Bready or Not

Bready or Not recipe blog

Bready or Not Original: Swirled Cookie Butter Brownie Bars

Posted by on Oct 18, 2023 in biscoff spread, Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, brownies, cheese galore, chocolate, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Swirled Cookie Butter Brownie Bars

These Swirled Cookie Butter Brownie Bars are thick and luscious with just the right balance of chocolate and cookie dough flavors.

Bready or Not Original: Swirled Cookie Butter Brownie Bars

If you’re one of those people who had just to discover the joys of cookie butter–you’re in for a treat! Think cookies blended with oil to create a spreadable mass just like peanut butter. There is nothing healthy about it, but it tastes like cookie dough. You can find it at Trader Joe’s as Speculoos and at other stores as Biscoff or as a generic.

Bready or Not Original: Swirled Cookie Butter Brownie Bars

Cookie butter can pretty much replace peanut butter in any recipe, or even on something as simple as a sandwich. Here, it’s great swirled in with brownie batter. Chocolate and cookie dough, ever the perfect combination.

Bready or Not Original: Swirled Cookie Butter Brownie Bars

Since the swirl-in includes cream cheese, be sure to refrigerate these after they’ve baked and cooled. They are divine straight from the fridge!

Bready or Not Original: Swirled Cookie Butter Brownie Bars

These gorgeously-swirled bars infuse the gentle flavor of cookie butter with rich brownies, a perfect combination.
Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: brownies, cookie butter, cookies, cream cheese
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • 13×9 pan
  • aluminum foil
  • nonstick spray
  • uneven spatula
  • cutting board

Ingredients

Brownie base

  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup baking cocoa sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Cookie butter swirl-in

  • 2 boxes cream cheese (8 ounces each) softened
  • 1/2 cup creamy cookie butter
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 2 Tablespoons milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with foil and apply nonstick spray.
  • In a big bowl, beat together eggs, butter, and vanilla. In another bowl, combine the brownie dry ingredients and gradually add them to the egg mix. Fold in the chocolate chips. Set aside 1 cup of the brownie batter for the topping. Scoop the rest into the prepared pan and use an uneven spatula to even it out.
  • In another bowl, beat together the cream cheese blocks, cookie butter, and sugar. Once that is blended, add the egg and milk. Use an uneven spatula to spread the mixture in a thin layer across the top of the brownie batter in the pan. Dollop the reserved brownie batter on top. Use the tip of the uneven spatula or a butter knife to create swirls.
  • Bake pan for 35 to 40 minutes, until the very middle passes the toothpick test. Cool on a wire rack for an hour, then place in fridge to completely chill. Use the foil to lift the contents onto a cutting board. Slice up and store in a sealed container in the fridge. Keeps for at least 3 days.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: Portuguese Sweet Bread Rolls in the Bread Machine

    Posted by on Oct 11, 2023 in Blog, Bready or Not, side dish, yeast bread | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Portuguese Sweet Bread Rolls in the Bread Machine

    These Portuguese Sweet Rolls come together fast thanks to a bread machine. The resulting bread is sweet, flaky, and perfect to go with any meal–though as a born Central Californian, I have to recommend serving alongside tri-tip!

    Bready or Not Original: Portuguese Sweet Bread Rolls in the Bread Machine

    I grew up surrounded by a vibrant Portuguese community. That meant a lot of awesome food, like linguica on Me-N-Eds pizza, and rounds of sweet bread on the counter at Boston Pizza. We didn’t have a lot of money, so when we could grab that bread loaf, it was a real treat!

    Bready or Not Original: Portuguese Sweet Bread Rolls in the Bread Machine

    As with most any bread, these rolls are great to freeze and eat later. The fresher they are when you freeze them, the fresher they’ll still taste when you warm them up later!

    Bready or Not Original: Portuguese Sweet Bread Rolls in the Bread Machine

    Bready or Not Original: Portuguese Sweet Bread Rolls in the Bread Machine

    The convenient sweet rolls are the perfect accompaniment for many meals!
    Course: Bread, Side Dish
    Keyword: yeast bread
    Servings: 23 rolls
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • bread machine
    • 2 1/2-inch cutter
    • rimmed baking sheet
    • plastic wrap

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup half & half
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1/3 cup melted butter 80 ml
    • 1/2 cup white sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
    • 4 cups white bread flour plus more
    • 2 teaspoons instant dry yeast or bread machine yeast

