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Bready or Not: Pearl Sugar Ginger Cookies

Posted by on Nov 17, 2021 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Pearl Sugar Ginger Cookies

Pearl Sugar Ginger Cookies! These beauties are holiday-perfect with their crackled gingerbread looks and a crusting of pearl sugar.

Bready or Not: Pearl Sugar Ginger Cookies

What is pearl sugar, you ask? Something awesome! It’s the kind of thing you see in Scandinavian bakeries, and through the miracle of the internet, you can now use it in home baking as well.

Bready or Not: Pearl Sugar Ginger Cookies

I highly recommend the stuff. Not only is it pretty, but it adds an texturally-pleasant crunch. That is especially nice with these cookies, as the actual cookie is quite chewy. The sugar granules make it into something extraordinary.

Bready or Not: Pearl Sugar Ginger Cookies

If you can’t find pearl sugar in nearby stores (I can’t), it is available on Amazon. I like the Lars’ brand. [affiliate link]

These cookies will keep for upwards of a week in a sealed container, making them perfect for holiday cookie trays and gift-giving.

Bready or Not: Pearl Sugar Ginger Cookies

Recipe modified from my favorite baking magazine, Bake from Scratch.

Bready or Not: Pearl Sugar Ginger Cookies

These luscious holiday-perfect cookies are chewy on the inside and also delightfully crunchy on the outside, thanks to grains of Swedish pearl sugar. These cookies are great for gift-giving as they will keep for days! Using a teaspoon scoop, this makes about 42 cookies. Modified from Bake from Scratch Magazine.
Course: Dessert, Snack
Keyword: cookies, gingerbread, swedish pearl sugar
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • parchment paper
  • teaspoon scoop

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) room temperature
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 medium lemon zested
  • 1/3 cup molasses not blackstrap
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup Swedish pearl sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Beat together the butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and lemon zest until fluffy. In a stand mixer , this will be 2 to 3 minutes. Add the molasses and egg, scraping the bowl to make sure everything is mixed.
  • In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, ginger, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Stage the pearl sugar in a small bowl.
  • Use a teaspoon scoop to form balls of dough. Roll them in the pearl sugar. If the granules aren’t sticking well, lightly dampen the dough and try again. Place the balls spaced out on the pan.
  • Bake until the cookies look crackled on top with the edges just set, at 10 to 12 minutes. Let set on pan a few minutes before transferring cookies to a rack to completely cool. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

OM NOM NOM!

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    New Poetry Publications

    Posted by on Nov 11, 2021 in anthology:poem, Blog | Comments Off on New Poetry Publications

    I have a number of stories set to come out in the next few months, but somehow, October ended up being a month for poetry releases!

    #SFWAPro

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    Bready or Not Original: Bread Machine Cheesy Soft Dinner Rolls

    Posted by on Nov 10, 2021 in Blog, Bready or Not, cheese galore, yeast bread | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Bread Machine Cheesy Soft Dinner Rolls

    I upgraded my original Soft Dinner Roll recipe in the most Beth Cato way possible: I added loads of cheese!

    Bready or Not Original: Bread Machine Cheesy Soft Dinner Rolls

    I don’t simply mix cheese into the dough like with a standard cheesy roll or biscuit recipe. Nah, that’s too mundane. I tried a take on lamination–the French technique wherein butter is layered to create flaky layers in pastry. But with cheese.

    Bready or Not Original: Bread Machine Cheesy Soft Dinner Rolls

    It worked out, in a beautiful way. In these pictures, you see a fine Vermont Cheddar. I highly recommend using an orange cheese (Cheddar, or if you are blessed, something like Red Leicester) because the finished rolls look amazing. White Cheddar would be great for flavor, too, though it would blend in more.

    Bready or Not Original: Bread Machine Cheesy Soft Dinner Rolls

    I wrote this recipe for bread machines, but it would be easy to modify to make by hand. Just let the dough have an initial rise for about an hour, mix the first portion of cheese in, then let it rise again before the lamination stage.

