Holiday Winner

This is the Orange Bundt Cake that won the Blue Ribbon at the 2013 Minnesota State Fair. Easy to make it is perfect to have on for unexpected guests.

This is the first time I've made it with just-picked oranges from my son's back yard. We're celebrating the holidays with sunshine not snow this year!

Palets des Dames

These cookies are easy and keep well. It's the first recipe I've tried from Baking Chez Moi by Doris Greenspan.

Start Your Ovens

This is the time of year that almost everyone thinks about baking. Since my last post was in March, I thought I'd start with some tips for successful baking from Baking Basics and Beyond.

     Always read the entire recipe before you begin. Carefully follow the directions. If you want to experiment it is best not to do it the first time you bake the recipe.

     Use an oven thermometer and adjust your oven as needed. This will prevent overbaking or needing lots more time til doneness. Some ovens are 25 degrees off.  (I always take a quick peek a couple of minutes before baking time is up. )

     Use the best ingredients you can afford. I  always use pure vanilla, high quality chocolate and unsalted butter.

The photo above is of Palets de Dames from Dorie Greenspan's Baking Chez Moi. I'll be doing lots of baking and posting often, so leave any questions and I'll respond.