla, and remaining flour to yeast mixture. Knead dough, using dough hook attachment on mixer, until smooth, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add 1 stick butter, and knead until dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes (add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky). Turn out dough onto an unfloured work surface, and knead by hand until very smooth, about 3 minutes. Transfer dough to another bowl, and let rise in a warm place, covered with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, until doubled, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Punch down dough; press out air bubbles.
Lightly butter a 9-inch pie plate. Place melted butter in a bowl. In another bowl,stir together remaining 1 cup sugar and the cinnamon.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls (I ended up with about 55). Working with 1 at a time, dip balls into melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place in pie plate. Stack balls to form a dome. Sprinkle with any remaining cinnamon-sugar, and drizzle with any leftover butter. Cover with plastic wrap, and let balls rise by half, about 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Unwrap balls, and place pie plate on a baking sheet. Bake until golden and firm (a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean), 50 to 55 minutes. Let bites cool in dish for 15 minutes.
In the meantime, let’s make the glaze. First, stir together sugar and salt in a small bowl.
Then, whisk together butter, milk, and vanilla, and stir into sugar until mixture forms a smooth paste. Keep glaze at room temperature until ready to drizzle over cinnamon-bun bites. Before using, whisk until smooth.
Print
Feel free to keep your Cinnamon Bun Bites in the pie pan like I did or remove the loaf and serve them up on a beautiful wood cutting board. The choice is yours. Thanks again to Martha Stewart for this fabulous recipe, which I slightly adapted.
What do you think of these Cinnamon Bun Bites? Will you be making them?
A Year of Yeast has been trucking along for over four months. Can you believe it? I have to tell you I’ve been enjoying every minute of it. As I enter month five I can honestly say my fear of yeast has pretty much subsided. Today I wanted to try something in the sweet category. […]
This Blackberry Mint Julep is a classic cocktail recipe with a twist thanks to fresh blackberries and blackberry whiskey. You’re going to love this berry-infused cocktail recipe.
Blackberry Mint Julep:
With the Kentucky Derby this weekend I’ve been seeing recipes for Mint Juleps all over the Internet. I had to see what all the buzz was about.
This drink is definitely out of my comfort zone. I typically don’t like bourbon / whiskey and I don’t watch the derby. Nonetheless, today I’m making Blackberry Mint Juleps.
You know me – I couldn’t make just a standard mint julep. I decided to give this classic drink a little IBC twist with the addition of fresh blackberries and blackberry whiskey.
All I did was puree some blackberries in the blender and add them to the traditional recipe. I will say the combination is delicious. And, I actually kind of like the whiskey! Who would have thought?
And as much as I love these little wash tape flag drink stirrers, you really need one of these DIY Gold Horse Drink Stirrers!
Let’s mix up a few!
Like this cocktail recipe? Here are more of my favorites:
This Blackberry Mint Julep is a classic cocktail recipe with a twist thanks to fresh blackberries and blackberry whiskey. You're going to love this berry-infused cocktail recipe.
In the bottom of your glass, muddle / crush together mint leaves, simple syrup, and blackberry puree.
Fill glass with ice cubes, then pour in bourbon / whiskey and water. Stir.
Garnish with a few blackberries and a sprig of mint, and a super cute stir stick***.
Enjoy responsibly.
Notes
*Put a handful of fresh blackberries into a blender. Puree the blackberries until smooth.**Bring 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup water to a simmer over medium-high heat until sugar is completely dissolved. I usually let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes to create a thicker syrup. Allow syrup to cool completely.***I just added a piece of washi tape, sticky sides together, and made a v-cut in the end.
Made it? Share it!Tag @inspiredbycharm on Instagram and use the tag #myIBC so we can see what you're cooking in the kitchen!
