Peanut Butter Yeast Bread

This recipe was adapted from one in Clayton’s Book of Breads, my favorite cookbook for yeast bread.  I first made this bread in 1993 when I was looking for something tasty and a little different to take to the office  for my morning breakfast toast after an hour-long commute.  I love the light peanut butter flavor and the little bits of peanuts.

PEANUT BUTTER YEAST BREAD

• 3-½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 Tblsp. Instant dry yeast (fast acting)*
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1-¼ cups 130 degree F water
• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup finely chopped dry roasted peanuts

*The “Instant“ or “Quick Rise” yeast is especially formulated to be used mixed with the dry ingredients and can withstand the hot water.

Two 7-½ inch loaf pans, greased

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, place 1 cup flour, yeast, brown sugar, salt and 130 degree F water.  Begin to mix with paddle beater on medium speed – add peanut butter.  Continue mixing for 3 minutes on medium speed.  Add chopped peanuts and beat for 30 seconds.  Remove paddle beater and insert dough hook.

Beat for 6-½ minutes on medium speed, gradually adding flour as needed until dough is smooth and elastic.  Place in a greased bowl, turn once, cover and place in a warm place to rise for 30 minutes.

Punch down dough with your knuckles to deflate and divide in half.  Place half of dough on a lightly floured board and form into a loaf.  Place in a greased loaf pan.

Repeat with the remaining dough.

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Remove cover and bake loaves for approximately 35 minutes until surface is brown and bread is done (should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom of the loaf).  Remove from pans to a wire rack to cool.  Brush the tops with melted butter for a softer crust.

Makes two 7-½ inch loaves

A really good way to enjoy this bread is toasted with butter and a little bit of honey.

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Frontier Bread

I first made this bread in 1989 and for some reason did not make a note of the source.  It won a ribbon at the county fair that year and is a good, hearty bread – wonderful toasted.

This recipe will make a 9 inch loaf.  Since I wanted two large rolls for another dish, I used 1/3 of the dough for the rolls and the remainder for a 7-½ inch loaf.

FRONTIER BREAD

1 cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup yellow cornmeal
1 Tblsp. fast-acting dry yeast*
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ cup dry buttermilk
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup water (130 degrees F)
2 Tblsp. canola oil
3 Tblsp. honey
1 egg plus one egg yolk, room temperature  (reserve egg white for topping)
2-3 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1 Tblsp. cornmeal for sprinkling in pan
Reserved egg white mixed with 1 tsp. water
1-½ Tblsp. sesame seeds

*I use Fleischmann’s Instant Dry Yeast, “Quick Rise” in Canada.  This yeast is especially formulated to be used mixed with the dry ingredients and can withstand the hot water.

In large mixer bowl combine 1 cup of whole wheat flour with cornmeal, yeast, baking powder, dry buttermilk powder and salt until blended.

Heat water and oil to 130 degrees F and add to dry mixture along with honey and egg plus egg yolk.  Beat 3 minutes with a paddle beater at medium speed.

Insert dough hook and beat for 6-½ minutes longer, gradually adding all-purpose flour until dough is elastic and smooth.  It will still be a little bit sticky because of the honey.

Place in a greased bowl …

… cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.  Punch down dough and let rest for 10 minutes.

Form into loaf and/or rolls and place into greased pan which has been sprinkled with cornmeal.

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Brush the top of the loaf with the egg white/water mixture.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake @ 375 degrees F 12-14 minutes for the rolls, approximately 30 minutes for the 7-½ inch loaf and about 45 minutes for the 9 inch loaf.   Remove from pans to a wire rack to cool.

Delicious fresh and warm with a dab of butter or toasted to enjoy with your morning coffee.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars

My breakfast normally consists of oatmeal mixed with brown sugar, raisins, nuts and flax seed plus a tablespoon or so of milk.  When I’m traveling, I like to eat hearty breakfasts in a restaurant, but still want the healthful benefits of my oatmeal breakfast.  Since I always get up around 6 AM and have to wait around for others to wake up and go to breakfast, I bring along snack bars that contain the nutritious ingredients I want plus a few goodies to make them taste really good with a morning cup of coffee.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BREAKFAST BARS

• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (Ghirardelli)
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup 2% milk
• 1-1/2 cup oats, quick cooking
• 1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• ¼ cup flax seed
• ¼ cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
• ¼ cup raisins

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and milk in the microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring and checking each time

Stir in oats, vanilla, flax seed, peanuts and raisins

Press mixture into an 8 x 8 pan sprayed with cooking spray.

Refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until cooled and firm.  Cut into 10 slices.  I like to wrap the slices individually in waxed paper and store them in a covered container in the refrigerator.

With my DietPower software, I did a comparison  of these Snack Bars (based on 10 servings) and my big bowl of enhanced oatmeal:

Oatmeal:  246 calories, 13.1 g fat, 31 g carbs, 8.7 g fiber, 9.4 g protein

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Breakfast Bars:  204 calories, 12.4 g fat, 20.0 g carbs, 3.0 g fiber, 6.1 g protein

Weight Watchers based on 10 servings:  6 points per bar

The breakfast bars are lower in calories, fat, and carbs, but also lower in fiber and protein.   I feel they are still a good substitute for traveling.  For hot weather traveling, keep the container of bars in a cooler.

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Carrot Cake Muffins

This recipe is from a book I bought in 1982 to send to my daughter-in-law in St. Louis.  I copied a lot of the recipes before mailing and I’m just getting around to making this one.  It’s a very good muffin – moist and full of healthy things like carrots and pineapple.

CARROT CAKE MUFFINS

• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• Dash of mace
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained (juice reserved)
• 1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice
• 1/2  cup vegetable oil
• 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Grease or insert liners in 12 muffin cups.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and mace.

In a medium bowl, whisk the egg lightly,  stir in the pineapple, juice, oil and vanilla.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the pineapple mixture, stirring just to combine.

Stir in the carrots and raisins.

Spoon batter into prepared cups and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until a tester inserted in the center of one muffin comes out clean.

Remove muffin tins to wire rack and let cool 5 minutes.  If using silicone liners, I like to remove them right away to cool on a rack.

Remove the muffins from the cups/liners and finish cooling on rack.

Makes 12 muffins.  These muffins freeze well.

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Walnut Streusel Coffeecake

This recipe makes a nice nine-inch cake that is big enough for a family breakfast (leftovers are good, too).

WALNUT STREUSEL COFFEECAKE

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 vegetable oil
• 1 Tblsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Streusel:

• 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 3 Tblsp. melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Oil a 9-inch baking pan

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, sugar and oil.  Whisk in the baking powder and salt, then the milk.  Stir in the flour just until blended.

Pour into the prepared 9-inch baking pan.

To make the Streusel:  In a small bowl, stir together nuts, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon.  With a fork, mix in the melted butter.

Sprinkle the Streusel on top of the batter in the pan.  Bake @ 350 degrees  F for approximately 30 minutes until top is golden brown and a tester comes out clean when inserted in the center of the cake.

Set on a wire rack to cool.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Faux Maple Muffins

I started to make these muffins and found that I didn’t have the maple syrup or buttermilk that the recipe called for and had to improvise.  This version turned out very well – not too sweet and with a nice maple flavor.

FAUX MAPLE MUFFINS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 Tblsp. dark brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup pancake syrup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp. maple flavoring
• 1/3 cup oil (Canola)
• 1 cup toasted, coarsely chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Oil 11 muffin cups – or insert paper/silicone liners.

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, brown sugar and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, pancake syrup, milk and maple flavoring.  Add the dry ingredients and stir just until blended.  Stir in the chopped walnuts.

Divide batter between 11 muffin cups.  Fill the empty muffin cup with water.  Bake @ 350 degrees F for approximately 20 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center of one muffin tests done.

Cool muffins in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes.  Then, remove muffins from pan and from silicone liners and finish cooling on rack.

Yield:  11 muffins

I have a note in my recipe binder for 9/26/09:  Made for breakfast on a grey, drizzly Saturday morning – excellent.”

