Bake Our Day

Ever - So Da Bread

2011-11-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

With the holidays quickly approaching I love to have fresh bread available when family and friends pop in for lunch or a late night sandwich. This soda bread recipe is easy, flavorful and yeast-less. Its aroma is wonderful and will make your home smell warm and cozy this holiday season.

Soda Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
This recipe is for one extra large loaf baked on a large floured baking sheet or for two loaves baked in two 8" by 4" greased loaf pans.

4 1/2 cups flour
4 1/2 tsps. baking powder
1 1/2 tsps. baking soda
1 1/2 tsps. salt
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups buttermilk
3 egg, lightly beaten
4 tblsp. butter, melted

In a large bowl sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix in the sugar. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk, eggs and cooled butter. Stir until well blended but not sticky. If using a baking sheet, turn onto a well-floured board and shape until round, about 2 inches high. Then place on a floured baking sheet. You can score the top of the bread if you like. If using two loaf pans, lightly grease them and just pour in the batter until half way full. Bake for 45 minutes. Cool in baking sheet or pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes then remove from pans and place bread on a wire rack until cool.

The Taste of Summer in New York

2011-08-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

New York is always a great place for delicious culinary adventures. This past week I feasted at Rothchild's in Brooklyn, The Shake Shack in Madison Square Park and Beecher's in Flatiron.

Rothchild's

Rothchild's is a sultry little New Orleans style restaurant with big flavor. The traditional eggs benedict were the best I've had anywhere and their signature eggs benedict in artichokes are simply luscious. Its a great place for a heavenly lunch or a late night dinner and well worth the subway ride from Manhattan.

Shake Shack

The Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is a great place to indulge in quality hamburgers and chicken hot dogs grilled to perfection. Their toppings are always fresh and almost unlimited, giving you the opportunity to create one of your own culinary masterpieces. The park provides a wonderful place in the city to relax, view some cutting edge art and enjoy a satisfying lunch.

Beecher's

Beecher's at E. 20th and Broadway in Flatiron is a cheese lover's paradise. You can sit on a milk can at their counter, watch cheese being made and indulge on some of the best mac' and cheese around. I enjoyed Beecher's for its earthy atmosphere and snob-less delicious comfort food. Its a great new addition to the tastes of summer in New York.

Quiche and Tell

2011-07-12T14:38:00.001-07:00

During my last trip to France I spent a glorious day at Giverny exploring Claude Monet's house and gardens. Since I am an avid gardener the impressionistic landscapes were my primary focus. Stepping out of Monet's house and ambling along the garden path was like walking through the Garden of Eden. The bursting colors of the flowers and their heavenly aromas were breathtaking. After many hours of experiencing this feast for the eyes, I naturally began to feel hungry and searched for a place to experience a feast of another kind...

I dined at the Ancien Hotel Baudy on Rue Claude Monet and had the most wonderful quiche lorraine tart. I used to love to make this quiche years ago when it first became popular in the United States. I promised myself to make quiche lorraine again once I arrived home and it has become my favorite thing to bake this summer. I usually double the recipe and make two tarts so that I can freeze one to heat up another time when unexpected family and friends pop in for brunch or supper. It is great for a light change when the summer grill needs a rest.

Here is my favorite easy recipe for quiche lorraine. All you need to do is make some couscous with pine nuts and dried cherries, toss a fresh garden salad on the side, and voila.... you have a delicious feast worthy of Claude Monet!

Quiche Lorraine

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
8" pie pan

Quiche pastry (If you are in a hurry you can use a thawed frozen pie shell instead of making your own)
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 lb. butter
4 egg yolks (save one egg white)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp. salt
ice cold milk

Place the flour in a large bowl making a well in the center. Put the butter, egg yolks, Parmesan cheese and salt in the well. With your fingers work all the ingredients in the center into a smooth paste then work in the flour. Add a bit of ice cold milk to make the dough gather more easily. Shape dough into a ball and roll out on a floured surface until about 10" round. Line the 8" pie pan with the dough. Prick the bottom and sides of the quiche pastry with a fork. Brush on a little unbeaten egg white on the bottom then fill and bake as per recipe's directions.

Custard
4 egg yolks
1 cup whipping cream
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp. nutmeg

Blend all the ingredients together and set aside.

Quiche Lorraine
1 lb. bacon
1/2 lb. Gruyere cheese
prepared custard
prepared 8" quiche shell

Fry bacon until crisp (I do mine in the microwave) drain and cut into 2" pieces. Slice the Gruyere cheese and fill the prepared shell with overlapping pieces of bacon and cheese. Pour in the custard and bake for 35 minutes.

Appetizing Asia

2011-06-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

Dim Sum...Yum Yum!

My team of culinary adventurers just returned from China and Hong Kong with sumptuous pictures of the fabulous exotic cuisine that they found. Stroll with me down Beijing's bustling Night Food Market to see what unusual delectables the vendors are offering. Much of the food is grilled, but I think you will see that China's barbecue menu is very different from the ones we are used to serving in the United States. Creativity is a must when you have to feed over a billion people. Next time you are not sure what to make for that special summer dinner party, remember that almost anything looks good on a skewer as long as its cooked on a grill!

Beijing's Night Food Market

Meatball Soup

Chestnuts

Dumplings

Cicadas

Scorpions

Pigeons

Fresh Fish and Crustaceans (ready to be cooked)

Noodles and Skewered Meats

Rice and Meat Steamed in Banana Leaves

Candied Fruit

Delivering Fruit to Market

Desserts

Ramen Noodle Chips (great snack for the road)

A fabulous culinary adventure was had by all!

Rites of Spring - My Favorite Cake Recipe

2011-05-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

While on a spring blogging break this past month I spent time going through all the recipes I have accumulated over the years. What treasures I found! Yummy delights from aunts, uncles, friends and colleagues filling up my very swollen recipe box. I decided to pick out the very best ones to include in a recipe book I am creating for my children to savour. This truly was the most enjoyable spring cleaning I've ever done!

I plan to share my favorite recipes on subsequent posts expanding my focus from baking to all that is culinary and tasteful. Look for featured posts about epicurean adventures from my crew of international taste travelers throughout this year.

Here is a favorite cake recipe from my cousin Sylvia for mini chiffon cakes. They are deliciously light and sophisticated. A perfect treat for spring.

Mini Chiffon Cakes

1 deep dish muffin tray (makes about 12 mini cakes)

Preheat oven to 340 degrees

1 cup plus 1 tbsp. cake flour
1 tsp. baking powder
6 medium eggs separated
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
scant 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tbsp. turbinado sugar (to be used just before baking)

Sift together the flour and baking powder twice and set aside.

Combine the egg yolks, salt, vanilla, and half the sugar (about 6 tbsp.) and whisk until pale yellow. Whisk in the water and then the oil for 4 minutes. Fold in the flour mixture and whisk batter until blended (about 2 minutes).

In a large bowl combine the egg whites and sugar and beat until stiff.

