Amy Ruth

Do you see that “one” pan in there?  The one with the New Cake Pan wrapper?

Well, you know I missed the Brrr-brownies.  I was fluffing off (code for shopping) with my daughter.  That folks, is why there were no brownies.  I’m really sorry Karen.    Even though the York Peppermint Patties have been starring at me from the kitchen counter for over a week.  Ugh.  Anyway, Libby and I went to STL to get a few things for her trip.   She looked at clothes, shoes, purses and makeup .  We bought the necessary items for her trip.  Did I shop for shoes, purses, makeup, perfume, clothes?  Uh No….I shopped for kitchen toys.  What is wrong with me?  Anybody?  Ferris?

I do have a question.  How do you tame those wild animals in your cabinets masquerading as cakes pans, tart pans,  bundt pans?  Oh yea, the springform collection too.   You know every species in the baking kingdom.  They come in all sizes and various shapes.    ”Noah, what were you thinking?”

Well, I do the best I can and then sometimes I just give up and let them be.  I think they get in there together and conspire against me anyway.    Back to this new pan.  I don’t know what came over me while in WS (kitchen toys r us store) but I typically talk myself out of impulse buys and tell myself  ” Oh Amy, you can certainly live without that.”  You know you have told yourself a variation of this statement before.  Anyway, it came home in my shopping  bag.  Can you believe that?  So, this is my first excuse to use it.  I hope it releases well.  We will see.   I just thought I would share this first experience with you.  Be it success or failure.  There is a chance for both.  You see it makes 6 little cakes.  Okay, now I gotta get busy.  See ya in a while.

The cakes are baking in the oven.  I had more batter than pan so I pulled out another little pan, a molten cake pan, with push out bottoms.  I thought it would be my fail safe pan.  Again, waiting.

Dorie’s recipe for the Lots of Ways Banana Cake  allows for  wet and dry variations.  I used brown and granulated sugars, spice rum and sour cream ( just because I had some I needed to use) and toasted coconut.  I didn’t want to use too much texture because of the pan.  I would love to make this next time with some dried fruits and coconut milk suggested in the recipe.

An observation:  I’ve never used a mini-bundt  before.  Must learn to use proper amount of batter in order to avoid cakes rising over the top.  :”)  Hmmm

Well, you be the judge….  Perhaps I need a little practice with these “cute” little cake pans.

This is a really moist delicious recipe, that would be code for yep, I ate one of the cakes from the molten cake pan and it was warm.  Really so good!  Better than a muffin, not sure why.

Here is my attempt (remember its the first time I’ve used the pan)  at using a mini bundt.   I have a lot to look forward to in the future.  I chose the pan and Kimberly of Only Creative Opportunities chose this recipe for our baking group this week.  I always have bananas.  They are just something I always keep and so its wonderful that Dorie gave us such a “this way” or “that way” kind of recipe for those occasional unattractive bananas.  Thanks to Kimberly for her wise choice.  You should really go to her blog and get the recipe for your files.  After you get the recipe you really should see what all the other fabulous  baker people have done with their bananas.  Not kidding!  Its the Tuesdays with Dorie baking group.   Speaking of files if you use google you can copy and paste all your net recipes to the documents and put them in files of your making.  Make your very own cookbook, folks.  Thanks for your visit.  I love making friends.

Those Brrrownies are on their way… have something fun to show you later, if you come back by for a visit.  Hope to see you then.

Wendy of Pinkstripes chose this delightfully yummy and tropical cake recipe this week for Tuesday’s with Dorie. Wendy loves travel and has made Tahiti her destination of choice more than once.  I imagine the rum drenched part of this recipe will be a highlight for her in the way of an ice cream addition.  You won’t be disappointed.  She will also have the recipe for these awesome little cakes.

My choice of liquor for these fine little cakes (the recipe makes two) was Disaronno rather than rum.  I appreciate simple comfort desserts that are understated, yet surprise you with a punch of flavor from a syrup made with Disaronno.  So, get over to Wendy’s blog and check out her beautiful photos and recipes.  The rest of the TWD bakers will have all kinds of ideas, twists and variations for you .

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.  I love making new friends….

