I am so excited to reveal the cover for my new book: Snacking Bakes. I have been working on this book since Snacking Cakes came out in 2020, and it’s finally time to share it with all of you!
Snacking Bakes, out November 7, 2023, is the perfect sibling for Snacking Cakes. It’s full of super easy, low-lift recipes for Cookies, Bars, Brownies, Cakes, and a few savory treats that can all be whipped up in about an hour (or less), in one bowl, with no fancy ingredients or equipment because I know you all love baking, but don’t always have a lot of time or energy to make a little treat. There are lots of vegan and gluten free options too!
I’ll be sharing more sneak peeks as the release date gets closer, there are already a few spreads up on the Amazon page! Preorders are so important for the success of books and I would appreciate it so much if you would preorder Snacking Bakes from your favorite retailer. As always, thank you for your support!
“Snacking Bakes is packed with her trademark crave-worthy sweet-and-salty, ooey-gooey excellence—all without the fussiness and dish pile-up in the sink. I dare you to flip through these pages and not immediately run to the kitchen to get started.”—Jenny Rosenstrach, New York Times bestselling author of Dinner: A Love Story
“Yossy’s Snacking Cakes revolution was REAL, and I’ve got the butter-stained, marked-up recipe pages and happy cake-loving kids to show for it. And now we get cookies, bars, and more cakes that are just as low-maintenance? Yossy, we are not worthy!”—Molly Yeh, New York Times bestselling cookbook author and Food Network host
“In no time at all, readers will be sliding flavorful, beautiful bakes in and out of their oven as if they’ve been doing it forever—that’s the magic of Yossy’s simple, achievable collection of recipes: positively 100 percent bakeable—no skips!”—Erin Jeanne McDowell, author of The Book on Pie and Savory Baking
“Yossy knows something fundamental about all of us. When we want something sweet, we want it now. Her treats deliver. No fuss, just easy, accessible, truly inspired deliciousness. Snacking Cakes is well-worn, batter-spattered, and beloved. Our copy of Snacking Bakes is sure to be a mess in no time.”—Samantha Seneviratne, author of Bake Smart
“Yossy has an amazing ability to make incredibly desirable recipes that are also incredibly simple to make. This wonderful book, which is packed full of reliable and ridiculously tasty recipes, is one you’ll find yourself baking from time and time again.”—Edd Kimber, baker and author of One Tin Bakes Easy
“Yossy’s new book is filled with simple, anytime bakes that cover all the sweet treat bases. Her use of pantry ingredients to create classic but unique flavor combinations is stellar, and you won’t need any fancy equipment to make any of the recipes; the biggest challenge will be deciding what to make first. This book already has a permanent spot on my shelves.”—Sarah Kieffer, author of 100 Cookies and 100 Morning Treats
Blondies are one of the easiest bakes around. Just combine a few simple pantry ingredients in one bowl with whatever chocolate you have around, spoon the batter into a pan, and bake. The brown butter and vanilla give these a rich and delicious flavor so don’t skimp on either.
One Bowl Brown Butter Blondies
Makes one 8x8-inch pan
10 tablespoons (142g) unsalted butter
1 cup (200g) dark brown sugar
1 large egg, cold from the fridge
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon kosher salt (diamond crystal)
1 cup (128g) all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (170g) chocolate chips or m&ms plus more to sprinkle
Flaky salt, to sprinkle (optional)
Heat oven to 350ºF and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper
Brown the butter: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until all of the milk solids turn golden and the butter has a nutty fragrance being careful to not let it burn.
Add the butter to a large bowl, then add the brown sugar. Whisk to combine then whisk in the salt and vanilla. Whisk in the egg.
Fold in the flour and baking powder. When a few streaks of flour remain, fold in the chocolate.
Transfer the batter to the pan and smooth the top then sprinkle with more chocolate and a bit of flaky salt if desired.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set on the edges and still soft in the center. Let the blondies cool in the pan set on a rack.
This cozy and sweet pumpkin cake is a riff on the super popular powdered donut cake from my book Snacking Cakes. All you need is a bowl, whisk and pan to put this perfect little fall cake together in less than an hour. It is packed with lots of fall (pumpkin!) spices, pumpkin puree and buttermilk just enough sweetness to be a treat. This cake keeps well for a few days on the counter so you can enjoy it one sliver at a time, you can also freeze the cake without the topping for a rainy day.