This Blackberry Mint Julep is a classic cocktail recipe with a twist thanks to fresh blackberries and blackberry whiskey. You’re going to love this berry-infused cocktail recipe. Blackberry Mint Julep: With the Kentucky Derby this weekend I’ve been seeing recipes for Mint Juleps all over the Internet. I had to see what all the buzz […]
As you probably know, I’ve been on a mission to get my kitchen back in order. The first step in this process was to fix the trim around the window. You may remember that there used to be a bench here. The trim was removed when the bench was installed. So when I took out the bench, I was left with an ugly looking window. The goal is to get this window replaced within the next couple months. I’m not sure why a piece of wood covers the bottom of the window or why the window doesn’t open, but if things go according to plan, it will soon be gone.
In the meantime, I wanted to make this area a bit more presentable by fixing the trim. (Because of how the window is installed, I shouldn’t need to remove this new molding when the new window goes in.) Anyway, I picked up some trim boards, cut them to size, nailed them in place, patched holes, sanded, and painted. Molding complete. The difficult part was that because my house is almost 100 years old, finding replacement molding is nearly impossible. So the process can be a bit time consuming. Plus, in all honesty, because hammers and I don’t get along, this project took even longer than it should have. I’m not as handy as I pretend to be. I blame it on having zero patience.
Once all that was complete, the fun part could begin – shopping for some colorful and functional accessories. And I knew exactly where to go. Target!
You know I’m totally in love with their Threshold line. I’ve had my eye on a few pillows from the collection for some time and knew they would be perfect.
I was also on the hunt for a bench. I needed a place where I could take my shoes off or enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning.
So after some fun shopping, I came home with a completed look.
The velvet white bench is not from the Threshold collection, but it’s perfection! I will admit I’m a little nervous about having white fabric in the kitchen. We’ll see how that goes. My favorite things are my new pillows though. The marble-inspired one is probably my absolute favorite. I’m pretty much obsessed with the pattern. The pillows are the perfect color collection for this season and my kitchen. I think they make the space look really inviting and welcoming and I’m loving it.
I also found this adorable rope-inspired basket. It will work great for magazine storage. (Because I clearly need another reason to hoard more magazines in my house.)
I also further indulged my air plant obsession. When I was visiting my brother and his family recently, I found two new plants. Needing a place to put these two lovelies, I found (Confession: My mom found them.) these tall glass vases with fun white stripes. Talk about perfect.
So that’s it for now. My happy and colorful kitchen is finally taking shape. There is still work to be done, but some progress is good, right? (Oh, and that candle below is from Threshold too. Amazing!)
What do you think of my updates? Have you found any fabulous Threshold pieces at Target?
A big thanks to the awesome folks at Target for supplying me with these beautiful Threshold products at no cost in exchange for my review. Please note that the opinions, thoughts and ideas listed above are my own. I really do love and recommend these products.
As you probably know, I’ve been on a mission to get my kitchen back in order. The first step in this process was to fix the trim around the window. You may remember that there used to be a bench here. The trim was removed when the bench was installed. So when I took out […]
Today I’m serving up a delicious cocktail and some of my favorite links of the past week. I’m calling it – Drinks & Links! It’s Friday, and even if you work over the weekend, I hope you can take a moment for yourself. Turn on your favorite tunes (I’m obsessed with the new song Brave from Sarah Bareilles.), pour yourself a cocktail, and check out some of my favorite links for the week.
Considering the sunshine in the forecast fro this weekend, I decided a mojito would be most appropriate to start off this series. A few blueberries and some blueberry rum add a fruity twist to this classic drink. I’m a fan!
Blueberry Mojitos
Here’s what you’ll need: makes one cocktail
12 – 15 blueberries (plus a few more for garnish
8 mint leaves
1 oz. blueberry rum (I used Bacardi Wolf Berry)
1 oz. simple syrup*
1/3 oz. lime juice
2 oz. club soda
Let’s get mixing:
In the bottom of your glass, muddle/crush together blueberries, mint leaves, simple syrup, rum, and lime juice.
Add some ice cubes, pour in club soda, and stir.
