Still half asleep I instinctively rolled over to check the time, fumbling for my phone with my eyes still closed. My near slumber state was rudely interrupted as the numbers on my phone flashed 7:30 am.

In an instant the morning had begun. In a matter of 15 minutes we would have to feed three kids breakfast, find and pack a backpack, select the perfect snack for the day, dress, brush, wash, and put on shoes. If you are a parent you’ll know that sometimes just the act of putting on shoes takes 15 minutes.

Although we typically like to allow for more time in the morning this scenario is not unlike five of the seven days in our week. The topic of weekend breakfasts starts being discussed around Wednesday as we debate pancakes or waffles and what, if any, additions will be present. By Saturday morning we are all relieved to not have to rush through our morning routine.

The way this week has already begun I think it is going to take more than simple pancakes and waffles to ease us into the weekend. It seems this week needs to be capped with something over the top. Like perhaps two slices of thick cut Challah dipped in a French toast-like batter then spread with creamy Mascarpone, topped with pleasantly tart plumped dried apricots and in case that may not be enough, a fine grating of dark chocolate floats on top. Then maybe it’s capped with another piece of bread before hitting a hot gril. When the bread has cooked through and is crisp on top, the cheese has melted and the chocolate succumbs to the heat holding it all together a drift of powder sugar descends and finishes it off.

Yes, I think that would do the weekend quite nicely.

This post was made possible by Wisconsin Cheese. After getting spending way to much time drooling over all the inventive grilled cheese creations on their site we created a video with them (Gabe shot it – they edited) demonstrating how to make this sandwich. Watch it here then enter their contest with your favorite grilled cheese recipe.

Check out the other great grilled cheese recipes from Sara and Kelsey. Of course, leave it to me to add sweetness and chocolate to my grilled cheese. Typical.

Grilled Mascarpone cheese with Apricots and Chocolate

This decadent dish is similar to a stuffed french toast teetering the line of eat-with-your-hands or a fork. Either way it’s indulgent and decidedly delicious. Tart, lightly sweet, and showered in dark chocolate – a special way to welcome in those leisurely weekends.

Stewed Apricots

1 cup dried apricots
1 teaspoon orange zest
juice from one large orange
vanilla bean, split down the middle
½ cup water

Combine all the ingredients in a small sauce pan. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cover and continue to simmer until most of the liquid is gone.
Use a wooden spoon to smash and break up the apricots just a bit.
Let cool for about 20 minutes, or until just warm.

Bread Dip

3 eggs
1 cup milk
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon sugar
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Whisk all the ingredients together in a shallow bowl or pie plate.

For the sandwich you’ll need:

1 loaf Challah or Brioche cut in 1” slices
1 8oz tub Mascarpone
I recipe stewed apricots
1 recipe bread dip
3 oz dark chocolate

.
Pre-heat an indoor grill or grill pan.
Quickly dip one slice of bread into the bread dip and let the excess drip off.
Add about 2 Tablespoons Mascarpone to the bread. Top with several pieces of stewed apricots and finish with finely shaved dark chocolate.
Top the sandwich with another piece of bread that has been quickly dipped in the bread dip.
Immediately grill until grill marks form, cheese and chocolate are melted and the bread is cooked through – about 5-7 minutes.
Slice, dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

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Because there are some mornings that call for donut holes.

Like a morning when friends come over to learn more about coffee knowing that we, or more accurately, my husband, knows a thing or two about it and that we have eight, or so, brewing methods.

Or when the sun appears for the first time since the calendar declared, “it’s SPRING!” And although it feels more like Winter than Spring, deep down you sense it’s coming and begin to arrange the rhubarb baking schedule and direct your thoughts towards asparagus and away from earthy root vegetables.

A morning when the kids play contentedly around you and the google calendar reminds you that you have an entire day with nothing to do but simply be present.

Or one that finds you urging your slow moving 5 year old to hurry up as the clock ticks on seemingly mocking your tardiness and you glance to the counter spying a few leftover donut holes from the day before.

Then there is a morning when you sit alone with your feet perched on a tattered grizzly bear foot rest and the silence is interrupted from the crackling of a fireplace and the soft crashing of rolling waves. When you write at a leisurely pace and linger over cookbooks, dreaming of recipe ideas and menus, realizing that you are doing exactly what you were created for and taking that in as the incredible gift that it is.