Pumpkin Spice Donut Cake
Makes 1, 8-inch square or 9-inch round cake
Cake
3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 cup (165g) pumpkin puree
1/2 cup (100g) well shaken buttermilk
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice blend
1/2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 3/4 cups (225g) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Topping
1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar or 2 tablespoons granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
Make the cake: Position an oven rack to the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350F. Butter or coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray. Line the pan with a strip of parchment paper that hangs over two of the edges.
In a large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar and eggs until pale and foamy, about 1 minute. Add the pumpkin, buttermilk, butter, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until smooth and emulsified.
Add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk until well-combined and smooth.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake the cake until puffed and golden, and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Set the pan on a rack to cool for about 15 minutes. Then use the parchment paper to lift the cake out of the pan and set it on to the rack to cool almost completely.
To Assemble: While the cake is just warm to the touch, brush the top with the melted butter and dust with the confectioners' sugar or spiced sugar you should have a nice thick layer of sugar - more than you think might be necessary. (Store the cake, covered, at room temperature for up to three days. The cake will absorb the sugar on top, so it might need a fresh dusting of confectioners' sugar after the second day.
This no churn blueberry and crème fraîche ice cream is a super simplified version of one of my favorite ice cream recipes from my book, Sweeter off the Vine, and you don’t need any special equipment to make it! I know when I want ice cream, I don’t want to wait a full 24 hours for the bowl of my ice cream maker to freeze. Not to mention the fact that there is usually so much other stuff in my tiny freezer that the bowl doesn’t even fit.
No churn ice cream recipes all have pretty much the same ingredients: heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and whatever flavorings you’re in the mood for. This version swaps a bit of tangy cultured crème fraîche, for the heavy cream which gives the base a bit of tangy richness. The gorgeous blueberry ripple adds bright berry flavor and beautiful color.
The base comes together in no time flat, all you need to do is whip the cream and creme fraiche, then fold it into the sweetened condensed milk. That mixture is layered and swirled with the blueberry sauce in a loaf pan. You do have to wait for the mixture to freeze overnight, so don’t forget to plan ahead. You could substitute just about any berry or stone fruit for the blueberries here in equal quantity.
No Churn Crème Fraîche and Blueberry Ice Cream
Makes about 4 cups
The subtle tang of crème fraîche and sweet blueberry sauce are a perfect pair in this easy to make creamy frozen treat. Substitute any berries or stone fruit you like for the blueberries.
Blueberry Swirl
1 cup/140g blueberries
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Base
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
Pinch salt
1 cup/240ml heavy cream, cold
1 cup/225g crème fraiche, cold
In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries and sugar with 1 tablespoon water and smash with a potato masher. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook until the blueberries are broken down and the liquid has thickened until syrupy, about 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice. Blend the mixture with an immersion blender, then transfer to a heat proof container and refrigerate until completely cold.
When the blueberry mixture is cold, make the base.
To make the base: In a large bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
In a separate large bowl combine the heavy cream and crème fraiche and use an electric mixer to whip the mixture to stiff peaks.
Stir a large spoonful of the cream into the condensed milk to lighten it, then add the remaining cream and fold it until just combined.
To assemble: Spoon 1/3 of the base into a loaf pan, then spoon 1/3 of the blueberry mixture over the top. Use a skewer to swirl the blueberry into the base. Repeat 2 more times with the remaining base and blueberries. Loosely cover the pan then freeze until firm, 6 hours or overnight.
In the heat of summer, I am always looking for fun low (or no) cook ways to make and enjoy a little dessert. Give me all of your icebox cakes, no bake bars, and no bake cheesecakes! No bake cheesecake has all of the rich cream cheese flavor of its baked counterpart, but it is a bit lighter in texture and so easy to make. There are no water baths to fuss with and no worry about the top splitting on you.
This no bake cheese cake is a great base for all sorts of summer fruit, but it would also be delicious with caramel or chocolate drizzled over the top instead. This version uses a heap of gorgeous fresh blueberries.
The salty pretzel and nutty browned butter crust comes together quickly too, no baking required. It also ensures that the whole dessert is nice and balanced, and not too sweet. For a sweeter version feel free to substitute graham cracker or biscoff cookie crumbs for the preztels. You could even skip browning the butter in favor of just melting it, but the browned butter adds a ton of great flavor so I wouldn’t!
The topping is a combination of fresh and cooked blueberries, the cooked ones make it a little saucy and help the blueberries stick together instead of sliding all over the place. I topped the whole thing with a few small leaves from my basil plant that look little little blueberry leaves. Mint would work too but the herbs are totally optional.
