Tag Archives: sugar

Slow Cooker Apple Butter

14 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by in Breakfast, Easy, Sauces

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This year, Lulu’s apple tree went crazy! We had tons of apples in the middle of the summer. They weren’t very big at first, but there were so many that we needed to do something about it. They were small and tart yet perfect and beautiful. Over the years, I have found Northwest gardening can be very strange…We got our fall apples super early yet my heirloom tomatoes didn’t seem to ripen until mid-September. Regardless of the unpredictability of our gardens, there is nothing quite like picking fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs from your yard and feeding your family with them.

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For someone like me it’s hard not to just make apple cake and tortes and crisps and everything in between…but a lot of baking recipes don’t use enough fruit to get you through your bounty before things start taking a turn for the worse…so this was the year it was time to make apple butter.

I wanted to find an apple butter recipe that could go straight to the fridge or freezer, no hardcore canning skills required. Something easy like my mom’s strawberry freezer jam. The crazy part is this recipe was even easier! Throw apples, sugar, and some spices of your choice in a slow cooker. Turn on. Walk away. Maybe stir it every few hours if you are feeling crazy. The biggest effort you have to make is coring, peeling, and dicing your apples. If you have a spiralizer, your job just got way easier.

This recipe is very adaptable, depending on what kind of apples you use. You can choose to add more of less sugar depending on how tart your apples are, and no one is going to get mad if you decide to add some nutmeg or allspice to your mix. Right now we are spreading our apple butter on toast and mixing it into greek yogurt. I’ll update you with more ideas down the line!

Recipe
Slow Cooker Apple Butter
By Baked Northwest
Makes 4 (12 oz) containers of Apple Butter

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds of apples; peeled, cored, and diced
  • 2 cups of sugar (can use more or less here, depending on how sweet your apples are)
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

Place the apples in a slow cooker. If you have a 6 quart slow cooker like me, it will be very full. Don’t worry – the apples will cook down by more than half. Mix the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt together in a bowl and pour mixture over the apples in the slow cooker. Mix well. Cover and cook on high for one hour.

Reduce the heat to low, stir mixture again, and cook for another 9 hours. This can be done overnight, but I found I liked being able to stir my apple butter every few hours during its low cook time, I think it made the mixture smoother in the end. At the end of about 9 hours the mixture should be thickened and dark brown. You should be able to stir the mixture and have a great consistency without having to use a blender or anything.

Turn off the slow cooker and spoon apple butter into sterile containers. Refrigerate or freeze. You should definitely give some to friends as well.

Pull Apart Mini Cinnamon Rolls + News!

12 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by in Baking, Breads, Breakfast, Entertaining, Holidays

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Cinni Mini Pull Apart Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls may be my ultimate weakness. It is hard for me to resist a soft, gooey, sweet roll when I wake up in the morning and am vulnerable…everyone is more vulnerable in the morning, right? I have been waiting for an “excuse” to find a good go-to cinnamon roll recipe for awhile. One you can tweak with fillings depending on your mood or the season, one that isn’t too complicated, one I’ll use over and over.

Cinnamon Rolls!

For this particular “occasion” I knew I wanted to make tinier rolls, maybe ones you could almost just pull out of the pan with your hands and eat in one or two bites…because they are so good you’ll probably have to eat them immediately with reckless abandon instead of taking the time to grab a plate. You can also choose to go the classier route and get a knife and fork…but that’s not something I’m doing much of these days because… Continue reading →

Churro Rum Baked Donuts

05 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by in Baking, Boozy, Breakfast

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Churro Rum Baked Donuts

Another day, another food holiday…out of all of the ridiculous food “holidays” out there, I’d have to say National Donut Day is probably the most legit. Why? Because: A.) Donuts are the BEST
B.) You have an excuse to eat one of the best foods ever created
C.) Lots of your favorite donuts places are giving out free donuts!