These are the mornings for donut holes.

Brown Butter Donut Holes

5 Tablespoons butter

1 cup (8 1/2 oz) milk (I use whole)

1 egg

1 1/2 cups (10 oz) all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (3 oz) whole wheat flour

2 Tablespoons (1 oz) brown sugar

1 1/2 Tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

oil for frying

For dipping:

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

In a small saucepan add the butter. Bring to a boil and cook until the milk solids present in the butter turn a nutty brown color. Carefully swirl the pan so you can periodically check the color of the butter. Immediately take it off the heat when you smell a fragrant nuttiness and the butter is golden.

Whisk the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Combine the milk and the egg in a small bowl and whisk to break up the egg. Stir the milk, egg and browned butter into the dry ingredients being careful not to overmix.

Heat 2-3″ of oil in a deep sauce pan. Once the oil has reached 360* carefully drop a tablespoon size mounds of dough into the oil. Fry a few at a time watching the oil temperature making sure it stays around 360*. Fry until deep golden, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully move the donuts around in the oil for even frying.

Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the warm donuts to the cinnamon and sugar and roll around until well coated. Serve immediately.

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Even though they had sat in a hotel warmer for longer than I had been awake those little Dutch pancakes or Pannenkoeken (trying saying it, it’s quite fun) were something special. Lightly sweet and airy in an unfamiliar way. Usually I hail pancakes for their fluffiness, these are not fluffy at all, rather they delightfully teeter on the line of crepe or pancake.

I thoroughly examined their little holes that covered their surfaced and wandered how they differed from the pancakes that we make nearly every Saturday morning. There was no chemical taste from the presence of leaveners but instead a well-developed flavor that extends beyond just “sweet”.

I’ve never been much of a fan of pancakes. Really the only reason why I do make them so often is because my kids love them and I find it rather idealic to think of them growing up with the memory of our weekend long breakfast tradition, but these pancakes have me changing my mind.

A couple things set these apart. For one they are made with yeast. Their bubbles aren’t chemically created by the presence of baking soda or powder but instead with the addition of yeast and a bit of time. Had I been more patient I would have tried letting this batter rest in the fridge over night as I imagine the flavor would have even been better. I can not confirm this, however because we ate it all in one sitting.

Secondly, there is a hearty amount of whole grain buckwheat in here. The pannenkoeken I found in the Netherlands weren’t as dark but I’m sticking to my version. I was skeptical as I smelled the batter and thought it smelled too healthy for my liking but as they cooked up the buckwheat softened and added intrigue and depth that can’t be found in a recipe using all all-purpose flour.

Maybe it’s because I love saying “pannenkoeken” or because I love the lightness or the depth of flavor from yeast and buckwheat flour or possibly it’s because they are the perfect vessel for loads of jam and powdered sugar. Whatever the reason, these are soon to become a family tradition, one in which I hope my kids will remember with great fondness.

Yeasted Buckwheat Pancakes

1 generous cup/ 4 ¼ oz all-purpose flour
1 generous cup/ 4 ¼ oz buckwheat flour
2 teaspoons yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups warm milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
¼ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla or ½ vanilla bean
2 Tablespoons butter, for the skillet

Combine the flours, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Gently stir in the remaining ingredients (except the butter) until everything is well combined. The batter is very wet.

Let sit for at least one hour, until many bubbles start forming.

Pre-heat a sturdy pan (cast iron is my favorite) on medium heat. Add a bit of the butter to the hot pan and let melt.

Carefully pour in enough batter to form 3-4” pancakes. Let cook until the entire surface is covered in crater-like bubbles. Flip and cook about 2 minutes more.

Keep warm in a gently warmed oven.

Serve with jam, syrup, powdered sugar, and lemon slices – if you like.

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The stockings are nearly full, the gifts are either wrapped or en route to our home, and countless cups of cocoa have been consumed. There has been Christmas music playing for weeks, opening of advent doors, and readings of a humble birth. We’ve seen lights, reindeer, a Space Needle all lit up, and a camel named Curly. With only a few more traditions to cross off our list the day is approaching quickly and we all are counting the sleeps.