No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake
Salty pretzels make a perfect base for this not to sweet cheesecake, but you could use graham crackers or biscoff cookie crumbs for a sweeter version - use gluten free cookies to make this desert for your gluten avoiding friends and family. The blueberry topping is partially cooked which creates some sauciness that helps the blueberries stick together, but if that’s a bridge too far for lazy summer cooking, you can just pile the top with lots of fresh blueberries. They may roll of when you slice it though!
Crust
175g/ 1 1/2 cups finely ground pretzels
50g/ 1/4 cup granulated sugar
170g/12 tablespoons unsalted butter
Filling
450g/ 1 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
100g/ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla paste or extract
240ml/ 1 cup heavy cream, cold
Topping
490g/ 3 1/2 cups blueberries
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Mint or basil leaves if desired
To make the crust: Combine the pretzels and sugar in a large bowl. Melt the butter in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Cook the butter while scraping the bottom and sides of the pan occasionally with a rubber spatula. The butter will foam, then the solids will turn deep golden brown and smell nutty.
Once the butter has browned pour it over the pretzels in the bowl then stir to combine. Let the mixture cool for a minute or two then pour it into a 9-inch pie pan.
Carefully press it evenly on the bottom and up the sides of the pan, a 1/3 cup measure is a great tool for this. Set the pan in the freezer while you prepare the filling.
To make the filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment mix the cream cheese and sugar on low speed until combined. Turn the mixer up to medium and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure even mixing.
Add the vanilla and lemon and stir to combine.
Switch to the whisk attachment and with the mixer on low, add the heavy cream. Turn the mixer up to medium high and whip until the mixture comes to stiff peaks, about 3 minutes.
Spoon the filling into the chilled crust and smooth the top. Refrigerate for about 8 hours or overnight.
To make the topping: When you are ready to serve the cheesecake put 280g/2 cups of the blueberries in a large bowl and set aside. Combine 140g/1 cup of the blueberries, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cover the pan and cook until the blueberries have burst and released their juices, about 2 minutes.
In a small bowl stir the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water, slowly pour it into the blueberry mixture in the pan while stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly for 45 seconds, until thick and glossy.
Pour the mixture over the blueberries in the bowl and stir to combine. Pour the blueberries over the chilled cheesecake and scatter the remaining 70g/ 1/2 cup blueberries over the top. Sprinkle mint or basil over the top and let the pie sit for a few minutes before slicing. Store leftovers in the fridge for a few days.
I had the good fortune of a day off right at the beginning of sour cherry season last week (What, you don’t mark the weeks of summer using hyper-seasonal fruit as a guide? Just me?) so I put on some sunscreen and a hat, hopped in the car, and went in search of a u-pick farm. I was not disappointed to find a row of trees, heavy with fruit and not a soul in site at a farm a few hours from Brooklyn. It was a hot, hot day and the scent of the last strawberries in the field nearby filled the air as I filled up my bucket with precious sour cherries.
When I got home with my bounty, pie was the only choice. Instead of a traditional round, I went slab style and baked it in a quarter sheet pan. If you don’t have a quarter sheet pan or two, I highly recommend picking one up. At roughly 9x13x1, they are the perfect size to bake focaccia, a few cookies, toast nuts, or roast just about anything…but back to the sour cherries.
Pitting cherries can be kind of a pain, but since sour cherries are so soft, I usually skip the pitter and just use my thumb to ease out the pits. It’s a bit of a sticky, drippy process so you can move your operation to the sink to make clean up super easy.
I like my fruit pie fillings pretty simple, especially when the fruit is so special (and hard earned). This one is just sweet enough to highlight the cherries without totally overtaking their tart bite. I also added a bit of vanilla bean paste to round out the flavor, but a little bit of extract will do the trick too.
The all butter pie crust has a bit of rye flour and brown sugar for toasty depth that is delicious with just about any fruit if sour cherries aren’t available where you live. It might be a little intimidating to roll out such a big piece of dough, but don’t you worry. To add both flakiness and structure to the dough, this recipe calls for a series of folds. The folds will make the dough both exceptionally delicious and easier to roll out and move around. Win-win. Check out the gif above to see how it’s done.
Don’t worry if your dough rips a bit when you roll it out though, you can always pinch it back together. If you have time, make your dough the say before you plan to use it. A long rest will hydrate the dough and make it easier to roll out.
I realize, it is a little unfair to share this recipe because sour cherries can be hard to get your hands on, but you still have a few more weeks to seek them out. Frozen will work in a pinch too, or substitute an equal amount of your favorite summer fruit - you will need a little less sugar for sweeter fruit.