With a rubber spatula gently fold in a third of the beaten egg whites into the batter until blended. Add the rest of the egg whites to the batter again gently folding until blended.

Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin about 2/3 full. Sprinkle the top of the cakes with the turbinado sugar. Bake about 25 minutes or until golden brown. When done cool the tray inverted on a cooling rack.

"I Want What She's Having"

2011-03-01T21:51:00.001-08:00

Every time we watch the Oscar's we reminisce about our favorite feel good movies. One of cinema's best "When Harry Met Sally" always makes us smile with its mix of delightful comedy and relationship drama. The most memorable scene in the movie takes place in New York City at Katz's Delicatessen on Houston Street, where Sally is a bit overly enthusiastic about the meal she is sharing with Harry. We visited Katz's Deli while in New York last month relishing the authentic deli atmosphere and feasting on their outrageously fabulous pastrami. We agree that Katz's is definitely getting a two thumbs up from us. So, next time your in the Big Apple and are looking for delicious food and dialogue, eat at Katz's Delicatessen. Maybe you'll be seated at Sally's table and you might hear a patron whispering to their server...I want what she's having...pastrami.

Red Velvet Brownies

2011-02-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

With Valentines Day right around the corner I was thinking red. Our divine Red Velvet Cake is a classic standard for Cupid's day, but what about a little twist on the norm? I love the texture of brownies, why not incorporate the two, and voila!!...Red Velvet Brownies. I topped these with our fluffy vanilla icing, but a cream cheese icing would be lovely as well, or just plain naked!
Our Valentines Day gift to you...

Red Velvet Brownies

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped

3/4 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 oz. bottle red liquid food coloring
1 1/2 tsp.baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line bottom & sides of 9" square pan with foil, lightly grease foil.
2. Microwave chocolate & butter in a large microwave safe bowl at high for 11/2-2 minutes or until melted & smooth. Whisk in sugar, add eggs, 1 at a time, stirring after each addition. Gently stir in flour & next 4 ingredients. Pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake at 350 for 40-48 minutes, or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely.
4. Lift brownies from pan & remove foil. Frost with icing of your choice or just enjoy as they are!

Step Into The Limelight

2011-01-25T22:06:00.000-08:00

We discovered a real gem this past week in New York City. Limelight Marketplace at 656 6th Avenue near West 20th Street is a must visit if you love independent boutique-like shops and interesting architecture. The Marketplace has something for everyone including restaurants, bakeries and retail shops all nestled in a renovated 1840s church complete with gorgeous stained glass windows and Gothic limestone columns and arches.

One of our favorite places in Limelight was the Sweet Room where we found a wonderful variety of petite shops selling chocolates, brownies, cupcakes, cakes and even whoopie pies. There was also a great little gourmet market of fresh breads, cheeses, pastas, spices and coffees. We enjoyed the fabulous crafty hatters, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, furniture and clothing boutiques. All this shopping exploration definitely brought out the foodie in us so we stopped at The Wine Bar for a yummy lunch. Highly recommended for delicious food at nice prices.

Visit Limelight Marketplace the next time you are in Manhattan. Its a delightful place to spend an afternoon shopping, eating and enjoying beautiful architecture.

Picasso Cookies - A Creative Palate

2011-01-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

Phyllis painted these artistic cookies a la Pablo Picasso or Jean Miro for a baby shower! We think that she has put the creative talent she perfected while at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) to good use. These cookies are gorgeous and delicious!

Since we find ourselves focusing on cookies lately we thought that it would be fun to share a Master Cookie Recipe once again, so that you can all deliciously express yourselves.

Master Cookie Recipe

2 cups butter

2 cups sugar

1 cup brown sugar

4 large eggs

6 1/2 cups flour

1 tblsp. cream of tartar

2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 cup whole milk

Cream the butter and sugars together until creamy and fluffy. Stir in eggs one at a time.

Sift the dry ingredients together. Add to the creamed mixture in two parts alternating with the milk. Mix thoroughly.

Bake as needed on a greased baking sheet in a 375 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Makes about 8 cups of dough.

Here are some cookie variations to try, but don't be afraid to create some of your own!

Chocolate Cookies

knead 1 tblsp. cocoa and 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips into 1 cup cookie dough. Shape into 24 round balls and bake.

Ginger Cookies

Stir 1 tblsp. dark molasses and 1/4 tsp. ginger into 1 cup cookie dough. Shape into 24 round balls and bake.

Coconut Cookies

Knead 1 cup flaked coconut and 1/4 tsp. almond extract into 1 cup cookie dough. Shape into 24 round balls and then press flat on greased cookie sheet. Bake.

Baker Babes Bakery Happy Holidays Cookie Tray

2010-12-20T19:41:00.000-08:00

Wishing all of our friends, family and customers a joyous Christmas and a sweet New Year!

Happy Chanukah!

2010-12-08T06:41:00.000-08:00

Our Favorite traditional food for this holiday is the potato latke (pancake). Using humble fresh ingredients: potatoes, onions, eggs and matzo meal or flour. This is simply one yummy and addictive dish. Cooked in oil to celebrate the miracle of the oil that lasted for not just one, but eight days, to keep the Temple Menorah lit thousands of years ago. Whether you celebrate the festival of lights or not, you will want to try this most satisfying and delicious recipe. I suggest you double it!! WE like to eat our latkes with sour cream or applesauce, but plain is good too.

Potato Latkes
1 pound russet potatoes
2 eggs
1 medium onion, peeled and cut up
1/4 to 1/3 cup matzo meal or flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
pinch of cream of tarter (to prevent potatoes from turning brown)

1. Peel potatoes and cut into chunks (place in a bowl of cold water)
2. In a medium bowl beat the eggs together
3. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, pulse the onions, scraping them down a few times, until very finely chopped. Scrape the onions into the bowl with the eggs and stir together
4. Drain the potatoes, and place the in the same processor bowl, process until very finely chopped but still with some texture. Immediately scrape into a strainer set over a bowl and press with a spatula so the moisture drains into the catch bowl.
5. Immediately stir potatoes into egg mixture. (discard the liquid and potato starch collected in catch bowl) Add the matzo meal or flour, salt, pepper, and cream of tarter. Stir well, let stand while oil is heating
6. Heat about 1/8 inch oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot
7. Spoon out batter, using a scant 1/4 cup for each pancake. Fry for about 4 minutes on the first side, slightly less time on second side. (they should be well browned before turning)
8. Drain on paper towels

Let's Celebrate!

2010-11-14T11:35:00.000-08:00

With the holidays almost here we spend a lot of time testing and developing new delicious recipes for our special bakery menu. Pumpkin pie is a great old standard at Thanksgiving, but our focus is on other delectable indulgences. Its great to be able to offer your family and friends a dessert tray (along with the pumpkin pie) where they can select from a variety of items which will surely satisfy any holiday palate. Here are some of the sweets we like to have on our trays - cookies (both sweet and savory), butterscotch bars, decadent brownies, coconut bars, pecan pie bars, amaretto bites, chocolate covered pretzels and mini cranberry muffins. For Christmas trays we love to include our favorite Christmas cookies along with mini red velvet cupcakes. So, this holiday season pick out a few of your favorite bite sized delights and create your own holiday tray. Its a great way to let your guests know how special they are to you during Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.

