Posts made in September, 2019

Book Blog: The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

Posted by on Sep 6, 2019 in Blog, book blog | Comments Off on Book Blog: The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

I review everything I read and post reviews on Goodreads and LibraryThing. That’s not enough. Good books are meant to be shared. Therefore, I’m spotlighting some of my favorite reads here on my site.

The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner
out now; Indiebound, B&N, and Amazon

okay witch

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley.

The Okay Witch is more than okay. It’s absolutely charming. I adored this graphic novel and everything about it–art, story, characters, EVERYTHING. Moth is thirteen and doesn’t fit in at school–and when she suddenly discovers she has magical powers, that doesn’t exactly help much. This is a story packed with genuine heart. The tone is light, but there are heady issues addressed with a delicate hand. Moth is a wonderful, relatable heroine, but the entire cast is fantastic–including a talking cat who threatens to steal the whole show. I loved, loved, loved how inclusive it is. A subplot involving the said talking cat and a beloved actually made me get teary-eyed at one point.

I mean, really. Start reading because it’s about magic and a smart girl and because the art is fantastic, and keep reading because you find everything about this book is fantastic. This is not only a 5-star read for me, but I’m adding it to my nomination list for the Norton Award.

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Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Posted by on Sep 4, 2019 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, cheese galore | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This stunning Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake is gorgeous and delicious, and will win over even people like me that are not big coconut fans.

Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This cake works for me because the cream cheese creates a rich, tender crumb, and the coconut adds a lovely chewiness to it all.

Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

The cake ends up being chewy, but not too chewy; sweet, but not cloyingly. Really, that makes this great as a breakfast, brunch, or dessert cake.

Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

I highly recommend reserving some coconut to sprinkle on top, too. It adds a certain oomph.

Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Serve this as cake alone, or like with any pound cake, it would be lovely alongside fresh fruit.

Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Modified from Cookies and Cups.

 

Bready or Not: Coconut Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This easy-to-make bundt cake creates a gorgeous and delicious cake that is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: bundt cake, cake, cream cheese
Author: Beth Cato

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, room temperature
  • 8 ounces cream cheese 1 box, room temperature
  • 3 cups white sugar
  • 6 eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups shredded flaked coconut

Glaze

  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2-3 Tablespoons milk
  • extra shredded coconut

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 325-degrees. Coat a 10-cup bundt pan with nonstick spray or butter.
  • In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder. Gradually mix in the flour until just combined, then fold in the coconut.
  • Pour batter into pan and distribute evenly. Bake for 75 to 80 minutes, until it passes the toothpick test.
  • Cool pan for 20 minutes, then invert the cake onto a wire rack to completely cool. Move to a plate or cake platter.
  • To make the glaze, stir together the confectioners' sugar and milk to form a smooth yet thick consistency. Pour or spoon glaze over the top, then sprinkle with additional coconut.
  • OM NOM NOM!
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