    Bready or Not Original: Bread Machine Cheesy Soft Dinner Rolls

    Bready or Not Original: Bread Machine Cheesy Soft Dinner Rolls

    A Bready or Not Original! This straightforward yeast roll recipe produces soft, tender dinner rolls layered with cheese. Choose an orange cheddar and the color will really pop in the final bake. Recipe makes 12 to 15 standard dinner rolls.
    Course: Bread, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cheese, yeast bread
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • bread machine
    • jelly roll pan or baking sheet

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup warm water about 110 degrees
    • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
    • 2 Tablespoons white sugar
    • 3 cups bread flour
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast or 1 packet instant yeast
    • 6 ounces cheddar cheese shredded

    Instructions

    • Add ingredients EXCEPT cheese into the bread machine. That often means the liquids first. Set the machine on dough cycle and start; this should run for about 2 hours. Once the dough starts mixing, sprinkle in about half the cheese. If necessary–and if safely possible, dependent on the machine–use a spatula to press cheese into the dough. Let dough cycle continue until done.
    • Prepare a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan by greasing with butter or nonstick spray.
    • Pat out dough on an even lightly-greased surface. It’s time to add the rest of the cheese using a process roughly like French butter lamination.
    • Sprinkle a handful of cheese over the lower portion of dough. Fold top part over it, then fold dough the other way, creating a fat dough ball. Pat out dough again. Repeat process again one or two more times, until only a handful of cheese is left.
    • Pat out dough again. Use a small round cutter to slice out portions of dough. Place them in the prepared pan, spaced so they don’t quite touch. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Cover pan with plastic wrap or a light towel and let rise again in a warm spot for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until rolls become puffy and double in size.
    • Preheat oven at 350-degrees.
    • Bake rolls for 15 to 22 minutes. If they begin to brown too much, cover with foil halfway through. Let rolls cool a few minutes before serving.
    • Completely cooled rolls can be frozen in gallon freezer bags for several months. Sealed rolls will keep well at room temperature for at least 6 days. They are good eaten at room temperature, but are best briefly warmed in the oven.

    *OM NOM NOM!*

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      Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

      Posted by on Nov 3, 2021 in Blog, Bready or Not, cheese galore, pork, quick bread, side dish | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

      The holiday season is nigh, and these Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers are the perfect appetizer for a couple or an entire gang!

      Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

      These really have three ingredients, plus some flour for dusting a counter. They take minutes to assemble. Stash them in the freezer for hours or days. They bake up fast. They make bellies happy.

      Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

      Plus, I daresay, they are downright pretty. I love the layers in puff pastry! Here, those crisp buttery layers are fantastic along with shredded cheese and thin slices of prosciutto.

      Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

      Honestly, these are dangerous. It’s hard to eat just one.

      Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

      However, if you can exercise restraint, the leftovers are delicious. They can be eaten cold (the prosciutto is the prominent flavor then), but are better with a brief warm-up in the oven.

      Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

      Make these your go-to game day, holiday event, or date night treat!

      Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

      This three-ingredient convenient and tasty appetizer can be prepared hours in advance and bakes up fast once company arrives. Plus, if there are any leftovers, they are still delicious!
      Course: Appetizer
      Keyword: cheese, pork, puff pastry
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • parchment paper
      • knife

      Ingredients

      • flour to dust surface
      • 1 sheet puff pastry (half a box) thawed in fridge
      • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan packed
      • 2 to 3 ounces sliced prosciutto

      Instructions

      • Hours or days before baking day: Sprinkle flour on a flat, clean surface. Roll out the puff pastry to make a 12-inch square. Cut in half. Sprinkle cheese over both halves. Place prosciutto slices to completely cover cheese; if there is extra meat, layer on the additional pieces. Roll the short sides of each piece of pastry together to meet in the middle–from the end, it will look rather like a number 3. Repeat this with the other half.
      • Encase both logs in plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least an hour, but as long as several days.
      • Preheat oven at 400-degrees. Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
      • Pull out frozen logs to thaw for just a few minutes. While it is still mostly frozen, slice into 1/4-inch pieces and place spaced out on parchment. (Note that the end pieces may be sparse on filling and not presentable for company, but still worth baking up for private enjoyment.)
      • Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until palmiers are golden brown and puffed. They are best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated. They are okay cold, but better toasted briefly again in the oven.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

        Posted by on Oct 27, 2021 in Blog, Bready or Not, cookies | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

        A necessary clarification first thing: these Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles are named thusly because they include pumpkin spice, not pumpkin.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

        If you do want Snickerdoodles with pumpkin, I can help with that, too. Even in bar form.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

        These cookies look like normal Snickerdoodles with crackled tops, but the flavor is much more complex thanks to that spice mix. These really taste and smell like autumn.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

        However, these are so good, they are fantastic year-round. As I’ve said before, the things you enjoy–be it food or music or décor–shouldn’t be confined to one season. If you like it, like it whenever you want!

