Irish Soda Bread

We are going through a history where the world is witnessing a pandemic episode of Covid-19.  As the world reels in the #StayAtHome concept lots of new ideas are popping up on internet to keep oneself busy and sane. One of them being Baking YES... Baking Breads, Cakes, Muffins, Brownies, Pastries is at its peak and is being enjoyed thoroughly across the globe as we silently fight against the Virus and pray that it dies down.


Irish Soda Bread

I venture into baking once in a while. This time it was so tempting for me to just  not to ignore the call of baking a bread. But sigh!! I had to be patient as I did not have yeast in my pantry. Going to grocery stores at the drop of the hat is a big NO NO now, to add to it I kept forgetting to add that ingredient on my list of next home delivered order.

So I was left with no option but to look for something that used no Yeast. Something that was quick, simple and no fermentation recipe for my bread as I craved to make one!

And voila came across Irish Soda Bread in a 5 year old magazine which I was browsing while having my tea.
As befitting many of the best breads in the world – Irish Soda Bread is a traditional Irish speciality- it was made with only the most basic of ingredients: flour, baking soda (used as a leavening agent instead of yeast), soured milk to moisten and activate the soda, and salt.
Irish Soda bread remains an international favorite.  Before baking, a cross was cut on the top with a knife, to ward off the devil and protect the household. 
Something about it, when you mark that X just before the bread goes in the oven, makes you smile and you know it will come out right :)

You are going to love it I promise.

Made this in like 50 mins [included baking time] and it was ready to be relished with your butter/jam/marmalade.....

Here goes the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup +2 tbsp - all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tbsp regular rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp baking pwd
• 3/4 tsp baking soda ( preferably fresh)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp cold u salted butter cut in small cubes
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp orange zest ( optional)
• 1/2 cup nuts or dried currents or cranberry
  

Preparation:

• Take all dry ingredients in 1 bowl and mix it with cold butter. Keep mixing the flour with butter till all cubes crumbles n become one with the flour ( you can flatten the butter with a spatula or use hands as you mix the butter with flour)
• Then in another bowl take egg, honey, buttermilk and whisk till everything comes together. Add nuts, zest and give a stir.
• Pour this mix into dry flour ingredients. Bring everything together with a spoon.
• On a parchment paper transfer the dough n knead it gently (sprinkle flour on top if needed) should be soft and little sticky.
• Give the dough any size you want like rectangle or round or square. Then with a knife make X sign on the loaf.
• Bake it on 350F/180C for 40-45 min ... Let it cool down before u slice and enjoy this beautiful loaf of bread.

just out of the oven the beauties :)

njoY!! happY bakinG!!

Apple Walnuts Oatmeal Cookies

I always get fascinated looking at the freshly baked goodies whenever I visit grocery stores and bakeries. The aroma that lingers around these goodies is awesome. Brings in so much of warmth and happiness. I start baking hysterically once in a while, for no particular reason :)
Also the season of holidays gets me inspired to bake the goodies and I get comfortable doing so!

Here are some freshly baked oats cookies loaded with apple sauce, apples cubes and walnuts. Yummy in everyone's tummy :) Ingredient line up is healthy and outcome is very delicious too.  Its chewy and soft. One of the healthiest cookies that's out there, if your kids fall for this, there is no second thought. Just put this recipe on a repeat mode. It is a winner recipe.

I have already made it thrice and thanks to sallys baking addiction blog. She tried it few times to get a correct measurement for this recipe. I try to tweak it every time I make by just adding extra nuts or switch the main fruit that goes in it. Like once I added small chunks of persimmon fruit. I also added cranberries. So you can play with it once you get a hang of it.

One cup of milk and 2 oats cookies will make SantaClaus happy too :) What say? :)

Let us take a look at the recipe of Apple Walnuts Oatmeal Cookies.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3/4 cup packed dark or light brown sugar (or white granulated sugar)
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup finely diced apple 
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Either take the following ingredients 

• 1 cup old-fashioned whole rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

OR

• 1 cup of ready to make Maple or Apple Cinnamon flavored 3 min Oatmeal packets.

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
• Whisk the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon- together in a large bowl.
• Whisk the butter, applesauce, brown sugar(or white sugar) together until combined. Then whisk in the egg and vanilla. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and whisk until just combined. Fold in the apples and walnuts. The cookie dough will be thick and sticky.
• Using a medium cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop cookie dough into balls (about 2 Tbsp of dough each) and place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. Slightly flatten the balls out- as the cookies won't spread much.
• Bake for 17-18 minutes or until lightly browned and set on the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes on the cookie sheets.
• Enjoy with a nice cup of hot cocoa or milk or Tea.

