cake

Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

Posted by on Jun 29, 2022 in Blog, Bready or Not, cake, cake mix, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

Don’t scoff at cake mix. These Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars are so tasty, no one will guess that a box mix was involved.

Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

I love from-scratch baked goodies, but cake mix has its uses, especially when there is a time crunch. The ‘chemical’ flavor of these mixes can be eliminated with some simple doctoring techniques.

Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

I created this recipe because my husband had a co-worker who requested German Chocolate Cake. There was no way an actual cake was going to be easily ported to his work, and since 2020, I’ve been individually packaging all the goodies that he takes.

Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

That meant a bar recipe was the way to go. The use of cake mix was a necessity as I had little time for fiddly recipes that week. I needed something I could throw together, fast.

Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

These things turned out to be delicious with a great mix of textures from the cakey base to the chewy coconut to the soft chocolate chips on top.. The bars were quite cohesive and stayed together well when sliced and individually wrapped, too!

Bready or Not Original: Quick German Chocolate Cake Bars

Do you need a fast-to-make German Chocolate Cake, and one that’s portable without a fuss? Then this recipe is for you! No one will be able to tell this is a doctored cake mix.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, cake mix, chocolate, coconut
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • 9×13 pan
  • aluminum foil

Ingredients

crust

  • 15 ounce German Chocolate Cake Mix such as Betty Crocker brand
  • 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder optional
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, melted
  • 1 large egg room temperature

filling

  • 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 cup pecan pieces
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut either shredded or flaked
  • 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Line a 9×13 pan with foil and apply nonstick spray or butter.
  • In a big bowl, mix together the cake mix, espresso powder (if using), butter, and egg. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan and even out. Bake for 7 minutes. While that’s cooking, prepare the filling.
  • In the same big bowl (no need to wash it), mix together the sweetened condensed mix, vanilla, egg, pecans, and coconut. Once the crust’s first bake is done, bring it out of the oven. Pour the filling over it and even out. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
  • Bake for an additional 24 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely, speeding the process in the fridge, if desired. Use foil to lift bars onto a cutting board to divide into slices. Store covered or individually wrapped at room temperature.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not: Dutch Butter Cake (Boterkoek)

    Posted by on Jun 22, 2022 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Dutch Butter Cake (Boterkoek)

    If you want a cake that is simple yet indulgent, this Dutch Butter Cake is for you. It’s a single-layer cake that is straightforward to make.

    Bready or Not: Dutch Butter Cake (Boterkoek)

    Really, the fussiest thing about this recipe is doing the crosshatch pattern on the top, and it’s not that bad. Look at my pictures–or others online–for examples of what to do.

    Bready or Not: Dutch Butter Cake (Boterkoek)

    The prettiness of the cake is what initially drew me in, and then when I saw it was called a Butter Cake, I knew I had to make it. I mean, butter. I’m of Southeastern American stock on both sides. I was raised with the philosophy that butter makes everything better except for things like sucking chest wounds.

    Bready or Not: Dutch Butter Cake (Boterkoek)

    This cake bakes up with a light, tender crumb. The fresh orange zest shines through along with the butter and vanilla. It’s rich even as it’s not heavily sweet.

    Bready or Not: Dutch Butter Cake (Boterkoek)

    Modified from Bake from Scratch March/April 2020.

    Bready or Not: Dutch Butter Cake (Boterkoek)

    This buttery one-layer cake is simple and delicious, a cozy snack or dessert if ever there was one. Enjoy with some coffee or tea! Modified from Bake from Scratch March/April 2020.
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: Dutch
    Keyword: cake
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • 9-inch springform pan
    • parchment paper
    • plastic wrap
    • pastry brush