Familiar Flavors of Fall

2010-09-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Fall is here and with it comes spectacular landscapes of red, yellow, and orange. In Cleveland Ohio the colorful leaves create a fiery feast for the eyes. Fall is also a time of delectable feasts of hearty stews, soups and savory desserts made with ingredients from the local harvest. Here are some pictures of our favorite comforting delicious delights we bake this time of year. We'd love to hear about the traditional seasonal treats (or tricks) that signify Fall to you.

Wanda's Making Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Savannah's Savory Sweet Potato Bread

Dorothy's There's No Place Like Homemade Harvest Muffins

Herman's Hermit Cookies

Patty's Pumpkin Patch Pound Cake

Going Green or a Month of Zucchini at Baker Babes Bakery

2010-09-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

Phyllis and I planted wonderful vegetable gardens this summer. The zucchini plants seem to love the hot humid weather in Cleveland Ohio, producing dozens of 14" long zucchinis almost overnight! It has been great to use these delicious vegetables in our baking and cooking. So as you can guess, we've been making loads of zucchini breads and chocolate zucchini cakes for our family, friends and customers.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

I often make zucchini as a side dish with dinner. My recipe for zucchini stir fry has become my family's favorite. Here's the recipe for you to try. Its great with fish, meat, or poultry. I hope your family will love it too!

Judy's Zucchini Stir Fry (4 side servings)

2 medium zucchini (1/8" slices)
1 medium yellow squash (1/8" slices)
1 medium yellow onion (sliced thin)
2 cloves garlic (diced)
1/4 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. paprika
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp. butter, margarine or olive oil

Slice zucchini, yellow squash, and onion and set aside. Dice the garlic and set aside. In a wok or large sauce pan melt the butter (or heat the olive oil). Turn burner up to medium high and add the onion and garlic stirring for 3 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir frequently for 15 minutes. Vegetables are done when the zucchini is soft and translucent.

Loafing Around With Baker Babes Bakery

2010-08-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

The Baker Babes just got back from a fabulous weekend in Toronto, Canada. We enjoyed visiting some of the wonderful bakeries up north and of course couldn't resist sampling their delicious sweets. The loaf cakes and breads were outstanding, easily enjoyed at breakfast, tea time or for an evening treat. These unfussy cakes, whether savory or sweet, are always sure to satisfy. So, here's one of our favorite easy recipes for zucchini bread for you to try, and some pictures of Toronto's best bakeries to give you a taste of that great town.

Zucchini Bread (Makes 2 loaves)

3 eggs
1 cup canola oil
2 cups sugar
2 cups peeled & grated zucchini
3 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
3 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Grease 2 9x5 loaf pans

Beat eggs until light in color. Add oil, sugar, zucchini, vanilla and mix well. In a medium bowl, sift all dry ingredients together and add to egg mixture, stirring well. Mix in nuts and pour into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour.

Baker Babes Bakery Takes To The Seas

2010-07-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

In the past, we've enjoyed sharing some of our travels with you. Last week we were reminded of the wonderful sights and attractions available right here in Cleveland, Ohio our home town.

It all started with a phone call from James the personal chef to the owner of Lady Sandals yacht. Sandals was hosting parties for premier clients and important guests and needed numerous cakes to impress their sophisticated palates. Amidst an already busy week we were excited to accommodate his request. So, for three days we baked up a storm! Strawberry cassata, red velvet, pineapple cassata, german chocolate, whole wheat carrot, and chocolate fudge were some of the indulgent cakes we created.

While making these large deliveries to the yacht docked in The Flats we enjoyed the beautiful diversity of our cityscape. The Flats, located on the Cuyahoga River (and "no" folks, the river is not burning and is much cleaner than most urban rivers) is undergoing a resurgence with new developments and entertainment venues on both sides of the river. An added plus is the significant historic architecture which has been rehabilitated, such as the Superior Viaduct and Power House.

During our last delivery to Sandals International Resorts yacht, the icing on the cake was when James told us that Martha Stewart's top baker was on board the night before and gave our cakes a resounding thumbs up!

With all the negative press Cleveland has been getting this past year it was nice to reaffirm to ourselves the wonderfully rich area we live in. Thank you Cleveland for our world class orchestra, museum of art, Playhouse Square, Metroparks, Cleveland Clinic, Iron Chef, and great Cavs basketball team with or without Lebron James. But most especially, for all the great creative caring people who live in Northeast Ohio.

On The Road With Baker Babes Bakery

2010-06-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Spring is our favorite time of year. We love the sights and smells of the flowers beginning to bloom and the birds singing as they flutter around hurriedly collecting twigs for their nests. Spring is a good time for us at Baker Babes Bakery to take a bit of a break before the busy summer graduation and wedding party season begins.

I just returned from Rowayton, Connecticut, which is a quaint beach community located on Long Island Sound. Luckily, my sister Susan of www.tparty.typepad.com, and her family have lived in the area for years so I am able to stay in a lovely home just steps from the beach. During May and June, Rowayton is especially beautiful as many cottage gardens are lush with voluptuous foliage and the residents are very friendly oozing with good old New England hospitality.

I took some time exploring the shops along the main street in town and came across Rowayton Market which is a lovely rustic gourmet food shop and bakery. They make a wonderfully fresh and delicious veggie panini which I enjoyed eating outdoors. Their cupcakes and cakes were beautifully decorated. Just a block down the road is Rowayton Pizza and I found their pizza to be as good as any I've had on the East Coast. The nearby Maritime Center in Norwalk, Connecticut is a fascinating museum in which to learn about the colorful shipping history of that region.

If you are planning a vacation this summer I would suggest thinking about visiting a city or town not typically thought of as a tourist attraction. I find these places to be the most enjoyable and ones in which I've had the opportunity to meet and learn about the local residents and their way of life. Here are some pictures of my trip which I hope will inspire you to start planning your own.

Busy Month Of May

2010-05-23T22:14:00.000-07:00

Our customers who are celebrating Mother's Day, graduation birthdays and wedding showers have kept us very busy this month at Baker Babes Bakery. We hope to post a recipe blog the beginning of June, but we want to share pictures of some of the things we've had in the oven this past week.

Strawberry Pesto Muffins

Yoko's Yummy Yellow Cake

Our Very Best Brownies

Heavenly Chocolate Fudge Cake

FOR MOM

2010-04-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

When spring is finally here to stay
and tulips from their winter sleep awake
We look forward to celebrating that special day
when all mothers are given a much needed break

We are thankful for all she's done to ease our way
by guiding us along the bumpy roads we often take
Her wisdom and support is steadfast never to sway
as she provides loving comfort for our personal sake

So to honor all moms on their Sunday in May
we toast them with this champagne drink that is lovely to make.