    Instructions

    • Place the half & half and water in a liquid measuring cup and gently warm in a microwave-safe cup in microwave to reach 100-110 degrees.
    • Follow bread machine directions for loading ingredients into the bucket; for most, that means liquids first. Stir together the half & half, water, butter, and sugar. That should lower the temperature enough to make it safe to add the eggs (you don’t want them scrambled!); stir those in to break the yolks. Add the salt, flour, and yeast. Start the machine on the DOUGH cycle.
    • Check on it once it starts mixing. If the mixture looks runny, add spoonfuls of flour until it comes together; if it’s too thick, add a touch of warm water. Let the cycle finish.
    • Grease a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray or butter.
    • Lightly flour a flat surface. Pat out the dough to be about 1/2-inch thick. Use cutter to slice dough into rounds; place rounds spaced out just a touch on the greased pan. Press dough scraps together as much as possible, and bring together into more rounds. Loosely cover baking sheet with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for about 45 minutes.
    • Near the end of the second rise, as the rolls begin to look puffy, preheat oven at 350-degrees. Discard plastic wrap.
    • Bake rolls for 17 to 20 minutes, until they are golden across the top. Let cool a few minutes before pulling apart to enjoy.
    • Rolls may be eaten fresh, or will keep in a sealed bag at room temperature for a day or two. They can also be frozen right after initially cooling, and thawed later for later enjoyment. They can be eaten at room temperature but are even better warmed up.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

      Posted by on Oct 4, 2023 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies, pumpkin | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

      Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies! These are simple, delicious classic cookies, with warm spices inside and out.

      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

      These were among the last cookies I made in Arizona as I was frantically trying to use up my remaining butter and eggs. I thought I had everything figured out, and then I realized (after I made the dough) that I’d already packed up all of my rolling pins. Whoops. Therefore, I used good ol’ arm muscle to flatten the dough, and I ended up satisfied with how they turned out!

      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

      That said, don’t be like me. Make your life easier and use a rolling pin! You’ll get more consistent cookies, for sure.

      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

      Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

      These are classic butter and spice cookies, crisp yet chewy, great for autumn or year-round.
      Course: Dessert, Snack
      Keyword: cookies
      Servings: 55 cookies
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • plastic wrap
      • parchment paper
      • Rolling Pin
      • 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter
      • cooling rack

      Ingredients

      Cookie dough

      • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) room temperature
      • 2 cups white sugar
      • 2 large eggs room temperature
      • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
      • 2 Tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

      Topping

      • 1/2 cup white sugar
      • 1/2 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

      Instructions

      • In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy. Add the eggs. Gradually mix in the flour and pie spice. Roughly divide the dough in half, flattening each portion into a disc, and wrap in plastic wrap. Tuck into the fridge overnight.
      • Let dough sit out about 20 minutes to warm up enough to roll out. Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Prepare a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the topping ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
      • On a lightly floured flat surface, roll out one disc of cookie dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Portion out using the cookie cutter. Press the top of each round into the topping mix and then set, spaced out, on prepared cookie sheet.
      • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until cookies ae set. Let sit on sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Repeat process with remaining dough, reassembling scraps to create more cookies. Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not Original: Marble Swirl Bundt Cake

        Posted by on Sep 27, 2023 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, maple | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Marble Swirl Bundt Cake

        This Marble Swirl Bundt Cake is not only delicious but pretty, as it contains a light and dark swirl inside!

        Bready or Not Original: Marble Swirl Bundt Cake

        Spices are the prevalent flavor through the darker portions of the cake, with the pale portions plain and sweet in balance.

        Bready or Not Original: Marble Swirl Bundt Cake

        There are a lot of ingredients in this cake, though the assembly is straightforward. Save yourself some effort at baking time by combining the spice ingredients a day ahead!

        Bready or Not Original: Marble Swirl Bundt Cake

        Bready or Not Original: Marble Swirl Bundt Cake

        This delicious bundt cake contains swirls of light and dark! The cake is soft and tender, perfect for a breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
        Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
        Keyword: bundt cake, cake, maple
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • large bundt cake pan
        • nonstick spray with flour or regular nonstick spray

        Ingredients

        • 2 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
        • 4 teaspoons baking powder
        • 1/2 teaspoon salt
        • 4 large eggs room temperature
        • 2 cups white sugar
        • 1 1/3 cup almond milk or regular milk
        • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
        • 1/3 cup canola oil
        • 1/4 cup maple syrup
        • 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder or unsweetened cocoa powder (sifted)
        • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
        • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
        • 1 teaspoons ground cloves
        • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