Rum Churro Baked Donuts

Oh, and my instagram feed has been blowing up over it all week. Nobody got this excited for National Burger Day, just sayin’. For my first official celebration of Donut Day, I chose to bake some at home. A donut pan was a wedding gift I gave to myself, since part of me was a little too embarrassed to register for it. I now realize how crazy I was being – everyone needs a donut pan! They are inexpensive, and if there is going to be a guilt-free way to eat donuts, it’s when you bake them. Plus, this recipe is a cinch to make.

Churro Rum Donuts

For my next baked donut extravaganza, we will need to talk about the correct spelling…is it donut or doughnut? Doh!

Churro Rum Baked Donuts

Recipe
Churro Rum Baked Donuts
Makes about 18 donuts
By Baked Northwest

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/4 cups milk (I used nonfat, but whole or any other milk would work)
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp dark Rum (such as Meyers)
  • Baking spray

For the topping:

  • 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp dark rum (optional)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a donut pan well. If you have more than 1 donut pan, use them both! I had to do 3 batches in the oven because I only have 1 donut pan.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In another smaller bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, vanilla, and rum. Stir the wet mixture into the dry mixture until combined.

Spoon the batter into the baking pan, filling each one about three-quarters full. Careful here, if they are too full you will not have a hole in your donuts when they come out of the oven! Bake for 17 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

While donuts are baking, make the topping: Melt 8 tablespoons of butter in a small saute pan with the rum. Let the butter melt completely and get a little bit bubbly before turning off the heat. Stir well to make sure the rum is incorporated. Combine the cinnamon, sugar, and brown sugar in a bowl or a plate (whatever will be easy to dip your donuts into).

Remove donuts from oven. Allow to cool for a few minutes. You may want to use 2 wooden skewers to loosen the donuts around the edges, mine didn’t fall out of the pan, they had to be finessed a bit before removing. Remove donuts onto a wire rack with some wax paper or a baking sheet under it, to catch little bits of cinnamon sugar after we dip them!

Dip each donut into the butter, then into the cinnamon sugar mixture, I just dipped the tops, but you can certainly do both sides if you are feeling wild.

 

Sparkling Cranberries

20 Thursday Nov 2014

Posted by in Appetizers, Baking, Easy, Entertaining, Holidays, Thanksgiving

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Sparkling CranberriesWe love finding new traditions around here. We are on year 2 of making these Sparkling Cranberries from Southern Living. While they are perfect on their own, there are endless possibilities and ways to serve them around the holidays: Adorning baked brie, used on brownies or cakes, or in mini fillo cups…there are a lot of delicious possibilities!

These little jewels can be made ahead, we tend to make a big batch and they will chill in the fridge and we will bust them out whenever a festive urge hits…

Recipe
Sparkling Cranberries
adapted from Southern Living
makes a little over 2 cups of cranberries
Ingredients
  • 1 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar (can also use superfine sugar)
  • Parchment paper

Directions

  1. Cook maple syrup in a saucepan over medium-low heat 1 to 2 minutes. (Don’t let syrup get too hot or cranberries will pop.)
  2. Remove from heat; stir in cranberries. Cover and chill 8 to 12 hours. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Drain cranberries in a colander (about 15 minutes).  Feel free to save that syrup for later…don’t let it go to waste!
  3. Add 4 to 5 cranberries at a time to sugar; gently toss to coat. Repeat with remaining cranberries. Place cranberries in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet; let stand until completely dry.

Apple Tart Tatin

12 Wednesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Baking, Desserts, Entertaining, Holidays, Thanksgiving

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Apple TartThis year Lulu has been testing apple recipes like a madwoman. All of us are pretty picky about our apple desserts. We have never been big pie eaters so it takes a lot to impress us…and this year we found out favorite apple pie recipes strayed away from the traditional Thanksgiving dessert. Continue reading →

Peaches N’ Cream Ginger Icebox Cake

16 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by in Desserts, Easy, Entertaining, LuLu's Classics

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Peaches N' Cream Icebox CakeSo, icebox cakes may be my favorite thing ever.

