british

Bready or Not EXTRA CHEESY: Cheese and Chives Yorkshire Puddings (Small Batch)

Posted by on Apr 16, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, british, cheese galore, side dish | 0 comments

Welcome to the third installment of our special month of Bready or Not. My cheese-centric cozy mystery Cheddar Luck Next Time just came out last week, so we’re celebrating with another cheesy recipe from the Bready or Not archives.

This week’s feature is Cheese and Chives Yorkshire Puddings.

Cheese and Chives Yorkshire Puddings

Yorkshire puddings are what many Americans also know of as pop-overs–light, airy, crisp sponges perfect to eat with a roast and gravy!

Cheese and Chives Yorkshire Puddings

This recipe is for a small batch of puds. Since they are so airy (if they rise right), the six puddings of this recipe are perfect for two or three people. These will not reheat well, so eat’em up fresh!

Use a good quality cheddar here to really take these puddings to the next level. I used Kerrygold Dubliner.

Cheddar Luck Next Time

Please grab a copy of Cheddar Luck Next Time, which features an autistic (like me!) lead character with a passion for cheese (like me!).

Amazon: paperback | ebook (affiliate links)
Barnes & Noble: paperback & ebook
Bookshop: paperback

Bready or Not: Cheese and Chives Yorkshire Puddings (Small Batch)

These cheesy Yorkshire puds are perfect to serve with a holiday roast and gravy! Unlike many recipes, this makes a small batch of six puddings, enough for 2 or 3 people. These are light, airy, and oh-so-cheesy. Use the best cheddar you can find–you'll be able to taste the difference.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: British
Keyword: cheese, quick bread
Servings: 2
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • metal muffin pan
  • blender

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup milk or half & half
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted, divided
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup quality cheddar cheese (25 grams), freshly grated
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh chives chopped, plus more for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 425-degrees.
  • In the container of a blender, place milk, eggs, 1 tablespoon melted butter, flour, and salt; process just until smooth. Let rest for 10 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, toss together grated cheese and chives.
  • Place a 12-cup muffin pan in oven for 5 minutes to preheat.
  • Remove muffin pan from oven, and quickly spoon the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter into the 6 muffin cups that are being used. Return pan to oven for 2 minutes.
  • Remove pan from oven. Working fast, spoon or pour batter into buttered muffin cups, dividing as evenly as possible. Top each with a spoonful of cheese mixture.
  • Bake until puffed and golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Garnish with more chives, if desired. Serve immediately. Yorkshires are best fresh as they deflate after baking.

OM NOM NOM!

    Read More

    Bready or Not Original: Earl Grey Shortbread Bars

    Posted by on Nov 13, 2024 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, breakfast, british | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Earl Grey Shortbread Bars

    Whether you are coping with cold weather right now or psychologically easing into winter (something I know well from my time in Arizona), these Earl Grey Shortbread Bars will make you feel warm and cozy. Also, caffeinated.

    Bready or Not Original: Earl Grey Shortbread Bars

    These bars are dense, soft, and a touch crumbly, the flavor of warm spice throughout. The drizzle of glaze adds sweetness and prettiness.

    Bready or Not Original: Earl Grey Shortbread Bars

    The tea flavor is quite strong here–it actually seemed to get bolder after a day–so the 1/4 cup amount is best made for people who like Earl Grey. I used Bigelow bags, but the amount of tea likely varies across brands. If you want a milder flavor, use less tea.

    Bready or Not Original: Earl Grey Shortbread Bars

    Bready or Not Original: Earl Grey Shortbread Bars

    Soft, chewy texture and warm spices makes these shortbread bars a perfect treat!
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Keyword: bars, tea
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • 9×13 pan
    • spice grinder or mortar and pestle
    • wax paper or plastic wrap
    • heavy glass or other weight
    • piping bag or freezer bag

    Ingredients

    Dough

    • 1/4 cup Early Grey tea leaves about 4-5 Bigelow bags
    • 4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups unsalted butter (4 sticks) room temperature
    • 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Glaze

    • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
    • 1 1/2 Tablespoons milk or half & half

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 baking pan with aluminum foil and apply nonstick spray or butter.
    • Use a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle to grind the Earl Grey leaves down a bit more, but not fully to powder. Move the tea to a medium bowl and stir with the flour and salt.
    • In a large bowl, beat the butter until fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, followed by the vanilla. Beat until smooth. Gradually beat in the flour mixture to incorporate.
    • Dollop the dough into the prepared pan. Use a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap to spread out the dough, then use something like a heavy glass to evenly compress the dough into the pan.
    • Bake until shortbread is firm with golden edges, about 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in pan on rack.
    • After the pan comes to room temperature, mix the glaze ingredients. Transfer them to a piping bag or to a freezer bag. Snip the corner to pipe the glaze in stripes over the pan. Let set for an hour, then use foil to lift contents onto a cutting board to slice into bars.
    • Store in sealed container at room temperature. Bars will keep for an least 2 days.