Garnish with a few blueberries, wedge of lime, a sprig of mint, and a super cute paper straw!
Enjoy responsibly.
*Bring 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup water to a simmer over medium-high heat until sugar is completely dissolved. I usually let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes to create a thicker syrup. Allow syrup to cool completely.
Print
Okay, you’ve got your delicious Blueberry Mojito. Take a sip (or two), settle in, and let’s see what’s happening.
Cheers to these Awesome People:
Have you seen Jennifer Johner’s (of Dearest Someday’s) polka dot wall? I probably wouldn’t have the guts to do it, but I think it’s amazing.
Are you ready to rip out some of your kitchen cabinets and replace them with open shelving? Yeah, me too! When you do, you’re going to need some gorgeous glass canisters. These are some of my favorites.
Speaking of color, if you’re looking for inspiration or have a question, come visit me here.
Cheers friends! Have an amazing weekend!
Today I’m serving up a delicious cocktail and some of my favorite links of the past week. I’m calling it – Drinks & Links! It’s Friday, and even if you work over the weekend, I hope you can take a moment for yourself. Turn on your favorite tunes (I’m obsessed with the new song Brave from […]
This morning I got back into the kitchen to bake some more bread. Yes, before you read any further, you need to realize that this recipe takes two days to make. I have a bad habit of not reading a recipe in its entirety. Needless to say, last night’s dinner didn’t have a warm slice of focaccia accompanying it. I survived.
Anyway, I stumbled upon this recipe from the fantastic blog, Two Peas & Their Pod. Maria and her hubby Josh are always making scrumptious things in their kitchen. When I found this recipe on their site, I knew it would be a winner. I also knew I wanted to put my own spin on it.
I’m a huge fan of sun-dried tomatoes and I happened to have a half-full jar of them in my refrigerator. Inspiration struck! I’d make the herb oil (see below) with just basil, and then sprinkle sun-dried tomatoes on top of the focaccia.
Needless to say, the combination was perfect and the focaccia is delicious! The recipe below calls for a slightly larger pan, which I didn’t have. (Again, failure to read the directions.) So I used a 10×5″ one. This ended up working just fine. In fact, the bread is thick enough to slice in half and make a sandwich. I’m thinking a grilled mozzarellacheese. Yes, please!
Without further ado, let’s get baking!
Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia
Here’s what you will need:
For the Bread:
5 cups high-gluten or bread flour
2 teaspoons salt
½ tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups water at room temperature
½ cup Herb Oil Extra olive oil for the pan
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained
For the Herb Oil:
1/2 cup olive oil
4 tablespoons fresh basil, julienned
1 tablespoon coarse (kosher) salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon granulated garlic or 2 to 3 fresh cloves, minced
Let’s get baking:
To Make the Herb Oil: Warm olive oil to about 100 degrees F. Add basil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Stir together and allow to steep while you prepare the dough.
Stir together the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and water and mix on low speed with the paddle attachment until all the ingredients form a wet, sticky ball. Switch to the dough hook and mix on medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes or as long as it takes to create a smooth, sticky dough. The dough should clear the sides of the bowl but stick to the bottom of the bowl. You may need to add additional flour to firm up the dough enough to clear the sides of the bowl, but the dough should still be quite soft and sticky.
Sprinkle enough flour on the counter to make a bed about 6 inches square. Using a scraper or spatula dipped in water (I just used my hands and had no problems.), transfer the sticky dough to the bed of flour and dust liberally with flour, patting the dough into a rectangle. Wait 5 minutes for the dough to relax.
Coat your hands with flour and stretch the dough from each end to twice its size. Fold it, letter style, over itself to return it to a rectangular shape. Mist the top of the dough with oil, again dust with flour, and loosely cover with plastic wrap.
Let rest for 30 minutes. Stretch and fold the dough again; mist with oil, dust with flour, and cover. After 30 minutes, repeat this one more time.
Allow the covered dough to sit on the counter for 1 hour. It should swell but not necessarily double in size.
