Wow! It is the last day of the year! It sure flew by! This is my 250th post for the year!!! Can you believe it? With 250 posts, I thought I should do a round-up of some of my favorite recipes from 2010. Happy New Year! May 2011 be your best year yet!
The challenge for Daring Bakers this month was Stollen. Stollen is a traditional German cake/bread, almost like a fruit cake. It has candied fruit peel and dried fruit (I used raisins and craisins) and is so delicious. I lived in Germany for 7 years and loved going to the Christmas markets (that is where the cups you see in the picture came from). There was always Stollen for sale and the beautiful loaf covered in powdered sugar called my name more than once!
I was excited to be able to make Stollen this year. It brought me back to Germany and the fact that it was delicious was an added bonus!
One funny tidbit... My Stollen was almost stolen! :) After shaping the Stollen, I had scraps on the counter. I left the kitchen and then heard the paws of my Rhodesian Ridgeback hit the counter.... She was eating the dough scraps!!!! Luckily I had moved the dough that was to be baked further back so she didn't get it all!
The 2010 December Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Penny of Sweet Sadie’s Baking. She chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ to make Stollen. She adapted a friend’s family recipe and combined it with information from friends, techniques from Peter Reinhart’s book.........and Martha Stewart’s demonstration.
Apples. Coconut. Cake. So delicious! So moist! So easy! One of the best apple cakes I've ever eaten.
Thanks to Amber of Cobbler du Monde for hosting this week. The recipe can be found at her blog.
(Sorry for the super short post... Crazy busy this week!!!)
Bugles
White Chocolate, melted
Cherry Chips (or red candy coating), melted
Dip Bugles in red coating and place on wax paper to harden. Dip bottoms in white chocolate and place on wax paper until set.
I love egg nog. I mean, seriously LOVE it. And I love to make it. Yes, I know I can go to the store and buy a gallon of it, but, it's me. And I like to make things. Homemade egg nog is one of those things I like to make. :)
I have been making this egg nog for 2 years and am not sure why I haven't posted it before. It is thick and creamy and delicious. The addition of the orange and lemon zest gives it extra flavor, but if you aren't a fan of zests, you could leave them out.
And, please, forgive the picture. I wish I had stuck a cinnamon stick in it or sprinkled some nutmeg on top. Something. But, this was the last glass and it was 630 am and if I didn't get a picture FAST, there would be no picture. Yes... it is THAT good! :)
Enjoy!
Egg Nog
Williams-Sonoma
12 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
Grated zest of 1 orange
Grated zest of 1 lemon
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
In a large saucepan, whisk together the yolks, sugar, nutmeg, and zests. Stir in milk and cream. Place over low heat and, stirring contstantly, heat to 160 degrees, about 2o minutes. (If you don't have an instant read thermometer, you could also test by whether the mixture coats the back of a spoon.)
Immediately remove from heat and strain into a pitcher. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about an hour.
Things have been so crazy busy around here lately that I haven't started any holiday baking yet. I know that is probably unheard of for bloggers, but it's the truth. I am not planning on making too many new things this holiday season, so I thought I would post a round-up of some of my favorites for you. It will give you something to look over until I can get some new recipes posted!
I hope all your holiday planning/baking/shopping is coming along. This is my favorite part of the year and I am enjoying all the craziness of it! 17 1/2 days until Christmas! :)
Sundays are pancake mornings at our house. This wasn't a conscious decision but one that just kind of happened. Every day I ask my daughter what she wants for breakfast and 4 or 5 Sundays in a row she said pancakes. Now I don't even ask her... She wakes up and will say, "It's Sunday... that means it's Pancake Day!"
Here is the recipe for hot cocoa mix that I promised in my marshmallow post. This makes for a great homemade gift and, since I have to perform quality control before food leaves my house, I can tell you that it makes a great cup of hot cocoa! The addition of a homemade marshmallow on top was great, too!
Enjoy!
Hot Cocoa Mix
AllRecipes
6 1/2 cups powdered milk
1 (5 ounce) package non-instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup powdered chocolate drink mix (I used Ovaltine; could also use Nesquick)
1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
In a large bowl, combine powdered milk, chocolate pudding mix, chocolate drink mix powder, creamer, confectioners' sugar, and cocoa. Divide the mixture between two 1 quart jars. Seal, and decorate as desired. These can be stored in a dry area for up to 3 months.
Attach a tag with the following instructions: Dissolve 1/3 cup cocoa mix in 1 cup boiling water.
Chocolate Cherry Biscotti
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