    OM NOM NOM!

      Read More

      Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

      Posted by on Apr 17, 2024 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, british | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

      These Spiced Apple Scones make for a delicious breakfast. They are great fresh, but they can also be frozen for a convenient meal on the go later in the week.

      Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

      These are not super sweet. There is enough sugar inside to elevate them above what Americans regard as a biscuit; the glaze not only adds some sweetness, but a texture for contrast. If you want these plainer, just omit the glaze!

      Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

      If you don’t have pie spice, just use cinnamon with perhaps a sprinkle of nutmeg.

      Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

      Greatly modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine September/October 2023.

      Bready or Not: Spiced Apple Scones

      Brighten your morning with these delicious fruit-filled scones! Make a batch over the weekend, and freeze them to pull out throughout the week. Greatly modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine September/October 2023.
      Servings: 8 scones
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • baking sheet with parchment or scone pan
      • knife or bench knife

      Ingredients

      Scones

      • 2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for surface
      • 1/4 cup white sugar
      • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
      • 1 1/4 teaspoons pie spice
      • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
      • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
      • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter cut into cubes and cold
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 1 cup half & half or milk, plus more for tops if desired
      • 1 medium baking apple (about 120 grams) peeled and diced

      Glaze

      • 1 cup confectioners' sugar plus more if needed
      • sprinkle pie spice
      • 1 Tablespoon half & half plus more if needed
      • 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven at 375-degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or pull out a scone pan.
      • In a big bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, pie spice, salt, and baking soda. Cut in the butter, mashing it until it resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in the vanilla and half & half, stirring until just combined. Fold in the diced apple.
      • If using a baking sheet to bake, flour a work space. Flour hands and fold and pat the dough into a thick disc. Use a knife or bench knife to slice it into 8 wedges. Move wedges, spaced out, onto baking pan. Alternatively, press dough into scone pan to evenly fill each hole. Whichever method is used, chill scones for about 15 minutes.
      • If softer scones are desired, measure out a tablespoon of milk and brush that atop the scones. If crisper tops are wanted, leave the scones be.
      • Bake scones until tops are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for about 20 minutes.
      • Make the glaze. Whisk together confectioners’ sugar, a sprinkle of pie spice, half & half, and clear vanilla until they achieve a thick but oozy texture. Drizzle over scones.
      • Enjoy scones right away, or store at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 2 days. They can also be frozen and thawed for later enjoyment.

      OM NOM NOM!

        Read More

        Bready or Not Original: Berry Scones

        Posted by on Feb 21, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, british, chocolate | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Berry Scones

        These Berry Scones are a delicious way to use fresh or frozen fruit to create a batch of baked goods for breakfast.

        Bready or Not: Berry Scones

        I love scones but I hadn’t made this recipe in over 10 years. Arizona is not a good place to get locally grown fresh fruit like strawberries and raspberries. Soon after we moved to Minnesota, fresh strawberries came into season AND I won a gallon-sized bag of frozen raspberries in my first horticultural club meeting.

        Bready or Not: Berry Scones

        I needed ways to utilize my new bounty. I reworked this old recipe, reducing the fruit amount and adding white chocolate chips. That extra sweet kick really elevates the fruit!