MOTHER'S DAY RASPBERRY CHAMPAGNE PUNCH

1 cup apricot nectar
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
3/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1/3 cup orange juice concentrate (thawed)
1 quart ginger ale
1 bottle champagne, chilled
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Stir the sugar and water together in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Then pour into a punch bowl.

Add apricot nectar, orange juice concentrate, apple, pineapple and lemon juices to the bowl. Make sure that all is mixed in well and refrigerate until cold.

When ready to serve add ice to bowl and carefully pour in the ginger ale and champagne. Top each glass off with several fresh raspberries.

AND...

If Mom wants something sweet that our bakery bakes
just order our Lemon Raspberry Mother's Day Cakes!

Yummy Bakery Finds

2010-04-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

Whenever we travel we are always on the lookout for fabulous bakeries. This past weekend in New York City we came across LePain Quotedien, a great Parisian style bakery in Manhattan. Here are some pictures from LePain Quotedien and of other bakeries we found in Paris this past summer. Beware, these pictures are sure to tempt the taste buds!

Katie's Cayenne Cinnamon Frosting

2010-03-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

We are so lucky at Baker Babes Bakery to have the greatest customers. When Katie Mallady picked up her cupcake order last week she shared with us her wonderful cayenne cinnamon frosting recipe. What a find! We love its flavorful spices and surprise subtle kick. This is definitely an adult frosting and a nice change from the typical sugar topping. Here's the recipe, so give it a try and let us know if you like it as much as we do. Thanks Katie Mallady!

1 stick butter (softened)
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbs. Sour Cream
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Place butter in mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until creamy about 1 minute. Gradually add the 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Add sour cream and vanilla to the bowl and beat for about 3 minutes. Add cinnamon and cayenne pepper and beat until well incorporated. Frosting for 12 cupcakes.

The Icing On The Cake Unwrapped

2010-02-23T15:06:00.000-08:00

The dessert of choice this week has been cake, especially birthday cake. Yellow, chocolate ganache, fudge, carrot, red velvet and cassata have come out of our ovens filling the room with sumptuous aromas.

After we finished our baking, Phyllis and I brewed some fresh coffee and enjoyed a leisurely chat. We began reminiscing about birthdays past. I recalled my daughter's first birthday party years ago for which I purchased a "Cookie Monster" cake topped with blazing blue icing. The children's teeth, hands and faces remained blue for hours afterward...big mistake! Phyllis raised a point about the familiar idiom "the icing on the cake" meaning when something great happens another great thing happens on top of it. "That doesn't ring true for everyone, she said. I was always the most popular person at birthday parties. Everyone wanted to sit next to me because I would scrape off all the icing and pass it to my seat neighbor in order to get to the luscious cake underneath."

I began to think that many people can be categorized by their preference for cake vs. icing. Is a "cake person" more focused on the hidden subtleties of good things and the "icing person" more visually focused appreciating what goodness is right out there in the open? Is a cake person more patient, laid back and willing to wait for a good thing. Is an icing person more likely to know a good thing when he or she sees it right off the bat? Let us know what you think....Cake Vs. Icing, which one are you?

Yellow Cake

Chocolate Ganache Cake

Red Velvet Cake

Carrot Cake

Valentines Day 101

2010-01-31T20:12:00.000-08:00

Its been a difficult year for many of us with the loss of jobs, savings, homes as well as political scandals, international unrest and earthquakes etc. Many of the things which impact our lives seem so macro-sociological that it can make us feel helpless, or even useless, in our efforts to positively impact effective change towards improving things. Perhaps because of the shrinking global ethos of which the Internet plays an important part, we sometimes forget that each one of us can take control of our lives. We can also significantly enhance the lives of those around us. We just need to stay focused on a more micro level. We need to stay focused on our immediate details.

So, you are probably thinking...What does all this have to do with Valentines Day? Well, maybe nothing, or maybe a lot. This innocent little holiday gives us the opportunity to make someone feel good, feel significant and feel noticed. These are powerful feelings which we can evoke in others if even just for a day. The impact can be far reaching.

Look around you and think about spending time with someone in your neighborhood who is alone. Offer them a cup of tea, a piece of cake, thoughtful conversation and an hour of your time. Give an appreciative card or single rose to your teacher, grocer, doorman, office clerk etc. Valentines Day gives us the opportunity to be attentive to the human details of life and to acknowledge them with love, caring, or simple friendship. Maybe we haven't fixed everything that is wrong in the world but we can always make meaningful connections for meaningful change right in our own neighborhoods. And...it can begin with a single heartfelt Valentine.

Baker Babes Bakery Wishes You a Wonderful Valentines Day!

A Taste Of New York's Past

2010-01-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

There are so many wonderful places to visit in New York City. The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Times Square are all important parts of history. But if you want a real taste of New York's past visit Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop on 5th Avenue between 22nd and 23rd streets. Eisenberg's opened in 1929 and very little has changed in this bustling little restaurant. While sitting on their old leather stools it is easy to imagine Fred and Ginger dropping by for a late night BLT or egg sandwich. So, the next time your on your way downtown be sure to stop at Eisenberg's to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of a classic New York sandwich shop.

The Sweetest New Year!

2009-12-26T21:01:00.000-08:00

We wish all of our friends and followers the sweetest New Year! Here is a delightful treat we've made for New Year's eve festivities that is sure to please. "Crunchy Munchies" are pretzels drizzled in white and dark chocolate. They are sweet, salty, crunchy and smooth. A perfect indulgence to celebrate the new year.

Holiday Treat - Ritzy Chocolate Rounds

2009-12-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

Whenever the holiday season comes we really enjoy baking and taste testing the various cookies and bars we've selected for our festive trays. There is nothing better than munching on a delectable treat which can evoke memories of wonderful family gatherings and cozy December evenings around the fireplace. One of our favorite cookies to bake are our Ritzy Chocolate Rounds which have a snowy powdered sugar dusting. They are delicious, chewy, and remind us of the wintry white hills of the Midwest. So, Baker Babes Bakery is happy to share this recipe with you and we hope it will add to your joyous holiday season. We've tried several varieties of this cookie and have found this one to be the best.

RUDOLPH'S RITZY CHOCOLATE ROUNDS

1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
5 tbs. butter
6 tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs
3/4 cup powdered sugar

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan on low heat. Add cocoa and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in sugar.

Put the cocoa sugar mixture in a mixing bowl and add the vanilla. Stir until combined, then add the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition.
Add flour mixture and mix well.

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray.

Remove one cookie sheet worth of dough at a time from the fridge and roll into 3/4" balls, then roll the balls in powdered sugar. Place on cookie sheet about 2" apart. Bake cookies for 8 minutes and when done let cool on a wire rack. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies.