Real Deal Cherry Pie
Makes one 1/4 sheet slab pie
This pie makes the best of one of summer’s most fleeting pleasures, sour cherries. They are only available for a few weeks in late June/early July, but they are worth the wait, and the trouble of pitting them. The crust uses a bit of rye flour which adds some nutty and creamy flavor to the crust, and pairs beautifully with fruit desserts. Use an equal amount of all purpose flour if you have rye flour on hand. This filling recipe was lightly adapted from Deb at Smitten Kitchen, who adapted from Martha Stewart, and loves sour cherries as much as I do.
Rye Crust
340g/2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
170g/1 1/3 cups rye flour (I used Abruzzi Heirloom Rye from Anson Mills)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
10-12 tablespoons ice water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
340g/1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon sized pieces
Filling
900g/about 6 cups pitted sour cherries
3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon (165g) sugar (I used a natural cane sugar here, but granulated works too)
30g/1/4 cup cornstarch
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
Pinch salt
To finish
1 egg, for egg wash
Turbinado sugar to finish
To make the crust: Add the flours, brown sugar, and salt to a large bowl. Stir them together until combined. Add the apple cider vinegar to the ice water. Working quickly, add the butter to the flour and toss to coat. Then use your fingers or the palms of your hands to press each cube of butter into a flat sheet. Keep tossing the butter as you go to ensure that each butter piece is coated with flour. The idea is to create thin, flat shards of butter that range from about the size of a dime to about the size of a quarter. Sprinkle about 6 tablespoons of the water over the flour mixture and use your hands to mix gently, making sure to get all of the way down to the bottom of the bowl. Continue to add more water a couple of teaspoons at a time.
You have added enough water when you can pick up a handful of the dough and squeeze it together easily without it falling apart.
Press the dough together, then pat it into a rectangle. Fold the dough into thirds like a letter, then split it in to two pieces one slightly larger than the other, form each piece into a rectangle and wrap each piece in plastic wrap. Chill the dough for at least one hour before using, or overnight. I prefer an overnight rest if possible.
When you are ready to bake the pie, heat your oven to 400ºF.
Add the pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla bean paste, and salt to a large bowl and stir gently to combine.
Roll the larger piece of the dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 11x15. Gently tuck it into a metal quarter sheet pan, letting the excess hang over the sides. Roll the other piece of dough into a rectangle about 10x14.
Pour the cherries into the dough lined pan and top with other piece of dough. Gently fold the bottom dough up and over the top and press gently. Refrigerate the pie until the crust is firm, about 15 minutes.
While the pie chills, beat the egg with a few drops of water to make the egg wash. When the pie is nice and chilled gently brush the surface with egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Cut a few vents in the top then bake until the crust is deep golden brown and the juices are bubbling, 45-60 minutes.
Let the pie cool on a rack before serving warm or at room temperature. Ice cream is optional, but highly suggested.
This easy skillet cake with cranberries and apples highlights some of my favorite fall flavors – in a lightly spiced batter.
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This easy skillet cake with cranberries and apples highlights some of my favorite fall flavors – in a lightly spiced batter.
Fall and winter are such cozy seasons for baking that I find myself with something in the oven at least a few times a week. This skillet cake is a wonderfully versatile recipe that you can really serve any time of day.
This post is sponsored by Lodge Cast Iron. Their new bakeware line is gorgeous, sturdy, super versatile (hello, stove to oven to table!) and sure to become some of your favorites. I’ve used Lodge Cast Iron for years in my kitchen and I was very excited to learn about their new line of bakeware including this Baker’s Skillet which is perfect for everything from a savory quiche to a simple and comforting cake like this one.
Have a slice with tea or coffee in the afternoon, but make sure to save a bit for breakfast the next day too. Or, you can dress it up with a little bit of confectioner’s sugar and whipped crème fraiche for a gorgeous, low lift dessert.
The addition of rye flour here makes the cake exceptionally tender and I love the addition of tart cranberries for both color and a little pop of bright flavor that offsets the sweet and spice. If you don’t keep rye flour you can substitute and equal amount of all purpose or whole wheat flour, and feel free to sub pears for the apples too.
