Heather Baird's Blog, page 30
May 22, 2020
7UP Layer Cake
This cake has a soft, fluffy texture thanks to bubbly 7UP soft drink added to the cake batter. It's bursting with lemon-lime flavor!
This recipe was inspired by a cake that has been around for decades. I'm sure that many of you are familiar with 7UP pound cake, which is a classic southern favorite and even sold prepackaged in some southern grocery stores. I found a copy of the recipe in the vintage avocado green recipe card box I found at a thrift store last year and was reminded to give it a try.
Continued, click to read more...
This recipe was inspired by a cake that has been around for decades. I'm sure that many of you are familiar with 7UP pound cake, which is a classic southern favorite and even sold prepackaged in some southern grocery stores. I found a copy of the recipe in the vintage avocado green recipe card box I found at a thrift store last year and was reminded to give it a try.
Continued, click to read more...
May 19, 2020
Flourless Chocolate Loaf Cake with Berry Coulis
This flourless chocolate loaf cake is rich and fudgy beyond words! A quick mixed berry coulis is the perfect accompaniment.
Greetings, friendly bakers! I'm still very much on a flourless desserts kick, and I've been testing and tweaking lots of new recipes like this swoon-worthy chocolate cake. It's probably the most intensely chocolate dessert I've ever made or tasted!
Through my tasting and testing, I felt that chocolate cake this deeply profound needed a foil, which came in the form of a bag of mixed berries in my freezer. I've made berry coulis many times in my confectionery history, but I sort of forgot about it for a while. It's so easy and bright tasting, I silently scolded myself for not making it more often. I'm convinced it is this cake's soul mate, and should never be omitted from the recipe.
Continued, click to read more...
Greetings, friendly bakers! I'm still very much on a flourless desserts kick, and I've been testing and tweaking lots of new recipes like this swoon-worthy chocolate cake. It's probably the most intensely chocolate dessert I've ever made or tasted!
Through my tasting and testing, I felt that chocolate cake this deeply profound needed a foil, which came in the form of a bag of mixed berries in my freezer. I've made berry coulis many times in my confectionery history, but I sort of forgot about it for a while. It's so easy and bright tasting, I silently scolded myself for not making it more often. I'm convinced it is this cake's soul mate, and should never be omitted from the recipe.
Continued, click to read more...
May 8, 2020
Whipped Tiramisu Coffee
Dalgona coffee, also known as whipped coffee, is the layered South Korean drink that is taking the internet by storm. This version, made with instant powdered espresso, is inspired by the flavors of Tiramisu and served with crisp savoiardi cookies on the side.
For the past two months I haven't been able to scroll through any social media feeds without a recurring sight - glasses of milk with fluffy mounds of whipped coffee floating on top. Dalgona coffee is arguably the beverage of quarantine 2020. As a coffee enthusiast, I've been dying to try it for myself. It is made with instant coffee but the only kind of instant coffee I keep on hand is espresso powder. I'm happy to report that it whips into the most luxurious, sweet and intensely caffeinated clouds fit for topping ice cold milk.
The bold flavor of the whipped espresso reminded me of My Favorite Tiramisu recipe, so I was eager to bring some of those flavors to this unique coffee treat.
Continued, click to read more...
For the past two months I haven't been able to scroll through any social media feeds without a recurring sight - glasses of milk with fluffy mounds of whipped coffee floating on top. Dalgona coffee is arguably the beverage of quarantine 2020. As a coffee enthusiast, I've been dying to try it for myself. It is made with instant coffee but the only kind of instant coffee I keep on hand is espresso powder. I'm happy to report that it whips into the most luxurious, sweet and intensely caffeinated clouds fit for topping ice cold milk.
The bold flavor of the whipped espresso reminded me of My Favorite Tiramisu recipe, so I was eager to bring some of those flavors to this unique coffee treat.
Continued, click to read more...
May 1, 2020
Peanut Butter Pie
Classic no-bake peanut butter pie is rich and creamy with a crisp chocolate cookie crust. It's quick to make and a real crowd-pleaser!
It's been over two months since we've eaten any kind of restaurant food or take-out, so I confess: I am a little sick of my own cooking. This past week my usual creative dinners were replaced with prepackaged ravioli, canned soups and pop-tarts for dessert. I simply ran out of steam and interest. However, I plan to do better next week armed with simple oldie-but-goodie recipes that I haven't made in while. This peanut butter pie is one of those recipes, and a wonderful comfort food. Even though I have made it countless times, I have never posted it here. Today's the day!