ITS ALL IN THE PRESENTATION

2009-11-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

We are always looking for wonderful cake stands, plates and platters on which to display our baked goods. There is a gem of a shop in New York City called "Fishs Eddy" which has a fabulous selection of reproduced vintage dishes. The store is literally filled from floor to ceiling with the most colorful assortment of jadite, milk glass and bone china. A visit to Fishs Eddy is always a must when we're in Manhattan. We've also included some pictures of Baker Babes Bakery's favorite cake stands and platters in this post. We feel that desserts should be a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Remember, its all in the presentation!

Saturday in New York City at the Union Square Farmers Market

2009-11-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful time in New York City last weekend. Whenever we are in Manhattan on a Saturday we make sure to visit the Union Square Farmers Market. This is one of the best urban farmers markets in the country. We found a fabulous selection of local vegetables, fruits, meats, honey, eggs, milk, cheese, flowers and baked goods. There are also art, photography, natural yarns and a variety of craft vendors at Union Square. If you are ever in New York City on a Saturday this is a must see, but until then, here are some pictures we took of the delicious sights and colors of Union Square.

They're Back...

2009-10-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

Our favorite Halloween treats are wickedly delectable and hauntingly satisfying!

Patty The Poltergeist Pumpkin Pound Cake

Witch Wanda's Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Halloween is such a fun holiday. We can be anyone or anything we want and get great treats for our efforts! Definitely worth all the "toil and trouble." We wish all our friends and fans a frightfully good holiday!

Central Park West Walnut Cupcakes

2009-10-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Baker Babes have been searching for a sophisticated cupcake. A dessert that would satisfy the adult pallet, not overly sweet and full of discerning flavor. This recipe for Central Park West Walnut Cupcakes from our friend Ellen in Manhattan, is just what we have been looking for. Top these cupcakes with coffee frosting and you have perfection! The aroma is intoxicating and the taste is divine.

Central Park West Walnut Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line cupcake tins with 15 paper baking cups
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 cup extra fine granulated sugar
2 cups self-rising flour
4 eggs (room temperature)
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Mix butter until creamy. Add sugar to butter slowly and beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Add flour and vanilla and beat until pale yellow. Stir in chopped walnuts and spoon into baking cups just below the rim. Bake for 20 minutes.

Frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter
3 cups confectioner sugar
1 tbs. instant coffee granules
2 tsp. hot coffee
1 1/2 tsp. coffee liqueur
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix butter until creamy. Add confectioners sugar one cup at a time and beat until creamy. Combine the hot coffee with the coffee granules and mix into the butter/sugar mixture. Stir in the coffee liqueur and vanilla until well blended. Make sure the cupcakes are completely cooked before spreading frosting.

This recipe is also great as a cake. Just place equal amount of batter in two 8" round baking pans and bake for 30 minutes or until tester comes out clean.

Vintage Country Pumpkin Bread

2009-09-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

It is just about fall here in the Midwest and so we find ourselves eager to bake all of our favorite harvest recipes. This pumpkin bread from the vintage cookbook "Get It On In The Kitchen" is one of the best we've found. Its simple, wholesome and meant to be shared.

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

Grease or spray 2 loaf pans

4oz. butter
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup cooked pumpkin mashed (fresh or canned)
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp. molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Set aside.
In another bowl cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy, add the eggs and beat well. Fold in the mashed pumpkin and chopped nuts. Blend in buttermilk and molasses. Slowly add in the sifted dry ingredients and mix until moistened. Pour into prepared loaf pans and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Let cool before slicing and dusting with powdered sugar. Then...invite family and friends over to enjoy this bread's warm, comforting aroma and wonderfully satisfying taste.

Its Pink Saturday At Baker Babes Bakery!

2009-09-09T23:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the delectable desserts we've made for this Pink Saturday.

Italian Lemon Almond Cake

Carmen's Coconut Cake

Pretty In Pink Pig Cookies

Pre-Season Favorite Dessert - Cleveland Brownies

2009-09-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

As soon as the football season starts our kitchen at Baker Babes Bakery is filled with the wonderful smell of chocolate brownies baking. These chewy delights are a favorite this time of year. Brownies are great for those late season picnics, school lunch boxes, and tailgating parties. The following brownie recipe is delicious with a scoop of ice cream and raspberry sauce. A perfect ending for any dinner party. Give this easy recipe a try and you'll never bake brownies from a box again.

Cleveland Brownies

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
4 eggs
1 cup flour
4 squares semisweet chocolate, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Butter or spray a 9 x 11 inch cake pan

Mix together the sugar, butter and eggs. Add the flour and salt to egg mixture and mix until incorporated. Add melted chocolate and blend in. Blend in vanilla. Add nuts and stir by hand until evenly distributed through out the batter. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes.

Ann's Apple Cake

2009-08-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

There are some recipes that are great to have on hand when friends drop in and there isn't time to bake something complicated. Ann's Apple Cake is a wonderfully easy scratch recipe which provides satisfying results. This cake is moist, comforting and delicious. If you give it a try, we think you will find yourself baking it often.

Apple Cake

3 eggs
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 cup canola oil
2 cups unsifted flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 - 6 peeled chopped baking apples
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.
Sift all dry ingredients together and set aside. Blend eggs, sugar, and oil. Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture. Fold in the apples and nuts. Bake in a lightly greased 9 x 13 pan (we made ours in a tube pan) for 1 hour. Let cake cool before turning out onto a platter.

Mastering The Art Of Julia Child

2009-08-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

After much anticipation, the Baker Babes went to see the movie Julie & Julia. It was wonderful and definitely lived up to all its pre-release hype. Better yet, it exceeded all of our expectations. The back and forth between the two main characters was done to perfection making us want a second and third helping of these delicious stories. Whether you are baking a cake or making a movie it is necessary to use the finest ingredients in order to create something special. Julie/Julia has certainly done that.

We have adapted Julia Child's "Chocolate and Almond Cake" (Reine De Saba) recipe from her book "Mastering The Art Of French Cooking", volume one. We encourage you to give this scrumptious decadent cake a try.

Our Cupcakes Runneth Over

2009-07-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

It must be cupcake week. Baker Babes Bakery phones have been ringing non-stop with requests for these satisfying little cakes. We're not surprised since they are the perfect gift, thank you note, or self-indulgent treat. Give someone a cupcake and you are sure to get a smile in return. We thought we would share some pictures of our scratch cupcake baking efforts. Beware...looking at these pictures may induce happiness!
(photo: our signature red velvet cupcakes)

rainbow chocolate and yellow cupcakes

sinful donut cupcakes

pecan upside down cupcakes

mini carrot cakes

mini Missississi mud cakes

velvety vanilla cupcakes

Let Them Eat Crumb Cake

2009-07-20T19:28:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than comfort food. So, if you are wondering what to bake for that lazy summer Sunday afternoon indulgence, try this delicious recipe for crumb cake. We make these wonderfully moist sweets at least once a week and ship them to our customers throughout the country. There is nothing better than a cake baked from scratch. Give this recipe a try and you'll find out how perfectly satisfying crumb cakes can be! And....if baking isn't your thing give us a call and we'll ship them out to you asap!

