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Mom’s Zucchini Bread 2.0

Bread, Breakfast, Dessert, , ,

I have the best zucchini bread for you today, ready to use up the last of the fresh zucchini coming in from your gardens and farmer’s markets. I started with a tried and true family favorite, but made some slight adjustments. I think it’s the best zucchini bread out there! It’s still moist and cakey without being dense, and has the best cinnamon flavor without being too sweet. It’s perfect for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert!

Mom's Zucchini Bread 2.0 - The Archaeologist Bakes

As I mentioned, I started with my mom’s recipe that we’ve been using for years. And based on a quick internet search, it seems like a lot of moms and grandmas out there are using the same recipe. And it really was good to begin with, but I wanted to make a few changes.

The first problem I encountered with the original recipe was that it was created for 8×4-inch loaf pans. All of my loaf pans are 9×5-inch, and I bet a lot of you have the same size. This meant the loaves (each batch makes two) were pretty flat and sad-looking. But it was too much batter for just one 9×5-inch loaf. So I upped the quantities and now you get two perfectly sized loaves. If you are using 8×4-inch pans, you’ll just get three loaves instead.

Mom's Zucchini Bread 2.0 - The Archaeologist Bakes

The next problem was that while I love a nice, moist, cakey quick bread, most of the zucchini breads I have tried tend to be a little dense and almost wet. I took a page out of some other recipes I had seen, and decided to squeeze out some of the moisture from the zucchini before adding it to the batter. It doesn’t have to be squeezed completely dry, but removing about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of liquid from it helps a lot with the texture of the finished bread.

Because I was removing some of the bitter liquid, and because I sometimes find zucchini bread to be on the sweet side, I also reduced the sugar a bit. It’s still sweet, but it has a nice balance with the other flavors. And while I just use cinnamon, you could easily substitute the spices of your choice. Use apple pie or pumpkin pie spice, or make a blend of your favorite spices (I’m thinking cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom next time).

Mom's Zucchini Bread 2.0 - The Archaeologist Bakes

I add nuts to my zucchini bread, pecans and walnuts to be specific, but as with almost every recipe, those are optional. Use whatever nut or seed you like – pumpkin or sunflower seeds would be great! Just avoid any that are salted for this recipe. Or, make it even more decadent and add chocolate chips, whatever flavor you prefer! You can even leave the add-ins out entirely.

Whatever mix-ins or spices you choose, I hope you give this recipe a try. It is seriously the best zucchini bread I’ve ever eaten, and I think you’ll love it too!

Mom's Zucchini Bread 2.0 - The Archaeologist Bakes
Print Recipe
 Mom's Zucchini Bread 2.0
Servings
loaves
Ingredients
Servings
loaves
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Place grated zucchini in a clean tea towel and squeeze out excess moisture. It doesn't have to be completely dry, but give it a good squeeze to eliminate the excess liquid. You should remove 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Set zucchini aside.
  2. Combine eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together until well combined.
  3. Add zucchini and stir until incorporated.
  4. Add all dry ingredients except nuts and stir just until there are no streaks of flour remaining.
  5. Stir in nuts.
  6. Pour into two greased 9x5-inch loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees F for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center has a few moist crumbs attached.
  7. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze, well-wrapped, for up to 3 months.
Recipe Notes
  • Use three pans if you have 8x4-inch loaf pans. It's ok to bake two and keep the remining batter refrigerated until you can wash and re-use one of the pans.
  • As always, nuts are optional. Use any unsalted variety you like, or substitute with seeds or chocolate chips. 
  • Instead of cinnamon use apple pie or pumpkin pie spice. Or create your own spice blend. Just use the same total amount -  1 1/2 tablespoons.
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Key Lime Pie Crumble Bars

Dessert, ,

These Key Lime Pie Crumble Bars taste just like your favorite Key Lime Pie, but are much more portable. They’re perfect for cookouts and backyard barbecues, or just because you’ve got extra limes sitting around waiting to be used up. They are rich, but refreshing because of the lime flavor. You’re definitely going to want to make these this summer!

