Category: Avid Baker Challenge

BLUEBERRY HAND PIES – OTHER FRUITS WELCOME!

 Hier geht's zur deutschen Version dieses Posts  Our ABC July project was exactly what I needed to welcome summer after a rain drenched June: Blueberry Hand Pies, a recipe from King Arthur Flour. These cute portion-sized pies combine two major food groups: buttery pastry and fruit!Since our wonderful native Maine blueberries were not ripe yet, … Continue reading BLUEBERRY HAND PIES – OTHER FRUITS WELCOME! →

HONEY OATMEAL BREAD – BEES WOULD LOVE IT

Hier geht's zur deutschen Version dieses Posts (folgt noch)It's already October, and still warm and nice. The cats are mostly outside, and Ruffi The Ruffian, our big red tom cat, comes in only when he pleases - he is the only one who can't be bribed by food. Roamin' Ruffi, for once at home, resting in … Continue reading HONEY OATMEAL BREAD – BEES WOULD LOVE IT →

VANILLA SPONGE CAKE – THE PERFECT PLUM COMPANION

 August did not start on a good foot - my husband broke his foot in July, and hobbled miserably on one leg and crutches for over six weeks.Not allowed to put the slightest weight on his foot (it was a tricky fracture that doesn't heal well) he spent a lot of time in bed, until … Continue reading VANILLA SPONGE CAKE – THE PERFECT PLUM COMPANION →

APRICOT-PLUM GALETTE – A CURE FOR "PIE ANXIETY"

Apricot-Plum Galette, juicy and tangyApricot-Plum Galette, a fruity, tangy dessert, was our Avid Bakers' Challenge for August. It came just right for these hot summer days.Abigail Dodge, author of "The Weekend Baker", calls a galette the "friendliest of all pies": ideal for people suffering from "pie anxiety". There is no double crust to deal with, … Continue reading APRICOT-PLUM GALETTE – A CURE FOR "PIE ANXIETY" →

CLASSIC FRUIT TART

Hier geht's zur deutschen Version dieses Posts A light, fruity dessert seems rather enticing, when temperatures reach almost 90 degrees.The blueberries, raspberries and blackberries in our garden are still green - (and the poor little strawberries get "slugged" before they are ripe), but the supermarket has now berries in good quality - not that watery … Continue reading CLASSIC FRUIT TART →

BRIOCHE BREAD – BRAIDED INTO SUBMISSION

Our ABC challenge for June was "Brioche Bread" - we bake our merry way through Abby Dodge's wonderful book: "The Weekend Baker". I was quite pleased with Hanaâ's choice (she is the instigator of this challenge), because I like brioches.My last memory of this buttery pleasure was my daughter's graduation from the New England Culinary … Continue reading BRIOCHE BREAD – BRAIDED INTO SUBMISSION →

SCRUMPTOUS SCONES FOR HURRIED PEOPLE

 The "Scrumptuous Scones for Hurried People" from the "Weekend Baker" was Hanaâ's Avid Bakers' Challenge for May.  Abby Dodge, the "Weekend Baker", has a heart for people in a hurry who need to whip up a batch of pastry without much ado, perhaps because their beloved in-laws pay a surprise visit, or hubby brings his … Continue reading SCRUMPTOUS SCONES FOR HURRIED PEOPLE →

POPPY SEED DINNER ROLLS

Hier geht's zur deutschen Version dieses PostsA great fan of crusty breads, I'm normally no friend of dinner rolls. I had them sometimes in restaurants, soft, bland and usually so pale that they seemed almost under-baked.I could never really understand why anybody would prefer to eat these fluff balls with their dinner instead of a … Continue reading POPPY SEED DINNER ROLLS →

DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

Hier geht's zur deutschen Version dieses Posts When I saw the original name of these: "Emergency Blender Cupcakes", I almost decided to skip this month's ABC challenge. "Emergency" sounds like "fast food", using "just some stuff you might have at hand", like "throwing something haphazardly together". In other words - not very enticing for an … Continue reading DARK CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES →

(UN)GLAZED CINNAMON ROLLS

Hier geht's zur deutschen Version dieses Posts (folgt noch)Fellow baker Hanaâ instigated me to buy yet another baking book - as if my bookshelves were not already buckling down under the weight of my cooking library. She invited me to join her ABC baking challenge, every month trying out a new recipe, currently from Abby … Continue reading (UN)GLAZED CINNAMON ROLLS →