Crumb Cake

2 cups cake flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1 stick unsalted butter,softened
2 eggs
whole milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Butter or spray a 8" by 10" pan.

Sift all of the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. Cut butter into 1/2 inch wide slices and beat into dry ingredients until crumbly. Remove 1/4 cup and set aside. Break the eggs into a measuring cup and add milk to make 1 cup. Add to the flour crumble mixture and beat on medium until smooth, about 5 minutes. Pour batter into prepared pan. Spread the reserved 1/4 cup of crumb batter over top and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 30 minutes. After cake is cool, cut into squares.

Baker Babes Baker Crumb Cakes picture courtesy of Russell Photography.

Baker Babes Bakery Summer Favorites: Peach and Blueberry Loaf and Blueberry Muffins

2009-07-13T19:40:00.000-07:00

All the fruits and berries we have used in our baking this summer have been wonderful. The peaches and blueberries taste outstanding right now, so when our favorite customer in Lynchburg, Virginia ordered our Peach and Blueberry Loaf Cakes and Blueberry Muffins, we went straight to the farmers market to purchase the freshest and finest peaches and blueberries available. We encourage everyone to use fresh ingredients whenever baking. It is definitely worth the time it takes to peel, dice and chop. After all, why eat a good cake or muffin when you can eat a spectacular cake or muffin?

Cookie Crazy

2009-07-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

We are definitely crazy for cookies at Baker Babes Bakery. They are always a wonderful treat whether savory or sweet. Our chocolate chip cookies are our best sellers, but Phyllis and I agree we have taken the hermit cookie to a sensational new level. Here is a "Master Cookie Recipe" that my mother always had on hand. The dough will keep in the fridge for four weeks in a tightly covered container and can be used to make many variety of cookies. To see some pictures of our cookies visit our web site www.baker-babes.com.

Master Cookie Recipe

2 cups butter

2 cups sugar

1 cup brown sugar

4 large eggs

6 1/2 cups flour

1 tblsp. cream of tartar

2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 cup whole milk

Cream the butter and sugars together until creamy and fluffy. Stir in eggs one at a time.

Sift the dry ingredients together. Add to the creamed mixture in two parts alternating with the milk. Mix thoroughly.

Bake as needed on a greased baking sheet in a 375 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Makes about 8 cups of dough.

Here are some cookie variations to try, but don't be afraid to create some of your own!

Chocolate Cookies

knead 1 tblsp. cocoa and 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips into 1 cup cookie dough. Shape into 24 round balls and bake.

Ginger Cookies

Stir 1 tblsp. dark molasses and 1/4 tsp. ginger into 1 cup cookie dough. Shape into 24 round balls and bake.

Coconut Cookies

Knead 1 cup flaked coconut and 1/4 tsp. almond extract into 1 cup cookie dough. Shape into 24 round balls and then press flat on greased cookie sheet. Bake.

Baker Babes Bakery At The Farmers Market

2009-06-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the Chagrin Falls Farmers Market this past Saturday. The farmers brought wonderful black raspberries, cherries, garlic, lettuce, string beans, herbs, grass fed beef and sausage. We featured our "this little piggy went to market" Pretty In Pink Pig Cookies. Thank you to all who visited our tent!

Parisian Wedding Cake

2009-06-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

While in Paris, we were privileged to attend a wonderful local wedding. Here is a picture of the fabulous wedding cake. It was beautiful and delicious. A boast that many wedding cake creators today can't make. So many bakers focus mainly on the decorations while using frozen box cakes. Though many cakes are beautiful works of art, their highly processed taste leaves much to be desired. We are all about the taste at Baker Babes Bakery and our goal is to create simple, delicious, vintage style cakes.

Eating Our Way Through Europe

2009-06-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

We spent the last couple of weeks in England and France. What better way to get a true taste of the continental life than by sampling the sweet offerings of local bakeries. So that's what we did! Our favorite bakery in greater London was Paul Family Bakery in South Clapham. This French style pastisserie has been in business since 1889 and is every bit as good as many of the pastisserie's of France. We found wonderful bakeries in Paris, Hyeres, Giens, and on the island of Porquerolles. They were all a feast for the eyes and palate. Here are some pictures from our favorites.

Baker Babes Are In The Pink!

2009-05-30T00:07:00.000-07:00

Its Baker Babes Bakery first "Pink Saturday" and so we are sharing some photographs of our pretty in pink delicious delights!

German Chocolate Cake

2009-05-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Baker Babes Bakery gets so many requests for German Chocolate Cake that we consider it to be an American favorite. Phyllis created this wonderful version of our German Chocolate Cake. Not only is this cake beautiful, it also tastes incredible. A feast for the eyes and palate!

Magnificent Muffins

2009-05-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

We love muffins! They are a wonderful addition to any brunch, lunch or dinner. Here is a basic vintage muffin recipe from Farm Journal's Country Cookbook, 1959 which is sure to bake up tender, fluffy muffins every time. An unlimited variety of muffins can be made by adding to this basic recipe. Try adding your favorite cheese and garlic, apples and nutmeg, or strawberries and chocolate. Whether savory or sweet, muffins are sure to please any palate.

Basic Muffin Recipe

2 cups sifted flour

1 tblsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3 tblsp. sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

3 tblsp. oil or melted shortening

Sift together, flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.

Combine in bowl egg, milk and oil; pour into dry ingredients all at once. With a wooden spoon, stir until dry ingredients are moist but still lumpy about 17 to 25 strokes.

Spoon batter into greased muffin pans, filling pans only 2/3 full. Bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees 20 to 28 minutes, depending on the size of the muffins. Makes about 18 medium sized muffins.

Weekend in New York City and Rowayton Connecticut

2009-05-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

The Baker Babes love going to New York City. Visiting a variety of bakeries in Manhattan is always delightful as we sample their decadent sweets along the way. New York is also a great place to find unique baking pans, molds, cake platters and kitchen gadgets at shops like Fishes Eddy, http://www.fisheseddy.com/. During this trip we found some adorable vintage flour sifters at T-Party Antiques in Rowayton Connecticut, http://www.tpartyantiques.com/. After these busy weekends we always feel creatively inspired and can't wait to get back to our kitchen to bake something new and heavenly...like our chocolate zuchinni cake!

Busy Week Making Deliveries for Mother's Day

2009-05-04T09:35:00.001-07:00

We thought we'd share a picture of our adorable Mini Cooper Baker Babes Bakery delivery mobile!

DIVINE LEMON RASPBERRY INDULGENCE

2009-04-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

We made this perfect three layer torte for Mother's Day, something sweet, tart and luscious. Assembling a torte can seem daunting, so here are some pictures of our cake in process.

We started with a 9x13 cake, and cut it equally into thirds.