What happened?  Its Tuesday already?  Yesterday I lost my head and got caught up with music on iTunes for my iPod and the whole Family Sharing feature. Corbin has some music, and he sat down with me last night, we began talking about his music and sites he is interested in and I just lost track of time.  Before I knew it, I looked down and it was midnight.  Corbin, like many teenage people spends a ton of time learning and viewing current sites that I have never even heard of before…. go figure.  I’m concerned about what is in the ‘frig and he is soaking up all the technology around him.  So, when I get his undivided attention and I have the presence of mind to turn down or turn off the idiot box (TV) he shares amazing information with me.  So we talked and shared music.  I got some cool music for my iPod, ultimately for running outside, yea even in 25 degree weather, and for those dratted machines I enjoy at the gym.   Yesterday, I tweeted about this “app” on my iphone for running, its not new but its new to me and its called RunKeeper, and it uses GPS to help me track distance, and time and prompts me.  The cool thing is I can also listen to my music while it is running.  I know you guys who use it are saying duh, lady.  I know, but see its new to me.  So if you have any tips or comments about that…. well, I’m listening.

My point to all of this is, yea, I know its Tuesday and where are those delicious little cookies?  Well, they are right here.  haha  I made them a while back and yesterday and last night totally forgot to write my post.  I’m not going on any totally awesome trips where you “do it ahead” or anything that exciting.  I was just immersed in discovery of a new iphone app and iTunes and talking to Corbin and I totally forgot that today is the day to show you pictures of my sweet little Dorie cookies.

What are the names of these cookies you ask?  Good question.  They are a bit unusual and seem to remind me of a British biscuit that would pair well with tea or would be consumed in the mid morning whilst visiting with a friend over coffee.  Here you go  coffee or tea and a Honey Wheat Cookie.  Dorie says she discovered it (see there’s that word) in the NYT’s and saved it.  It spoke to her as being wholesome because, ladies and gents, it has 1 cup of wheat germ in its ingredients.

I photographed these thinking of love and this whole month of love.  Can you tell?

I hope you’ll stop by and visit Michelle at The Flourchild where you too can grab the recipe for these awesome little cookies, not too sweet but just a simple little cookie for snacking, filled with wholesome goodness and honey.  Check it out.

Thanks for stopping by… gotta run!

In Dorie’s book, Baking From My Home to Yours, she describes this concoction as the  ”name your favorite Thanksgiving flavor, and you’ll find it here.”  After putting the cake in the oven, it was time to do the clean up and I tasted the remnants of batter in my mixer bowl.  Yes, it definitely is all things Thanksgiving.  Truly it is.  Among the array of ingredients or flavors present are pecans, cranberries, apples and pumpkin.  All the wonderful spices you would expect to follow along are cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and brown sugar, to round it out.    You know all these wonderful things combined will provide you the perfect chunky piece of cake suitable for eating out of hand.  Dorie suggests making a glaze with maple syrup to finish off the marriage of flavors.  So there you have it folks.  My cake is resting right now, on a rack.  You see it is too hot to cut right now so I will have to come back later and tell you all about how wonderful it tastes with a strong black cup of Jo.  I do love my coffee.  Have no fear, I’ll let you know what I think about it.  Until then, go on out and buy yourself the book.  If you don’t have it yet you should.  It is the baking season and Dorie Greenspan has a wonderful variety of holiday goodies for you to try in Baking From My Home to Yours. There now, no excuses.

Okay, maybe you can have just one so go on over to Britan of the Nitty Britty and she will have the recipe right there for you to bake from and enjoy this tasty, worthy of giving to your friends, beautiful holiday bundt cake.  Just for fun, there is at least one more stop  at Mary The Food Librarian who has baked Big Bundts for an entire month.  Yup, that’s right!!!  If you don’t believe me, check it out.  hehe  She has that many bundt cakes with recipes posted.  Have you ever thought someone could solve all your bundt cake challenges?

Thanks folks for being so kind and stoping by for a visit.  Have a wonderful holiday season.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Photos of this holiday concoction are forthcoming.  For those of you who have an X-box in the house you may be aware of a new game recently introduced.   I am a midnight baker and so he is a game player.  You’ll see the proof later this evening.  Thanks again.

At last, the photo shoot was completed and, (this is where it gets good) I finally cut the cake.  Yup, I tasted it and then some.  It is moist,  full of fun Fall flavors, a perfect choice for warming up the season with loved ones and sharing with friends.  Dorie’s All-In-One Holiday Bundt Cake is a keeper and definitely will be repeated.   Even my sweet Texas friend who isn’t a TWD baker is getting ready to make it.  See, I can be convincing.