Line a 17X12″ sheet pan with baking parchment and drizzle ¼ olive oil over the paper, spreading it with your hands or a brush to cover the surface. Lightly oil your hands and, using a plastic or metal pastry scraper, lift the dough off the counter and transfer it to the sheet pan, maintaining the rectangular shape as much as possible.
Spoon half of the herb oil over the dough. Use your fingertips to dimple the dough and spread it to fill the pan simultaneously. Do not use the flat of your hands – only the fingertips – to avoid tearing or ripping the dough. Try to keep the thickness as uniform as possible across the surface. Dimpling allows you to de-gas only part of the dough while preserving gas in the non-dimpled sections. If the dough becomes too springy, let it rest for about 15 minutes and then continue dimpling. Don’t worry if you are unable to fill the pan 100 percent, especially the corners. As the dough relaxes and proofs, it will spread out naturally. Use more herb oil as needed to ensure that the entire surface is coated with oil.
Loosely cover the pan with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough overnight (or for up to 3 days).
Remove the pan from the refrigerator 3 hours before baking. Drizzle additional herb oil over the surface and dimple it in. This should allow you to fill the pan completely with the dough to a thickness of about ½ inch. Add sun-dried tomatoes. Gentle press into dough. Cover the pan with plastic and proof the dough at room temperature for 3 hours, or until the dough doubles in size, rising to a thickness of nearly 1 inch.
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
Place the pan in the oven. Lower the oven setting to 450 degrees F and bake for 10 minutes. Rotate the pan 180 degrees and continue baking the focaccia for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it begins to turn a light golden brown. The internal temperature of the dough should register above 200 degrees F (measured in the center).
Remove the pan from the oven and immediately transfer the focaccia from the pan onto a cooling rack.
Allow the focaccia to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing or serving.
This morning I got back into the kitchen to bake some more bread. Yes, before you read any further, you need to realize that this recipe takes two days to make. I have a bad habit of not reading a recipe in its entirety. Needless to say, last night’s dinner didn’t have a warm slice […]
Do you remember the wall planter I created last summer for my hens and chicks? Well, it hung outside on the wall all winter long, and I am happy to report – she survived!
A few weeks ago when it warmed up a bit, I took the planter off the wall and gave it a really good soaking with the hose. The plants were looking a little brown and sad at the time, but in a few short days they really came back to life. There is so much new growth. Those mama hens had a lot of little chicks over the winter. From what I understand, these suckers are pretty hardy and can survive most conditions. I give them credit because I barely survived this past winter.
Anyway, remember what it looked like when I first started?
After I give the porch a good scrubbing, I’m going to get these shelves dressed for the season! Bring on the sunshine, Mother Nature!
How did your plants survive the winter? What are your plans for sprucing up your porch decor for the warm months ahead?
Do you remember the wall planter I created last summer for my hens and chicks? Well, it hung outside on the wall all winter long, and I am happy to report – she survived! A few weeks ago when it warmed up a bit, I took the planter off the wall and gave it a […]
Okay. Seriously. Mother Nature, I am completely ready for spring. Love, Michael
I don’t know what things are like in your neck of the woods. The winter chill is still in the air here in Central PA. I am so anxious to get outdoors and start planting, but unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating. Of course, what’s happening outside doesn’t stop me from dreaming inside where it’s warm and cozy.
Today I’m starting a new IBC series called The Curated Eight. With spring (and summer) on my mind, I found eight amazingly unique herb gardens. And while I can’t yet get outside to plant, I can certainly do some planning for the days ahead. Let’s take a look and see what I found.
That’s it! Hope you enjoyed this edition of The Curated Eight. What unique ways do you garden at home? Will you be giving any of these herb garden ideas a try?