You may also like 

Eggless Coconut Cookies

Crinkle Cookies

Saffron Cookies

njoY!! happY bakinG!!

Recipe adapted from Sallys Baking Addiction. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies - Crispy and Crunchy

You won't believe it when I say that I still say Biscuits for Cookies every once in a while :) Yes, the term that we used since childhood (BRI english) doesn't go away easily :) Now I have a kid who corrects me instantly so I am getting better by the day :) Here in USA, biscuits are buttery fluffy bread made with buttermilk, butter and flour.

My kid is my motivation when it comes to baking cookies of any kind. He loves all sorts of cookies- crunchy, chewy, soft, brittle, shortbread- just about any kind. He can live on Oreos for all I know. So yesterday before he went to sleep he tells me, "mom will you please bake me some yummy chocolate chip cookies tomorrow?" Now who can deny that sweet little request? Right?? And as a ritual I have to save a little dough for him to taste. :)

The aroma of freshly baked cookies have a way of melting your stress and giving your brain that instant dose of happiness! House smells fantastic. I have made C C C many times before using store bought packets. But in the past couple of years have been making it at home with fresh ingredients. So here is one such crispy and crunchy recipe of chocolate chip cookies. Just realised the title of my post has 5 C's :)

Let us take a look at the recipe of Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature
• 3/4 cup fine sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preparation:

• Preheat the oven to 400F/200C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Whisk the flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with a hand held mixer until light and fluffy, about 4 to 5 minutes. 
• Beat in the egg and then the vanilla. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, to make a soft dough. Fold in the chocolate chips.
• Either spoon a heaping tablespoon of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 3-inches apart or make a small balls of the dough and press gently to form a disc of 2-3 inches.
• Bake the cookies until brown around the edges, about 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough.

njoY!! happY bakinG!!

You may also like:

Eggless Coconut Cookies

Eggless Saffron Cookies

Nankatai

Crinkled Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies made by Scooping with a spoon

And I have a happy little camper at home enjoying these bites from chocolate chip cookies with his milk :)
Thank you for stopping by this post!

Fruit Rum Cake

Whoever frequents my blog and reads a little bit of the description (rant :)) will  know how much I love pound cakes. Now here comes the ultimate King of cakes, RUM cake with fruits! It is a festive cake and brings back nostalgic memories of year ending (christmas and new year!! ) Rich, drenched, decadent, dense and a bite to die for- Rum Cake is here!

As I step into the last 2 days of the year 2016, emotions of mixed feelings starts to get heavy on me. Taking a moment to look back and see what the year had to offer - Ummm other than a few glitches, it went on very well. Thankful and grateful to the almighty for a 'No Drama' year :):) Strapping myself to take on 2017!

Coming to the cake, I have tried few different kinds of rum cake, last year baked a brown rum cake with caramelized sugar and all, but did not have an opportunity to click and document. Will do that some other time! This year made this super fantastic fruit rum cake, had to say a prayer before I started whipping butter and eggs :), because I tried to bake one with readymade chocolate cake mix and it did not turn out good taste-wise :(

So was very happy with the results of this sesky cake! :) Go ahead and give it a try! You have my blessings! hehe

Let us take a look at this Fruit Rum Cake!

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots (can add any kind of dry fruits or tutti fruitti that you have)
• 1/4 cup dried tart cherries
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoons gold rum, divided
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus 1 1/2 tablespoons  plus more for pan
• 1/2 cup (1 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoons (or more) sour cream
• 1 cups raw sugar, plus more for serving
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Preparation:

• Combine apricots, cherries, raisins (or tutti fruitti) and 1/4 cup rum in a small bowl and let sit 30 minutes to allow fruit to rehydrate. Drain, reserving rum. Sprinkle fruit with 1 1/2 tbsp flour and toss to coat, set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350F(180C). Thoroughly butter pan, making sure to get into all the curved or ridged places, dust pan with flour (do this even if your pan has a nonstick coating). Whisk baking powder, salt, cloves, and 1 1/2 cups flour in a medium bowl to combine. 
• Whisk reserved rum, oil, and 3/4 cup sour cream in another medium bowl to combine.
• Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat 1 cup raw sugar and remaining 1/2 cup butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. 
• Add egg yolks and egg one at a time, beating to blend after each addition; beat until mixture is light and very fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add vanilla extract and beat for few seconds. 
• Reduce speed to low. Add dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with sour cream mixture in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. 
• Fold in reserved dried fruit. Scrape batter into prepared pan, smooth top. Tap pan firmly a few times on counter to force batter into edges of pan.
• Bake cake until golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 60–70 minutes( I baked exactly for 60 min). Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cake cool in pan 15 minutes. 
• Invert cake onto a serving plate; carefully remove pan and brush warm cake with remaining 1 tbsp rum. Let cool completely, about 3 hours.
• Mix powdered sugar and remaining 1 tbsp sour cream in another small bowl, thinning with more sour cream if desired (the thinner the glaze, the further it will drip down the sides of the cake, so keep it nice and thick), until smooth. 
• Drizzle glaze over cake, working along the center of the top of the cake for even coverage, and sprinkle with raw sugar. Let sit 10 minutes for glaze to set before slicing with a serrated knife.