It’s true, I’m giddy at the thought of nine kidlets and cousins joyfully tearing into their presents, and thrilled to imagine the warmth of a fire I’ll sit next to for countless hours, but it’s this coffee cake that is making the days leading up to Christmas feel as if they are taking far too long to pass.

I made this cake last week to test if it was Christmas morning worthy. Since then I’ve resisted making it again and again. Now the anticipation is making me weak.

Let me assure you, it is Christmas morning worthy.

This coffee cake makes eating cake seem perfectly appropriate for a morning’s activity. And really Christmas morning needs no excuse to be eating cake, but this one avoids being overtly sweet with layers of tanginess from both creme fraiche and cream cheese. A subtle citrus flavor runs throughout complementing the soft bitterness from the cocoa nibs.

Let’s pause there for a moment so I can convince you that your pantry needs cocoa nibs. It wasn’t until a couple weeks ago when I myself felt no need to have cocoa nibs be a part of my regular routine. Then a packaged arrived from the kind people at Theo chocolate. There were many delightful things inside but it was the nibs that intrigued me the most.

Cocoa nibs are cocoa beans that have been roasted and cracked. They’re bitter and nearly savory and yet you can recognize that it’s chocolate. They look as though their texture could break your teeth but as you bite into them it’s a gentle crunch that softens as the cocoa butter melts. In this coffee cake they are the perfect accessory for texture and flavor and one of the many reasons that makes this cake worthy of a holiday morning.

Happy Holidays to you all!

Cocoa Nib Coffee Cake

This recipe appears a bit daunting by the sheer length of it. I know I would roll my eyes at all the steps but I assure you all those messy bowls are well worth the trouble. I am counting down the days until Christmas morning when I will enjoy this coffee cake once again.

2 cups all-purpose flour (you can substitute half whole wheat if you prefer)

1 teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar

1 ½ sticks (3/4 cup) butter, soft

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup creme fraiche (or sour cream)

Pre-heat your oven to 350*F. Butter a tube pan or a bundt pan.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat the butter and sugars together until creamy and light, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Add the eggs one at a time while the mixer is on medium low. Add the vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again then add the creme fraiche. With the mixer on low add the dry ingredients. Stop the mixer while streaks of flour remain. Finish mixing by hand to prevent over mixing.

Set aside ½ cup of the batter.

Cream Cheese Filling

4 oz cream cheese, soft

1 Tablespoon butter, soft

¼ teaspoon orange zest

2 Tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup coffee cake batter (reserved from above)

Beat in a mixer or medium bowl until smooth. Stir in ½ cup cake batter.

Topping

½ cup almonds

¼ cup brown sugar

2 Tablespoons butter, melted

½ teaspoon cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

¼ teaspoon salt

⅓ cup cocoa nibs (can be found at fine grocery stores, specialty food stores or ordered online)

Add ingredients, except the cocoa nibs, to the bowl of a food processor and processor until coarse crumb. Stir in the cocoa nibs.

Add half of the cocoa nib crumble to the bottom of the pan. On top of that add half of the batter. The batter is stiff and hard to spread around without disturbing the crumble so I find that spooning the batter into the pan works best. Add a layer of cream cheese filling around the ring than cover with the remaining batter.Try and make sure no cream cheese is left exposed so as not to burn that layer.

Top with the remaining crumbling topping.

Bake in a pre-heated oven for 45-50 minutes until an inserted knife comes out clean.

Let cool on a wire rack for about an hour before running a knife around the edge of pan then inverted. Invert the cake one more time so it’s back to the original baking position. Served warm is best but it’s also great the day after baking (even the day after the day after).

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My preference is for pie in the morning. A deep dish loaded with seasonal fruit lightly sweetened with sugar wrapped in a buttery crust – a perfectly balanced meal I’d say.

I often wake up with the first thought of the morning leaning towards pastries. At home scones are practically a sixth member of the family. Softly sweet, tender and flaky. Warm with a bit of jam running down it’s sugary top.

If I’m not quite awake and ready to cut in cold butter with flour than I simply walk around the corner to our neighborhood bakery and choose from an assortment of fresh baked goods.

With the lines happily blurred between breakfast and dessert in my mind it’s no wonder why I was so drawn to this breakfasty version of Creme Brulee.