Okay. Seriously. Mother Nature, I am completely ready for spring. Love, Michael I don’t know what things are like in your neck of the woods. The winter chill is still in the air here in Central PA. I am so anxious to get outdoors and start planting, but unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating. Of […]
Did you know that April is National Grilled Cheese month? That is one month-long celebration that I can get on board with! Ever since my visit to Chicago with Cracker Barrel cheese, I’ve been so excited to get in the kitchen and experiment.
One of my favorite cheeses is pepper jack. I love a little heat every now and then. One of Cracker Barrel‘s newest cheeses is jalapeño. In my opinion, it closely resembles traditional pepper jack. Last night I had a little craving, so I indulged a bit (hence the open package). It was fantastic. Super rich and full of flavor without being too spicy. But you don’t have to trust me on this. Cheese judges from across the world have honored Cracker Barrel. In my opinion, the jalapeño also has amazing flavor. Anyway, this got my brain working and my mouth watering.
Using skills I learned at the food pairing session, I came up with the combination of jalapeño cheese, tart green apples, and bacon. Sounds pretty fabulous, right?
Well, believe me on this one … it is! Apples on grilled cheese are pretty much the best thing ever. The slight sweetness paired with the spicy jalapeño is nothing short of magic. Plus, grilled cheese is one of the easiest things to make. So if you are clueless on what to make for dinner, this is it!
Check out the recipe below:
Jalapeño Bacon Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Here’s what you will need:
1 tablespoon butter
2 slices of whole wheat bread
4-5 slices of Cracker Barrel Jalapeno Cheese
1/2 tart green apple, cored and sliced
2-3 strips bacon, cooked
Let’s get cooking:
Heat a pan over medium heat.
Butter the outside of each slice of bread, place one slice in the pan buttered side down, top with half of the cheese, the apple, bacon, the remaining cheese and finally the other slice of bread with the buttered side facing up.
Grill until golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.
So what do you think? Will you be giving this fun take on grilled cheese a try?
I am so excited and honored to be selected by BlogHer and Kraft Foods to be an ambassador for Cracker Barrel cheese. While I have been compensated for my time, my opinions are my own.
Did you know that April is National Grilled Cheese month? That is one month-long celebration that I can get on board with! Ever since my visit to Chicago with Cracker Barrel cheese, I’ve been so excited to get in the kitchen and experiment. One of my favorite cheeses is pepper jack. I love a little […]
A few weeks ago I was just minding my own business when the alert on my phone went off, politely informing me I had a new email. I expected it to be a spam comment notification from the blog, but soon realized it was a message from one of my absolute favorite companies – CB2. They wanted to work together on a little styling project. Oh snap! Talk about a major freak out. After collecting myself, I quickly responded, “Absolutely!” and the rest is history!
The plan was very simple. They would send me their colorful Go-cart Yellow Rolling Table, and I would style it in three ways. Pretty cool, right? Well, the day is finally here, and CB2 has shared my styling with the world – so I thought I would do the same here on IBC.
I basically used what I had in my house to style the piece in various ways. For all three examples, I considered style and functionality. Let’s take a look.
Style: This display is all about color. Some of my favorite design books in a rainbow palette gives an eclectic feel. The orchid adds drama and movement.
Function: An antique brass ashtray acts as a collect-all for jewelry. A unique lamp provides much needed lighting for late night reading.
Style: Clearly, I’m into gold these day. This pig bookend (also from CB2) has both style and whimsy! More books create a cooler color story and help to tie in the other accessories in the room.
Function: I kept the top fairly clutter free to allow for remote controls, snacks, and beverages. A vintage soda crate acts almost like a drawer for keeping things contained.
Style: An inexpensive bouquet of tulips brings life and color. Keeping similar items on their own shelves means organized interest.
Function: A simple tray on top keeps the liquor bottles looking neat, tidy, and purposeful. Perfectly sized-shelves are ideal for storing glasses and mixers.
I would say I successfully completed the challenge. I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to end up using the piece in my house. Right now it’s acting as a makeshift coffee table in my living room.
But, I’d love to know – which look did you like best?
