Brandy's Baking: March 2012

Monday, March 19, 2012

Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze

8:55 AM | Posted by Brandy K | | Edit Post

I'm throwing in a little seasonal variety today. Seasonal variety. That makes sense, right? We've had such a mild winter here in Texas, so mild that I'm truly frightened about what sort of scorching temperatures summer might bring.

I'm trying not to worry about it by completely skipping over summer in my mind...and thinking about fall. Ah FALL, cool breezes, pretty leaves and apples!

Still following my mental distraction from thoughts of ~~Hades~~ Texas summertime? You'll like where it's going.

Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze!

So yes, as soon as I remembered that I had pinned this lovely apple cake from Lick the Bowl Good, my mind stopped worrying and wandering and snapped to attention.

This little cake was super easy to make and turned out so moist and delicious. The brown sugar glaze put it way over the top. Make it soon...no need to wait until fall arrives.

Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze

by Brandy's Baking

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40-45 minutes

Ingredients

Cake:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups finely diced apples

Glaze:

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
3 Tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions

Make the cake:

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch pan (round or square, either is fine) and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a hand mixer until light in color and foamy. Add the oil and vanilla and beat well. Stir in the flour mixture with a spoon and stir gently until the flour mixture is incorporated. Fold in the apples.

4. Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Place the hot cake on a wire cake. While it's still hot, prepare the glaze.

Make the glaze:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Cook for 3-5 minutes.

2. Spoon the hot glaze over the warm cake. Cool completely before serving.

Source: Lick the Bowl Good

Powered by Recipage

This post is linked to: Trick or Treat Tuesday
Sweet Tooth Friday
Sweets for a Saturday

Labels: Cake | 7 comments

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Irish Cream Brownies

6:32 AM | Posted by Brandy K | | Edit Post

You may remember how I feel about Bailey's Irish Cream. Delish! Delish in my coffee. Delish on my ice cream.

I've seen Irish Cream Brownies popping up on Pinterest lately and decided that I had to try my own version. I have to say...they turned out so good. So very good, like a little bit of Bailey's flavored cheesecake with a fudgey brownie. I ate a few...just to be sure they were tasty enough to blog about. Tasty enough. Check. Check.

So! Bust out the Bailey's, my friends. You can make these brownies and don't forget the Irish Cream Cupcakes-Two Ways. Make them too.

For the brownies, I started out with my favorite brownie recipe and added a layer of creamy, Bailey's infused deliciousness. Enjoy!

Irish Cream Brownies

by Brandy's Baking

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Brownies:

1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
11 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
4 Tbsp water
1 tsp instant espresso powder
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or 1 cup semisweet and 1 cup bittersweet)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 large eggs

Cream Cheese Layer:

2 (8oz.) pkgs cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
4 Tbsp Bailey's Irish Cream

Instructions

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a 9x13" pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray.

2. Prepare Brownies: Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl; set aside. In a large saucepan, melt the butter with the sugar and water. Bring just to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in the chocolate chips, espresso powder and vanilla. Stir until chocolate chips are completely melted. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Slowly blend in flour mixture, and mix until batter is smooth and shiny.

3. Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: Place all ingredients into a medium mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well blended.

4. Pour half of brownie batter into pan and spread evenly. Dollop cream cheese mixture on top of brownie batter and gently spread until evenly distributed. Spread remaining brownie batter over the cream cheese mixture.

5. Bake for about 40 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely before cutting.

Powered by Recipage

Inspired by Wee Kitchen.
This post is linked to: Sweet Tooth Friday
Sweets for a Saturday
Sweet Indulgences Sunday

Labels: Brownies and Bars | 2 comments

Friday, March 9, 2012

S'mores Brownie Bars

1:08 PM | Posted by Brandy K | | Edit Post

Hello friends! I'm very sorry for not posting in such a long time. I've missed you! I promised to be back to the blog soon, and here I am with chocolatey marshmallow goodness. You forgive me now, no?

S'mores Brownie Bars! For you!

Always with the dessert stacking!? I know. It just works well in photos and I'm not gifted with photography skills...or creativity. :) I usually just want to get a photo as quickly as possible, because the treats have somewhere to be. Ahem...MY BELLY!

Let's talk about these bars, shall we? Have you seen the cute StackerMallows? I don't know if they're a new grocery item or just new to me...I don't get out much. They're flat little rectangle marshmallows that are perfect for instant s'mores and these brownies. They wouldn't do well over a campfire, but that works for me. I have no interest in camps or campfires, or anything else outside for that matter.

Here they are!

If you are not able to find these particular marshmallows, that's okay. You can just cut the large marshmallows in half. You'll still end up with a fabulous brownie.

Give them a try!

S'mores Brownie Bars

by Brandy's Baking

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes

Cook Time: 25-28 minutes

Ingredients (9-12 servings)

Crust:

1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs (about a 1 1/2 pkgs)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar

Brownie Layer:

8 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Topping:

25-30 StackerMallows
or 20 large marshmallows cut in half

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch-square metal baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, 6 tablespoons of melted butter in a bowl and mix until the crumbs are moistened. Press the crumbs evenly into the bottom of the pan and bake at 350 degrees for 7 minutes. Allow crust to cool on wire rack.

3. Turn the oven temperature up to 400 degrees and prepare the brownie layer.

4. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter and chocolate together. Stir often, and remove from heat when a few lumps of chocolate remain. Stir until smooth.

5. Stir in sugar, vanilla and salt. Stir in eggs one at a time, followed by flour. Stir until very smooth, about 1 minute, until mixture pulls away from sides of bowl. Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake for 18 minutes.

6. Layer marshmallows (sticky side down if you're using the large marshmallows cut in half) across the top of the baked brownies and toast under the oven broiler until golden. You must watch this very closely! My marshmallows were toasted within about 30 seconds. Cool completely and cut into 16 (two inch) squares.

*These were easier to cut after they had been cooled and refrigerated for several hours. They taste best at room temperature though.Source: My Baking Addiction

Powered by Recipage

This post is linked to: Sweets for a Saturday
Sweet Indulgences Sunday
Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Crazy Sweet Tuesday