        Bready or Not: Berry Scones

        Bready or Not Original: Berry Scones

        These Berry Scones are a perfect breakfast, delicious at room temperature or warmed in the microwave. They can be frozen after baking, making this is a convenient make-ahead recipe. Don’t thaw the fruit if it’s frozen or it’ll be mushy and juicy. Use only fresh or frozen fruit.
        Course: Breakfast
        Cuisine: British
        Keyword: chocolate, raspberries, scones, strawberries
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • cookie sheet or scone pan
        • nonstick spray

        Ingredients

        Scones:

        • 1/2 cup strawberries or raspberries (fresh or frozen) about 3oz
        • 3 Tablespoons white sugar separated
        • 2 cups all-purpose flour
        • 2 teaspoons baking powder
        • 1/4 teaspoon salt
        • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
        • 2/3 cup milk or almond milk
        • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

        Topping:

        • 1 Tablespoon coarse or white sugar optional

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven at 400 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper, or use a scone pan.
        • Use kitchen shears or a knife to cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle fruit with 1/2 tablespoon sugar; set aside to macerate.
        • Combine remaining sugar with flour, baking powder and salt. Add butter, using a pastry cutter or a fork to cut it in. Don’t completely mix in butter, but leave some pea-sized pieces throughout. Stir in milk. Fold in the white chocolate chips followed by the berries.
        • Flour hands to coat. Gently knead and turn the dough to incorporate the dry bits from the bottom of the bowl. Sprinkle dough with extra flour if it’s too sticky to work with.
        • If using a cookie sheet for baking, pat the dough into a circle 3/4 inch thick. If any berries peek out, push them into dough. Cut circle into 6-8 wedges (or smaller), then transfer wedges to the cookie sheet, leaving at least 1/2 inch of space between them; they will spread. Alternatively, press handfuls of dough into a scone pan, filling each empty space to the end to create even pieces. Sprinkle the tops with coarse or white sugar, if desired.
        • Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until the tops are beginning to brown. Remove them from pan. Scones can be eaten immediately, or will keep in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Freeze them to enjoy later.

        OM NOM NOM!

          Read More

          Bready or Not: Cherry-Almond Bakewell Tart

          Posted by on Jan 31, 2024 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, british, cake, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Cherry-Almond Bakewell Tart

          Bakewell Tarts are classic British pastries. This version, modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine, uses store-bought preserves (I used Bonne Maman) with everything else from scratch.

          Bready or Not: Cherry-Almond Bakewell Tart

          If you’re in America, you’re not likely to find a Bakewell Tart unless you’re near a big city bakery; as for me, I’ve never found it for sale in the US, and I’d probably scream in delight if I came across it. I made a pointed effort to get slices more than once during my 2019 trip to the UK.

          Bready or Not: Cherry-Almond Bakewell Tart

          Not gonna lie, this is a dessert that takes some work. The pâte sucrée, the crust, can be done ahead of time, and that helps to space out the labor. The filling, which is a frangipane, needs to not only be mixed, but piped into the crust to help it form a consistent layer.

          Bready or Not: Cherry-Almond Bakewell Tart

          And of course, at the end, the tart needs a nice sweet drizzle that looks gorgeous and amps up the flavor, too. This is really the ultimate special occasion breakfast or dessert.

          Bready or Not: Cherry-Almond Bakewell Tart

          There are two recipes included here: the pâte sucrée and the full assemblage of the Bakewell Tart.

          Bready or Not: Pâte Sucrée

          Pâte Sucrée is a pastry crust that can be used for a Bakewell Tart and other desserts. It needs to chill in the fridge for at least an hour. This makes one 9-inch crust. Recipe modified from Bake from Scratch July/August 2023.
          Author: Beth Cato

          Ingredients

          • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) softened
          • 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
          • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
          • 1 large egg room temperature
          • 2 cups all-purpose flour

          Instructions

          • In a stand mixer or by hand. beat together butter, sugar, and salt until they are pale and creamy. Add the egg. Gradually beat in the flour until just combined, scraping the bottom of the bowl a few times.
          • Shape the dough into a flat disk and encase in plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for an least an hour, but overnight is preferred. Dough can be refrigerated for up to a week or can be frozen for up to 2 months. If frozen, thaw in fridge before using.

          Bready or Not: Cherry-Almond Bakewell Tart

          A Bakewell Tart is a classic British dessert. This is a time-consuming recipe, but the result is an absolute show-stopper. Modified from Bake from Scratch July/August 2023.
          Course: Breakfast, Dessert
          Cuisine: British
          Keyword: almond, cherries
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • Rolling Pin
          • parchment paper
          • 9-inch tart pan with removable plate
          • pie weights
          • pastry brush
          • pastry bag or freezer quart bag
          • uneven spatula

          Ingredients

          Tart

          • 1 pâte sucrée
          • 1 large egg white lightly beaten
          • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) room temperature
          • 1/2 cup white sugar
          • 2 large eggs room temperature
          • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
          • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
          • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
          • 1 cup almond flour sifted to remove clumps
          • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
          • 3/4 cup cherry preserves