A big thanks to the awesome folks at CB2 for the free cart in exchange for my styling expertise. I was not compensated or required to write this post, I was just over-the-moon excited to share this with all of you. Please note that the opinions, thoughts, and ideas listed above are my own.
A few weeks ago I was just minding my own business when the alert on my phone went off, politely informing me I had a new email. I expected it to be a spam comment notification from the blog, but soon realized it was a message from one of my absolute favorite companies – CB2. […]
I just realized this past weekend that it’s been over a month since my last A-Year-of-Yeast post. Can you believe it? This month has been pretty busy, and it completely slipped my mind. This week I’m actually making a recipe I already wrote about on IBC.
I made it a few years ago for Easter, and my mom requested that I make it again this year. Talk about perfect timing. Not only did it cover my Easter dinner contribution, but it doubles as a blog post.
You’ve probably seen these pull-apart breads floating around the Internet for a while now. There are all kinds: pumpkin, cinnamon sugar, pizza, etc. The list goes on and on. I actually have an idea for a new one, but I’m not sure how it will work. I’ll save that for next week.
If you love lemon, I promise that you will love this. And I’m telling you, if I can put this together, so can you. I think it looks and sounds more complicated than it actually is.
Yes, you have to measure the dough. Yes, I used a tape measure. That’s how everyone measures their dough, right? Other than that, I promise you it’s easy as pie. Well, bread.
I discovered this recipe at Clockwork Lemon who found it at 17 and Baking who got it from Flo Baker. Lots of wonderfully talented ladies. If you have some extra time, stop by and say hello.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Sweet Yeast Dough
2 3/4 cups (12 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 envelope) instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup (2 1/2 fluid ounces) whole milk
2 ounces unsalted butter
1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces) water
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
Lemon Sugar Filling
1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar
3 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest (3 lemons)
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
Tangy Cream Cheese Icing
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup (1 1/4 ounces) powdered sugar
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Let’s get baking:
We’ll start with the Sweet Yeast Dough. Mix two cups flour, the sugar, yeast, and salt in a medium bowl with a rubber spatula. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan or in the microwave, combine the milk and the butter and heat until the butter is melted. Remove from heat, add the water, and let rest a minute until just warm. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the milk mixture over the flour-yeast mixture and, using a rubber spatula, mix until the dry ingredients are evenly moistened. Attach the bowl to the mixer, and fit the mixer with the paddle attachment. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition just until incorporated. Stop the mixer, add 1/2 cup (2 1/4 ounces) of the remaining flour, and resume mixing on low speed until the dough is smooth, 30-45 seconds. Add 2 more tablespoons of flour and mix on medium speed until the dough is smooth, soft, and slightly sticky, about 45 seconds.
Lightly flour a work surface and knead the dough gently until smooth and no longer sticky, about one minute. Add an additional 1-2 tablespoons of flour only if the dough is too sticky to work. Place the dough in a large bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place (about 70°F) for 45-60 minutes or until doubled in size. (An indentation made with your finger should keep its shape.)
Meanwhile, make the Lemon Sugar Filling. Mix the sugar, lemon zest, and orange zest. This will draw out the citrus oils and make the sugar sandy and fragrant.
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9″x5″ loaf pan.
Gently deflate the dough with your hand. Flour a work surface and roll the dough into a 20″ X 12″ rectangle. Use a pastry brush to spread the melted butter evenly and liberally over the dough.
Use a pizza cutter (or knife if you’re like me) to cut the dough crosswise in five strips, each about 12″ X 4″. Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons of the lemon sugar over the first buttered rectangle. Lightly press sugar mixture into dough to keep it in place. Then, top it with a second rectangle, sprinkling that one with 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon sugar as well. Continue to top with rectangles and sprinkle, so you have a stack of five 12″ X 4″ rectangles, all buttered and topped with lemon sugar.