Key Lime Pie Crumble Bars - The Archaeologist Bakes

I love Key Lime Pie, but I don’t love making it, storing it, and serving it. I wanted something with the same flavors, but easier to make and easier to serve. These crumble bars are the perfect answer. And because I really like a tart lime, I use regular (or Persian) limes. But feel free to use Key Limes if you prefer. They tend to be a little sweeter, so you won’t have quite as tart of a filling, although this one is fairly sweet to begin with.

Key Lime Pie Crumble Bars - The Archaeologist Bakes

As always, there are options if you want to change this up. As with most citrus desserts, feel free to change up the citrus fruit depending on your tastes and what you have on hand. Because the filling depends on the acid from the citrus juice essentially jelling the sweetened condensed milk, it may be a little softer set if you use orange juice, which tends to be a little less acidic. You can help that by adding in a bit of lemon juice with the orange to raise the acidity. And, as usual, feel free to add some finely chopped nuts of your choice to the crust, or even sprinkled on top before baking. Although I didn’t do it, you can certainly add a few drops of food coloring to match the citrus you are using. The filling stays pretty cream-colored without, which I am totally fine with. But everyone loves the look of a green Key Lime Pie, so color it if you prefer, or if you want it to be more obvious what the flavor is.

I used regular Biscoff cookie butter, to help mimic the flavor of a graham cracker crust, but if you have other cookie butters you want to try, go for it! Prefer a gingersnap crust on your citrus pie? Just add in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger to your crust mixture. If you don’t have any cookie butter, go get some! Or , use a neutral-flavored nut or seed butter instead. I would use almond or sunflower (unsalted), but I would stay away from peanut butter just because of the stronger flavor. You can also add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, especially if you don’t use the Biscoff cookie butter. That will also help mimic the graham cracker taste.

While these are portable because they are a bar, they should still be stored refrigerated. While they can sit at room temperature for a short time, they should be kept cool, so stick them in a cooler if you’re taking them to a picnic. You won’t have to worry about how to get them home, because they are sure to disappear fast! These are such a great twist on the classic pie. I hope you try it soon!

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 Key Lime Pie Crumble Bars
Servings
Ingredients
Crust
Filling
Servings
Ingredients
Crust
Filling
Instructions
  1. Combine flour, oats, both sugars, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl and stir until combined.
  2. Cut butter into mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Stir in egg and cookie butter. Mixture will still be somewhat crumbly.
  4. Press half of mixture into a greased 8" square pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
  5. While crust is baking, combine all filling ingredients.
  6. Pour filling onto hot crust, and crumble remaining crust mixture over top.
  7. Bake an additional 20-25 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
  8. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 30 minutes before cutting and serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
  • Use any citrus you like instead of lime. If using orange, add a tablespoon of lemon juice to increase the acidity and help the filling set.
  • Use any cookie butter you would like.
  • If you don't have cookie butter, use a neutral nut or seed butter instead. Consider adding a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to help replicate the graham cracker taste.
  • If you like a gingersnap crust on your key lime pie, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger to the crust mixture.
  • Add a few drops of food coloring to the filling if you'd like.
  • Add up to 1/2 cup of finely chopped nuts to the crust, or sprinkle 1/4 cup on top.
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Summer Sunshine Coffee Cake

Breakfast, Dessert, ,

I have the perfect summer weekend breakfast treat for you today! Made from homemade biscuits and full of bright citrus flavors, it also makes a great afternoon pick-me-up, or even a light dessert. And it’s easy to make and comes together fairly quickly, making it great for last-minute or unplanned guests.

I got the inspiration from Paula Deen’s Orange Coffee Cake, but I wanted to make it a little more homemade. Instead of canned biscuits, I decided to make homemade angel biscuits, which are essentially a yeasted buttermilk biscuit. They are a little flaky and a little bread-y, and I think they are perfect in this application.

I also wanted to update the flavor slightly. I’m personally not a huge fan of orange flavor, but I thought mixing it with grapefruit would be a nice twist. I really like the combination in this cake. The two flavors complement each other well, without either being overwhelmed by the other. And the citrus really brightens up a cake that could otherwise feel heavy and rich. I finished if off with a cream cheese glaze, flavored lightly with grapefruit juice, since I thought that would be a little more subtle than orange, but you could use either one.