Tangy and thick Greek yogurt is given the brulee treatment with a light dusting of sugar.

Let’s start from the beginning. The idea came from Nigel Slater, as many of my latest inspirations have. His book, Real Fast Food, is one of few books that I cook from again and again. Many pages are stuck together, glued shut from random cooking splatterings. Many pages are marked with recipes and ideas to try and I’ve had the book for not quite three weeks.  In this small photo-less book there are over 350 recipes – all of them simple, using few ingredients with most of which you probably have on hand. Some are mere guidelines as is the case of the one we are discussing currently.

Nigel says to use a small ramekin or a shallow dish that may be the perfect home for a quiche on another morning. In the bottom of your dish place a handful of berries. I happened to have raspberries, Nigel had blackberries. In an act of defiance I covered my berries with a few passes of honey. On top of the berries there is yogurt. Level the top with a fine coat of sugar. Torch or broil to get a caramel, crisp cap. From my formal brulee training we would coat the custard with three fine layers of sugar torching in between each passing. The result was a deeply caramelized, sturdy and dense sweet layer that shattered with a mighty plunge of the spoon. So that’s what I did.

If you are using the broiler, stick the dish of sugared yogurt directly under the preheated broiler for about 2-3 minutes, or until the sugar caramelizes into a golden crust.

Top your breakfast brulee with more fresh berries. Now, of course this could also double as an elegant dessert. Simple, subtly sweet yet fancy and sophisticated as things are when they have a French name associated with them.

*For those who have asked (Hi, Crystal!) This is the torch I use.

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I was both honored and slightly frightened when Shauna (Gluten-Free Girl) asked me to bake a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving recipe. I’ve made a few gluten-free items before but they were completely flour-free. This time I wanted to challenge myself and have fun playing with completely new-to-me flours. I love a good challenge.

Now I understand that you may be confused as to why I chose Biscotti as a Thanksgiving baked good. Well, it may be partially because I happen to be craving Biscotti but also I do think that it is the perfect light breakfast or tea time snack to have when a rather large meal in eminent.

As I mentioned in my last post I don’t do much of the cooking on Thanksgiving. My mom takes care of the bird, my aunts bring the appetizers, others take care of the sides and my Grandma is the pie lady. Not even I can compete with Grandma’s pumpkin pie. It’s the same every year. Perfect.

But what I can bring is a little sweet snack for the busy cooks. And now so can you.

My husband was leery of my biscotti. Not because of its gluten-freeness but because he’s not a fan of the brick-like qualities of many biscotti. Hard to bite unless you let it soak in your coffee leaving you with gloopy biscotti sludge at the end of your cup. Not all bad but not always ideal.

So after biting into my biscotti his once timid and frightened face brightened as the texture was pleasantly softer than most while still maintaining the likable sturdiness associated with this Italian treat.

There was a nice crunch from the coarsely ground almonds that made up the almond flour. The cocoa powder gave a pleasant richness while not being too sweet. Really the perfect accompaniment to a good cup of coffee while taking a brief break from all the joyous cooking. And if you are planning ahead this would also make a lovely little Christmas gift along with some coffee beans perhaps.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Biscotti

1/2 cup almond flour*

1/4 cup sorghum flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup potato starch

1/4 cup brown rice flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon xanthan gum

1/2 teaspoon salt (I use kosher, use 1/4 t. if use regular fine salt)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup mini white chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 350*. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine flours, cocoa powder, baking powder, xanthan gum and salt. Whisk. In the bowl of a stand mixer or with a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes on medium. Scrape down the bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time. Mix to combine then scrape down the bowl with a spatula.

On low speed, carefully add the dry ingredients. When almost all mixed add the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Mix to combine. Remove from the mixer and use a spatula to make sure all the ingredients are incorporate. The dough will be very wet.

Dump the dough on the baking sheet and form into a “log”.  About 6 inches wide, 12 inches long and 1 inch thick. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20-25 minutes. Until it is mostly firm with a bit of softness or give in the center. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

Carefully transfer the log to a cutting board and cut, using a serrated knife, in bias strips about 1 inch wide. Carefully (they are quite fragile) place biscotti back on the baking sheet with the cut side facing up.