Spread alternate layers with lemon curd and raspberry preserves. Then top with third cake layer.

Apply whipped cream icing.

Now comes the fun, decorating with raspberries and thyme leaves.

This cake is as pretty as it is delicious! The perfect Mother's Day gift.

Contemplating Cake? Which Size Fits You?

2009-04-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here at Baker Babes Bakery, we love making cakes! Its wonderful knowing that our baking efforts help brighten someone's day or special celebration. Eating a slice of delicious homemade cake is sure to result in a satisfying smile. Cakes are comforting...

Sometimes the hardest part of purchasing a cake is trying to determine what size is necessary. So, for all of you cake buyers or bakers, here is a handy cake size serving list that should be helpful. Remember, the number of servings will vary depending on the width of the slices, but this chart can still serve as a good reference point.

Round Cake Serves

5" ............... 2-4
6" ............... 4-8
8" ............... 8-12
9" ............... 12-20
10" .............. 15-25
12" .............. 20-35
14" .............. 25-40
16" .............. 40-65

Sheet Cake Serves

1/4 .............. 15-25
1/2 .............. 25-50
Full ............. 50-80

We work with our customers so that they purchase the cake that is the right size for them. We have expanded our size offerings so that many of our cakes are now available in sizes that will accommodate an anniversary dinner for two, thank-yous for six, as well as office parties for 100.

Exploring Vintage Recipes

2009-04-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

We love vintage recipes. Testing them and tweeking them is always a creative adventure. We are sharing an interesting recipe that we haven't had time to test yet. If you think of yourself as a baking explorer give this 1953 Woman's Day Magazine cake recipe a try. It might be a winner or a flop, but often the fun is in the experimentation. So, to all of you cake recipe hunters out there, let us know if you think this recipe is a treasure or if it should be put in the trash bin. We look forward to hearing from you!

Banana Spice Chiffon Cake by Glenna McGinnis (Women's Day, March 1953)

Costs $1.05 (1953)

Makes 1 10 inch cake

2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon each nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cooking oil
5 egg yolks
1 cup mashed, ripe bananas
1 cup egg whites (about 8)
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Sift together all dry ingredients into a bowl. Make a well, add oil, yolks, and banana; beat until smooth. In another bowl beat egg whites and cream of tartar until very stiff. Fold in yolk mixture; blend well. Pour into ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Bake in 325 degree preheated oven for 70 minutes. Invert over a cake rack and cool. Turn out on rack. Serve plain, or cover with chocolate frosting.

The Best Carrot Cake

2009-04-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

The Easter Bunnies' cake of choice this holiday weekend at Baker Babes Bakery is Tiffany's 18 Carrot Cake. We ice this cake with traditional creamed cheese frosting or with a maple butter cream frosting. What makes this cake so outstanding is the use of whole wheat flour (our not so secret ingredient) which creates an wonderfully rich, incredibly moist, and flavorful cake. Vegetables never tasted so good!

Birthday Cake Surprise!

2009-04-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love whipped cream, especially on your birthday when you should eat anything you want? I made this adorable cake today for Judy's birthday because she really loves whipped cream, and this cake has a double dose! The cake itself is made with heavy whipping cream and is frosted in a delicious caramel flavored cloud of whipped cream heaven. What a great way to wish someone Happy Birthday - indulge!

Mad For Madeleines

2009-03-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

Traditional French pastry, that falls somewhere between a cake and a cookie. Delicious with coffee or tea, or on its own.

Whisk dry ingredients together.

Rub lemon zest into sugar.

Add eggs.

Mix sugar and eggs.

Fold in flour.

Add melted butter.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or over night.

Finished Madeleines can be served right out of the oven with a dusting of powdered sugar. Bon Appetit!

The Icing On The Cake

2009-03-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the most challenging part of baking a cake is not the baking at all, but having to apply the frosting. Here are some of our frosting tips which we hope will help make putting the icing on the cake a snap!

1. Use a pastry brush to brush the cake layers in order get rid of any loose crumbs. You can also brush the cake with a little syrup to help the crumbs adhere to the cake. Place one cake layer on a plate and slide four thin pieces of waxed paper under the edges of the cake.

2. Place some frosting on the first cake layer and spread it evenly out to the edges of the cake. Using an icing spatula will make the spreading easy. Place the remaining cake layer on top.

3. Spead a thin layer of frosting on the top and sides of the cake. This will help to seal in the crumbs and leave a smooth surface for applying the second layer of frosting.

4. Place a mound of frosting on top of the cake and spread evenly along the top. Wipe off the spatula as often as needed to remove excess frosting. Finally, spread the frosting over the sides of the cake in smaller amounts, turning the cake as you move the spatula. Be sure to check along the sides of the top of the cake for uneveness and smooth out where necessary. Remember, most cake frostings are very forgiving and can be scraped off or reapplied where necessary.
5. Gently pull out the waxed paper one piece at a time. This will give you a clean finished buttom edge.

We hope this was helpful and that you can now put "The Icing On The Cake" with ease and confidence!

Vintage Mini Cakes

2009-03-08T21:51:00.000-07:00

Petit Fours topped with charming mini flowers bring spring sunshine to the table even if the windows are covered with frost. At Baker Babes Bakery the basis for these little cakes is a vintage genoise recipe found in an old Italian country cookbook from 1959. This genoise compliments frosting extremely well. The cake is exceptionally versatile, moist, and rich. If you love baking we encourage you to make a genoise. It can be a bit tricky because the butter must be added very lightly and mixed carefully. However, this cake is worth the added attention since it is a fabulous basis for any variety of dessert cakes such as petit fours. If you want someone to feel special petit fours are the perfect treat. They are luscious to the last bite.

MARCH MUFFIN MADNESS!

2009-02-28T21:41:00.000-08:00

March is Muffin Madness Month at Baker Babes Bakery.
Blueberry Muffins will sweetly brush away your winter blues.
Banana Muffins are so moist they will melt away all thoughts of snow.
Cranberry Pecan Muffins are a perfect chill chaser with a cup of coffee or tea.
Donut Muffins (Dirt Bombs) are all sugar and spice to make everything cozy and nice!
Our very best March Madness Muffins are a special value price $22/dozen. Check the muffins out on our website http://www.baker-babes.com and email us at bakerbabes@gmail.com for more information.

AROMAS OF RIOMAGGIORE CINQUE TERRE ITALY

2009-02-17T22:04:00.000-08:00

Whenever I make biscotti I think of Riomaggiore, a quaint picture postcard town nestled along mountainous ridges overlooking the sea on the Italian Riviera. I always thought of biscotti as an uninteresting cookie, often hightly sweetened to compensate for its lack of flavor. It wasn't until I had biscotti at a homestyle family bakery in Riomaggiore that I discovered how delicious and tastefully complex biscotti should be. So now whenever I get cabin fever during the winter in Cleveland, I bake batches of these authentic Italian treats. The aroma is intoxicating and the flavors immediately take me back to that place of breathtaking views and meandering trails along the side of coastal ridges. At Baker Babes Bakery we have created various biscotti such as cranberry pistachio, chocolate pecan, and cinnamon almond. We love offering our customers the wonderful tastes of Italy.