Skillet Rye Cranberry Apple Cake
Makes one 9 or 10-inch cake
3/4 cup (150g) light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup (160g) crème fraiche
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup (130g) all purpose flour
1/2 cup (65g) light rye flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped apple, from 1 large apple
3/4 cup (75g) fresh or frozen cranberries
4 teaspoons crunchy sugar like turbinado
Confectioners sugar and whipped crème fraiche to serve, if desired
1. Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter the Lodge Bakers’s Skillet or 9-inch cake pan
2. In a large bowl, whisk the brown sugar and eggs until pale and foamy, about 1 minute. Add the melted butter, crème fraiche, and spices. Whisk until smooth and emulsified.
3. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and whisk until almost combined.
4. Switch to a rubber spatula and add the cranberries and apples. Fold to combine making sure no streaks of flour remain.
4. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top of the batter with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the sugar over the top.
5. Bake until puffed and golden, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes. Set the pan on a rack to cool. Serve warm or room temperature with a dusting of confectioners sugar and whipped crème fraiche if desired.
This one-bowl Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake with Maple Olive Oil Glaze is as easy as can be. It’s a great alternative to pie for Thanksgiving too. The maple olive oil glaze is sweet and savory all at once and has the most velvety texture.
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This one-bowl Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake with Maple Olive Oil Glaze is as easy as can be. It’s a great alternative to pie for Thanksgiving too. The maple olive oil glaze is sweet and savory all at once and has the most velvety texture.
If you’re feeling to tired or to stressed for pie this Thanksgiving, or maybe you just don’t like pie (I know you’re out there!) - let me humbly suggest this Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake that comes together in one bowl without much fuss. You have probably guessed this already, but it’s a recipe from my new book Snacking Cakes!
It has all of the warm spices you could possibly want, and is topped with maple olive oil glaze and a pinch of sea salt for a sweet and savory vibe that makes it a great snack for anytime of day. You might even want to make one now to snack on as you’re cooking today and tomorrow…Just a thought!
It’s the perfect size for the small gatherings we are all having this year, and if you have leftovers they make an excellent breakfast the next day. We baked it as a loaf for the book, but you can certainly bake it in a round or square pan too.
Stay safe out there everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!
Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake with Maple Olive Oil Glaze from Snacking Cakes
Pumpkin cake isn’t just for the fall, and this version, spiked with a bit of allspice and black pepper, has a hit of warmth that makes it more exciting than your average pumpkin spice mix. The glaze has a sweet and savory thing going on that pairs beautifully with the spices. If you prefer your pumpkin cake unadorned, feel free to skip the glaze and just sprinkle a few tablespoons of untoasted pepitas over the top of the cake batter before it goes into the oven.
Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake
1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup (230g) pumpkin puree
½ cup (120ml) olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
A few grinds of black pepper
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1½ cups (190g) all-purpose our
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons chopped toasted pepitas (optional)
Maple Olive Oil Glaze
1 cup (100g) confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 to 2 tablespoons hot water
Pinch of kosher salt
Chopped pepitas (optional)
Flaky salt (optional)
1. Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter or coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray. Line the pan with a strip of parchment paper that hangs over two of the edges.
2. MAKE THE CAKE: In a large bowl, whisk the brown sugar and eggs until pale and foamy, about 1 minute. Add the pumpkin puree, olive oil, cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, pepper, and kosher salt. Whisk until smooth and emulsified.
3. Add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda and whisk until well-combined and smooth.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, tap the pan gently on the counter to release any air bubbles, and smooth the top of the batter with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the pepitas over the top if you are not going to glaze the cake.
5. Bake until puffed and golden, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes. Set the pan on a rack to cool for about 15 minutes. Then use the parchment paper to lift the cake out of the pan and set it on the rack to cool completely.
6. MAKE THE GLAZE: Combine the confectioners’ sugar, olive oil, maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of the hot water, and a pinch of kosher salt in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth, adding more water as necessary to make a thick but pourable glaze.
7. Pour the glaze over the cooled cake and sprinkle with the pepitas and flaky salt, if desired. Let the glaze set for about 20 minutes before slicing the cake. (Store the cake, well wrapped, at room temperature for up to three days.)
Use Another Pan
LOAF: Bake in a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan until puffed and golden, and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. You’ll need a half batch of glaze to coat the cake in a thin layer.
ROUND: Bake in a 9-inch round pan until puffed and golden, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes.
SHEET: Double the ingredients for the cake and bake in a 9 x 13-inch pan until puffed and golden, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Double the ingredients for the glaze, too.
Dress It Up
Add a dollop of Brown Sugar Whip (page 180) or a scoop of ice cream (or both!) to slices of cake before serving.
Flavor Variations
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE: Prepare the cake as directed, then fold in ½ cup (85g) chopped bittersweet chocolate just before pouring the batter into the pan. Top with Cocoa Glaze (page 135).
