Vanilla, Chocolate, and Coffee Cake

Vanilla batter

6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/3 cups (262 grams) sugar

3 tablespoons (35 grams) vegetable oil

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large egg whites

1 large egg

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups (241 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour

1 cup (227 grams) full-fat plain yogurt

Chocolate batter

1 1/4 cups (149 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (32 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon espresso powder

3/4 cup (149 grams) sugar

4 tablespoons (1/4 cup or 57 grams) unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons (25 grams) vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup (113 grams) milk, at room temperature

1/4 cup (57 grams) brewed coffee

2 large eggs

Coffee soak

1/2 cup (99 grams) sugar

3/4 cup brewed coffee or espresso

Whipped Cream Frosting

Heat the oven to 350° F. Grease and flour three 8" round cake pans.

To make the vanilla batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, vegetable oil, baking powder, and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg whites, whole egg, and vanilla.  With the mixer running at medium-low speed, slowly add the egg mixture to the butter/sugar mixture.

Add the flour alternately with the yogurt, beginning and ending with the flour.  Scrape down the bowl and mix for another 30 seconds.  Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.

For the chocolate batter: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa, expresso powder, and sugar.  Add the butter and beat at medium speed until the mixture looks sandy.  Mix in the vegetable oil and vanilla.

Combine the milk with the coffee and add gradually, with the mixer running at low speed.  Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 1 minute.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.  Scrape the bowl, then beat for 30 seconds more.

Scoop the batter in a random pattern into each of the three pans until all is used.  Using a table knife or spatula, swirl the chocolate batter through the vanilla very lightly, taking two or three turns through each pan.

Place the layers on the center rack of the oven and bake for 24 to 26 minutes, until they just begin to pull away from the side of the pan and the top springs back when lightly touched.  Remove from the oven and cool completely on a rack, still in the pans.

To make the coffee soak: In a small saucepan set over medium heat, combine the sugar and coffee, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.  Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.

Turn the cake layers out of their pans and place them right side up.  If the layers have a dome on the top, use a long, serrated knife to trim them level.  Brush the trimmed side with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the coffee soak, then flip one of the layers over, trimmed side down, onto a serving plate.  Brush the other side of the layer with more of the soak, and once it's absorbed, spread a 3/8"-thick layer of the whipped cream frosting over it.  Repeat the trimming and soaking process with the second layer, placing it over the first.  Frost the top of that layer with whipped cream frosting.  Trim, soak, and place the last layer on top of the cake.  Frost with remaining whipped cream frosting.

Store the cake in the refrigerator until 30 minutes before you wish to serve it. Place plastic wrap on any cut edges of leftover cake, and refrigerate for up to 1 week.  

From King Arthur Flour with changes

Flaxseed Crackers

1/2 cup flaxseed

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground coarse back pepper

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon oregano

1/2 cup low fat milk

4 tablespoons canola oil

Heat oven to 375° F.

In a medium bowl, mix flaxseed, flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano.  In a separate container, mix milk and oil.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix by hand until a dough is formed.

Roll out between two sheets of wax paper to 9×18 inches. Cut into 36 pieces by cutting into two 9×9-inch sheets and cutting 18 strips out of each sheet. They should be between 1/16 and 1/8 inch thick.

Twist each one and place on ungreased sheet pan and bake 10 minutes. Remove and turn each one over and bake for another ten minutes.

Let cool on pans.

May be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Makes 36.

From A Family Feast website

Honey-Oat Pain de Mie

4 1/2 cups (541 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour

2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast

1 1/2 cups (127 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats               `              

2 1/4 teaspoons salt

6 tablespoons (85 grams) melted butter

5 tablespoons (96 grams) honey

1 1/2 cups to 1 3/4 cups (340 to 382 grams) lukewarm water (use the smaller amount in the summer, or in a humid climate; the larger in winter, or in a drier climate)

Combine all of the ingredients, and mix until cohesive.  Cover the bowl, and let the dough rest for 20 minutes, to give the oats a chance to absorb some of the liquid.  Then knead — by hand, stand mixer, or bread machine — to make a smooth, soft, elastic dough.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, and let it rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until it's risen noticeably.  It won't necessarily double in bulk.  Gently deflate the dough, and shape it into a 13" log.  Place the log in a lightly greased 13" pain de mie (pullman) pan, pressing it gently to flatten.

Place the lid on the pan (or cover with plastic wrap, for a better view), and let the dough rise until it's about 1" below the top of the pan/lid, 60 to 90 minutes.  Towards the end of the rising time, heat the oven to 350°F.