FABULOUS LOVERS THROUGHOUT TIME

2009-02-09T21:56:00.000-08:00

Adam & Eve

Antony & Cleopatra

Romeo & Juliet

Sonny & Cher

Brad & Angelina

Valentines Day & Baker Babes Bakery

Visit our special holiday page http://www.baker-babes.com/valentine.php
for the perfect sweets for your special Valentine!
(Red Velvet Heart Cupcakes)

Strawberry Cassata Cake Heaven

2009-02-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

Making this cake definitely pushes the cold and grey winter out of my mind. I'm whisked away to a summer evening celebration with family and friends. This cake has been one of family favorites for years! It is also one of my favorite cakes to put together. Two layers of yummy, moist yellow cake divided by three layers of decadent pastry cream, sliced strawberries and vanilla laced whipped cream.This whole divine concoction is then frosted with whipped cream, the sides are dusted with crushed roasted almonds and topped off with luscious whole strawberries!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO FEBRUARY IN CLEVELAND!

2009-01-26T00:37:00.000-08:00

It's been so cold here lately that it makes it hard to believe that we probably have another couple of months of refrigerator weather to look forward to. One thing about the cold is that it makes being in a warm cozy kitchen filled with yummy intoxicating smells a great place to be. So, February is definitely when we spend most of our time creating sweets, not only for Valentines Day, but for the months ahead. Here at Baker Babes Bakery we like to think of red velvet cake as one of our specialties. The cake is moist and delicious. The heavenly frosting we make is a vintage southern favorite, not at all like the cream cheese frosting (often borrowed from carrot cake recipes) you may find on red velvet cakes around town now. We have created special heart shaped red velvet cupcakes and cakes for Cupid's Day, as well as heart shaped coconut bars, a Cleveland favorite. These sweets will certainly get that special someone's attention and are one of the best ways to show how much you care. They are sure to melt their heart and maybe even the snow!

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE AND...

2009-01-18T22:19:00.000-08:00

Baker Babes decadent Valentines Day treats to show your sweetheart how much you care.
We have come up with irresistable goodies that are sure to evoke the response..."How sweet it is to be loved by you." Check out our holiday page on our website to see some pictures of the cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. We will be adding more pictures as our Valentine creations come out of the oven.

Cupcakes Opening Night

2009-01-13T16:29:00.001-08:00

Cleveland got a lot of snow today, so it was good to spend time in our warm, cozy kitchen. We spent the day making red velvet and vanilla cupcakes for the cast and crew of Frost/Nixon. This is opening night for the play at the Palace Theatre located at Playhouse Square. Hopefully, our cupcakes will provide the players with some tasty comfort on this cold winters night.

Ode To Winter

2009-01-12T19:41:00.000-08:00

The sky is gray
The trees are bare
and the Baker Babes have some treats to share

Get through the cold
Get rid of the blues
with new Baker Babes desserts from which to choose

*************

Cloud 9 Devil's Food Cake

Phyllis' Incredible Coconut Bars

The Best Brownies Ever

Irresistibly Good Russian Tea Cakes

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008-12-31T07:33:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, Sweet New Year!! ( The sweet part means eat some cake!!) Speaking of cake...this looks like it's becoming the year of the Red Velvet Cake. We've been busy these past few days baking several of these for New Years parties. You know all those superstitions for eating certain foods for luck on New Years (ie: black eyed peas),well, maybe Red Velvet cake will become The new lucky food to eat (much preferred over black eyed peas!!). So, have a marvelous time and be safe.

Holiday Cheer....Trays, Trays, and More Trays!

2008-12-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

Its been very busy the last couple of weeks for Baker Babes Bakery, and unfortunately we've been neglecting our blog a bit. Thought we would share a picture of Phyllis. She's up to her elbows in pastry trays! We really enjoy baking this time of the year and creating the various trays filled with our special holiday cookies, bars, cakes, and muffins. Phyllis, a former fashion stylist, is an expert at artistically arranging all the treats. Her ability to assess color, texture and balance is amazing. Well, got to get back to baking. Next on the order menu is a whole wheat carrot cake.....yum!

LEAVE THE BAKING TO US!

2008-12-05T20:04:00.000-08:00

Break the fruitcake mold this holiday season with our festive treats. From Christmas cakes to Hannukah cookies for those near and far the Baker Babes have the perfect desserts for all occasions. Visit our website http://www.baker-babes.com/ to see some pictures of our holiday creations.

We Got A Kick Out Of These!

2008-11-30T22:35:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Cleveland hosted the 25th anniversary celebration and convention of the holiday film favorite " A Christmas Story". Featured at the convention was a documentary film about the life of the movie's director Bob Clark. Baker Babes Bakery was asked to recreate the iconic Christmas Story Leg Lamp in the form of cookies which were presented to patrons of the screening. It was great fun making these sweet treats as it reminded us of Bob Clark's heartwarming classic Christmas tale. We will be featuring these cookies on our Holiday Specialties web page at http://www.baker-babes.com/.

There's a lot to be thankful for and I'm not just talking turkey!

2008-11-26T21:51:00.000-08:00

It's great having the family all together for the Thanksgiving holiday. With all the depressing and recessing news which has dominated the media, it is particularly important for us to be with those that represent comfort and happiness.

Times are tough for most of us now, and that is why I think it is essential to focus on what is positive, useful, and what we as individuals can control or change. I find that it is helpful to focus on what I have to be thankful for, instead of what I don't have. This attitude does not solve all problems, but it can give one a better perspective on what problem needs to be addressed first, and how to initiate productive change.

I feel really lucky that I am in a baking business that provides people with products that look yummy, smell great, taste wonderful, and give our customers a feeling of comfort. I know it sounds simplistic, but sometimes finding happiness is as easy as a piece of cake.
http://www.baker-babes.com/

Let It Snow

2008-11-20T14:09:00.000-08:00

Woke up to snow this morning. A perfect day to do some baking. The snow makes me feel very holiday, so I will roll out some cookie dough and cut out some holiday shapes. Royal icing is my favorite, you can really get creative with it. So off I go to make some "masterpieces"!

Thanksgiving Conversation

2008-11-19T00:06:00.000-08:00

"Hey there Pilgrim, that's a mighty fine dessert spread you've got on your Thanksgiving table!"

"Thank you, Mr. Wayne. The pumpkin pound cake, sweet potato bread and pumpkin whoopie pies are from Baker Babes Bakery. I even gave the Babes my Aunt Bessie's favorite pumpkin pie recipe and they baked it for me.

"That sounds real fine. I'm going to mosey on over to www.baker-babes.com and order some sweet treats for me and the rest of the cowpokes. Thanks for the holiday tip, Pilgrim, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!"