Tag: Brown Sugar

Election Cake

I had no clue that Election Cake used to be a thing until I saw an article recently about this lost tradition! Recipes for Election Cake are found back to the late 18th century, but apparently the tradition has fallen off in recent years.

This yeasted spiced bundt fruitcake was traditionally prepared prior to Election Day and served to hungry voters.

For years, I was the machine inspector for every general and primary election in my South Philly polling location, so any attention I can bring to voting is super important to me! I am also down for any and all food holidays so let’s bring back Election Cake!

I don’t have a ton of experience using yeast, so I looked up a recipe from NY Times Food. Because of the yeast, there are two proofing times in this recipe, so set aside 4 to 6 hours to make this cake.

Ingredients (serves 10):

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 (¼-ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 lemon, divided
  • 2 eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 cup brandy, divided
  • ⅔ cup golden raisins
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Continue reading Election Cake

Homemade Apple Cider Donut Ice Cream

You read that correctly. Homemade Apple Cider Donut Ice Cream!

My love of pumpkin is well documented on this blog, so I’ve been trying to start including another fall favorite: apple cider!

This apple cider donut ice cream includes a base of apple cider flavored ice cream with chunks of apple cider donuts stirred throughout.

Ingredients (makes 1 quart):

  • 4 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 apple cider donuts, roughly chopped

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Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies

This recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies was a result of my desire to bring a different dessert to a gathering with some of my college friends. My friend who was hosting is a big fan of Strawberry Shortcake. That, plus my love for whoopie pies made Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies a no brainer!

These Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies are made of fresh whipped cream and sliced strawberries sandwiched between two vanilla cake-like cookies.

Ingredients:

Whoopie Pies:

  • 1 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 5 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Whipped Cream:

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Other Ingredients:

  • 3 cups strawberries, sliced

Continue reading Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies

Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream

You didn’t think I’d let October pass without sharing multiple new pumpkin recipe, did you? Especially with all the ice cream recipes I’ve been making lately, it should come as no surprise that I wanted to share a Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream recipe!

Pumpkin ice cream is my absolute favorite ice cream. More specifically, Woodside Farm Creamery‘s pumpkin ice cream — their version is so wonderfully rich and creamy!

So I knew it was about time I tried to make my own at home. This recipe uses egg yolks to achieve that uber creamy texture!

Ingredients (makes approximately 1 quart):

  • 4 cups heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 8 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree

Recommended tools (paid links):

Continue reading Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love all things pumpkin, both savory and sweet. Despite already sharing over 30 pumpkin recipes, I have yet to share a recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!

I am happy to finally rectify that huge oversight, and I promise these cookies were worth waiting for!

Ingredients (makes about 30 cookies):

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (I used mini, regular size work too)

Continue reading Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Apple Cider Whoopie Pies

My love for all things pumpkin is no secret. But it’s about time I gave apples their autumnal spotlight! These Apple Cider Whoopie Pies combine two of my favorite things – whoopie pies and apple cider donuts – to make an absolutely wonderful fall dessert.

If you’ve never had a whoopie pie before, they are just two cake-like cookies with a creamy frosting sandwiched in between. These Apple Cider Whoopie Pies have two spiced apple cider flavored cookies, coated in a cinnamon sugar, and then filled with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients (makes 10 whoopie pies):

Cookies:

  • 1 1/4 cups apple cider
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup apple butter
  • 1/4 cup sugar

Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2  vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 8 oz powdered sugar

Continue reading Apple Cider Whoopie Pies

Homemade Spiced Nuts

I hope you’ll allow me one more festive holiday recipe. Honestly, these Holiday Spiced Nuts are so tasty, they can (and should!) be enjoyed all year!

Around Thanksgiving, I was in Lancaster, PA and popped into Lancaster Central Market. While there, I stumbled upon Totally Nutz, which sells various cinnamon glazed nuts. They were so addicting, I wanted to try my own at home!

This recipe includes a bit more of the “holiday” spices than just cinnamon and includes four different types of nuts: pecans, walnuts, almonds, and cashews for a tasty sweet and spiced mixture!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup shelled pecans
  • 1 cup shelled walnuts
  • 1 cup roasted unsalted almonds
  • 1 cup unsalted roasted cashews
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Continue reading Homemade Spiced Nuts

Homemade Smoked Salmon Board

Note: I was sent an affiliate box of Oshēn Salmon’s Date Night Box in order to make this Homemade Smoked Salmon Board post. Opinions are mine alone.