RYE PUMPKIN CAKE: Substitute ½ cup (65g) light rye flour for the all-purpose flour. This version is also quite nice with a bit of chocolate folded into the batter.
This Cranberry and Apple Cider Caramel Pie is a perfect Fall treat. With a crisp, tender all butter crust, this lattice topped beauty would be perfect at any holiday table.
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This Cranberry and Apple Cider Caramel Pie is a perfect Fall treat. With a crisp, tender all butter crust, this lattice topped beauty would be perfect at any holiday table.
I’ve partnered with Bob’s Red Mill and Bake from Scratchmagazine to be part of their Better Baking Academy this year, and I’m talking about one of my favorite subjects - Lattice Topped Pie. Each month they share a new recipe with lots of in-depth step-by-step photos tricks and tips. Head over to Bake from Scratch to see their technique for adding lattice to the top of a custard pie.
For this recipe, I went with some of my favorite fall fruits - apples and cranberries with a generous amount of apple cider caramel mixed in. The caramel is also delicious on its own or on top of ice cream, I’m sure you’ll find a way to use it.
Lattice topped pies can seem intimidating because at first glance, but once you try it, you realize it’s not as scary as it seems. Here are some tips for pie dough success!
Some Pie Dough Tips
Keep everything cold. That means making sure your butter is cold and cubed and the water is icy. You can even chill your bowl and flour if you want to go the extra mile. I usually don’t do this because I work quickly, but it’s a great way to buy yourself some extra chilled time.
Hydrate the dough properly. Add enough water to the dough so it holds together easily, but not so much that it’s wet. Dry dough is a pain to work with because it will fall apart on you and wet dough will be tough and chewy. If you have any dry spots in your dough you can sprinkle a few drops of water just in that spot to hydrate.
Don’t overmix. Make sure that the dough is well and evenly mixed, you can even knead it a few times, but don’t go crazy and knead it like bread dough. You want to press it together firmly, while making sure there are distinct flat bits of butter in the dough that will puff up and make it flaky.
Let it rest. Give the dough some time to relax and hydrate. It will make the dough easier to roll out and flakier in the end.
Keep it cool (again). There is nothing more frustrating than trying to maneuver warm, melty, falling apart dough into a woven pattern. If they are tearing on you and you get frustrated, try transferring all of the lattice strips to a parchment lined baking sheet to chill for a few minutes while you gather your composure. Better yet, do this before you start weaving if you are worried about it.
Have Fun! Don’t worry about it too much! No one will notice if your strips aren’t all the same size! Add some decorative cutouts if you are feeling it!
This filling combines some of my favorite fall flavors into a gorgeous and delicious holiday showstopper. The cider caramel is just as good on its own as it is combined with these gorgeous fall fruits. Make sure to save the extra to drizzle on top of the warm slices of pie.
Sponsored Post: This post was created in partnership with Bob’s Red Mill and Bake from Scratch magazine.
Cranberry and Apple Cider Caramel Pie
Dough adapted from Bake from Scratch magazine
Pie Dough
Makes 1 (9-inch) double crust
4 cups (500 grams) Bob’s Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour
1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon (9 grams) kosher salt
1 1/3 cup (303 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
13 to 14 tablespoons (195 to 210 grams) ice water
Cider Caramel
Makes about 1 1/2 cups
1 cup (200 grams) sugar
1/4 cup (60 grams) water
1/4 cup (60 grams) butter
1/2 cup (120 grams) heavy cream
1/4 cup ( 72 grams) boiled cider syrup (see note)
1 teaspoon (4 grams) vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (1.5 grams) kosher salt
Filling
3 medium baking apples like mutsu or honey crisp (about 450 grams), peeled and thinly sliced
3 cups (345 grams) cranberries
1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
4 tablespoons (32 grams) cornstarch
2 teaspoons (4 grams) cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch salt
1/2 cup (125 grams) cider caramel
Make the dough: In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and salt. Using your fingers to press and cut in each piece of cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs and butter is pea-size to walnut-size, flat shards. Make a well in center, and add 13 tablespoons (195 grams) ice water. Stir with fingers, and knead dough together just until dry ingredients are moistened. Add additional 1 tablespoon (25 grams) water if needed. Alternatively, in the work bowl of a food processor, place flour, sugar, and salt; pulse until combined. Add cold butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs and butter is pea-size. With processor running, pour 13 tablespoons (195 grams) ice water through food chute in a slow, steady stream just until dough comes together. (Mixture may appear crumbly. It should be moist and hold together when pinched.) Add additional 1 tablespoon (25 grams) water if needed.
