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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      Bready or Not Original: Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies

      Posted by on Sep 6, 2023 in Blog, Bready or Not, brownies, chocolate | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies

      Brownies. There are probably infinite recipes for them. I probably have over a dozen on Bready or Not. These Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies have all the classic elements, plus a little more.

      Bready or Not Original: Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies

      That “little more” is Oreos. I suppose I could upgrade these to Triple Chocolate, but I suppose someone might debate if Oreos count as chocolate or just chocolate flavor. So let’s keep things simple.

      Bready or Not Original: Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies

      The important thing is that these brownies are bursting with chocolate flavor. To increase that burst, add in some espresso powder (that enhances chocolate) and/or make these a day ahead of when they need to be served. Chocolate cakes and brownies often develop a deeper flavor after a day.

      Bready or Not Original: Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies

      I used classic Oreos in this recipe, but add any kind you want, even those seasonal flavors. Heck, use minty ones and add mint extract. Use this recipe as a base for new deliciousness!

      Bready or Not Original: Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies

      You want soft brownies with a classic crackled top? This is the recipe for you! Loaded with chocolate and chocolate chips, the flavor and texture are amped up even more by crumbled Oreos. Baked this a day ahead of serving to increase the depth of the chocolate flavor.
      Course: Dessert
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: brownies, chocolate, oreo
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • 13×9 pan
      • aluminum foil
      • nonstick spray

      Ingredients

      • 3/4 cup baking cocoa sifted
      • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
      • 2/3 cup unsalted butter room temperature and divided
      • 1/2 cup boiling water
      • 2 cups white sugar
      • 2 large eggs room temperature
      • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 1/2 teaspoon salt
      • 3/4 teaspoon espresso powder optional
      • 10 Oreos coarsely chopped
      • 2 cups chocolate chips semisweet, milk, or dark, or a mix

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with aluminum foil and apply nonstick spray.
      • In a big bowl, combine the cocoa and baking soda with 1/3 cup of butter. Add the boiling water and stir to combine. Add the sugar, eggs, and remaining butter. Once that is consistent in color, add the flour, vanilla, salt, and espresso powder, if using.
      • Fold in the Oreos and chocolate chips until they are distributed throughout.
      • Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the brownies are pulling away from the sides of the pan and the middle passes the toothpick test.
      • Cool at room temperature, speeding the process in the fridge, if desired. Brownies will be denser and easier to cut if chilled. Use the foil to lift the brownies onto a cutting board to slice. Store in a sealed container at room temperature or in fridge.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not: Herb Butter Bread Mixed in the Bread Machine

        Posted by on Aug 30, 2023 in Blog, Bready or Not, yeast bread | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Herb Butter Bread Mixed in the Bread Machine

        I offer up another great bread recipe that starts with a bread machine. This Herb Butter Bread isn’t heavily herbaceous (though you can certainly modify that) but has a gentle flavor that lets the butter and bready goodness shine through.

        Bready or Not: Herb Butter Bread Mixed in the Bread Machine

        For me, this is a special occasion bread to serve alongside a roast or steaks. This produced a large boule, so unless you have a crowd, there will be lots of leftovers.

        Bready or Not: Herb Butter Bread Mixed in the Bread Machine

        Those leftovers are no problem because bread is just about one of the best things to freeze to preserve for later. I like to individually slice it before freezing so I can pull out the exact amount I want to thaw.

        Bready or Not: Herb Butter Bread Mixed in the Bread Machine

        Modified from Making Artisan Bread in the Bread Machine by Michelle Anderson. [Affiliate link.]

        Bready or Not: Herb Butter Bread Mixed in the Bread Machine

        This bread round is lightly seasoned with herbs, which also add lovely speckles of green to the interior. This bread is great hot with butter but is also fantastic for savory sandwiches of all kinds, including grilled cheese! Modified from Making Artisan Bread in the Bread Machine.
        Course: Bread, Side Dish
        Keyword: yeast bread
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • food thermometer
        • bread machine
        • baking sheet
        • parchment paper
        • plastic wrap
        • pastry brush

        Ingredients

        • 1 cup milk or half & half (lukewarm, 100-110-degrees F)
        • 1 cup water (lukewarm, 100-110 degrees F)
        • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted divided
        • 2 Tablespoons honey
        • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
        • 4 cups bread flour plus more for work surface
        • 1/2 Tablespoon mix of dry herbs such as parsley oregano, and thyme
        • 1 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast or bread machine yeast
        • canola oil or olive oil

        Instructions

        • In the bucket of a bread machine, add the milk, water, 3 Tablespoons of melted butter, honey, and salt. Follow up with the bread flour, herbs, and yeast. Start the Dough cycle.
        • Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Clean a section of counter or table and add a sprinkling of flour.
        • When the Dough cycle is done, tip the dough onto the work surface and shape it into a ball by gathering the rougher dough beneath. Make the ball smooth and tight, creating surface tension. With the smooth portion on top, place the loaf in the center of the parchment. Lightly coat the dough with oil. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about an hour. Near the end, start preheating the oven at 350-degrees.
        • Score the top of the loaf three times in the direction. Bake the bread until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped (don't burn yourself!), about 30 to 35 minutes. If desired, discreetly plunge a digital thermometer into the center of the loaf; it should be over 190-degrees. Melt the last tablespoon of butter and brush it over the top. The loaf may be huge, but will shrink some as it cools. Let it cool at least 30 minutes before slicing.
        • This bread is good at room temperature but even better hot. It will keep for up to 2 days at room temperature, or slice and freeze it promptly to thaw for later enjoyment.

        OM NOM NOM!

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