Tag Archives: baking

Caraway Seed Cake

“Let them eat cake.” – Marie Antoinette

I acquired a cookbook from an aunt recently.  It is a good read, but there are a few things I could do without.  For instance, I learned that it takes 10 cups of pig blood to make a black pudding.  Ugh! 

I did find a recipe for a caraway seed cake that looked rustic and delicious, so I tried it.

The ingredients are few and simple, and always in stock in my kitchen.

I only needed 1 tablespoon of ground almonds, so I just threw some slivers in a baggie and lightly pounded with the smooth side of the meat tenderizer.

Mix the ingredients and put the batter in a baking pan.  The recipe states a size, but I didn’t have it, so I put the batter in my 12 cup bundt pan.  Whoa!  That size is way too big!  Don’t do what I did!

Don’t Use This Size Baking Pan!

Bake.  Don’t forget to set the timer!

Out of the oven and cooling.

Lookin’ good.  It would be much better if I took the time to garnish it.  Top it with a fruit sauce, or chocolate sauce.  Or serve with ice cream.

I had whipped topping, so that’s what I used.  And I needed it!  Since I baked it in the wrong size pan, my cake came out heavy and a bit dry.  It still tastes good, but the texture and taste will be better the next time I make it.

Caraway Seed Cake

12 tablespoons (1-1/2 sticks) butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon ground almonds (optional)
1-1/2 tablespoons caraway seeds
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Some caraway seeds to sprinkle on top
 
Line a round cake pan (7″ diameter x 3″ deep) with parchment paper.
 
Cream the butter; add the sugar and beat until very soft and light.  Beat the eggs and gradually beat into the creamed mixture.  Stir in the flour and ground almonds. 
 
Add the baking powder and the caraway seeds with the last of the flour.  Turn the mixture into the prepared cake pan, scatter a few more caraway seeds on top and bake in a preheated moderate oven, 350°F, for 50 to 60 minutes.
 
Cool on wire rack.

Twix Cheesecakes

I love Twix candy bars and I love cream cheese, so when I found this recipe over on Lindsey’s Gingerbread Bagel blog, I just had to try it.  I wasn’t disappointed!  These cheesecakes make a delightful treat!

The Twix Cheesecakes are simple to create (all the more reason to love this recipe).  The cakes are made with an Oreo cookie crust and a cream cheese filling with chopped Twix candy bars.  Yummy!

Ready to Bake

Closer Look Before Baking…Lookin’ Good!

After Baking

Closer Look…Lookin’ Even Better!

Served Up!

Sweet Goodness!

 

Fresh Pear Crumble Pie

Since Mom is coming for a few days, and since I still have some pears left, I thought I’d make a family favorite…Fresh Pear Crumble Pie.  The recipe is at the end of this post.

You’ll need pastry for a single crust pie.

Homemade is by far the better choice, but refrigerated will do too.

Preheat the oven.

Is that am or pm?

You’ll also need peeled, sliced fresh pears:

Thre recipe calls for 5 cups, but I peel and slice until I have a pie full of sweetness.

Sprinkle pears with lemon juice.  Okay…I forgot to do this part and it still turned out scrumptious!

Combine sugar, flour and lemon peel (fresh is better, but I didn’t have any lemons on hand). 

Add pears to the mixture.

Add pear filling to the pastry:

Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and mace.  Cut in butter.

Sprinkle topping mixture over the pear filling.

Bake.  The smart thing to do is cover the crust edges with foil to prevent overbrowning.  But hey…I’ll take the risk.

Baked Deliciousness!

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream…yummy goodness!

 Hubby and I couldn’t wait for Mom to get here…we dove right into that pie!

Fresh Pear Crumble Pie

Ingredients:
Pastry for single crust pie
5 cups peeled, sliced fresh pears (about 2-1/2 pounds)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
½ cup flour
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground mace
¼ cup butter
 
Directions:
Prepare and roll out pastry. Line a 9” pie plate. Trim pastry to ½“ beyond edge of pie plate. Flute edge; do not prick pastry.
 
In a bowl, sprinkle pears with lemon juice. In a large mixing bowl combine ½ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and lemon peel; stir in sliced pears. Spoon pear-sugar mixture into pastry-lined plate.
 
In another mixing bowl combine the ½ cup flour, ½ cup sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and mace. Cut in butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle crumb mixture over pear filling.
 
To prevent overbrowning, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake in 375º for 25 minutes. Remove foil; bake for 25 to 30 minutes more or till pie is bubbly and crust is golden.
 
Cool on rack before serving.