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter 3 sticks, softened
    • 1 1/4 cups white sugar
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
    • 1 orange zested
    • 2 large eggs divided
    • 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
    • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 cup unbleached cake flour
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven 350-degrees.
    • Cut a piece of parchment to fit in the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Apply nonstick spray or butter over the inside of the pan, place the parchment inside, then grease it as well. Set aside.
    • In a stand mixer, beat the butter, sugars, and orange zest together. Scrape the bottom of the bowl, then beat on medium until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1 egg. Crack the 2nd egg, placing the yolk with the other ingredients and setting aside the white for later use. Add vanilla bean paste to other ingredients and combine.
    • In a separate bowl, stir together flours, salt, and nutmeg. Gradually add dry ingredients into the butter batter to create a thick dough. Scoop it into the prepared pan.
    • Use a piece of plastic wrap to press the dough into an even layer. Discard plastic wrap. Lightly beat the reserved egg white. Use a pastry brush to gently apply the egg white across the top of the cake. Use the tines of a fork to make a crosshatch pattern across the top.
    • Bake for 25 minutes. Rotate the pan. Continue baking until the surface is golden brown and the middle passes the toothpick test, which should be after an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes, then release the side latch to remove the ring.
    • Let cake cool completely on a wire rack. Slice and enjoy. Cake keeps well covered at room temperature for at least 3 days. It can also be cut into slices and frozen for later enjoyment.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not: Sharlotka (Apple Cake)

      Posted by on Jun 15, 2022 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake, lemon | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Sharlotka (Apple Cake)

      As you might have noticed, I’ve been experimenting with many different kinds of apple cakes over the past while. This Sharlotka has a Russian name but British origins, because that’s the way of the world.

      Bready or Not: Sharlotka (Russian Apple Cake)

      I modified this from a recipe in Bake from Scratch’s October 2020 issue. There, they say the first Sharlotka was a very different kind of cake that was served for Czar Alexander during a London visit–and made by a French chef. Because of course.

      Bready or Not: Sharlotka (Russian Apple Cake)

      The cake that evolved after that became more of a basic apple cake. The batter is minimal, and beaten for a prolonged time to increase volume. It’s pretty much there to act like adhesive for the mélange of apples.

      Bready or Not: Sharlotka (Russian Apple Cake)

      The resulting cake is light and airy. The flavor of the apples really shines through.

      Bready or Not: Sharlotka (Russian Apple Cake)

      This cake is great for a breakfast, snack, or dessert. Eat it on its own, or with some ice cream.

      Bready or Not: Sharlotka (Russian Apple Cake)

      Bready or Not: Sharlotka (Apple Cake)

      This Sharlotka is more apple than cake. The batter asks as a mere adherence for the fruity, just-spiced goodness. Modified from Bake from Scratch October 2020.
      Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
      Keyword: apple, cake, citrus, springform pan
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • 9-inch springform pan
      • parchment paper
      • fine mesh sieve
      • offset spatula

      Ingredients

      • 4 medium apples such as Granny Smith, Ambrosia, Fuji, or Golden Delicious; go for a mix!
      • 1 cup plus 1 Tablespoon white sugar divided
      • 1 large orange or 1 large lemon zested and juiced
      • 4 large eggs room temperature
      • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
      • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
      • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
      • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
      • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
      • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
      • confectioners’ sugar for dusting

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Cut parchment to fit the bottom of the springform pan. Grease the pan, then place in parchment round, then spray that as well.
      • Peel and thinly slice the apples. In a big bowl, coat the apples with 1 Tablespoon white sugar, the citrus zest, and 2 teaspoons of fresh juice. Set aside.
      • In the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat eggs, vanilla, salt, and remaining 1 cup of sugar at medium high speed for about 7 minutes. It should turn thick and pale, the batter forming ribbons when the whisk is lifted up. Remove bowl from mixer.
      • In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and cardamom. Use a fine-mesh sieve to sift the dry ingredients into the egg mix. Gently fold the flour in until it’s just combined and there are no white streaks.
      • Place half the apples in the prepared pan. Pour half the batter over them. Use an offset spatula to work the batter into nooks and crannies. Scatter the rest of the apples on top, followed by the rest of the batter. Again, use the spatula to spread the small amount of batter. For a couple minutes, thump the pan on the counter and tap the sides every now and then to cause bubbles to rise, smoothing batter again after.
      • Bake cake. Check it at 30 minutes to see if it is getting too brown; if so, cover it with foil. Continue baking 10 more minutes (40 total) then test the middle with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. Let it cool on a rack for 15 minutes before carefully releasing the sides of the pan.
      • Serve the cake warm, at room temperature, or cold from the fridge. Add a dusting of confectioners’ sugar on top for serving; if keeping cake for later, add fresh sugar each time, as it will gradually be absorbed. Store covered in the fridge or at room temperature.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not Original: Citrus Cardamom Bundt Cake

