Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Banana Bread (again)

Made this again and it held up to the test of time. Always a solid recipe!


Banana Bread
Great way to use up those old bananas...

(I found this recipe in The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion: The All Purpose Baking Cookbook on page 80)

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 1/2 hours

Ingredients
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil ( I think I may have only used 1/4 cup.)
2-3 very ripe bananas (I used 3.)
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 2/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (I used a little over 2 cups.)
1 cup yogurt, buttermilk, or sour cream (I used sour cream.)
1 cup walnuts (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF
2. In a medium-size bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, and oil.
3. Blend in the mashed banana and vanilla
4. Whisk together then sift the baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.
5. Add above dry mixture to banana mixture.
6. Mix thoroughly then stir in the yogurt/sour cream/buttermilk until combined
7. Pour batter in a greased and floured 9 x 5 loaf pan (I used a glass pan and only greased it. It was fine.)
8. Bake the bread for about an hour, until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Note- if it begins to brown too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil after 40 minutes.
(Brown is not bad though! Mine turned out slightly over browned.. but it's still tasty.)




Cinnamon Rolls


Found this recipe on NYT Cooking and figured I'd give it a go! I used coconut milk instead of regular milk and honestly, I don't think it worked well - didn't end up as flaky. So, may have to give it a go again with regular milk. But, it still worked out and of course, anything with butter and cinnamon can't taste bad.

Cinnamon Rolls
Link to Recipe (Makes 9 rolls)

Prep Time: 45 minutes (plus resting)
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hr 20 minutes

Ingredients:
For the dough- 
1 cup whole milk (this is where I used coconut milk and perhaps should not have)
4 tbsp sugar
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (equivalent to 1 -1/4 ounce envelope)
4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 large egg
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Nonstick spray for the bowl



For the filling/assembly-
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
3 cups confectionary sugar (I only used 1 cup as this is just for the glaze)
5-6 tbsp whole milk or heavy cream (I used 2-3 tbsp of heavy cream for glaze)

Directions:
1. Warm milk in a small pop over medium heat until it is hot to the touch but not yet simmering
2. Add yeast and 2 tbsp sugar and whisk to dissolve/break up clumps
3. Let sit until it is foamy and starting to bubble (about 2-5 minutes)
4. Combine flour, remaining 2 tbsp sugar, baking powder, and salt and mix to combine.
5. Add milk mixture and egg. Stir to combine.
6. Add melted butter and stir until a shaggy lump of dough forms.
7. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until shiny and elastic, about 4-5 minutes. If it seems sticky, add a bit of flour.
8. Lighting grease large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm, draft free area for 1 1/2-2 hours.
9. Punch dough down to release any air that has built up. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or overnight)
10. Once the dough is chilled (it should feel firm), turn it on a lightly floured surface and make a 6x10 rectangular about 1/4-1/3" thick.
11. Melt butter.
12. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.
13. Brush dough with half of the melted butter and sprinkle sugar mixture on in an even layer (pat it down)
14. Drizzle remaining butter all over
15. Start at the end closest to you (e.g. long end) and roll up tightly, pressing lightly as you roll.
16. Cut log into 9 even pieces about 1 3/4" thick and put in a lightly-sprayed baking dish in a 3 x 3 rectangular with the spirals facing up.
17. Cover rolls with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft free area until they have puffed up a bit (e.g. 1 hour)
18. Heat oven to 375 and place rolls in oven for about 32-35 minutes until golden brown
19. Make glaze by mixing confectionary sugar and heavy cream. (It's better if it's a bit thicker. I made mine and transferred it to a small bag and cut a hole out of the corner of the bag to easily drizzle on- then saved the extra for later.)
20. Once rolls are done, drizzle the glaze on.
21. Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Muffins


Hi all! I'm back again and baking while we are in this quarantined time.


Sweet Potato Muffins
I augmented my butternut squash recipe this time to make sweet potato muffins. You could definitely use a sweet potato puree too or pumpkin, if you only have canned right now.


Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
1 cup sweet potato
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup leftover sweet potatoes with apples (optional)

*This would also be good with any form of nuts, dried fruit (like raisins), or chocolate chips

Directions
1. Pre-heat oven to 350º
2. Stab the sweet potato about 4 times (I like to do the middles of each side and the ends).
3. Stick in the microwave (it's the quickest) for about 5 minutes, turning halfway. 
4. Once done, take it out carefully and peel the sweet potato, getting the flesh into a bowl
5. Mash the sweet potato nicely, getting out all clumps.
6. Mix together all wet ingredients (oil, honey, eggs, water, leftovers, and squash)
7. Add dry ingredients (flour, salt, brown sugar, baking soda, and spices)
8. Mix until fully combined and smooth
9. Pour into greased or lined muffin tins until they are 3/4 full (I use an ice cream scoop for the perfect amount)
10.  Bake at 350º for about 18-20 minutes (or until top is golden brown and toothpick comes out clean)
11. Enjoy!