Bake for another 15 minutes until crispy. They will crisp fully once cooled.

Let cool completely before serving.

Makes about 1 dozen biscotti. Keep in an airtight container for up to one week.

*I used about 3/4 sliced almonds. I toasted them until golden. When they cooled I ground them in a food processor until fairly fine. I didn’t sieve it because I wanted some nice almond texture.

And as I’ve said before please check out Shauna and Danny’s book, Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef, it’s a delight for the eyes and mouth. Even if you do eat gluten you will love this book. The recipes are classic, inventive and drool-inducing.

Shauna and Danny have organized a virtual Thanksgiving feast this year. Be sure to check out all the delicious posts in the round-up and join in the fun to win some incredible prizes. Check out Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef for all the info.

And be sure to have a peak at all the other participants.

More Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Dishes

• Andrea’s Recipes | gluten-free pumpkin scones
• Not Without Salt | gluten-free chocolate biscotti
• Zest Bakery | warm pumpkin polenta with goat cheese
• The Mommy Bowl | gluten-free bread
• CakeSpy | turkey meatloaf cupcakes
• Blue Bonnets and Brownies | apple and pear cobbler
• Smith Bites | gluten-free celery root soup with cashew cream
• White on Rice Couple | Turkey Sloppy Joes on Rosemary Rolls
• What’s Gaby Cooking | gluten-free molasses cookies
• Kitchen Gadget Girl | gluten-free pumpkin strata
• Wasabimon! | gluten-free butternut squash pie
• Rookie Moms | chocolate peanut butter brownies
• Tiffin Tales | gluten-free Thanksgiving torte
• Adventures of a Gluten-Free Mom | gluten, dairy and egg free crescent rolls and cinnamon rolls
• Eat the Love | Gluten Free Maple Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Gingerbread Bottom
• Gluten-Free Doctor Recipes | gluten-free sourdough rosemary rolls and gluten-free mincemeat cookies
• The Art of Gluten-Free Baking | gluten-free pumpkin pie
• Sophisticated Gourmet | cranberry-almond-coconut macaroons topped with chocolate
• Cook 4 Seasons | gluten-free pumpkin mousse
• Cook It Allergy Free | Cornbread and (Shauna’s) Crusty Bread Stuffing
• Lexie’s Kitchen | dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, no-bake pumpkin pie filling
• Recipe Girl | an entire Thanksgiving menu, gluten-free
• Two Peas and Their Pod | gluten-free apple cranberry crisp
• Gluten-Free for Good | gluten-free cherry cobbler
• My Madeleine | butternut squash soup.
• The Sensitive Pantry | gluten-free brown sugar hand pies
• Art and Lemons | gluten-free rustic squash tarts
• Bellalimento | Gluten Free Pumpkin Roll with Mascarpone and Nutella Filling
• Mom Food Project | an entire Thanksgiving, gluten-free
• Gluten-Free Easily | candy carrot coins
• Dish Towel Diaries | kale Caesar slaw.
• A Baking Life | gluten-free gingerbread cake
• Glugle Gluten-Free | gluten-free pumpkin muffins
• Wenderly | sweet and savory prosciutto cups
• Cannelle Et Vanille | sweet potato and crabapple clafoutis
• Food for My Family | gluten-free apple pie cheesecake
• Who Ate My Tomato | gluten-free squash tart
• What’s Cooking with Kids | gluten-free apple crisp
• Blue Bonnets and Brownies | apple and pear cobbler
• CakeSpy | turkey meatloaf cupcakes

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Pancakes have a way of making mornings feel special. One can’t help but smile as they bite into a pile of fluffy, pillow-like cakes that are made moist with a bath of syrup.

Around here we have pancakes quite often. I guess we like our mornings to feel special. Or I just love how excited my kids get when they see me grabbing the flour, sugar, baking powder and syrup from the cupboards. They know what’s coming and they’re eager to get involved in the dumping and mixing. Grabbing their aprons and pushing the “baking” chairs up to the counter the flour starts to fly.

I’m not one to be satisfied with just butter and syrup for my pancakes. Because of this we have gone through many pancakes phases depending on the season and my mood. One of our all-time favorites is chocolate chip pancakes served with a heaping pile of unsweetened. cold, whipped cream.