Turn out dough, and divide in half (about 530 grams each). Shape each half into a disk. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Dough may be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
Make the cider caramel: Combine the sugar, water, and butter in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, swirling the pan occasionally, until the sugar melts and turns deep amber in color , about 10-15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat then carefully whisk in the cream, cider syrup, vanilla, and salt. Mixture will bubble vigorously. Let the sauce cool to room temperature before using.
Assemble the pie: On a lightly floured surface, roll half of Pie Dough into a 13 1/2-inch circle (3/16-inch thick). Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate, pressing into bottom and up sides. Freeze until firm, 20 to 30 minutes.
Prepare the filling: In a large bowl combine the sliced apples, cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Toss gently to combine. Drizzle the caramel over the top and stir gently.
Assemble the pie: Transfer the filling into the chilled pie dough and press gently to compact the fruit.
On a lightly floured surface, roll remaining Pie Dough into a 14-inch circle (1/8 inch thick). Using a pastry wheel, cut 2 inches off one side of dough; set aside. Starting at cut edge, cut 12 (3/4-inch-wide) strips; set aside any unused rolled-out Pie Dough. Place 6 strips horizontally over the filling. Fold back alternating strips, and place 1 strip vertically across horizontal strips; unfold strips. Repeat weaving with remaining strips, starting and ending at 1-inch marks and spacing strips 3/4 inch apart. Using kitchen scissors, trim strips even with the bottom crust, leaving about 1/2-inch overhang. Roll the bottom crust up and over the trimmed lattice and press gently. Use a fork dipped in flour to press the rolled edge down onto the pie pan. Use scissors to trim the fork-crimped edge flush with the pie pan. Place the pie on a baking sheet.
If desired, use small decorative cutters or scissors to cut remaining rolled-out Pie Dough and scraps and place on baking sheet around the pie. Refrigerate until firm and ready to use, 20 to 30 minutes.
Bake the pie: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) with a rack set in the bottom third.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg (50 grams) and 1 teaspoon (5 grams) water. Brush lattice with egg wash. Brush bottom of each cutout with egg wash, one at a time, and place around outside edge of lattice, overlapping slightly. Brush tops of cutouts with egg wash.
Bake the pie for about 1 hour or until it is deep golden brown and the juices are bubbling. If the edges begin to darken before the filling is bubbling, tent the edges with aluminum foil. Let cool before slicing. Serve with additional cider caramel sauce.
Note: Boiled cider can be purchased or you can make your own. For this recipe, add 4 cups of apple cider to a large pot set over high heat. Bring the mixture to a full boil, and cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, stirring occasionally. This will take about 30 minutes but keep a close eye on it. It will darken slightly and thicken to the consistency of thin honey when ready.
Classic Banana Cream Pie with a cookie crumb crust, vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and fresh whipped cream is the treat you need right now.
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Classic Banana Cream Pie with a cookie crumb crust, vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and fresh whipped cream is the treat you need right now.
This Classic Banana Cream Pie is from Erin Jean McDowell’s STUNNING new MASTERPIECE - The Book on Pie (affiliate link). This book has something for everyone from brand new beginners to experienced bakers looking to up their game.
There are recipes for everything from perfect dough to some of the most beautiful decorative crusts, juicy fruit fillings, and towering gorgeous toppings I’ve ever seen. For my first bake from the book, I wanted to choose a classic and also something with PUDDING and whipped cream. Because, hello, pudding is an incredibly delicious food that doesn’t get enough credit.
Erin’s version of this classic has a roll out crust, but had some chocolate cookies and biscoff to use up (and I didn’t have the patience to chill pie dough) so I went the crumb crust route, but I don’t think Erin would mind. The book is made to mix and match crusts, toppings, and fillings to your hearts content, and every recipe has amazing troubleshooting tips and variations too. Happy Pie Baking everyone!
One 9-inch / 23-cm pie crust (see below), blind-baked, and cooled completely
450 g / 3 or 4 medium bananas, peeled and thickly sliced
Full Batch of Classic Whipped Cream (page 111/below)
1. Make the filling: In a medium pot, bring the milk and heavy cream, to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt to combine. Add the eggs and yolks and whisk well to combine.
