I got this book in the mail today. The guy who wrote the cookbook, a Brit, came to the U.S. to visit family, and fell in love with American pies, cakes, and especially cupcakes He decided to take a pastry course here in the U.S., and return to London to open up a bakery, to sell pies, and other American desserts. I found it quite funny,when I lived in France, that they never made layer cakes, only one layer with frosting on it. When I made a layer cake for my daughter's birthday, the girls were amazed.
I made these carrot/zucchini muffins today,and I think they are pretty good. I'm always looking for good muffin recipes and I thought this one had some potential, since it had a lot of good ingredients. They may be the type of muffin that tastes better the next day, when all the flavors meld into one another. I'm also on the look out for a good banana bread recipe. I posted about one not too long ago, and I really liked it, but I made it last week,and wrecked it with too many bananas. There is a recipe in this book for banana bread, and I'm really liking the ingredients, so I may give that one a try once my bananas get over ripe.Anyone in blog land have this book? Let me know if you like it or which recipe is your favorite. If you like cupcakes, the whole first chapter is on them.....they look very good and unusual.
Happy baking and happy beginning of the week.
Just because i don't own it, doesn't mean it won't be in my mittens....shortly. Looks like trouble with a capital "T". I have a major weakness for cookbooks.
ReplyDeleteYour muffins looks scrumptious...you are planning on sharing the recipe with us...aren't you? Pretty please?
the book looks wonderful as do your muffins.
ReplyDeleteBaked goods disappear very quickly around here! All the goodies from the tea party have vanished. Elsie called us a "bunch of piggies"....
ReplyDeleteYou have a good week too!
This is for Nancy and those who would like the recipe for the muffins, sorry I didn't just include it on the post!
ReplyDeleteCarrot and zucchini muffins
2 eggs
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup sunflower oil
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
a scant cup of walnuts, chopped
3 carrots, grated
1 zucchini grated
Makes 12 ( although my pan must have been on the small size, since I got 16 of them)
Preheat oven to 325
Put the eggs, sugar and oil in an electric mixer with a paddle attachment and beat on slow speed until well combined. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon, then add to the egg mixture. Beat until just incorporated.
Add the yogurt and vanilla and mix through. Stir in the walnuts, carrots,and zucchini with a wooden spoon until evenly dispersed.
spoon the batter into the paper liners until two-thirds full and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until deep golden and skewer inserted comes out clean. Let the muffins cool slightly in the pan before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.
My muffins came out quite dense, I think it was because of the thick Greek yogurt I used. I also put in some currants that I had.
There was also a note at the beginning of the book that said that the eggs used were medium in size unless otherwise specified. I used two large, since that is all I had. It may have contributed to the denseness too. I may try the medium next time.
Next up to try is the banana bread recipe. Next time I'll post the recipe :)
I love muffins and cupcakes because they are so portable and simple to eat. Cupcakes are so popular in Texas now: they are at parties and cupcake shops are becoming as prevalent as Starbucks.
ReplyDeleteFrom my brief encounter with British food (argg), the fact that we have a convert in your cookbook author, is a 'good thing.'
Thanks for another great post!
I just wandered in here from Posy Gets Cozy-- and I have to say, I absolutely LOVE your banner! What a great dragonfly picture.
ReplyDeleteKristina
Sweetfern Handmade
I've had my eye on that book and, given that first chapter, I might just have to pop over to Amazon. The muffins look lovely.
ReplyDelete