Lately our pancakes have been slathered with blueberry butter. A lightly sweetened butter is mashed with fresh blueberries to create a new, fun and extremely delicious addition to our pancakes.

I imagine this butter would be equally thrilling on scones, muffins, quickbreads, etc. I know for a fact that it makes a great quick breakfast when slathered on toast.

But for now, I’m sticking with pancakes.

Basic Pancakes

3 tablespoons sugar

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 tablespoons butter, melted

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup + 3 tablespoons milk

Whisk the sugar, eggs and vanilla until lightened and foamy. Stir in the melted butter. Add the flour, salt and baking powder then stir in the milk to create a smooth batter. Vigorously whisk briefly to remove lumps.

Use a non-stick skillet that is lightly greased with pan spray or butter. Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto the pan when the butter or oil is sizzling. Fry until bubbles appear on the surface, then carefully flip. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the other side – until golden.

Serve pancakes with softened Blueberry Butter and warmed pure Maple Syrup.

Blueberry Butter

adapted from Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros
1 stick butter, salted (or add 1/4 tsp salt), softened

1 1/2 Tablespoons Confectioner’s sugar

3/4 cup fresh blueberries

Combine the butter and the sugar. Mash the blueberries with the butter until the butter is lightly colored from the blueberry skins. You still want to maintain lots of nice blueberry chunks, so be careful not to over mash.

Store in the fridge for up to one week.

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Grandma always goes overboard at Christmas. With 14 grandchildren and by now I’ve completely lost tract of the number of great-grandchildren – just this year there will be three new babies (ours included), yet she blesses us abundantly. But no Christmas bag is complete without a fresh baked loaf of Grandma’s banana bread.

This year I nearly shed tears as I tore through my bag and found no banana bread. Everyone else proudly held their loaves and some began to devour them, while I was left loaf-less. Quickly grandma realized the tragic mistake and performed  a Christmas miracle by uncovering the missing loaf and giving it to its rightful owner – me.

Grandma graciously shared her recipe with me. Our family has made a few adjustments – like the addition of dark chocolate chunks – however delightful the additions are they aren’t necessary. Grandma’s recipe has been providing Christmas cheer for many years and hopefully many more to come.

Many of the changes I make in recipe are out of laziness. This recipe makes two loaves but rather then searching through my messy baking pan cupboard I blindly reached in and grabbed one loaf pan and a cupcake pan. Laziness pays off sometimes as the banana bread cupcakes were a perfect snack size for my little munchers.

And for frosting? A large smear of butter is just what it wants.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

6 ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 cup canola oil (or coconut oil)

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs beaten

1 tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

4 cups flour

1 bag dark chocolate chips (Ghiradelli 60% chips work nicely)

Mix in order. Fill two greased loaf pans 3/4 full. You can also bake these as cupcakes. Fill the pan 3/4 full and bake about 20 minutes in a pre-heated 350* oven.  The loaves generally take about an hour. For both the cupcakes and the loafs you want a knife or a toothpick to come out clean.

Cool completely. Serve with plenty of butter.

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Last year we started a Thanksgiving morning tradition. We eat a Pomegranate.

It just so happened that we had one lying on the counter as Gabe and I were discussing traditions we want to start with our young family. Suddenly a simple and delicious tradition was born.

Last night Gabe ran to the store to grab our annual Pomegranate and this morning the boys had devoured the ruby jewels before Gabe was out of bed.

This year I started another tradition. Cranberry Pecan Rolls. With the help of flour, yeast and water I was well on my way to creating an aromatic welcome to this day devoted to thanks and eating.

I started the dough last night and in the morning all I had to do was roll, stuff and bake.

This is one sweet tradition that is sure to last – besides, it helps stretch your stomach for the big meal waiting later in the day.

Cranberry Pecan Rolls

These rolls are a seasonal sibling to the traditional cinnamon roll. I love the tartness from the cranberries – but of course the best part is the cream cheese frosting – tangy and not too sweet. Perfect.

1 recipe sweet bread dough (I use Rhulman’s Ratio for bread – 3 cups water, 5 cups flour, salt, little sugar and yeast. I also added 3 tbl melted butter).