The first time I had one, I thought I was eating the best cake in the world. Let it be noted I am picky about cakes – give me a cookie or brownie over a cake any day. So my Mom made a chocolate mint cake, which I have yet to share here (yes, failing at blogging as always). I literally thought I was eating a cake that was baked in the thinnest of layers, and was so moist and delicious I just couldn’t believe it. Imagine my shock and awe when my mom told me the cake was just chocolate wafer cookies and mint whipped cream, thrown in a fridge and then *poof* morphed into one of the easiest and greatest treats I had ever had.Peaches N' Cream Icebox CakeThat, my friends, is the magic behind icebox cakes. No turning on the oven – not many crazy ingredients. You just have to find yourself some good crunchy cookies at the store and have a good springform pan. Okay – you are buying store bought cookies, try not to freak out. That is why these are called icebox cakes instead of refrigerator cakes – they are retro! But not so retro that they came before the time of anything from out of a box. Moving on!Peaches N' Cream Icebox Cake

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I’ll Crumble for Ya

30 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by in Baking, Bloggerific, Breakfast, Desserts, Easy

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fruit crumbleCrumbles…Cobblers…Crisps? Aren’t they all the same thing? All I know is they are all delish. However, I haven’t made many in my life, they are one of those easy things that I always blow off and instead I go make some *new* or *trendy* thing…which never turns out as good as one of the classics. Stick with the classics people! They are still around for a reason!Blackberry CrumbleSo the lovely Lulu found this amazing guide on The Kitchn and I just have to share the whole thing here. It really lends itself to “wingin it” and just going for it. We made a blackberry, blueberry, and nectarine crisp going off of this guide. It’s probably the best thing I have eaten all summer long.Crumbles

The Guide
How to Make a Fruit Crumble, Cobbler, or Crisp
from The Kitchn
Makes one 8″x8″ square pan, 9″ pie pan, or use individual ramekins

Ingredients

For the filling:
6 – 7 cups fruit, enough to almost fill pan
1/2 – 1 cup sugar, to taste
1-3 teaspoons lemon juice, to taste
1-3 tablespoons cornstarch, depending on juiciness of fruit
1 teaspoon spice, like cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg (optional)

For the crumble topping:
1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (4 ounces) brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

ICE CREAM FOR TOPPING!!!

Instructions

Heat oven to 375°F.

1. Prepare the Fruit Filling: If necessary, dice the fruit into bite-sized pieces. Toss the fruit with sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and any spices. Use more sugar and less lemon juice when cooking with tart fruits like rhubarb and blackberries, and less sugar but more lemon juice for sweet fruits like peaches and plums. Best is to taste a piece of fruit and adjust to taste. Use more cornstarch with very juicy fruits like plums and less with firm fruits like apples. But don’t worry; no matter your ratio of these ingredients, your crumble will be delicious.

Pour the fruit filling into the baking dish.

2. Prepare the Crumble Topping: Thoroughly mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt for the crumble topping. Break the butter into a few large pieces and toss these in the dry ingredients. Using your fingers, a fork, or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the dry ingredients until large heavy crumbs are formed.

3. Top the Fruit Filling: Pour the crumble topping evenly over the fruit.

4. Bake the Crumble: Bake the crumble for 30-35 minutes until the fruit juices are bubbling around the edges of the pan and the topping is firm to the touch.

5. Cool and Store the Crumble: Let the crumble cool for at least 15 minutes before eating. If transporting to a picnic or party, let the crumble cool completely to give the fruit filling time to set. Crumbles will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to a week. Serve cold, room temperature, or re-warmed in a low oven for 20 minutes.