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

        This recipe makes a decent batch, about 50 cookies using a teaspoon scoop, and will be best if eaten within 3 days. Therefore, make them to share with a crowd, or you may experience a Snickerdoodle overdose.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

        This fresh take on Snickerdoodles uses pumpkin spice mix, not pumpkin, to create delicious cookies. Pumpkin spice is associated with autumn, but these are so good, you’ll want to make them year-round! Makes about 50 teaspoon-sized cookies.
        Course: Dessert, Snack
        Cuisine: American
        Keyword: cookies, snickerdoodle
        Servings: 50 cookies
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • parchment paper
        • teaspoon scoop

        Ingredients

        Topping

        • 3 Tablespoons pumpkin spice
        • 1 Tablespoon ground cardamom
        • 1/3 cup white sugar

        Dough

        • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
        • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
        • 1 teaspoon baking powder
        • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
        • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 cubes) room temperature
        • 1 1/2 cup white sugar
        • 2 large eggs
        • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

        Instructions

        • Preheat an oven at 350-degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together the three topping ingredients. Set aside.
        • In another bowl, combined the flour, cream of tartar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
        • In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Gradually work in the flour mixture until it’s just combined.
        • Use a teaspoon scoop to form small bowls of dough. Roll the dough in the topping spices, one at a time, and place spaced out on the baking sheet.
        • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the tops are crackled and just set, but not browning. Let them cool at the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a rack to fully cool.
        • Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Sugar-Crusted Pumpkin Cake

          Posted by on Oct 20, 2021 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake, chocolate, pumpkin | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Sugar-Crusted Pumpkin Cake

          This Sugar-Crusted Pumpkin Cake is moist, delicious, and packed with autumnal flavors!

          Bready or Not Original: Sugar-Crusted Pumpkin Cake

          There is a definite pumpkin pie-like vibe to this thing. The white chocolate chips melted along the bottom (hence the direction to grease the foil well) and formed a sort of scrumptious crust, too.

          Bready or Not Original: Sugar-Crusted Pumpkin Cake

          This thing is even pretty. I like using turbinado sugar as a top crust because it’s pretty, texturally delightful, and tastes darn good!

          Bready or Not Original: Sugar-Crusted Pumpkin Cake

          This cake will keep for at least 3 days, covered and chilled, and maybe longer. It also freezes like a champ.

          Bready or Not Original: Sugar-Crusted Pumpkin Cake

          Since this makes a 13×9 pan, it’s probably a good thing it can be portioned out over days and weeks!

          Bready or Not Original: Sugar-Crusted Pumpkin Cake

          This easy-to-make pumpkin cake makes a lot of hearty, moist cake loaded with fall flavor. It keeps well in the fridge for days, and can also be frozen for later.
          Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
          Cuisine: American
          Keyword: applesauce, cake, chocolate, pumpkin
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • 13×9 pan

          Ingredients

          Cake

          • 4 large eggs room temperature
          • 2 cups white sugar
          • 1 cup vegetable oil
          • 1/2 cup applesauce
          • 2 cups cake flour
          • 2 teaspoons baking soda
          • 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
          • 1 teaspoon salt
          • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
          • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
          • 1 cup white chocolate chips

          Topping

          • 1/2 cup turbinado or other coarse sugar
          • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice

          Instructions

          • Line a 13×9 pan with foil and apply generous nonstick spray or butter. Preheat oven at 350-degrees.
          • Mix together the eggs, white sugar, vegetable oil, and applesauce. Add the cake flour, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt. Follow up with the vanilla extract and pumpkin puree. Fold in the white chocolate chips.
          • Pour batter into the pan and level out. Mix together the two topping ingredients and sprinkle over the cake.
          • Bake for 1 hour, or until the middle passes the toothpick test. Let cool at room temperature, then store in fridge. Cake will keep for at least 3 days in the fridge, but can also be sliced and frozen for later enjoyment.

          OM NOM NOM!

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