You could definitely change up the flavor with whatever citrus you love, or have on hand. I personally love limes, and think that would make a great cake. Blood oranges would make a fantastic winter cake. And can you ever go wrong with Meyer lemons? Use just a single fruit, or mix a few together to find your perfect cake.

I really hope you give this recipe a try. If you’re intimidated by yeast dough this is a perfect place to start, since there isn’t a ton of kneading. And if you really don’t want to use yeast or wait the short rise time, you can use your favorite biscuit recipe and follow the rest of the directions with that dough. However you make it, I know you’ll love it!

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 Summer Sunshine Coffee Cake
Servings
people
Ingredients
Biscuits
Filling and Topping
Icing
Servings
people
Ingredients
Biscuits
Filling and Topping
Icing
Instructions
  1. Combine yeast, warm water, and 2 teaspoons sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Grate cold butter into flour mixture (see recipe notes for tips), and toss gently to combine well and coat all pieces with flour.
  3. Stir in yeast mixture, sour cream, and milk and mix well. Dump onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until mixture is smooth and all flour is fully incorporated.
  4. Place into a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 30-45 minutes.
  5. While dough is rising, combine 1/2 cup sugar with orange and grapefruit zests and mix well. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and set aside.
  6. Once dough has risen, lightly punch down and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll out to 1/2-inch thickness. Sprinkle with half of sugar and zest, then fold dough in half.
  7. Roll again lightly to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut out biscuits with 3-inch round cutter, pressing straight down without twisting. Try to get as many out of the first roll as possible. Ideally you should get 7 to 8 biscuits with the first roll. Lightly press together any scraps and cut additional biscuits. You should have 9 in total.
  8. Place one whole biscuit, one from the second batch of cutting, into the center of a greased 9-inch pie plate or cake pan. Cut remaining 8 biscuits in half with a sharp knife, creating half circles. Place the 16 pieces around the center biscuit, slightly overlapping and with all cut sides facing the same way, like flower petals.
  9. Brush the top of the biscuits with the melted butter, and sprinkle with the remaining sugar and zest mixture.
  10. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.
  11. While coffee cake is cooling, make icing. Whisk together the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Add enough juice to make a thick icing that is just thin enough to be drizzled. Drizzle over cooled cake.
Recipe Notes
  • When grating butter into flour mixture, use full stick (8 tablespoons). Unwrap most of the way, and while holding the wrapped end, grate in 7 tablespoons. Save remaining tablespoon for topping.
  • Use any combination, or single flavor, of citrus zest and juice.
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Black and White Banana Cupcakes

Cakes and cupcakes, , ,

I have the perfect Fourth of July recipe for you today! It’s a delicious banana cupcake dipped in chocolate and vanilla fudge frostings. It’s a great dessert to bring to a cookout for several reasons. First, the recipe makes 24 cupcakes, so there’s plenty to go around. Second, the frostings set up firm so they’re easy to transport and they won’t melt easily in the heat if you’ve got them sitting outside. And finally, well, they’re just plain delicious!

These cupcakes are one of my favorites. Well, let me clarify. The cupcakes are delicious. The frostings are out of this world, and probably the reason I like the cupcakes so much. I am a chocolate person through and through. I never choose vanilla if chocolate is an option. Except with this frosting. This vanilla frosting is almost like a vanilla fudge. It is so good, it will almost make you forget there is chocolate available too. Almost. So, I could never choose between a vanilla frosted and chocolate frosted one. Until now. I figured if New York could frost their cookies with both vanilla and chocolate, well, I could do it to my cupcakes. Yep, it’s a good idea.

Let’s start by talking about the cupcakes. Really, these aren’t much different than banana bread. They’re a little bit lighter in texture, which is perfect for a summer cupcake. The banana flavor is there but not overwhelming, and the bananas help to keep the cupcakes moist. Nuts are completely optional, but I do enjoy walnuts or pecans in these. I think hazelnuts or macadamias would also be great. Or, if you prefer to throw in some mini chocolate chips, I won’t stop you. They’re your cupcakes – do what sounds good to you!