1 1/2 cups toasted pecans

2 cups dried cranberries

1 tsp vanilla

juice and zest from one orange

1 stick butter, softened

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

I like to make the dough the night before and give it time to slowly proof in the fridge. In the morning I take it out 30 minutes before I plan to roll it so it has a chance for the chill to subside.

Roll out the dough into a rectangle about 1/2″ thick.

In a small bowl combine the softened butter, dark brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Spread this mixture all over the dough. Then sprinkle with the toasted pecans.

In another small bowl combine the dried cranberries, vanilla, juice and zest. Microwave for one minute. Stir and let the cranberries soak up all those wonderful flavors.

Sprinkle the cranberries over the dough.

Tightly roll up the dough starting from the bottom. Slice 1″ round and place in a greased baking dish. Do not overcrowd as they will grow quite a bit. Cover the rolls with a clean cloth and let rise for 30 minutes while you pre-heat the oven to 350*.

Bake for 30-40 minutes until light golden in color. Remove from the oven and let cool while you make the frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. Cream Cheese (softened)

1 tbl. Sour Cream

4 oz. Butter (softened)

1/4 tsp. Salt

1 tsp Vanilla

1/2 vanilla bean (optional but highly recommended)

1 cup Powdered Sugar

Combine all ingredients and beat until smooth. To avoid lumps make sure the butter and cream cheese are very soft.

Let the rolls cool slightly before slathering on the frosting.

Devour.

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I didn’t have children so that I could have a crew of sous chefs ready and waiting to assist me with the day’s menu or follow me around with a mop and broom cleaning up all my inevitable disasters. But as it turns out that is in fact one of the MANY perks of having a little brood.

Having just turned 3, Baron is actually becoming more of a help than a hindrance in the kitchen. Previously when agreeing to his assistance the piles of flour and sugar surrounding the bowl would be greater than those actually in the bowl. Fingers and tongues would graciously clean up the fallen sweet snow (actually this still happens but we’re working on it – hopefully this habit will be kicked before he goes to work in an actual kitchen).

I have also figured out that, while I’m not cut out to be a homeschooling mom I do believe I can teach my children everything they need to know through baking. Think about it – math, chemistry, biology – all covered. While studying the origins of certain baked goods and desserts you’ll learn history, geography and sociology. And then there are the underlying lessons learned such as patience, discipline & self-control (this comes through not eating ALL of the cookie dough before it has a chance to be baked) organization (which I am still working on) and sharing – in my opinion, the best part of cooking and baking.

With his apron on and fingers ready to help sample the sugar my sous chef was as excited as I was to assist with the day’s lesson: Danish Dough.

We used two books as our guide, Baking & Pastry and The Art & Soul of Baking. Get ready because this is quite a process but like most (if not, all) things that are surrounded by layers of butter – it is well worth the work and wait.

Danish Dough (Detrempe)
from The Art & Soul of Baking

1/2 cup warm whole milk (4 oz.)
1 tsp. + 2 tbl. sugar (1 oz.)
1 tbl. instant yeast
2 cold large eggs
3/4 cup cold whole milk (6 oz.)
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – unbleached (17 1/2 oz.)
1 tsp. salt

Butter Block (Beurrage)

3 sticks cold unsalted butter (12 oz.) cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour – unbleached (1 1/4 oz.)

Making the dough:

Combine the warm milk, 1 tsp. sugar, and yeast. Let sit 10 minutes or until bubbly. If bubbles do not appear you might want to think about getting some new yeast.
In another bowl (if you have one you can use a stand mixer at this point) whisk together the cold milk, eggs and remaining 2 tbl. of sugar. Combine the yeast mixture with the egg mixture. In a separate medium bowl whisk the flour and salt until well blended. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture stir to combine or use the hook attachment if using a stand mixer. Mix on low for 1 1/2 – 2 minutes – until the liquid is absorbed and a rough dough has formed. Lightly knead 3-5 times on a flour dusted surface. Do not overwork the dough – through the rolling out process the dough will be tough and elastic if it is overworked at this point. Wrap the dough in plastic then refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. If you are planning on resting the dough for longer, which is perfectly acceptable, simply wrap the dough loosely so there is room for it to expand.