        Posted by on Jun 1, 2022 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, lemon | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Citrus Cardamom Bundt Cake

        This Citrus Cardamom Bundt Cake beautifully combines orange and lemon with classic spices, creating a cake that tastes and smells divine.

        Bready or Not Original: Citrus Cardamom Bundt Cake

        Above all, this cake is imbued with wonderful freshness. Citrus does that, and this cake has a heady dose in the batter as well as the glaze.

        Bready or Not Original: Citrus Cardamom Bundt Cake

        Cardamom is one of my favorite spices, one that I crave to use more often. A teaspoon and a half is in this recipe, and as strong as cardamom is, it comes through in a potent, refreshing way.

        Bready or Not Original: Citrus Cardamom Bundt Cake

        I made it in a tube pan, because I had a brand new one I needed to try out, but this would also be great in a large bundt pan.

        Bready or Not Original: Citrus Cardamom Bundt Cake

        Make this to feed a crowd for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It would be delicious at any time of day or during any season of the year!

        Bready or Not Original: Citrus Cardamom Bundt Cake

        Bready or Not Original: Citrus Cardamom Bundt Cake

        This luscious, tender cake fuses citrus flavors and aromas with the warmth or cardamom and other spices. It’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.
        Course: Breakfast, Dessert
        Keyword: bundt cake, cake, citrus, lemon, tube
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • tube or bundt pan
        • baking spray with flour

        Ingredients

        cake:

        • 3 cups all-purpose flour
        • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
        • 2 teaspoons baking powder
        • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
        • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
        • 1/2 teaspoon salt
        • 1/2 cup orange juice
        • 2 large lemons zested and juiced
        • 2/3 cup canola oil
        • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
        • 3 large eggs room temperature

        glaze:

        • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
        • 3 teaspoons orange juice
        • 1 teaspoon lemon juice from reserved juice

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Use a floured baking spray on the entire interior of a bundt or tube pan.
        • Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup of the fresh lemon juice, canola oil, all of the lemon zest, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until combined, scraping the bottom of the bowl occasionally.
        • Pour the batter into the pan and level it. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan for about 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack.
        • After another 10 minutes, assemble glaze to create a thick, slow-dribbling consistency. Drip it over the warm cake to coat the top and ooze along the sides. Cool cake completely.
        • Store cake covered at room temperature. Pieces can be individually sliced to take on the go or to freeze for later.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not: Apple Shortcake

          Posted by on May 18, 2022 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Apple Shortcake

          This Apple Shortcake is fussy to make, but the results are absolutely delicious!

          Bready or Not: Apple Shortcake

          I modified this from a recipe in Bake from Scratch, the September/October 2020 issue. There, they describe this style of shortcake as a New Zealand favorite.

          Bready or Not: Apple Shortcake

          Here in American, I grew up with strawberry shortcake (and loved the cartoon and toys for Strawberry Shortcake in my earliest years), and thought of fruit shortcakes as being simply made in individual portions. I was intrigued by this idea of it being like a cake and pie hybrid.

          Bready or Not: Apple Shortcake

          The most annoying thing about the recipe is that I found the dough to be quite sensitive–but this also might be an Arizona problem, as my kitchen year-round is hotter than many get. The good thing is that the recipe makes a lot of dough, so it’s easy to patch any tears or holes with a bit of the leftovers.

          Bready or Not: Apple Shortcake

          The baked shortcake is dense and delicious, with perfectly-spiced apples in a kind of shortbread sandwich.