Now, the frostings. Yes, plural. But I promise they aren’t difficult. Both are rich and fudgy, and they both go so well with the banana cupcake. To frost them, if you only want one flavor on the cupcake, you can just dip the tops into the warm frosting. To get the half and half look, I found it easier to use a spoon or spatula to spread partially cooled frosting on half a cupcake and then repeat on the other half with the other flavor. If you want sprinkles (and who doesn’t want sprinkles?), you need to be fast with them. This frosting sets fairly quickly, so I wouldn’t frost more than one or two cupcakes before topping with sprinkles. It’s a great task for any little helpers you have!

Each frosting recipe makes enough to fully frost 12 cupcakes, so one recipe of each flavor will cover 24, either 12 of each or half and half on 24. Of course, if you don’t need to transport these or want to change them up, you can absolutely use a standard buttercream. Chocolate, vanilla…..peanut butter, anyone? And you could replace the sprinkles with chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or chopped candies. 

These cupcakes are sure to become a favorite. Bake up a batch for your next picnic or bake sale. And if you have leftovers, well, they’re basically banana bread…so I say eat them for breakfast!


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Black and White Banana Cupcakes

A light banana cupcake with chocolate and vanilla fudge frostings.

Course Dessert

Servings
cupcakes


Ingredients
Cupcakes

Chocolate Frosting

Vanilla Frosting

Course Dessert

Servings
cupcakes


Ingredients
Cupcakes

Chocolate Frosting

Vanilla Frosting


Instructions
Cupcakes
  1. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well,

  2. Stir in mashed bananas.

  3. Combine dry ingredients, except nuts. in a separate bowl.

  4. Add half of dry ingredients to banana mixture, mix, and add sour milk. Mix well and add remainder of dry ingredients.

  5. Stir in nuts if using.

  6. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners and fill about 2/3 full.

  7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and the centers spring back when touched.

  8. Remove cupcakes to wire racks to cool.

Chocolate Frosting
  1. Combine chocolate, butter, and milk in the top of a double boiler and heat until melted.

  2. Turn off heat, but leave the double boiler together. Stir in powdered sugar. Frosting should be thick but pourable.

Vanilla Frosting
  1. Combine butter, milk, and salt in the top of a double boiler and heat until melted.

  2. Turn off heat but leave double boiler together. Stir in vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Frosting should be thick but pourable.

Assembly
  1. While frosting is still pourable, dip the tops of the cupcakes and allow to set on wire racks.

  2. To create half and half cupcakes, let frosting cool slightly and spread cupcakes half with vanilla and half with chocolate frosting.

  3. Frosting sets quickly, so add sprinkles after every one or two cupcakes are frosted.

  4. If frosting begins to cool and set in the bowl, you can reheat gently in the double boiler.


Recipe Notes

Make these your own:

  • Choose your favorite nut to add.
  • Leave out the nuts entirely.
  • Substitute mini chocolate chips instead of nuts.
  • Not in love with chocolate? Double the batch of vanilla frosting and use only that.
  • Family of chocoholics? Double the chocolate frosting and use only that.
  • Instead of sprinkles, use nuts, mini chips, or chopped candies.
  • You can use any flavor of buttercream on these as well - chocolate, vanilla, and peanut butter would be great!


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Ginger-Lime Thumbprint Cookies

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The first time I made a cookie similar to this was while I was on a project and living in a hotel room. I was baking for the crew almost every weekend, but since I was in a hotel and cooking in a toaster oven with only a few tools, I tried to use shortcuts where I could. I was looking for ways to easily dress up a cookie mix when I stumbled upon a recipe for ginger-lime sugar cookies and decided that could work. I just mixed up the mix and added lime zest and fresh ginger. I stirred in some white chocolate chips and baked them up. Everyone went crazy for them!

I fell in love with the ginger-lime combination at that point, and I have made similar cookies many times since. I wanted to dress them up a little for you, though, so I turned them into thumbprint cookies!  These are soft, chewy cookies that actually stay soft and chewy for up to a week. For the filling, I use vanilla almond bark because I prefer it over actual white chocolate. You can use whichever you prefer or have on hand. These have a tropical vibe to them, so I think a sprinkle of toasted coconut or toasted macadamia nuts would be perfect. You could either sprinkle some on top of the ganache before it sets, or go all out and roll the cookie dough in them before baking!