Continued, click to read more...
It's been over two months since we've eaten any kind of restaurant food or take-out, so I confess: I am a little sick of my own cooking. This past week my usual creative dinners were replaced with prepackaged ravioli, canned soups and pop-tarts for dessert. I simply ran out of steam and interest. However, I plan to do better next week armed with simple oldie-but-goodie recipes that I haven't made in while. This peanut butter pie is one of those recipes, and a wonderful comfort food. Even though I have made it countless times, I have never posted it here. Today's the day!
Continued, click to read more...
April 25, 2020
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Crushed pineapple, pecans, and grated carrots make these cupcakes super-moist with a craveable texture. Homemade cream cheese frosting is a must for this classic!
I had no plans to make another version of carrot cake this year. I'd already baked a rabbit-shaped carrot sheet cake just before Easter, so I'd already crossed it off my spring baking checklist. But then I received the most beautiful bunch of organic rainbow carrots in my produce delivery box. I subscribe to a service that ships imperfect organic fruits and vegetables, and I have yet to receive something that looks anything less than scrumptious. It's really been nice during this time at home to have fresh vegetables. It's the first thing we run out of, and getting a shipment every two weeks keeps us eating well.
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I had no plans to make another version of carrot cake this year. I'd already baked a rabbit-shaped carrot sheet cake just before Easter, so I'd already crossed it off my spring baking checklist. But then I received the most beautiful bunch of organic rainbow carrots in my produce delivery box. I subscribe to a service that ships imperfect organic fruits and vegetables, and I have yet to receive something that looks anything less than scrumptious. It's really been nice during this time at home to have fresh vegetables. It's the first thing we run out of, and getting a shipment every two weeks keeps us eating well.
Continued, click to read more...
April 22, 2020
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars are soft and chewy with lots of citrusy tang. They're baked in a 13x9 inch dish which removes the hassle of forming individual cookies - just slice and enjoy!
Hello, friends! I hope everyone is well and finding the baking ingredients needed to make all the comfort foods required for these days of sheltering. Thankfully, I am now stocked up on flour, yeast, and the other essentials that keep me working and doing what I love.
Lately I've been craving the flavors of buttercream birthday cake, but I've been without the enthusiasm it takes to bake, fill, and frost an entire layer cake. Sugar cookie bars are a low lift stand-in with all of the nostalgic birthday flavors and lots of sprinkles! This recipe is a departure from the usual sugar cookie flavors of vanilla on vanilla (which is also delicious) and instead uses lots of lemon zest and fresh lemon juice to give these treats some zing!
Continued, click to read more...
Hello, friends! I hope everyone is well and finding the baking ingredients needed to make all the comfort foods required for these days of sheltering. Thankfully, I am now stocked up on flour, yeast, and the other essentials that keep me working and doing what I love.
Lately I've been craving the flavors of buttercream birthday cake, but I've been without the enthusiasm it takes to bake, fill, and frost an entire layer cake. Sugar cookie bars are a low lift stand-in with all of the nostalgic birthday flavors and lots of sprinkles! This recipe is a departure from the usual sugar cookie flavors of vanilla on vanilla (which is also delicious) and instead uses lots of lemon zest and fresh lemon juice to give these treats some zing!
Continued, click to read more...
April 16, 2020
Silver Lining Cupcakes
These cupcakes are brimming with rainbow confetti sprinkles and taste just like vanilla birthday cake! A pocket of sunny pineapple filling is the surprise inside.
I made these cupcakes in January, and for some reason I never got around to posting them here. For one reason or another the timing just didn't feel right. Little did I know that in the coming months, silver linings would be in high demand. I know we've all been looking for them after reading the frightening and grim headlines that crowd our news feeds. But I've learned that if you look hard enough for the silver lining on the cloudiest day, you'll find one. You just have to look with a thankful heart.
Now feels like the right time to post this reminder, and it's always a good time for cupcakes! Does the world need yet another confetti/funfetti cupcake? Always! There are a few other recipes documented here on the blog ( here's a recipe for just 3 cupcakes!), but this one is a little different because it has a tropical, sunny surprise inside.
Continued, click to read more...
