Soft Pretzel Bites

I've had this recipe for a while now and I've been dying to give it a try. This isn't my first time making Pretzels so I knew this recipe was gonna be really good. These remind me of the soft pretzel at the movie theaters that comes with a cheese sauce. This also included a cheese sauce but I didn't have any cheese in the fridge, which was a bummer cause I love dipping these babies in cheese. But it's also good alone. I actually love dipping it in mustard too. 

Good to make for parties or for these lazy days you just wanna lay back and watch a movie at home. If you love soft pretzel you will not be disappointed with this recipe, so give it a try!

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce


Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp kosher salt
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
2 tbsp butter, melted
Pretzel or Kosher salt

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the water, yeast, sugar, and salt on low speed for 10 seconds.  Switch to the dough hook and add the flour and butter.  Mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl and transfer it to a well-oiled bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set it in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an wide 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.

In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Slice each rope into 1-inch pieces.  Place a lightly damp towel over the pretzel pieces to prevent them from drying out while you roll and cut the other pieces.

Using a slotted spoon lower a handful of the pretzel pieces into the boiling water and boil them for 30 seconds, flipping them around in the water with the spoon a couple of times. Remove the pretzel pieces from the water using the spoon, drain as best you can, and place them on the baking sheets. Brush the top of each pretzel with the melted butter and sprinkle with the pretzel/Kosher salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 10 – 12 minutes. Brush with remaining melted butter before serving. Serve warm.


Cheese Sauce:

Ingredients:

2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
8 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (not package pre-shredded cheese – shred your own)
Kosher salt

Instructions:

In a small saucepan set over medium heat, melt the butter.  Whisk in the flour and cook for 30 seconds, whisking constantly.

Slowly whisk in the milk until no lumps of flour remain.  Stirring constantly, bring the milk to a simmer over medium-low heat until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.  Remove the pan from the stove and stir in the shredded cheese until all of the cheese has melted.  Add a pinch of salt, if needed.  Serve warm.  Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave on medium power at 30 second intervals.

Source: pretzels adapted from Alton Brown; cheese sauce is a Smells Like Home original

Deep-Dark Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Tis the season to eat chocolate!

Well that's stupid we should always eat chocolate all year round! Don't you agree? 

Okay what you see here is all oh so gooey and oh so good. These brownies are the most darkest, richest, moist recipe you will ever bake. I baked them in a 9" x 9" inch pan. They came out pretty thick. So next time I'm gonna try a 9" x 13", so they will come out a bit thinner. So they can come out more like bars and less like cake. Not that there's nothing wrong with some cake! ^_^

This is by far the gooiest, darkest Chocolate Brownie Recipe I have ever made. Instead of milk chocolate I use bitter and semisweet chocolate cause I like to balance out the favors. This was a super fast recipe to prepare. I was surprise by how fast it all came together. I was in and out the kitchen in no time. The coffee is there to enhance the favors of the chocolate, so if your not a fan of coffee it's no big deal. You can bake them without the coffee and just substitute with 2 teaspoons of water. But I have to say you have got to try it with coffee. It makes a big differences.

Now the kitchen smells like chocolate and my belly is doing a happy dance. Bake these!

Deep-Dark Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Ingredients

• ⅔ cup Double-Dutch Dark Cocoa, or regular cocoa powder
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tbsp espresso powder
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp water or brewed coffee (cooled)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugars, salt, flour, espresso powder, and chips. Add the eggs, oil, vanilla extract and water or cooled coffee, mixing just until smooth. Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased 8 x 8", 9 x 9", or 9 x 13" square pan, smoothing the top. I used a 9 x 13" baking sheet fully lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Bake the brownies in a preheated 350°F oven for about 25 minutes (for the 9 x 13" pan), 35 minutes (for the 9" pan), or 45 minutes (for the 8" pan). To see if the brownies are done, remove the pan from the oven, and stick the tip of a sharp knife into the center of the brownies. Wriggle it around just enough to see what’s going on. Is the batter under the crust still shiny, wet, and smooth? Continue to bake the brownies, checking frequently. Is it ultra-moist, but not shiny, and “crumby” looking? Take them out, they’re done.

Place the pan of brownies on a cooling rack, and allow them to cool for 1 hour before slicing. 

Source: adapted from King Arthur Flour, Carnaldish.com

Grandma's Cherry Cheesecake

My closest friends gave me there late Grandmothers Cherry Cheesecake Recipe. They knew how much I love to bake and how close we are that they trusted me to keep this recipe sacred. I'm very proud to have this recipe passed down to me. So happy to finally have a cheesecake recipe I can make for my family and friends. This is such a creamy cake and I just love the added cherries on the top.