Print Recipe
 Ginger-Lime Thumbprint Cookies
Servings
dozen
Ingredients
Servings
dozen
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Melt butter.
  2. While still warm, add cubed cream cheese, sugar, and oil. Whisk until combined and cream cheese is mostly melted.
  3. Add lime, ginger, and egg and mix well.
  4. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until a smooth dough is formed.
  5. Refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes or up to several hours.
  6. Scoop dough, using a 1 1/2 tablespoon scoop, onto a parchment or silicone lined cookie sheet.
  7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges.
  8. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press an indentation in the middle with a small (1/2 teaspoon) measuring spoon.
  9. Cool 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  10. Once cookies are baked, make the ganache by combining almond bark with heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl.
  11. Microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each. Continue until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth.
  12. Spoon, or pipe with a piping or plastic bag, the ganache into the indents in the cookies. Let set until firm, about 1 hour.
  13. Sprinkle with additional lime zest if desired.
Recipe Notes
  • Sprinkle with toasted coconut or toasted, chopped macadamia nuts before the ganache sets.
  • Roll the cookie dough in coconut or chopped macadamia nuts before baking.
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Lemon Puff Balls

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Today I’m bringing you a recipe that is a twist on a childhood favorite of mine – chocolate puff balls. I’ll share that recipe with you soon, but since I just posted a chocolate recipe , I decided to mix things up a bit.

Are you still dealing with winter where you are? Spring seems to have sprung here, much to my dismay. I definitely miss the cold, snowy winters of Cleveland. The spring weather here is finally convincing me to bake things a little less heavy and rich. I have tossed around the idea of lemon puff balls for some time, and this weekend I finally tackled them.

So what is a puffball? It’s nothing mysterious, really. Just a steamed cake, usually served with a warm sauce instead of frosting. The original recipe is a chocolate cake with a vanilla butter sauce. This time, I’ve made a lemon cake with a lemon sauce. I added a drizzle of raspberry sauce as well, but that’s completely optional.

You really could do this with any variety of citrus. And feel free to use a sauce of your choice, or just a dusting a powdered sugar and a dollop of whipped cream. Chocolate sauce would be great on an orange cake. Or you could just use extra milk in place of the lemon juice (and remove the baking soda) for a vanilla cake and top with citrus sauce or hot fudge.

This is a great recipe for beginner bakers. It is a simple, one-bowl cake recipe that doesn’t require an electric mixer.  However, you do need some ramekins or Pyrex bowls and a steamer. I use four 10-oz Pyrex bowls, but you can use up to six bowls or ramekins, as small as a 5-oz size. Just make sure they are heat-safe. I have large pasta pot with a steamer insert that I use, but you can use any steamer you have, or make your own with a large soup or stock pot.

The cake is fairly light, in both flavor and texture. Which is why I highly recommend adding the sauce to it. The sauce soaks up into the cake to make it extra moist and flavorful. If you’ve never had a puff ball cake before, you definitely need to give these a try. 

 

Print Recipe
 Lemon Puff Balls
Servings
Ingredients
Puff Balls
Lemon Sauce
Servings
Ingredients
Puff Balls
Lemon Sauce
Instructions
Puff Balls
  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and wisk until combined.
  2. Pour into 4 to 6 greased ramekins or Pyrex bowls (5 to 10 oz each).
  3. Steam cakes in a steamer for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Lemon Sauce
  1. Combine sugar, cornstarch, and water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until thickened and clear.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and stir until butter is melted.
  3. Serve warm over puff balls.
Recipe Notes

A drizzle of raspberry sauce adds a nice pop to the lemon cake.

Use any citrus you'd like for both the cake and the sauce. Or omit the citrus sauce and top with warm hot fudge sauce on an orange puff ball.

You can also top with whipped cream or ice cream.

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Pumpkin Spice Ghost Munch Caramel Corn

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Hi guys! Are you over the pumpkin spice craze yet, or do you have room for more? I hope you’re still into it, but if not, it’s super easy to leave it out of this recipe. In fact, this is super customizable. You can really make it for any holiday or special occasion. But more on that in a minute.