I made these cupcakes in January, and for some reason I never got around to posting them here. For one reason or another the timing just didn't feel right. Little did I know that in the coming months, silver linings would be in high demand. I know we've all been looking for them after reading the frightening and grim headlines that crowd our news feeds. But I've learned that if you look hard enough for the silver lining on the cloudiest day, you'll find one. You just have to look with a thankful heart.
Now feels like the right time to post this reminder, and it's always a good time for cupcakes! Does the world need yet another confetti/funfetti cupcake? Always! There are a few other recipes documented here on the blog ( here's a recipe for just 3 cupcakes!), but this one is a little different because it has a tropical, sunny surprise inside.
Continued, click to read more...
April 14, 2020
Chocolate Chip Cookie Mug Cake
For a sweet single serving treat, all you need is a mug, a microwave, and a few pantry staples. Brown sugar cake batter is speckled with semisweet chocolate chips in this cookie-inspired mug cake!
If ever there were a time for the mug cake to make a return from its heyday in, well , whatever year it was, (2015 or thereabouts?) it is now. It's a quick solution when you need a sweet, comforting treat for just one or two people, all while sparing your kitchen much mess.
I developed this recipe to soothe both my cake and cookie cravings. The brown sugar batter is light and springy, and it reminds me of a chocolate chip cookie with pockets of gooey melted semisweet chips.
Continued, click to read more...
If ever there were a time for the mug cake to make a return from its heyday in, well , whatever year it was, (2015 or thereabouts?) it is now. It's a quick solution when you need a sweet, comforting treat for just one or two people, all while sparing your kitchen much mess.
I developed this recipe to soothe both my cake and cookie cravings. The brown sugar batter is light and springy, and it reminds me of a chocolate chip cookie with pockets of gooey melted semisweet chips.
Continued, click to read more...
April 11, 2020
Three Ingredient Cream Cheese Mini Biscuits
These tiny biscuits are rich and buttery beyond words! Serve them when you're short on time, or when you're looking for a fuss-free bite.
This year we'll be celebrating Easter with a lot less people around our table, but I'm still holding tight to our holiday dinner traditions. I'll be making a smaller version of Easter dinner with a turkey breast I found in the freezer, some scaled-down sides, and these lemon icebox pies in jars for a sweet ending.
Last weekend I was able to replenish my eggs and dairy, but flour is still proving to be elusive. I was planning to make my favorite buttermilk dinner rolls, but ultimately decided 7 cups of flour for one recipe was too much to part with right now. Instead I'll be whipping up these truly decadent cheesy mini biscuits.
Continued, click to read more...
This year we'll be celebrating Easter with a lot less people around our table, but I'm still holding tight to our holiday dinner traditions. I'll be making a smaller version of Easter dinner with a turkey breast I found in the freezer, some scaled-down sides, and these lemon icebox pies in jars for a sweet ending.
Last weekend I was able to replenish my eggs and dairy, but flour is still proving to be elusive. I was planning to make my favorite buttermilk dinner rolls, but ultimately decided 7 cups of flour for one recipe was too much to part with right now. Instead I'll be whipping up these truly decadent cheesy mini biscuits.
Continued, click to read more...
April 9, 2020
Chickpea Water or Aquafaba Meringue Cookies
Try this recipe the next time you open a can of chickpeas! Deliciously crunchy, light, and airy meringue cookies can be made using aquafaba, which is the water that surrounds chickpeas in their commercially prepared can.
It's been said -repeatedly- this past month by various cooking sites, blogs, and news outlets - canned chickpeas are having a moment. It's the shelf-stable food of choice for many during these days of sheltering at home, because they are loaded with nutrients, protein, and they make an excellent replacement for meat in lots of dishes.
I always keep canned chickpeas in my pantry, but I've been draining away a useful ingredient every time I made my favorite chickpea dishes! Chickpeas leach starch and protein into the water that surrounds them in their cans, which makes the liquid whippable to voluminous proportions!
Continued, click to read more...
It's been said -repeatedly- this past month by various cooking sites, blogs, and news outlets - canned chickpeas are having a moment. It's the shelf-stable food of choice for many during these days of sheltering at home, because they are loaded with nutrients, protein, and they make an excellent replacement for meat in lots of dishes.
I always keep canned chickpeas in my pantry, but I've been draining away a useful ingredient every time I made my favorite chickpea dishes! Chickpeas leach starch and protein into the water that surrounds them in their cans, which makes the liquid whippable to voluminous proportions!
Continued, click to read more...