        Instructions

        • Move rack to lower 1/3 of oven; set to preheat at 350-degrees. Generously coat the interior of a large bundt pan with nonstick spray, preferably a baking spray with flour.
        • In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a big mixing bowl, place eggs, sugar, milk, butter, and oil, beating until creamy yellow. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, but reserve the empty bowl to one side. Scrape the bowl of batter as needed, mixing until it is smooth.
        • Measure out 3 cups of the batter into the reserved bowl. Add the maple syrup, espresso powder or cocoa, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg, whisking until smooth.
        • Pour half the plain batter into the greased pan. Top with half the spiced batter, spreading to the sides. Draw a butter knife through the layers, swirling up and down and around. Pour the remaining batters into the pan, repeating the swirl process with the butter knife.
        • Bake bundt cake for 45 to 50 minutes. The top should feel dry and the middle should pass the toothpick test. Let cool in pan for 1 hour, then carefully invert onto a cooling rack; if any chunks stick to the pan, try to nestle them back into place on the cake.
        • Finish cooling. Slice into wedges. Store under a cake dome or otherwise wrapped; individual slices can also be wrapped in plastic.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

          Posted by on Sep 20, 2023 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cookies, nutty | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Chewy Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

          Ready for fall, even if only psychologically? These Chewy Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies are loaded with apple, cranberry, and walnut. They are autumn in a single bite!

          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

          I will always prefer chewy cookies over crisp ones, and these are especially chewy thanks to the apple pieces, dried cranberries, and walnut bits along with the oats. They are such a great combination!

          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

          I love using apple butter in this recipe because of the deeper flavor, but by all means, you can substitute applesauce. It’s certainly cheaper and easier to find. (Just to note, I have a great Crock Pot Apple Butter recipe on the old Live Journal if you want to make your own.)

          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

          Bready or Not Original: Chewy Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

          These chewy cookies are infused with autumnal flavors, but are great year-round!
          Course: Dessert, Snack
          Keyword: apple, apple butter, applesauce, cranberries, oats, walnuts
          Servings: 55
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • cookie sheet
          • parchment paper
          • teaspoon scoop or spoon

          Ingredients

          • 1 baking apple such Granny Smith or Gala
          • 2 cups old-fashioned oats also called rolled oats
          • 1 cup all-purpose flour
          • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
          • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
          • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
          • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
          • 1 cup brown sugar packed
          • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
          • 1/4 cup apple butter or applesauce
          • 1 large egg room temperature
          • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
          • 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped

          Instructions

          • Preheat oven at 35-degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Peel apple and finely chop enough to fill 1/2 cup. This likely will not be an entire apple; eat and enjoy the rest.
          • Mix together oats, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, apple butter, and egg. Gradually incorporate the contents of bowls. Fold in the chopped apple, cranberries, and walnuts.
          • Use a teaspoon scoop or spoon to place dough, spaced on, on prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until set but still soft. Let sit on cookie sheet on stove for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Continue to bake rest of dough.
          • Store in a sealed container at room temperature.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not Original: Honey Ginger Blondies

            Posted by on Sep 13, 2023 in Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, chocolate | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Honey Ginger Blondies

            These Honey Ginger Blondies are sweet and spicy-warm, the bars chewy and delightful.

            Bready or Not Original: Honey Ginger Blondies

            Many years ago, back in January 2016, I posted a recipe for Honey Blondies. They were smooth and sweet. Quite excellent. Earlier this year, I resolved to rework the recipe because I needed to use up ingredients prior to moving.

            Bready or Not Original: Honey Ginger Blondies

            It took me several bakes to get the balance right. I wanted the ginger present, warm and cozy. I wanted adequate chocolate to balance with the sweetness of the sugar and honey. The textures needed to be right, too–the interior smooth but for the chewy bits of candied ginger and softened chocolate.

            Bready or Not Original: Honey Ginger Blondies

            The result is a delicious, unique recipe that is perfect year-round!

            Bready or Not Original: Honey Ginger Blondies

            These bars are chewy with spicy-warm flavor to accompany the sweetness.
            Course: Dessert, Snack
            Keyword: bars, chocolate, gingerbread
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • large saucepan
            • 9×13 pan
            • aluminum foil
            • nonstick spray

            Ingredients

            • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
            • 2/3 cup honey
            • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
            • 1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh ginger
            • 2 1/2 cups flour
            • 2 large eggs room temperature
            • 1 1/2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
            • 2 teaspoons coarse salt
            • 1 1/4 cup candied ginger chopped
            • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

            Instructions

            • Melt butter and honey in a large saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar and fresh ginger. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for about 20 minutes.
            • Since the contents are still likely a bit warm, add some of the flour and stir to cool things off. Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract followed by the rest of the flour and the salt. Mix until just combined, and let it continue to cool about 30 minutes.
            • Preheat the oven to 350-degrees. Prepare a 9×13 pan by lining with foil and greasing with nonstick spray or butter. Fold the candied ginger and chocolate chips into the batter, then spread into the pan.
            • Bake for about 30 minutes; the edges will just be turning brown. Let the blondies cool completely on a wire rack, speeding the process in the fridge, if desired. Use the foil to lift them out to cut into squares. Store in an airtight container.

            OM NOM NOM!

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