Do you all know what Moose Munch is? It’s a caramel corn by Harry and David that is typically coated in chocolate. It is delicious. This is my take on it, all dressed up for Halloween. And it’s super easy, even with homemade caramel corn. Yes, I said homemade. I promise it’s not hard to make, and you probably have all of the ingredients you need in your pantry right now. Yes, you need a candy thermometer, but they aren’t expensive and it is sooooo worth it.

I love this caramel corn. My mom has been making it for as long as I can remember. She always adds salted peanuts, which I think add the perfect salty component. You can, of course, use whatever nuts you like. But make sure they are salted and roasted. If you don’t use salted nuts, give the caramel corn a heavy sprinkle of sea salt before baking. You’ll thank me later. You can certainly stop once the caramel corn is made, and you would have an absolutely delicous snack. But if you want something special for a holiday or party, or just because, go ahead and add some chocolate. I used chocolate almond bark and pumpkin spice chips, but you can use any chocolate that sounds good to you. Chocolate chips, white chocolate, almond bark, peanut butter chips. Like I said, anything you want.

Candy melts also work well, so it’s super simple to customize the colors. Go for red and green at Christmas. Or red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July. How about some pretty pastels for Easter? Or use your teams colors for a fun tailgating snack. And the sprinkles are optional, but there are so many fun varieties out there, you are sure to find some that will work for whatever event you’re making this for. Put out a big bowl for everyone to much on and it will be gone in no time. Or divide it into individual bags with matching ribbons or tags for a fun party favor. However you decide to customize this, you should definitely give it a try!


Print Recipe
 Pumpkin Spice Ghost Munch Caramel Corn
Homemade caramel corn coated in chocolate.
Servings
Ingredients
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Pop popcorn. You can do this in an air popper, a stir popper, in a pan on the stove, or even in the microwave. You can use a small amount of butter or oil, but you don't wanted seasoned or salted popcorn. You will need 10 cups of popped popcorn.
  2. Combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a medium to large saucepan and cook over medium to medium-high heat.
  3. Cook and stir until butter is melted and mixture begins to boil. Insert candy thermometer and continue to cook for about 5 minutes, without stirring, until mixture reaches 248 degrees, or firm ball stage.
  4. Remove from heat and carefully stir in the baking soda. The mixture will foam up, which is why you want a larger saucepan than you think you need.
  5. While caramel is cooking, combine popcorn and nuts (if using) in a large greased baking pan. I'm talking about a sheet pan, preferably with 2-inch sides. If you don't have a pan this big, the bottom part of a large broiler pan may work. Or divide evenly between two 13x9-inch cake pans.
  6. Pour caramel mixture (after baking soda has been added) over the popcorn and nuts. Stir well to coat all pieces. If you do not want to use nuts, sprinkle the coated popcorn with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
  7. Move to a 250-degree F oven and cook for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. The caramel corn is done when no "loose" caramel is pooling in the bottom of the pan. Everything should be coated onto the popcorn and it shouldn't be too sticky. It will firm up the rest of the way once cooled.
  8. Once caramel corn is cool, melt the chocolate in a large bowl. Toss with 6 cups of the caramel corn until completely coated. Spread onto parchment- or waxed paper-lined baking sheet and let harden. I placed mine in the fridge for a few minutes to help it set.
  9. If using more than one type of chocolate, like I did, melt each type separately. I used 1/2 cup each of pumpkin spice chips and chopped chocolate almond bark. I mixed each type with 3 cups of the caramel corn.
  10. If you want to add sprinkles, add them to the chocolate-coated popcorn before it sets,
  11. Combine coated caramel corn with uncoated and mix well to distribute. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Recipe Notes
  • You can use any type of chocolate or chips that you want. Dark, milk, white, peanut butter. Colored candy melts also work great and make it easy to customize for any holiday or event.
  • Try red and green for Christmas; red, white, and blue for Fourth of July; team colors for tailgating; school colors for graduation.
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Zucchini Bread – Made with Spaghetti Squash!