Remove the plastic (if you've used it), slide the pan's lid completely closed, and bake the bread for 35 minutes.

Remove the lid, and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers at least 190°F.

Remove the bread from the oven, and turn it out of the pan onto a rack. Run a stick of butter over the top, if desired; this will yield a soft, buttery crust.  Cool completely before cutting; wrap airtight and store for several days at room temperature.

Makes one loaf.

From King Arthur Flour

Peachberry Buckle

Cake:

1/4 cup (4 tablespoons, or 57 grams) butter

3/4 cup (149 grams) sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups (241 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (113 grams) milk

Filling:

1 cup (142 to 170 grams) berries, chopped if large (e.g., strawberries)

1 cup (213 grams) sliced peaches or nectarines, peeled or not

Topping:

1/4 cup (4 tablespoons, or 57 grams) butter

1/4 cup (53 grams) brown sugar

1/2 cup (57 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9" round cake pan.

To make the cake: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar.  Beat in the egg and vanilla.  Stir in the baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.

Add the flour in three additions, stirring it in alternately with the milk, and beginning and ending with the flour.  Set the batter aside while you make the topping.

To make the topping: Mix all of the ingredients until crumbly.  (Don't over-mix, or you'll get a smooth paste, rather than crumbs.)

To assemble the buckle: Spread half the batter in the prepared pan.  Layer with the peach slices.  Fold the blueberries into the remaining batter, and dollop it on top; a tablespoon cookie scoop works well here.  Sprinkle the topping over the batter.

Bake the buckle for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until it's a deep golden brown and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove the buckle from the oven, and cool it on a rack.  Serve warm, or at room temperature.  Store at room temperature, wrapped in plastic, for several days; freeze for longer storage.

Makes 9 to 12 servings.

From King Arthur Flour, with very minor changes

Pesto Potato Pizza

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 tablespoon raw sesame seeds

1 tablespoon fresh grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Kosher salt and black pepper

1/2 pound pizza dough, at room temperature

Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

1/3 cup Arugula Pesto

1 medium potato, very thinly sliced

8 ounces burrata cheese or soft mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup fresh basil or or lemon basil leaves or 1 cup arugula leaves

Crushed red pepper flakes

Heat the oven to 450 degrees F.  Grease a large baking sheet with olive oil, or sprinkle cast iron pizza pan with cornmeal.

In a small bowl, combine the oregano, sesame seeds, lemon zest, cumin, and generous pinches of salt and pepper.

On a lightly floured surface, push/roll the dough out until it is pretty thin (about a 10-12 inch circle).  Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet or pan.  Rub the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with the seed mix, using as little or as much as you'd like.  Spread the dough with pesto and layer on the sliced potatoes, drizzling them lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Transfer the pizza to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the potatoes are crisp.  

Remove from the oven and top with lumps of burrata or mozzarella.  Allow the cheese to sit on the pizza and warm through, about 5 minutes.  Sprinkle on the basil or arugula and crushed red pepper flakes.

Makes one 10-12 inch pizza.

From Half Baked Harvest blog

Arugula Pesto

1/2 cup pine nuts

1 garlic clove, minced

2 cups (2 ounces/60 grams) packed arugula leaves

1/2 cup (2 ounces/60 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 to 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

In a food processor, combine the pine nuts, garlic, arugula, Parmesan, and salt, and pulse to blend.  With the machine running, pour in the olive oil through the food tube in a slow, steady stream and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.  Taste and adjust the seasonings.

From This Is a Cookbook: Recipes for Real Life by Max Sussman and Eli Sussman, via Epicurious, with minor changes

Wild Violet Syrup

Wild violet blossoms

Water

Sugar

Lemon juice

How many violet blossoms you use is up to you. The recipe is a 1:1 ratio, so you can use as many or as few as you wish.

Once you have picked your violets, place them in a jar or glass and add enough boiling water to cover the flowers.  Let the flowers steep for an hour or two (until the water cools). Your violet water will look blue or green at this point; the violet color comes later when the lemon is added. 

Strain the flowers from the infused water and discard them.  Be sure infused water is clear of any debris.  Add equal parts violet-infused water and sugar to a saucepan.  Slowly add small amounts of lemon juice until desired color is reached.

Slowly bring the sugar water to a low boil for a minute or two. Keep an eye on it and stir occasionally.  Transfer your syrup to whatever (preferably clear) container you wish.

From KentuckyForager.com