Slice this new stack crosswise, through all five layers, into 6 equal rectangles (each should be 4″ X 2″.) Carefully transfer these strips of dough into the loaf pan so that the cut edges are up, side by side. it might be a little roomy, but the bread will rise and expand after baking. Loosely cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place (70°F) until puffy and almost doubled in size, 30-50 minutes. (When you gently press the dough with your finger, the indentation should stay.)
Bake the loaf until the top is golden brown, 30-35 minutes. [Mine took longer than this, and it was still a little doughy in the middle even though the top had browned. I recommend using a cake tester to make sure it’s done, and covering the top with foil if it’s browning too quickly.] Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the Cream Cheese Icing. Using a wooden spoon in a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Then add the milk and lemon juice. Stir until creamy and smooth.
Flip the loaf over onto a cooling rack. Then flip the loaf onto another rack so that it’s right side up. Spread the top of the warm bread with the cream cheese icing, using a pastry brush to fill in all the cracks.
Have you made any of these pull-apart breads yet? Which one(s) do you recommend?
I just realized this past weekend that it’s been over a month since my last A-Year-of-Yeast post. Can you believe it? This month has been pretty busy, and it completely slipped my mind. This week I’m actually making a recipe I already wrote about on IBC. I made it a few years ago for Easter, and […]
I’m so excited about today’s post! Not only is there cake involved, but I’m teaming up with one of my favorite bloggers for an amazing food styling challenge that she is hosting on her blog. Amanda of I am Baker has asked twelve amazing bloggers to bake, style, and photograph cakes – chocolate cakes to be exact. Each month Amanda is featuring a different cake and blogger. How fun is that? And guess who is Mr. March? Yours truly!
The challenge was to bake a chocolate cake, and then, spending no more than $25, buy accessories and props to style the photoshoot. Thankfully, I can say I successfully completed the challenge. But you be the judge. Head over to I am Baker to read all about my experience.
I got a little carried away and ended up taking way too many pictures, so I’m sharing some of my favorites here along with a few that weren’t featured by Amanda. I hope you enjoy them. I would love to know what you think. Don’t forget to stop by I am Baker and give Amanda some IBC love! I am so thankful and excited she asked me to be part of the challenge!
Thanks, Amanda!
Cookies and Cream Cake
Here’s what you will need:
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 package Oreo cookies for garnish
Cream Cheese Frosting: (This recipe was doubled for this cake)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese (Use Philadelphia brand. Generic cream cheese is a no-no.)
1/4 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
Let’s get baking:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans (Line the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment paper, then butter the parchment.) Lightly dust the pans with flour, shaking out the excess. Set aside. (Instead of buttering and dusting, I just used an "oil baking spray with flour." Worked like a charm!)
Combine the chopped chocolate and cocoa powder in a small bowl. Add instant coffee granules to a cup of boiling water. Then pour the coffee into the chocolate and whisk until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until combined. In another bowl, stir together the sour cream, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add the liquid ingredients and the melted chocolate to the dry ingredients, and using a hand mixer (or stand mixer), beat on medium speed for two minutes.
Pour the batter into the cake pans and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in their pans on a rack for 30 minutes. Then remove from pans and allow to cool completely.
With an electric mixer, fitted with a whisk attachment; beat butter, salt, and cream cheese (on medium speed) until completely smooth. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla and about 1 tablespoon of cream, and continue beating. Slowly add the remaining 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Add an additional 1-2 tablespoons cream until desired consistency is reached.
Frost your cake with a layer of cream cheese frosting between the two cakes.
After your cake is frosted, chop up some Oreo cookies into bite-sized chunks and put them on your cake. Be as fancy as you like with your decoration or keep things simple and rustic with a mound on top.
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What do you think? Who wants a piece?
I’m so excited about today’s post! Not only is there cake involved, but I’m teaming up with one of my favorite bloggers for an amazing food styling challenge that she is hosting on her blog. Amanda of I am Baker has asked twelve amazing bloggers to bake, style, and photograph cakes – chocolate cakes to […]