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Hi Everyone! I know I’ve been pretty absent here this summer, but I promise I am getting back to baking and will be bringing you lots of new recipes soon! I am so ready for fall – fall weather, fall flavors, fall color. It’s my favorite time of year. 🙂

But for those of you still clinging on to summer, and the bounty of your vegetable garden, I have one more summer recipe for you. Actually, with the cinnamon, it tastes like the start of fall, but it’s a great way to use up your squash.

This was originally my mom’s zucchini bread recipe, and people LOVE this bread. It’s got a nice strong cinnamon flavor and is super moist because of the zucchini. I was gifted a spaghetti  squash from a co-worker, and of course I was immediately challenged to bake something with it. I wondered if I could use it in place of zucchini in baked goods. So I did a little research, crossed my fingers, and went for it. 

This is the second recipe I’ve tried using that substitution, and I can’t tell the difference between the original and the spaghetti squash version. Yes – it works! The only difference is that you have to cook, and shred, the spaghetti squash first, whereas the zucchini is shredded and added to the batter raw. Also, you need to measure the squash by weight, since it is much more dense than shredded zucchini. 

Yes, you can absolutely use zucchini as originally intended. And while I used walnuts in mine, as always, the nuts are optional or changeable. Pecans are always delicious in sweet breads. Hazelnuts or macadamia nuts would be really interesting too.  This recipe uses only cinnamon, but you could change that up too. Add in a little bit of nutmeg or cloves for more of a fall flavor. And you can absolutely bake this in standard 8″x4″ loaf pans. I couldn’t resist trying out this beautiful new swirl pan I just got. And I have to say that I am loving it.

Serve this warm or at room temperature. Or toast it and spread on a little butter. Or cream cheese. Or, if you want to go all out, drizzle on some cream cheese icing for a decadent treat. I think I need to go make another batch of this and do just that….


Print Recipe
 Zucchini Bread - with Spaghetti Squash!
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Servings
Loaves
Ingredients
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Servings
Loaves
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Whisk eggs and sugar together until thick and very light yellow in color.
  2. Whisk in oil and vanilla until combined.
  3. Stir in shredded zucchini or squash.
  4. Combine dry ingredients and stir into batter along with nuts, if using, just until combined.
  5. Pour into two 8"x4" greased loaf pans.
  6. Bake at 325 degrees F for 60-70 minutes. (See notes).
  7. Cool 10 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling. Serve warm or room temperature.
  8. Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days at room temperature or a week refrigerated.
Recipe Notes
  • Zucchini should be grated raw, with or without the peel.
  • Spaghetti squash should be cooked (steamed or baked) and shredded before adding to batter.
  • If you are using larger loaf pans (like the pan I used, or a 9"x5" pan) the bread will cook faster. Start checking after 35 minutes.
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Coffee Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Cookies, ,

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking you don’t need another chocolate chip cookie recipe. But you’re wrong. Because not only is this cookie delicious and different than most of your chocolate chip cookie recipes, this one doesn’t have to be a chocolate chip cookie.

This recipe is based off of a recipe we made all the time as kids. We always had homemade cookies in our school lunch. Always. (My mom is the best. 🙂 ). The oatmeal chocolate chips cookies were a regular and a favorite. I was thinking about them the other day, and I thought they might be improved with a bit of coffee. (I was right). I made a few other changes (took out one egg white, used all brown sugar, melted the butter) to make them even chewier. Also a good idea.

But as I said, these don’t have to be chocolate chip cookies. In fact, the original recipe called for either chocolate chips OR shredded coconut. You could absolutely make that substitution here. Or add chopped nuts. Or dried fruit (you know, like raisins, if you’re in to that kind of thing). Or any combination of the above. The coffee is not an overwhelming flavor, but it really does add an interesting element to the cookie. Yes, you can leave it out. Or, if you want a real coffee punch, use up to twice the amount I’ve called for.