njoY!! happY bakinG!!

Notes:

Cake can be baked 1 day ahead. Do not glaze. Store loosely covered at room temperature.
Buttering the pan and dusting with flour is a must step to get nice brown coating. 

You can make use of more rum to soak the cake after it is cooled down. Depends on your taste. I added 1/4 cup more rum for soaking. 

Please take a portion of the cake and keep aside for kids before you soak the cake further with the rum :) 

recipe courtesy from epicurious site!

Pretzel Chocolate Hugs

Now I had to come up with a cute name for this goody :) so the word 'Hug' in the name :)
A quick, no stress, fun happy treat for everyone! All one needs to do here is assemble Pretzel, Kisses (chocolates) and M&Ms.  Involve kids into doing these cute little treats.

Long time back one of my friends had made these and I loved the idea of it. Zero effort needed and it looks so beautiful. You can make it in bulk for party occasions or get togethers! My kid gets excited when I tell him that we are making pretzel hugs, his job is to peel the kisses wrapper :) I get so lazy when it comes to unwrap the chocolates. So it is a win win situation for me :)

Keep these beautiful treat in a transparent air tight container on your kitchen counter. A treat for the eyes and taste-bud! The combo of crunchy salty pretzel and soft kisses with m&m flavor makes it a perfect bite!

I have made this so many times, this batch is made with peppermint flavor for holidays! You can add your favorite flavor of chocolates and enjoy!

Let us take a look at this Pretzel Chocolate Hugs recipe:

Ingredients:

• Pretzels
• Kisses chocolates
• M&Ms

(You can take as many as you want)

Preparation:

• On a baking sheet, lay out a parchment paper and neatly place pretzel on it. Keep kisses chocolate on it. Bake on 200F(100C) for just 5-7 minutes. 
• You will see the chocolates softening up. Take the sheet out and place M&M on it in the center and gently press it down. 
• Once all the M&Ms are on pretzels, stick the tray it in the fridge for sometime or leave it on the counter-top till the chocolate hardens. 
• Enjoy the hugs as a happy treat!

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Eggless Coconut Cookies

I am in a baking mood these past few days as my house is set up for holiday season with a Christmas tree (we celebrate it for the holiday spirit) stockings, lights, wreaths etc. Peppermint goodies, hot chocolate box stuffed and stored, only thing remaining is to get gifts and gift wraps :)

Cold wind and air is slowly creeping in, my yard is going all dry and can view naked trees all around the neighborhood. Waiting for a light snow shower to get that magical moment during holidays! (Many may not agree with me, but I am all that oh so predictable cheeeesy gal out there :))

 So my son comes up with a request of wanting freshly baked cookies for him. Now my motherly instincts instantly kicked in big time:) Had to tell my husband like 10 times, my son has asked me to bake him some cookies :) and as usual he nods his head and brushes off my enthusiasm :).  I frantically start looking for some cookie recipes.
Came across these lovely eggless coconut cookies from blend with spices blog. I had to try it and I am glad I did. Just tweaked a little. They taste awesome. Goes perfect with your hot cup of tea or coffee and yes milk for my kiddo.

Let us take a look at these eggless coconut cookies.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup wheat flour
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened dessicated coconut
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and at room temperature
• a pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 tbsp milk or as needed
• 1 & 1/2 tbsp unsweetened dessicated coconut for garnish
• 2 tbsp crystal sugar (optional)

Yields around a dozen cookies. Double the measurements to get more...