Making the butter block:

Toss the butter with the flour. In a clean bowl of a stand mixer (or a good old fashioned wooden spoon and bowl – in which case prepare for a work out) with a paddle attachment add the butter and mix on low until the butter and flour have formed a smooth mass. You don’t want to incorporated air at this point so keep the mixing slow. Form the butter on parchment or plastic wrap into a rough rectangle then cover and refrigerate.

Combining the Butter and Dough!!: This is exciting!

Lightly dust your work surface with flour. Roll the danish dough into a 15 by 12- inch rectangle with a short side parallel to the edge of your work surface. Pull or stretch the dough to form straight edges and sharp corners. Brush excess flour off of the dough – you don’t want the dough to feel too sticky but you also don’t want piles of flour on the surface. Visually divide the dough into 3 equal sections. Spread the cold but pliable butter over 2/3 of the dough (two of the three sections) leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edges of the buttered sections. Your fingers are your friends during this stage.

The letter fold – or three-fold

Gabe had all the cameras while we were making the dough so I drew pictures instead.

Fold the butter-less bottom third up over the center third of the dough. Then fold the top down over the center (like a letter!! – you know, the old fashioned kind we used to send in the mail). Pinch the seams along the bottom and sides of the dough. Use your rolling pin to help seal the sides. Nice work! You have now incorporated the butter with the dough and completed your first turn. If you butter feels a little warm and squishy, wrap and refrigerate the dough for an hour. If you are a speedy monkey and the dough is still cold, congratulations – you are now ready to graduate from the first turn and move on to the second.

Book Turn – or four-fold

Position the dough with the short side parallel to your work surface and the long fold on your left. Lightly dust the dough with flour and roll into a 20 by 12-inch rectangle. Fold the two short eges into the center of the dough leaving a 1/4 inch crevice between them. Square off the corners as best as you can. Now fold one side over the other – like you are closing a book. With a rolling pin gently roll over the dough to help seal the seams. Second turn is done! Wrap and refrigerate the dough for one hour – you and the dough both deserve a break.
Letter Fold, The II

Roll out the dough into a 20 by 12-inch rectangle again. Repeat the letter fold turn. Third turn is done and so is the Danish Dough!!

Cream Cheese Filling
adapted from The Art & Soul of Baking

8 oz. cream cheese (room temp.)
6 tbl. sugar (2 1/2 oz.)
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 tbl. All purpose flour
1 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine all the ingredients until smooth. A food processor is a great tool for this process. You can make the filling ahead and keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Roasted Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
Baking

Divide the dough in half. This makes it easier to roll. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough into any shape you want. Check out Joe Pastry for fantastic step-by-step images of creating many classic danish shapes.
Dollop 1 tbl. of cream cheese filling in the center (depending on which shape you choose) of each Danish and add a few pieces of quartered strawberries. Place completed danish on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm (but not to warm) spot until doubled in size. This should take about an hour. It should feel like a marshmallow to the touch.
Preheat the oven to 400*F and place the rack in the center. Freeze the Danish for 10 minutes (or the refrigerator for 15 minutes). With a pastry brush brush the danish with an egg wash (1 egg/1 yolk whisked together)
Bake one sheet at a time, rotating halfway through, for 14-16 minutes, until deep golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack and immediately brush with apricot glaze (apricot jam gently warmed with a bit of water). Cool completely then dust with confectioner’s sugar just before serving.

Phew. Still with me? What are you waiting for – get baking!!!

I know I know. This is quite an undertaking but good things come to those who mix, knead, wait, add butter, roll, wait, turn, roll, wait, turn, cut, shape, fill, wait, bake, wait, glaze, wait, dust, EAT!!
Seriously these pastries – while I know will improve the more proficient I get at the process – they tasted so heavenly. Buttery, tangy and sweet. The tri-fecta of all things delicious. If this sounds like too much work and you live in Seattle then hop in the car and go to Cafe Besalu - because THEY KNOW DANISH – and all things encased in butter.

If WE can do it so can you!!

PinkStripes overloads on Danish (if that’s possible)

ImAFoodBlog – has a great how-to

TheKneadforBread – Danish with Lime Curd and Mascarpone?! Yes please!

Bear Claws from Peabody

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