          Topping

          • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
          • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
          • 1 Tablespoon milk or half & half

          Instructions

          Form the crust

          • If the pâte sucrée is quite firm from chilling, let it set at room temperature for about 20 minutes to make it more pliable. Use a rolling pin to roll it into a 12-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick.
          • Remove the base of the tart pan and trace the shape onto parchment paper. Cut paper to fit in bottom of pan and apply baking spray. Carefully transfer dough to pan, but if it falls apart, that’s okay–press it into an even layer across the bottom of the pan and up the fluted sides. Use a knife to cut excess dough from the top edge. Use a fork to dock the bottom of the pan, stabbing it here and there across the whole surface. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

          Bake the crust

          • Preheat oven at 325-degrees.
          • Top the dough with a large piece of parchment paper, with ends extending over the sides. Add pie weights to fill the basin.
          • Bake the crust for about 15 minutes. Carefully lift with the parchment and weights, setting on another pan to cool. Brush the bottom of the pan with the egg white. Continue baking for another 15 minutes; the base should look dry with the dough lightly browned. Set aside to cool completely as the filling is made. Increase oven temperature to 350-degrees.

          Make the frangipane

          • Beat the butter and white sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape the bottom of the bowl a few times to make sure everything is mixed. Add eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla, salt, and almond extract. Scrape bottom and sides of bowl. Gradually mix in both flours until just combined.
          • Spoon frangipane into a pastry bag or a freezer quart bag. Cut off the tip.
          • Use an uneven spatula to spread the cherry preserves over the bottom crust. Pipe the frangipane over the preserves. Use a clean uneven spatula to smooth it into an even layer. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top.
          • Bake until frangipane is set and golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool about 20 minutes before removing the outer ring of the pan. Let tart cool completely on rack.

          Add drizzle

          • In a small bowl, stir together confectioners’ sugar and milk. Spoon into a pastry bag or freezer quart bag and snip off a tiny corner. Pipe glaze back and forth over tart. Let glaze set, about 20 minutes, then dig in. Store wrapped up or in sealed container in fridge for up to 4 days.

          OM NOM NOM!

            Read More

            Bready or Not: Cornish Fairings Cookies

            Posted by on Aug 2, 2023 in Blog, Bready or Not, british, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Cornish Fairings Cookies

            Cornish Fairings Cookies (to use the American wording, as these would be Corning Fairings Biscuits at their point of origin in Cornwall) are light, delicious cookies that use golden syrup for flavor and sweetness.

            Bready or Not: Cornish Fairings Cookies

            Golden Syrup is a delicious ingredient out of the UK. Some recipes call for using a half and half mix of light corn syrup and honey to replace it in American recipes, but I’ve found that’s not a good replacement for the flavor. If you’re in the US, look for Lyle’s Golden Syrup in the British section of a grocery store or at World Market.

            Bready or Not: Cornish Fairings Cookies

            Ginger gives these cookies a pleasant warming element, but I should note that these aren’t heavy like most gingerbreads. This is something different, light and chewy.

            Bready or Not: Cornish Fairings Cookies

            Do note that I found these cookies got stiffer in texture after a day, but they were still delicious.

            Adapted from Bigger Bolder Baking by Gemma Stafford.

            Bready or Not: Cornish Fairings Cookies

            This recipe, adapted from Bigger Bolder Baking by Gemma Stafford, uses the British ingredient golden syrup to make a uniquely sweet, lightly spiced cookie.
            Course: Dessert, Snack
            Cuisine: British
            Keyword: cookies, golden syrup
            Servings: 33 cookies
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • parchment paper
            • baking sheet
            • food processor
            • teaspoon scoop

            Ingredients

            • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
            • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
            • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
            • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
            • 2 teaspoons baking powder
            • 1 teaspoon baking soda
            • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
            • 1/2 teaspoon salt
            • 6 Tablespoons golden syrup

            Instructions

            • Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
            • Using a food processor, dice up butter. Add flour, brown sugar, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, and pulse to mix, scraping the blades clean as needed. Add golden syrup and pulse to incorporate.
            • Use a teaspoon scoop to dole out dough, spaced out, on parchment paper. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, until cookies are set and crackled across the top. Cool on sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack to completely cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature; they will get stiffer in texture after a day, but the flavor is still wonderful.

            OM NOM NOM!

              Read More