          Bready or Not: Apple Shortcake

          The shortbread keeps okay at room temperature up to 2 days. If you’re feeding a small crowd, no prob–cut it into individual pieces, encase in plastic wrap, and freeze. It keeps fantastically that way.

          Modified a lot from Bake from Scratch, September/October 2020 issue.

          Bready or Not: Apple Shortcake

          This recipe is delicious, though is time-consuming to assemble. It helps to break the recipe into two days: make the shortcake crust, then later make the entire cake. The shortcake is best eaten within two days, but keeps very well frozen in slices.
          Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
          Keyword: apple, cake
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • food processor
          • food scale
          • 9×9 pan
          • Rolling Pin
          • pastry brush

          Ingredients

          • 4 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling
          • 1 cup plus 3 Tablespoons white sugar divided
          • 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
          • 1 1/4 teaspoons plus 1/8 teaspoons kosher salt divided
          • 1 cup cold unsalted butter
          • 3 large eggs divided
          • 3/4 teaspoons almond extract
          • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
          • 3 large apples such as Granny Smith and Pink Lady
          • 1 lemon zested and juiced
          • 2 teaspoons corn starch
          • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
          • turbinado sugar optional to sprinkle on top

          Instructions

          Make the crust

          • In the bowl of a food processor, pour in the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, then pulse until combined. Cut the butter into cubes and add to the bowl, pulsing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 2 eggs and the extracts. Pulse to bring the dough together so that it's moist but not sticky; if it doesn't come together, add a small amount of water and pulse more.
          • Turn out the dough to press it together. Use a food scale to weigh the dough and divide it in two. Wrap each piece with plastic wrap. Chill in fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few days.

          Assemble the shortcake

          • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Let the dough stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle flour on a flat surface and roll out one portion of dough to make a 13-inch square. Set the pan on top as a guide to cut an even 9×9 square.
          • Line pan with foil and apply nonstick spray. Place cut square inside. It’s okay if it tears as its being moved–patch it with fingertips. Pat the leftover dough up the sides of the pan to completely cover, sealing the edges together along the bottom and at the corners. Chill pan during the next step.
          • Peel the apples and cut into quarter-inch slices, placing them in a large bowl. Add the lemon zest and 2 teaspoons of juice. Stir to coat apples. Add the cornstarch, cinnamon, remaining 3 Tablespoons sugar, and last bit of salt. Toss everything together, coating the apples. Spread the apples evenly across the bottom of the pan.
          • Roll out remaining dough to make a 10-inch square to completely cover the top of the apples. Press overlapping edges to seal together, trimming dough if needed. Lightly beat the remaining egg then brush it over the top crust. Use a fork to poke the crust all over to create vents. If desired, sprinkle turbinado sugar across the crust.
          • Bake until crust is golden brown, about 50 minutes to 1 hour. The apples should be tender if poked with a toothpick. Let cool in pan for at least an hour. Use foil to lift shortcake onto a cutting board for easy slicing.
          • Store cake in sealed container at room temperature for up to 2 days. It can also be cut into individual slices and frozen for later enjoyment.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            Posted by on May 4, 2022 in biscoff spread, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, chocolate, yeast bread | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            This Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche is stunning in appearance and taste, so be warned: there are more pictures than usual for this post, including some process photos.

            Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            When I set out to rewrite the original recipe, featured in the January/February 2019 issue of Bake from Scratch, I knew this bread would be time-consuming. Intimidating, even.

            Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            The braiding process, shown here, had me worried to start, but that turned out to not be so bad after all.

            Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            What ended up being the most tedious aspect was all the necessary dishwashing between the various stages! This recipe would be a great time to have some helpful assistants around.

            Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            The original recipe used special black cocoa paired with peanut butter. I went with normal baking cocoa (Penzey’s), which is less dramatic in color but great with flavor, and my stalwart baking favorite, cookie butter.

            Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            Despite my evangelizing, some people are always meeting cookie butter for the first time. It’s found in jars near the nut butters in stores. Trader Joe’s carries it under the name Speculoos. The other major brand is Biscoff. It tastes like spice cookies pureed in oil, because that’s exactly what it is.

            Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            It’s also incredible to bake with because it can even make cookies taste inherently more cookie-like. Here, when it’s used with chocolate, cocoa, and fresh bread, it’s truly amazing.

            Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            During baking, I found the exposed swirls of cookie butter actually caramelized, creating a wonderful crunch in the same bite as tender enriched bread. That, along with chocolate?

            Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            Oh wow. Oh wow.

            Bready or Not: Braided Cocoa and Cookie Butter Brioche

            This braided loaf, baked in a large tube pan, is an absolute show stopper with its swirled layers of cocoa and creamy cookie butter! It’s as delicious as it looks, too. This recipe is fairly straightforward, but be warned, it requires a lot of dishwashing!
            Course: Bread, Breakfast, Dessert
            Cuisine: American
            Keyword: bundt cake, chocolate, cookie butter, yeast bread
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • stand mixer
            • food scale
            • Rolling Pin
            • uneven spatula
            • bench knife
            • pastry brush

            Ingredients

            • 1 cup warm milk (105-110-degrees F)
            • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
            • 2 large eggs room temperature
            • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) melted
            • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, divided
            • 4 1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus more if needed
            • 1/4 cup white sugar
            • 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
            • 3/4 cup plus 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar divided
            • 2/3 cup creamy cookie butter
            • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
            • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
            • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate melted
            • 1/3 cup cocoa powder sifted
            • 1 large egg white
            • 1 Tablespoon water

            Instructions

            • In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, stir together warm milk and yeast, letting it stand about 5 minutes to get foamy.
            • Mix in the eggs, 1 stick melted butter, and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Follow up with the flour, sugar, and salt, beating until combined. Switch to the dough hook and beat for about 4 minutes, until smooth.
            • Use nonstick spray on a large bowl. Lightly flour a flat surface and turn out the dough to form it into a round. Place it in a bowl, rotating it to grease the entire surface. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour, until it doubles in size.
            • Clean everything and return to the stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat the 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar with the cookie butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 3 Tablespoons melted butter, until smooth. Transfer the mixture to another bowl. set aside.
            • Clean the mixer and paddle attachment again. Beat the final stick of softened butter, the melted chocolate, cocoa, remaining 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, and last 1 teaspoon vanilla, until smooth. Set aside.
            • Lightly flour a flat surface again. Punch down the dough and turn it onto the surface. Use a food scale to divide the dough in half. Stash one half back in the bowl for now, covered to prevent drying. Roll the other half into a 20 by 9 rectangle. Use an uneven spatula to spread the cookie butter filling onto the dough, up to 1/2-inch of the edges all the way around. Starting on a long side, tightly roll up the dough, pinching the seam to seal. Set aside with the seam faced down.
            • Roll out the other dough in the same way, this time spreading on the chocolate-cocoa filling. Roll it up as well, placing the two dough rolls side by side. Use a bench knife to cut each roll in half, lengthwise. With the multi-layered middles facing up, twine the strips together.
            • Apply nonstick spray on tube pan. Lift braid into the pan and tug it to form a complete circle, tucking the ends beneath. Cover the bread and let it rise in a warm spot until it’s puffed, about 30 minutes.
            • Preheat oven 350-degrees.
            • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water. Brush the top of the dough, touching the cookie butter strands first, then the chocolate; this will prevent the chocolate from smearing too much.
            • Bake for about 50 to 55 minutes, covering the bread with foil halfway through to prevent too much browning. When done, the top should be golden and an instant-read thermometer should be above 190-degrees.
            • Let cool in pan for about 15 minutes. Turn out onto a plate, then tip it back onto a rack to completely cool, top-up.
            • The bread is best eaten within a day, but it can also be sliced up and frozen in pieces. It'll thaw later and taste beautifully fresh! Eat at room temperature or slightly warmed.

            OM NOM NOM!

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