This is just one recipe I will not be able to share, but there's lots of other great Cheesecake Recipes out there!

New York-Style Crumb Cake

It's been a long time since I had crumb cake. I can't think of a time if I ever baked one. I usually get the one from Entemann's and there cakes are pretty good. But since I love baking and always love trying out new recipes I decided to give this New York-Style Crumb Cake a try. It's definitely a plus that I'm a true New Yorker and I know how we love our crumb cakes! Extra crumby! lol Okay that was corny anyways...

This recipe calls for cake flour. I didn't have any on hand and I didn't want to go out in this freezing cold 26 degree weather in Elmira N.Y. So I used all-purpose flour. I know I wasn't suppose too but I just really wanted crumb cake with my coffee. So I made it with the flour and yes it did come out dry but besides that it was very delicious. I definitely will be giving this recipe another try with the cake flour. I had a piece with hot cocoa last night and a piece for breakfast!

Enjoy!

**Update**

I gave this recipe another try but this time with cake flour, and omg it taste so much better. It came out so moist not dry. So if you decide to give this recipe a go please us the cake flour, it makes a big differences!

New York-Style Crumb Cake

Source: Cooks’ Illustrated free iPhone app and Cooks’ Illustrated May 2007
Don’t be tempted to substitute all-purpose flour for the cake flour, as doing so will make a dry, tough cake. If you can’t find buttermilk, you can substitute an equal amount of plain, low-fat yogurt. When topping the cake, take care to not push the crumbs into the batter. This recipe can be easily doubled and baked in a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. If doubling, increase the baking time to about 45 minutes. Cooled leftovers can be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.

For the Crumb Topping:
1/3 cup granulated sugar (2 2/3 ounces)
1/3 cup dark brown sugar (2 2/3 ounces)
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon table salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted and still warm
1 3/4 cups cake flour (7 ounces)

For the Cake:
1 1/4 cups cake flour (5 ounces)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon table salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (3/4 stick), cut into 6 pieces, softened but still cool
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup buttermilk
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

To make the topping: Whisk sugars, cinnamon, salt, and butter in medium bowl to combine. Add flour and stir with rubber spatula or wooden spoon until mixture resembles thick, cohesive dough; set aside to cool to room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes.

To make the cake: Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Cut 16-inch length parchment paper or aluminum foil and fold lengthwise to 7-inch width. Spray 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and fit parchment into dish, pushing it into corners and up sides; allow excess to overhang edges of dish.

In bowl of standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt on low speed to combine. With mixer running at low speed, add butter one piece at a time; continue beating until mixture resembles moist crumbs, with no visible butter chunks remaining, 1 to 2 minutes. Add egg, yolk, vanilla, and buttermilk; beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute, scraping once if necessary.

Transfer batter to baking pan; using rubber spatula, spread batter into even layer.  Break apart crumb topping into large pea-sized pieces between your thumb, pointer, and middle fingers and spread in even layer over batter, beginning with edges and then working toward center. Bake until crumbs are golden and wooden skewer inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on wire rack at least 30 minutes. Remove cake from pan by lifting parchment overhang. Dust with confectioners’ sugar just before serving.

Source:Smells Like Home blog

Cinnamon Buns

It has been a long time since I last tasted these. Boy I'm glad I made these again!

These cinnamon buns were so yummy and the glaze was the best bun glaze I've made by far. The cream cheese adds a richness to the whole bun. Since I  made these for my very close friends I didn't add the raisins, since they don't like them very much. But I love raisins so next time I'm adding raisins to half of the cinnamon buns. I just love plump raisins. ^_^ You can plump your raisins in boiling hot water for 10 minutes.

This is what they look like out the oven without the glaze. I like them warm out the oven so I couldn't wait 10 minutes to bite into one so I just had one right away.

Great treat to make for breakfast. The smell of these babies will wake your whole family up and maybe your neighbors too!

Recipe Below!

Enjoy!

Cinnamon Buns

Source: adapted from Peter Reinhart, The Bread Baker’s Apprentice & Smells Like Home

Makes 8-12 large or 12-16 smaller buns

6 1/2 tablespoons (3.25 ounces) granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

5 1/2 tablespoons (2.75 ounces) shortening or unsalted butter, room temperature

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon lemon extract or zest

3 1/2 cups (16 ounces) unbleached bread or all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons (.22 ounce) instant yeast

1 1/8 to 1 1/4 cups (9 to 10 ounces) whole milk or buttermilk, room temperature

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

1/2 cup (4 ounces) cinnamon sugar (6 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar plus 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon)

1 cup raisins

Directions:

In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the sugar, salt and shortening on medium-high speed. Whip in the egg and lemon extract until smooth. Then add the flour, yeast, and milk. Mix on low speed until the dough forms a ball. Switch to the dough hook, and increase the speed to medium, mixing for approximately 10 minutes, or until the dough is tacky but not sticky. Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, rolling it around to cover it with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap.