3. When the milk mixture comes to a simmer, pour about one quarter of it into the eggs, whisking constantly to temper them. Pour this mixture back into the pot, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to medium-low, switch to a silicone spatula, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and large bubbles break the surface. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until it’s melted and the pudding is smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
4. Strain the pudding into the cooled pie crust and spread into an even layer. Cover the filling with plastic wrap placed directly against the surface and refrigerate until fully cooled and set, at least 2 hours (or up to 24 hours).
5. When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap and arrange the bananas in an even layer on top of the pie, overlapping the slices so they are well packed together. Spread, spoon, or pipe the whipped cream topping on top.
MAKE AHEAD AND STORAGE
The crust can be blind-baked up to 24 hours head. The pie can be prepared through step 4 up to 24 hours ahead and kept refrigerated. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Basic Crumb Crust
MAKES: ONE 9-INCH/23-CM PIE
DIFFICULTY: EASY
Crumb crusts are even easier than press-in cookie crusts. You don’t even have to bake them—see the variation at right. The crumbs can be made out of cookies, crackers, cereal, pretzels, even potato chips! Sometimes sugar or other flavorings are added to the crumbs (here the sugar is optional), and then fat (usually melted butter) is added to bind the mixture to form a crust. The crumbs can be coarse, for a crunchier texture, or finer, for a smoother texture. Different base ingredients will behave differently, so the first time I test a crumb crust with a new ingredient, I always have a little extra on hand in case I need more crumbs, or a little extra melted butter, should it be needed.
Crumb crusts don’t generally require chilling before baking, but you can refrigerate for up to 1 hour or freeze for 15 minutes, if desired, to firm them up before baking. I’m also including information in a chart on page 40 to help you adapt this easy recipe for any pan size.
210 g / 1¾ cups cookie, cereal, chip, or cracker crumbs (I used half chocolate cookies and half biscoff -Yossy)
Up to 50 g / ¼ cup granulated sugar (optional) (I skipped it because my cookies were very sweet - Yossy)
2 g / ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
85 g / 3 ounces / 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more if needed
1. In a medium bowl, stir the crumbs, sugar, if using, and salt together to combine. Stir in the melted butter and mix to combine. The crust should easily hold together in clumps when you press it together between your fingers (if it doesn’t, add a little more melted butter, 14 g / 1 tablespoon at a time, until it does).
2. Press the crust evenly into the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-inch / 23-cm pie plate: First make an even layer in the bottom of the pan, then press the rest of the crumbs up the sides (or halfway up the sides—see page 61). Sometimes I use the bottom of a small dry measuring cup to help press the crust in evenly; this is especially helpful in the corners of the pan.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C (don’t use a Baking Steel/stone when baking a crumb crust). To parbake the crust, bake (no docking or pie weights required) for 10 to 12 minutes, until it begins to lightly brown at the edges (or, for darker crumbs, smells lightly toasty). To blind-bake the crust, bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until it is deeply golden brown and/or smells toasty.
PIE PEP TALK
What to Do When a Crumb Crust Shrinks: One of the most common problems I’ve seen with crumb crusts is that they can shrink or slump down the side of the pie plate when the crust is parbaked. Luckily, this is easily corrected. If you notice that your crust is starting to shrink, remove it from the oven and use a crust tamper (see page 20) or a small metal measuring cup to press the crust that slumped down back up the sides of the pie plate. If this happens consistently when you make crumb crusts, try tamping them down more aggressively and/or refrigerating for 30 minutes before baking.
Classic Whipped Cream
MAKES: 141, 283, OR 422 G / 1, 3, OR 4 CUPS, DEPENDING ON THE BATCH YOU CHOOSEDIFFICULTY:
DIFFICULTY: EASY
It’s never a bad idea to serve pie with plenty of whipped cream. Think your pie is sweet enough? You can leave the sugar out—ain’t nothin’ wrong with plain ol’ whipped cream. For a luxurious twist, try the mascarpone variation below.
FULL BATCH (for generously covering the whole pie)
235 g / 1 cup heavy cream
50 g / 1/4 cup granulated sugar
5 g / 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, whip the cream on medium-low speed until it begins to thicken, 1 to 2 minutes. Increase the speed to medium and add the sugar in a slow, steady stream, then continue to whip to medium peaks. Add the vanilla, if using, and mix to combine.
MAKE AHEAD AND STORAGE
Plain whipped cream is best made just before it is used, but you can intentionally under-whip the cream (to just under soft peaks), then finish by whipping by hand when you’re ready to serve. It will hold this way for up to 4 hours. The mascarpone variation can be made up to 6 hours ahead and held in the refrigerator. Whip a few times gently to refresh before using.