You know I love a good appetizer board, especially this time of year. Charcuterie and cheese boards have always been my go-to for guests, largely because I can keep most ingredients on hand, so it makes it easy to throw something together. (I totally have an entire drawer in my fridge dedicated to cheese, so yeah, I’m usually prepared for an impromptu cheese board.)

But, as we’ve seen in recent years, boards have expanded quite a long way from your traditional charcuterie boards. So when Oshēn Salmon reached out with some awesome sounding recipes, including one for a homemade hot smoked salmon, my mind when right to making a Smoked Salmon Board.

Before I jump into the recipe, I wanted to share a bit about Oshēn Salmon. Oshēn Salmon is a salmon delivery company serving sustainably raised salmon to consumers nationwide in eco-friendly packaging.

Oshēn arrives seven days fresher than any retailer, which is a huge plus in my book!

source: oshensalmon.com

The team behind Oshēn set out to reframe the salmon-in-a-box concept into something more meaningful and aspirational. Everything from the packaging to the sustainable aquaculture practices, Oshēn’s mission is to lead the industry toward a cleaner environment for all.

source: oshensalmon.com

Back to the board! This Homemade Smoked Salmon Board is inspired by the impressive spread my in-laws tend to lay out for holiday breakfasts. Instead of a breakfast spread to layer on bagels, this version is more appetizer-like, perfect for brunch or as a party app. Also, instead of store-bought smoked salmon, I made my own hot smoked salmon, using Oshen Salmon’s recipe. The best part is you can make it right in your oven, no smoker needed!

Ingredients:

Hot Smoked Salmon:

  • 2 pounds fresh salmon fillets (Oshen Salmon’s Date Night Box is the perfect size for this)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons liquid smoke

Smoked Salmon Board:

  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 plum tomato, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup hummus, such as everything bagel hummus (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon capers, drained
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges, for the salmon
  • 1/2 cup bagel chips
  • 2 slices marble rye, cut into eighths

Continue reading Homemade Smoked Salmon Board

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been making this chocolate chip cookie recipe for years, and I always get compliments on how soft and chewy these cookies are. So yes, I am hereby declaring these the BEST chocolate chip cookies!

I’m actually surprised I haven’t posted this recipe before. Recently, I made a batch of these chocolate chip cookies, and one of my friend’s kids liked the recipe so much that she asked me for the recipe, and I realized my mistake. So, I am finally rectifying that issue!

This recipe is really easy to make, and the dough doesn’t need to rest in the fridge before baking! I do strongly suggest that you let the butter and egg come to room temperature though, it will make for a better cookie texture.

Ingredients (makes about 2 dozen cookies):

  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Continue reading The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Well. It became fall weather basically overnight, which means it is time for more slow cooker recipes! This recipe for Slow Cooker Short Ribs is melt-in-your-mouth tender and is basically the most comforting meal ever made when served over mashed potatoes.

This recipe is adapted from Delish and will definitely serve a crowd or can be made ahead of time and frozen.

Ingredients:

  • 5 lbs bone-in beef short ribs, sliced crosswise
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos to make gluten free)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped into thirds
  • 1 onion, cut into half moons
  • 5 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger paste
  • mashed potatoes, for serving
  • scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish
  • toasted sesame seeds, optional, for garnish

Continue reading Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Banana Walnut Bread

I recently came home after a weekend trip to some of the saddest looking bananas I’ve seen in a long time. Which means I spent my Monday making this super delicious Banana Walnut Bread!

This recipe largely uses typical pantry items, so the next time you find yourself with overripe bananas, there is a good chance you will already have everything on hand to make this banana bread — if you don’t have any walnuts, you can substitute another nut or omit them completely.

If kept in a sealed container at room temperature, the bread will last for 4 days so it’s perfect for breakfast for most of the week!

If you want to store it longer, you can also freeze the bread by wrapping it completely in plastic wrap before adding to your freezer.

Ingredients:

  • 3 medium very ripe bananas
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Continue reading Banana Walnut Bread

Walnut Whiskey Cake

Whiskey Cake is something that has shown up to family gatherings since before I can even remember. My mom makes this cake for basically all extended family celebrations, and it has become a favorite of mine. Recently, we were celebrating a friend’s birthday and I thought a Walnut Whiskey Cake would be the perfect birthday cake for him!