Additional Notes:

• Using a 9″x13″ Pan: Increase the fruit to 10-11 cups, adjusting the other filling ingredients to match. Increase all the crumble topping ingredients by half (1 1/2 cups flour, etc.), except for the baking powder.

• To Make a Crisp: Add 1/2 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats or 1/2 cup chopped nuts (or both) to the topping.

• To Make a Cobbler: Press the crumbs into biscuit-sized patties and arrange them in a single layer over the fruit.

• Flour Substitutions: Try subbing another flour for all or some of the AP flour in this recipe. Almond flour, spelt flour, and barley flour would all make delicious crumbles and cobblers.

• Sugar Substitutions: Swap the brown sugar for white sugar for a lighter flavor, especially for cobblers. Feel free to experiment with other sugars in your cupboard as well.

Crumble

 

Strawberry Jam

03 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by in Baking, Breads, Breakfast, Entertaining, LuLu's Classics, Sauces

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Strawberry JamMy mom has made this jam every summer for YEARS. I can’t remember when it all started, but as a kid, after my first taste of this jam, there was no looking back. I could officially never eat store-bought strawberry jam EVER again. This homemade stuff was way too good. It doesn’t even resemble the store-bought strawberry jam…you know, that name brand everyone else buys…you just can’t do it after this jam.StrawberriesThe proof lies within everyone who has had it, the biggest example being Jordan, who I am convinced maybe decided he was going to marry me after his first taste of this jam. The moment went along the lines of me making him some scones, which he had never had before. Obviously, this plays into the life-changing moment, but then he put some of the jam on top and freaked out. “What is this?!? This is homemade? How is it so good? Oh my god, this is the best jam I have ever had.” I couldn’t help but laugh at his jam freak-out…I mean, it’s just strawberries, sugar (a lot), and pectin. Nothing crazy. It’s just one of those things that is a  bajillion times better when it’s homemade.Strawberry JamThen I told him I didn’t even make the jam – it was actually my mom. Through college (and years after) I still was getting reloaded with jam from her every year. Even through this confession, I think Jordan knew deep down I would be making it one day, solidifying all PB&Js and toast in his future. Or he knew if he stayed with me, I would at least always have an arsenal of jam from my mom. But this year it was finally time!Jam LootMy mom and I made this jam together and it’s super easy, it just takes some time. It’s super worth it and super basic. Like I said earlier – it’s really nothing crazy or special. It’s actually from the side of the pectin box, which is probably why it’s been there for years and is so good. Anyone can do it, as long as you get past the fact it’s about a 2:1 ratio on sugar to berries. Don’t even worry about it – you are eating homemade goodness! It’s better than anything bought from the store. No weird ingredients you can’t pronounce. Everything in moderation, people – you may have a problem if you are like my Grandpa (Pompa) who eats this jam by the spoonful and can clear through a pint in a week (maybe days). But hey, the guy is 88 and also has been known to eat butter by itself, so I say just eat some damn jam every once in awhile and you will be okay.StrawberriesAlso – this recipe is easily adaptable, the same recipe below can be followed with just about any fruit or combo thereof. Strawberry + mango happened this year, and WHOA. Just remember, 1 part berries, 2 parts sugar, 1 box pectin. We always make a few batches, we use at least 4 boxes of pectin every year so we can freeze, save, and give to friends. But if you are flying solo, 1 batch will keep you going for at least 6 months, maybe a year depending on your jam intake Strawberry JamI think the biggest “secret” here is using the best local strawberries you can find. In the Portland area, the local strawberries are different than ones you buy at a grocery store, they are smaller, and much more delicate – they only last about a day after you buy them. This jam does turn out a little different if you use non-local store bought berries. Go to your farmers market or buy them from a road side stand if you can.