One thing you shouldn’t do is skip the chilling the dough step. Especially when using the melted butter, you really need to chill the dough to get a thicker, chewy cookie. Unless you want a thinner, crispier cookie. In which case, you should bake these as soon as they are mixed. (But seriously, why would you want that??) Whatever way you make these, you should definitely make them soon. I was informed that these are “husband approved”, and that I didn’t need to bring these in to the office to share. (Sorry guys!) 🙂

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 Coffee Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Course Dessert
Servings
cookies
Ingredients
Course Dessert
Servings
cookies
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Combine melted butter and brown sugar and mix well.
  2. Add egg, egg yolk, coffee (dissolved in water), and vanilla and mix until combined.
  3. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
  4. Stir in chocolate chips or other mix-ins.
  5. Refrigerate dough at least 30 minutes.
  6. Scoop chilled dough by heaping tablespoons onto cookie sheets.
  7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and just set. Do not overbake.
  8. Cool completely on wire rack. Store in airtight container up to a week.
Recipe Notes
  • Use any flavor chips you like.
  • Substitute chopped nuts, shredded coconut, and/or dried fruit.
  • Use any combination that sounds good to you!
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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ladybug Cookies

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I promised you more spring treats, so here you go! As some of you may know, and many of you probably don’t, I have adored ladybugs my whole life. I have collected ladybugs in any form for as long as I can remember. And I have to tell you, most of the year there aren’t many ladybugs to be found in the stores. My sister collected pandas, and you could find those almost anywhere. I’ve known people who collect pigs or roosters – also pretty easy to find. Ladybugs – not so much. Around Valentine’s Day and Easter you see a few more around, but even then they are pretty scarce. Even so, I have amassed a pretty impressive collection, if I do say so myself. Towels, jewelry, wall art, soap dishes (that one in the picture above – I use it for a spoon rest on my stove!), toys, figurines, etc., etc. But I’m pretty sure it all started with this lovely lady right here.

These cookies are an adaptation of a cookie we started making when I was pretty young. My mom had saved a pull-out section of a Good Housekeeping magazine from the 1980s. It was a special Christmas cookie section for “Christmas Toy Cookies”. One of the recipes was for a ladybug cookie. What that has to do with Christmas or toys, I don’t really know. But I do know I loved making and eating those cookies. The original recipe was for a vanilla cookie with maraschino cherry, or red hots, spots. I decided to go more true-to-life, and make a red body with chocolate chip spots. And if I was going to add color, I figured I might as well add flavor!

The recipe as I have written it adds strawberry flavoring, which I’m sure many of you will enjoy. I, on the other hand, do not like strawberries. I know, I know. I told you I was a picky eater. I did have a bottle of pomegranate flavoring in my cabinet, begging to be used, though, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. You can use either of those flavors, or go with cherry or raspberry. Ooohh, or cinnamon….that would be fantastic, too. You could even leave the flavoring, and the color, out if you wanted to. This is a soft, slightly cakey cookie full of flavor. And they are pretty darn cute, too. 🙂


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 Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ladybug Cookies
Servings
cookies
Ingredients
Servings
cookies
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs.
  2. Add salt, baking soda, and flour; mix well.
  3. Remove 1/4 cup of the dough, and stir the melted chocolate into that portion.
  4. Add the extract and food color to the plain dough. I used enough food color to make a bright red, but adjust to your tastes.
  5. Divide the red dough into 36 pieces, each approximately 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons. Shape each piece into an oval and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  6. Divide the chocolate dough into 36 pieces, about 1/2 teaspoon each, and push into one end of each oval.
  7. Use the back of a butter knife to make a deep line down the center of each cookie, to define the "wings".
  8. Push mini chocolate chips into each wing. I use 2 or 3 per side, but use as many as you'd like.
  9. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until cookies are set. If you don't use the food coloring, there will be very light browning, but you cannot see this on the red cookies.
  10. Cool completely on wire racks and store in an airtight container up to a week.
Recipe Notes

Use any flavor extract, and food coloring, you like. Raspberry, cherry, pomegranate (like I did), even cinnamon would be good if you want to keep them red. Or leave out the extract (use some vanilla),  and food coloring if you prefer.

I used flavoring oil, from LorAnn, which is much more concentrated. If you use those, start with 1/4 teaspoon and slowly add from there. I used about 1/2 teaspoon of the pomegranate flavor.

For an extra hit of chocolate, dip the bottom of cooled cookies into melted dark or milk chocolate and set on waxed paper until chocolate sets.

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