My version is a bit different than the one my mom makes, but the general gist is still there. I added some candied walnuts on top because, why not, but feel free to omit them.

The best part of this recipe is it is made with cake mix and instant vanilla pudding mix, making this cake both super easy to make and incredibly moist! Using a Bundt pan makes this cake look like it took you all day to make, but the hardest part of this recipe is patiently waiting for the glaze to soak into the cake before removing it from the Bundt pan.

Walnut Whiskey Cake Ingredients:

Cake:

  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 (15.25 oz) box yellow cake mix
  • 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
  • 2 oz whiskey or bourbon

Glaze:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (4 oz) whiskey or bourbon
  • the juice of 1/2 orange
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Candied Walnuts:

  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Continue reading Walnut Whiskey Cake

Irish Plum Pudding

In the 11 years I’ve been writing posts for this blog, I have never posted on Christmas Day!

This year, I decided to finally rectify that and bring a recipe for a Christmas Pudding. Plum Pudding is quite a misnomer (at least to us Americans) – it does not include any plums, and pudding is actually a cake, not a custard-like substance. The method of cooking the plum pudding was new to me too; you actually steam it on your stovetop rather than bake it!

This recipe for Irish Plum Pudding is adapted from a cookbook I have owned for a while (Christmas Flavors of Ireland– paid link), although, I have to admit, I think I royally Americanized the recipe into something different. So, here’s my American Not-Plum Bundt Cake!

Note: You’ll need a 6 cup bundt pan (paid link), and a pot large enough to fit the bundt pan inside (I used a large pot I use to make tomato sauce).

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup golden raisins
  • 1/4 cup dried figs, chopped
  • 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
  • 1/4 cup candied cherries (paid link), halved
  • 2 tablespoons candied orange peel, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons candied lemon peel, chopped
  • 1/3 cup spiced rum
  • the juice and zest of 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup stem ginger (paid link), finely chopped
  • 1 apple, peeled, cored, and grated
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional Bourbon Butter, for serving:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon

Continue reading Irish Plum Pudding

Chocolate Creme De Menthe Cookies

Note: I was sent some baking tools from OXO in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

It’s that time of year again – OXO’s Bake a Difference Campaign is live! Every year, OXO supports Cookies for Kids’ Cancer and the fight against pediatric cancer. Before I share my cookie recipe, I wanted to tell you a bit about Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer (CFKC) is a nonprofit founded by two OXO employees after their son, Liam, was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Through grassroots bake sales across the country, CFKC raises funds to develop new, improved and less toxic treatments for childhood cancer. Liam Witt’s legacy lives on as the organization works toward a cure for pediatric cancer, helping children and families everywhere.

Every year, OXO supports CFKC by encouraging people to bake and share. OXO sent me a bunch of baking goodies to help me get my creative juices flowing so I can share a new cookie recipe. This year’s kit included a 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set, Silicone Baking Cups (paid link), Non-Stick Pro 2 Piece Sheet Pan Set, and 3-Piece POP Round Canister Graduated Set.

For every cookie baked, OXO donates $1 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer up to $100,000, so here is my new cookie this year to support the cause and spread the word!

Here are some of my old cookie swap and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer posts, in case you’re in a baking mood:

To help support, you can also register for the Bake a Difference campaign and host a virtual bake sale or an in-person event!

Moving to this year’s cookie: These Creme de Menthe Cookies are chocolate crinkle cookies with a chocolatey mint center. It is based off a cookie recipe I found in an Amish Community Cookbook (paid link) I’ve had for years.

Ingredients (makes about 3 dozen cookies):

  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons coffee
  • 1 teaspoon coffee extract (can substitute vanilla extract)
  • 1 (12 oz package) semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup Andes mint baking chips (paid link)

Continue reading Chocolate Creme De Menthe Cookies

Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge

A couple of years ago, I made some Gingerbread Fudge and was amazed at how easy it was to make!

So when I had a craving recently for some boardwalk fudge and I was nowhere near the beach, I figured I’d just make my own!

This recipe for Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge uses just six ingredients to make a rich, creamy, peanut butter-y treat.

Ingredients:

  • 3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 (16 oz package) light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Continue reading Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge

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