  

Preparation:

• In a mixing bowl, add the butter and powdered sugar and mix it until light and creamy.
• Add the vanilla and salt and combine.
• Now add the wheat flour, all purpose flour, and dessicated coconut to it and mix everything.
• Then sprinkle the milk little by little over it and mix well to make smooth dough. The dough should be very soft.
• Preheat the oven to 350F/180C.
• Divide the cookie dough into 10 -12 round balls and flatten them with your palms to give the shape of your liking.
• Sprinkle the top of the cookies with coconut and crystal sugar and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper spacing about 1 inch apart.
• Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for anywhere between 16-18 minutes.
• Remove them from the oven and let them cool down for 5 minutes. Place them on a wire rack and allow them to cool.
• They will be soft when taken out, but will firm up once they cool.
• Store in an airtight container.

you may also like -

Crinkle Cookies

Saffron Cookies

njoY!! happY bakinG!!

Baked Potato Wedges

One of the easiest appetizers/snack one can make without going all crazy. Most of the kids love potatoes. This makes a perfect snack for the kids when they get back home after a long day at school. All you have to do is marinate quickly with herbs on hand and throw in some paprika, pepper pwd, salt, Evv oil and bake... while the oven does its work, you can sip on your cuppa chai or coffee till the oven goes ding! :)

Best version to consume potatoes is either baked or boiled. But a little bit of oil and cheese goes a long way. These baked wedges are simply addictive. Makes a great side dish for big parties! You can make a big tray of it with minimum sweating :) I swear :):)

Ingredients:

• 3 big size potatoes or 6-7 small size potatoes
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil (can add more if you wish)
• 1/2 tsp pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp each rosemary, thyme (dry or fresh)
• 1-2 tbsp shredded cheese of your choice ( I like parmesan)
• salt as per taste

Preparation:
Wash, clean and pat dry the potatoes. Cut it into long wedges. You can keep the skin on. (just love it that way)
Mix all the ingredients and let the wedges get slathered in the oil and herbs mixture.
Take a baking tray, place a parchment paper or silver foil, spray some oil.
Pour the wedges into the tray and spread it out.
Heat the oven to 400F /200C and bake for 30 minutes. After 15 minutes, just turn sides of the wedges.
Serve hot as is or with your favorite dip or ketchup.

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Health Benefits:
Due to the increased interest in foods that are low-carb or low-glycemic index, the potato has unjustly earned a bad reputation. Potatoes consumed in simple roasted, grilled, boiled, steamed manner with little or no oil/butter is very healthy and nutritious for health. It is loaded with calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron that helps in having strong bones. It has vitamin B6 which supports heart health. Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in potatoes that helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory.

Crinkle Cookies

One doesn't need any excuse or occasion to indulge in some goodness loaded with chocolate/cocoa. Here is an awesome recipe to make these gorgeous crinkle cookies, the name because of its appearance:) It will take a 'pretty' spot on your coffee table while you entertain your guests at home and these crinkle cookies may just be the star of your conversation :) :) I promise you will love these.

Baking cookies automatically puts you into that happy mood space. The aroma that lingers in your kitchen/home is very pure and very holiday-ish :) I simply love cocoa flavor. Be it in the milk, cake or cookies. That richness, smoothness, beautiful texture- it's pure romantic :P

Try these cookies for any holiday season (or not), make it anytime you feel like!


Let us check out the Crinkle Cookies recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all purpose flour (Maida) 
• 1 tsp baking powder 
• 1/2 tsp any coffee powder 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder (I use hershey or godiva) 
• 3/4 cup sugar 
• 2 eggs (room temperature) 
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil 
• 1 tsp vanilla essence 
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Preparation:

• In a bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and keep aside.
• Beat together cocoa powder, sugar and oil in a bowl till it forms a black sticky mass. 
• Add 1 egg at a time and beat well in a bowl. Add coffee powder and vanilla essence and beat again.
• Add the flour mixture little by little slowly to the liquid ingredients and mix well with a spatula until incorporated. Do not overdo it.
• The dough will be super sticky. Cover the bowl with a lid and chill it overnight or for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, you can leave overnight if possible.
• Make small balls from the dough and keep it ready.
• Preheat the oven at 350F/180C.
• Take the powdered sugar in a bowl and roll the balls in the sugar ensuring they are well coated and fully covered with the powdered sugar.
• Place the balls on a greased baking tray leaving 2 inch gap between them and bake for 15 minutes- 18 minutes.
• Take out the tray and leave it on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Crinkle Cookies are ready to be relished.

njoY!! happY bakinG!!

You can bag it and give away as goodies to your friends, neighbors and relatives!!

You may also like other recipes like: 

NanKhatai, 

Saffron Stamped Cookies, 

Lemon Pound Cake, 

Creamcheese Pound Cake etc.

Recipe courtesy: Radhika Subramanian.