Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Wacky Cake! A Recipe from the War...




This a great recipe that apparently had its origins in the war when eggs were rationed - the resourceful bakers came up with a way to get a fabulous cake without using eggs. In my house this type of cake has always been called Wacky Cakes and they are quite often made for quick birthday cakes as well as really good mini cupcakes.


Wacky Chocolate Cake

Combine together in a bowl:
1.5 c flour (I use white - it's a treat)
1 c white sugar
salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3 Tbsp cocoa


Add to dry:
1 c water
1 Tbsp vinegar
5 Tbsp oil
vanilla


Mix until lumps are gone. Bake in a greased 9x9 pan for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees farenheit. For the mini muffins I bake for approximately 10 minutes - watch them and use a toothpick to see if they're done.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Weather again! And amazing muffins!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61326372/handsewn-sheer-fabric-gift-bags-set-of


In Alberta at this time of year all we can talk about is the weather! I'm so sick of the cold that these beautiful days when the temperature starts to creep up and the snow starts to melt become my favorite days of the year. Of course the roads are so wet that our cars are dirty all the time!

These muffins are fast becoming a favorite in our house - Pumpkin, Orange and Date Muffins - triple batch of course! These are based on a couple of different recipes - one from an old Bosch cookbook and one from a Company's Coming recipe. I took parts of the two recipes, changed it to all whole wheat flour and cut the sugar down a lot - and upsized the recipe. You need a really big blender.

Combine in a really large bowl:
5.25 c whole wheat flour
0.5 c brown sugar
2 Tbsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1.5 tsp cinnamon
1.5 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt

Process in a large blender, blend well after each addition:
3 large unpeeled oranged, cut into wedges and seeded - process until smooth
3 large eggs (I usually put the eggs in with the orange wedges and then blend)
0.75 c buttermilk or sour milk
0.75 c pitted dates (or raisins work too)
0.75 c melted butter
2.25 c canned pure pumpkin (I use a large can, 796mL and it works great)

Combine wet with dry, stir until just moistened.

1.5 c chopped pecans - I use dark chocolate chips instead - yummy!

Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 375 degrees farenheit for 18-20 minutes. I usually bake for at least 25 and it might be because I put extra pumpkin in and use the heavier flour.

Friday, March 11, 2011

It's snowing! Argh! Have some banana bread!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62773932/snowflake1-4-inch-diecuts-handmade


It's March! There isn't supposed to be anymore snow! So to warm up I'll be making my Healthy Banana Bread!




This recipe is based on an old family one that my Grandma makes - she calls it Banana Loaf and it uses white sugar and flour. I'm trying to go a little healthier in my house so I've upped the fiber, lowered the sugar and of course doubled the recipe so I don't have to bake quite so often.




In a large blender combine thoroughly:



6+ bananas (I use frozen ones because I really don't like overripe bananas - thaw first)

4 eggs

3/4 c softened butter

1-1/2 c brown sugar (or less)

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp lemon juice





Combine in a large bowl:



3 c whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt





Mix wet with dry thoroughly. Divide between two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees Farenheit for 40-60 minutes. Check with toothpick for doneness. This makes a soft, yummy loaf!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

It's been a while!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69322978/handmade-bear-diecuts-scrapbooking

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67778296/lion-diecut-handmade-scrapbook

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69755644/rhinoceros-silhouette-diecuts-handmade

There's been far too much hockey in my life since Christmas! Playoffs are finally over and we can breathe again. I've been adding a zoo of animal diecuts to my etsy shop! Monkey, tigers, lion, oh my!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Treasury and Healthy Cookies!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d38cd5bb4516d913192a65c/black-is-lovely

This is a gorgeous treasury! She was kind enough to feature one of my newest listings http://www.etsy.com/listing/66358146/handmade-love-valentines-card-or-wedding - I think this card is a great combination of modern style with a scrapbook vibe.

Someone asked me for this recipe the other day - we eat these Healthy Cookies all the time - I don't buy granola bars anymore! The recipe is based on the recipe on the back of Roger's Porridge Oats - I've modified it and tripled it so I don't have to bake these as often. Enjoy :)

Simple Version Breakfast Cookies Triple Batch – original recipe from Rogers Porridge Oats

In the large bowl of a mixer (I use my bosch) fitted with dough hook or heavy paddles add:

3 c whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 ¼ tsp salt
1 tsp allspice
4 tsp cinnamon
4 tsp ginger

Mix for a minute to combine.

Add:

3 tbsp grated orange rind – optional, if I don’t have it I used flavoured dried cranberries
9 c porridge oats
2 ¼ c chopped nuts – I use a combination, whatever I have in the house
1 ½ c seeds – pumpkin or sunflower or even unsweetened coconut
3 c dried cranberries or raisins or a mixture of both
½ c dark chocolate chips or more

Mix to combine.

Add:

6 tsp vanilla
6 eggs
2/3 c oil
3 ¾ c applesauce
1 c brown sugar – or less, I often use honey or agave syrup and sometimes just a half cup

Mix really well. Grease cookies sheets. Using a medium scoop shape cookies, bake 15-20 min at 350 F. These do not spread so you can put a lot on a sheet or use mini muffin tins.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

New Scrapbook Tags

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66264262/flower-vines-scrapbook-tags-handmade

I really love these tags - I created them for scrapbooking but they could be used for so many other things!