Recipe
Mom’s homemade Strawberry Jam
adapted from the box of Sure Jell
makes about 5 cups of jam

Ingredients

  • 2 pints fresh strawberries (preferably farmstand/farmer’s market berries)
  • 4 cups of sugar
  • 1 box (1.75 oz) of Sure Jell fruit pectin, or any other kind of fruit pectin

Directions

1. Wash and rinse plastic or glass containers with tight fitting lids. You can use 1-2 cup sized containers, or whatever you’d like depending on how many batches you are making. Try to make sure they are freezer-safe, as the jam freezes really well.

2. Prepare fruit. Wash 2 pints of strawberries, discard the stems. Crush berries using a potato masher, or you can pulse them in a food processor. Make sure you only PULSE them, do not puree. Your jam should have nice little bits of fruit.

3. Your 2 pints of strawberries should pretty much measure out to 2 cups crushed berries. Pour the 2 cups of berries into a large bowl. Add 4 cups of sugar to the bowl with the berries and stir well. Let stand for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not reduce the sugar or add a sugar substitute, or the pectin will not set!

4. Stir 1 box of pectin and 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Pectin may start out a little lumpy but just stir it around a bit more. Bring to a boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

5. Stir pectin mixture into strawberry mixture. Stir constantly until sugar is completely dissolved and no longer grainy, about 3 minutes.

6. Pour into prepared containers, leaving 1/2 inch space at the top for expansion during freezing; cover.

7. Let jam stand at room temperature for 24 hours until set. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks. Otherwise, store in freezer for up to 1 year. Thaw in refrigerator. This jam is good on everything. Scones, Biscuits, Waffles, Sandwiches, stirred into yogurt, you really have endless possibilities! My mom has even used this jam as the middle layers on white cakes. And it’s amazing.Strawberry Jam

 

Chilled Strawberry Soup

11 Sunday May 2014

Posted by in Easy, Entertaining, Healthy, Smoothies & Shakes, Soups, Vegetarian

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strawberry soupIs this one of the weirdest things you haver ever heard of? Strawberry…soup? Ok, it’s probably not the weirdest thing…but still. Not your everyday soup. However, this soup is quite tasty and I highly recommend making it under several different circumstances:

  1. It’s sweltering hot outside and you want something chilled and refreshing.
  2. You are hosting a fancy summer soirée and want to look creative and awesome.
  3. If Gazpacho (aka cold tomato soup, ugh) just isn’t your thing.
  4. There are tons of strawberries in your kitchen, and you are looking to do something “different”.
  5. You are hosting a “ladies only” event…This doesn’t really strike me as a soup a lot of dudes would be into. I’m thinking bridal shower, mother’s day brunch, baby shower…However, maybe not baby shower, since this soup has WINE in it. Which brings me to…
  6. GIRLS WINE WEEKEND. This really doesn’t have to be soup, it can pretty much be a smoothie and the best way to start a wine-filled weekend…A totally healthy breakfast alternative to mimosas or Bloody Mary’s…Because why not be smart when boozin, better to stick with one type of alcohol all day!*

So now that it’s clear I am very excited about the Riesling in this soup, I feel it’s best to put a disclaimer out there that in about a month I will be doing a day in NAPA for a joint Bachelorette party with my favorite girls! Since moving I miss everyone terribly, and I booked my flight pretty much the second the dates were set in stone. For whatever ridiculous reason, making this soup made me reallyreallyEXTRA excited for the upcoming girls wine weekend.

Strawberry Soup

*Drink responsibly. It is recommended to eat something with your breakfast booze, like a f*ckin bagel.

Recipe
Chilled Strawberry Soup
adapted from Southern Living
makes about 4 cups

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh sliced strawberries, washed with stems removed
  • 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt 
  • 1/2 cup Riesling or other sweet white wine
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • Garnishes: olive oil, freshly ground pepper, sliced fresh strawberries, fresh mint and/or basil

Directions

  1. Process 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries, Greek yogurt, Riesling, and sugar in a blender or food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Cover and chill 2 hours. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, freshly ground pepper, chopped fresh mint, and sliced fresh strawberries.