Pumpkin Bread

finished bread 3

A few weeks ago, when I ventured back into the fruit butter world, I found a lonely can of pumpkin collecting dust in my cabinet.

This was the last can of pumpkin from last year’s purchase. I was so excited to stumble upon it. I was afraid I wouldn’t be making very many pumpkin desserts this fall due to the pumpkin shortage.

Last year I made so many pumpkin items, I was almost sick of them. This fall I wasn’t sure where to start. After a quick scan through my recipes I realized I don’t have very many savory items. I also noticed I am seriously lacking in the bread department.

Thinking about making bread made me a bit nervous, but I had been in the mood to try it again. The last time I made a recipe that required dough to rise was for my first Daring Baker’s Challenge back in February….

elastic dough 2 1024x682 Pumpkin Bread

It was definitely time to make more bread.

This recipe is from one of my all time favorite flour companies, King Arthur Flour. I did a quick google search for a pumpkin bread recipe and found their recipe had great reviews, and sounded the best.

The recipe makes 2 loaves of bread, but the recipe from King Arthur Flour also recommended making 1 loaf of bread and 12 rolls. I thought that making rolls for Thanksgiving dinner, and bread for left over turkey sandwiches the next day sounded like a delicious idea. [Read more...]

How to Make Marshmallow Fondant

red fondant

A few weeks ago, when I was planning my cake for a school project, I wondered what the easiest way to make my cake look clean and professional without spending too much money on decorating supplies and tools.

I knew fondant was my best option to get the clean look I wanted, but this was something completely new to me. I had never tasted or worked with fondant before. And frankly, I was extremely intimidated.

I had always thought fondant was only for the professionals. This was not something I needed to be messing with, and had no need to learn. Wow…could I have been more wrong?! (Channeling my inner Chandler for any of you Friends fans out there!)

Well, I did a little research and found there is more than one way to make fondant. I chose the easy way.

This marshmallow fondant is very simple, fun, and inexpensive to make. It makes your cake look like it came straight from the display case of a professional bakery. And the best part is it is edible! It is not too pasty or gummy (as I’ve heard) other fondants can be.

the ingredients  300x199 How to Make Marshmallow Fondant kneading the fondant 300x199 How to Make Marshmallow Fondant

Even though it is edible, it is extremely sweet and your teeth will probably hurt if you try to consume too much.

[Read more...]

Personal Pumpkin Pies

Personal Pumpkn Piess-2

I can not believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I am not prepared for a day full of eating!

Well…maybe I am.

I did start testing recipes for the perfect pumpkin pie to serve. I love the traditional pumpkin pie, but I wanted to change things up a little this year.

About a week ago I bought a package of 6 mini graham cracker pie crusts. I had every intention of making something like Cakespy’s Ice Cream Pudding Pie, I just never got around to getting any ice cream.

Since I already had crusts, pie was the next best thing. I figured I should get myself ready for Thanksgiving, and make some pumpkin pie.

I am  still working on that same pumpkin puree, so this was a good recipe to help put another dent in that.

If anyone is looking for a great variation on the traditional pumpkin pie, this is your recipe!

[Read more...]

How to Fix a Bad Recipe

Pumpkin Pancake muffins-3

To continue the pumpkin puree saga, I wanted make pumpkin pancakes. I found this recipe and decided to give it a try.

I was so excited to wake up on Saturday to make pumpkin pancakes! I like breakfast, but I don’t usually have the time in the morning to eat much more than a yogurt or banana.

I wanted to make a big breakfast, since this was a special treat. I had a big menu planned; fresh squeezed OJ, scrambled eggs, bacon, and pumpkin pancakes with walnuts and blackberry syrup.

Saturday morning I woke up, gathered all necessary ingredients and started with the pancakes.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups organic all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 TSP salt
  • 1 1/2 TSP baking soda
  • 1 quart buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup organic unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups organic pumpkin puree
Pumpkin Pancake ingredients 3 How to Fix a Bad Recipe

This is what ended up happening to my pancake batter.

[Read more...]

Big Fat Baker is here.

organic banana cookie

Big Fat Baker started as an idea to talk about all things baked. I love baked goods and have recently began adding organic ingredients/all natural ingredients into my baking recipes.

Some things you can expect in the next week or two…

  • - baking tips
  • - baking trends
  • - benefits of organic food
  • - organic recipes

Please feel free to leave me comments, send me e-mails, or tweet me at @BigFatBaker with any comments or questions you may have. Be sure to check back soon for updates!

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