Monday, May 29, 2006

Apple Brown Betty

Memorial day potluck... Apple Brown Betty. The recipe for this was from a Cook's Illustrated issue I got about two years ago and I just now got to make it. Not counting the prep time for chopping and whatnot, this dish was pretty quick and simple to make. First, toasting breadcrumbs, butter, and brown sugar on the stove. Then, cooking butter, chopped apples, more brown sugar, and a bit of cinnamon and ginger, reusing the same pan. At the very end, adding some apple cider and lemon juice, tossing in half of the breadcrumbs, and garnishing with the rest. Basically an apple pie casserole.

Apple Brown Betty - ingredients Apple Brown Betty - chopped apples Apple Brown Betty - bread crumb topping Apple Brown Betty - bread crumb topping, browned Apple Brown Betty - cooking apples Apple Brown Betty Apple Brown Betty - closeup

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Strawberry Cream Cake

My siblings and I put together a little parade of desserts for Mother's Day and this was my contribution... a Strawberry Cream Cake, recipe courtesy of Cook's Illustrated magazine. Layers of vanilla sponge cake filled with a chopped strawberry mixture and a really rich whipped cream and cream cheese frosting. Good stuff, and photogenic.

Strawberry Cream Cake - batter ingredients Strawberry Cream Cake - folding in whipped egg whites Strawberry Cream Cake - folding in whipped egg whites Strawberry Cream Cake - cake layers Strawberry Cream Cake - strawberries tossed with sugar Strawberry Cream Cake - mixing filling Strawberry Cream Cake - ready to assemble Strawberry Cream Cake - perimeter of strawberry halves Strawberry Cream Cake - layer of strawberry fililng Strawberry Cream Cake - layer of cream cheese whipped cream Strawberry Cream Cake Strawberry Cream Cake

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Double Chocolate Espresso and Cashew Cookies

For shipment to various friends around the country, I made a double batch of Double Chocolate Espresso and Cashew Cookies. Cocoa and instant coffee (I can't find powdered espresso anywhere) in the dough, with chocolate chips and chopped, toasted cashews mixed in. I know not absolutely everyone likes chocolate, but it's usually a fairly safe bet. Also made a few regular chocolate chip cookies. Both recipes were from The Great Book of Chocolate. Hope everyone enjoys them.

Double Chocolate Espresso and Cashew Cookies - ingredients Double Chocolate Espresso and Cashew Cookie Dough Double Chocolate Espresso and Cashew Cookie Dough Double Chocolate Espresso and Cashew Cookies two kinds of chocolate chip cookies Blue Chip Chocolate Chip Cookies

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Fresh Ginger Cake

Tonight I made the Fresh Ginger Cake from Room for Dessert. Why? Because I just needed to bake something tonight. I was starting to think my whole kitchen might start to atrophy. David Lebovitz extols this recipe in his book, so I'm really looking forward to trying it tomorrow. I'm bringing it in to work, so coworkers... start your engines.

Fresh Ginger Cake - ingredients Fresh Ginger Cake - dry ingredients & wet ingredients Fresh Ginger Cake - batter Fresh Ginger Cake