Ferment at room temperature for approximately 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size.

Mist the counter with spray oil, and transfer the dough to the counter. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin, lightly dusting the top of the dough with flour. Roll it into a rectangle about 2/3 inch thick and 14 inches wide by 12 inches long for larger buns, or 18 inches wide by 9 inches long for smaller buns. Brush melted butter over the dough then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the surface of the dough.  Sprinkle on the raisins and gently press them into the cinnamon-sugar. Roll the dough up into a log, creating a spiral as you roll. With the seam side down, cut the dough into 8 to 12 even pieces, each about 1 3/4 inches thick for larger buns; or 12 to 16 pieces each 1 1/4 inch thick for smaller buns.

Line 1 or more sheet pans with baking parchment. Place the buns approximately 1/2 inch apart.

Proof at room temperature for 75 to 90 minutes, or until the pieces have grown into one another and have nearly doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with the oven rack on the middle shelf.

Bake the buns for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Cool the buns in the pan for about 10 minutes, and then glaze the tops. Remove the buns from the pans, and place them on a cooling rack. Wait at least 20 minutes before serving.

Cinnamon Bun Glaze
source: adapted from Molly Wizenberg, “Bon Appetit”(March 2008) 

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla. Spread glaze on rolls.

Chocolate Crackles

One of many favorite!

This chocolate cookie recipe is one of my faves and many others have said it was there's. Chocolate Crackles are really festive for the holiday season. You can even gift wrap them and give them out as Christmas treats.

My friends & family comment saying they taste like mini brownies, and they do. Great with a tall glass of milk.

Recipe Below!

Enjoy!

Chocolate Crackles

Ingredients:

8 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups @8500 ft.)
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 tsps baking powder (1 1/2 tsps @8500 ft.)
1/4 tsp coarse salt (1/2 tsp @8500 ft.)
1/2 cup (4 oz.) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed (1 1/4 cups @8500 ft.)
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract (2 tsps @8500 ft.)
1/3 cup whole milk
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:  

Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a hot water bath or on medium-low power in a microwave, stirring occasionally. Set aside to let cool. 

Sift (or whisk) the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. 

Beat the butter and light brown sugar together for a couple of minutes until fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla, then beat in the melted chocolate. Slowly mix half of the flour into the butter mixture. Mix in half of the milk until incorporated. Mix the remaining flour and then the milk until combined. 

Place the dough in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours or until the dough is firm. 

Preheat the oven to 350°F. 

Pinch off pieces from the dough and roll into 1-inch balls. Coat each dough ball in granulated sugar then in powdered sugar and place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until the surfaces crack – about 14 minutes (10 minutes @8500 ft.). You can rotate the baking sheets halfway through the baking time, but I didn’t need to.

Remove from baking sheets to cooling racks until completely cooled. Store cookies between layers of parchment or wax paper in airtight containers at room temperature. Good for up to 3 days. Makes 60 cookies.

Source: from Martha Stewart’s Cookies & Use Real Butter

Coconut Custard Pie

I think two days of baking is catching up to me! My body was killing me last night, so I slept like a baby and didn't get up till 9:30am. Well good thing is I feel well rested today! ^_^

Every Thanksgiving I bake for my family and my boyfriends family, so that's a lot of baking...lol My mom wanted me to bake her pumpkin pie and coconut custard so I did. I got this recipe from Allrecipes.com.

This pie was super yummy and creamy, everyone loved this pie better than the pumpkin pie. I didn't make the crust, it was a frozen one. I didn't like the crust so much, so I think next time I will make this I will make my own pie crust.

Enjoy!

Coconut Custard Pie IV

Ingredients: 

1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked

4 eggs

1/2 cup white sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup whole milk

1 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 cup shredded coconut

Directions:  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 

In a large mixing bowl beat eggs slightly. Add sugar, salt, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Mix well. Gently whisk in whole milk, evaporated milk, and cream. Fold in coconut. Pour mixture into baked pie shell. 

Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool before serving, and refrigerate within 1 hour. 

Source: allrecipes.com