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Orange Walnut Muffins

I first made these muffins in 1987, adapted from a recipe I found in a library book, Colonial Old Treasures. The muffins are nice for breakfast or snacking – not too sweet, a good texture, and a “must” for me – full of walnuts.

ORANGE WALNUT MUFFINS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup oil (Canola)
• 1/2 cup orange juice concentrate plus 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp. grated lemon peel
• 1 cup chopped English walnuts

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and soda.  Set aside

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg, oil, orange juice and lemon peel.  Stir in the reserved flour mixture just until the dry ingredients are absorbed.  Stir in the chopped nuts.

Divide among 12 greased muffin tins or 12 silicone baking cups.  Bake @ 350 degrees F for approximately 25 minutes, until tops are golden brown and a tester inserted in the center of a muffin tests done.

Let rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove and let cool on a wire rack.

Serve warm.

Yield:  12 muffins.  Leftovers can be warmed in a 350 degree F oven.  Muffins can also be frozen.

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Maple Walnut Muffins

This is how it looked outside today – two inches of snow on the ground and four to six more inches due by suppertime.

This is how it looked inside.

Yesterday,  my daughter had brought home these daffodils, bright with the promise of spring.

Meanwhile, we need something warm and comforting.  How about some Maple Walnut Muffins?

I copied this recipe from a muffin cookbook that I sent my daughter-in-law as a birthday gift in the early 1980s.  We have enjoyed this muffin ever since.  It has a good maple flavor and the crunch of toasted walnuts.

MAPLE WALNUT MUFFINS

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. maple extract/flavoring
• 1/3 cup margarine, melted and cooled
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 Tblsp. dark brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup toasted, coarsely chopped walnuts*

*To toast walnuts:  Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 6-7 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

Grease 12 muffins cups or use paper or silicone liners.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, maple syrup, buttermilk, vanilla and maple extracts and cooled melted margarine.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar and salt.  Add to the egg mixture and stir just until blended.  Stir in the chopped walnuts.

Spoon batter into 12 prepared muffin cups.  Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes until a tester inserted in one of the muffins comes out clean.  Place muffin pan on rack and cool for 5 minutes…

…then remove the muffins from the cups/silicone liners and continue cooling on a wire rack.

Serve warm from the oven or wrap and store for 2-3 days.  These muffins also freeze well.  To warm stored or thawed muffins, place on a pan in a cold oven.  Turn heat to 350 degrees F and after 10 minutes or so when it has reached 350, turn off heat and remove from oven.  They will be just right to eat.

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Apple and Pecan Pancakes with Brie

This is a breakfast or brunch dish to celebrate something – a birthday, an anniversary, the fact that it’s Saturday…..

I was watching Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives featuring a restaurant which included a breakfast plate like this on its menu.  My oldest daughter, who lives with me, began imagining how great it would be, so I picked up a package of brie on my next trip to the grocery.

I had everything else on hand and this is what I whipped up for our Saturday morning breakfast:

APPLE AND PECAN PANCAKES WITH BRIE (2 servings)

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 Tblsp. (1-1/2 tsp.) baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 Tblsp. vegetable oil
• 1 medium tart apple, peeled and sliced thinly
• 2 Tblsp. chopped pecans
• 1 Tblsp. butter
• 6 slices of brie, about 1 inch square x 1/4 inch thick (like a pat of butter)

• Syrup of choice

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.

In a 2 cup measure, pour the milk and oil.

Add to the dry ingredients, mixing just until blended.  Stir in apples and pecans.

Preheat a skillet on medium-high heat, lightly grease with butter and place three rounded 1/4-cup measures of batter onto the skillet.  Allow to brown until bubbles form on top…

…then flip and allow to cook until brown on the other side.

Remove pancakes to a plate and place a slice of brie on each.  Complete with a generous drizzle of syrup.  My daughter likes maple syrup and I favor Lyle’s Golden Syrup.

Enjoy.

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Cappuccino Chip Muffins and Spread

This recipe is from a book on muffins which I bought for my daughter-in-law in 1982.  I copied a lot of interesting recipes before I sent the book on to her and have just gotten around to baking this one.  I should have done it earlier – they’re really good.

CAPPUCCINO CHIP MUFFINS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. instant espresso coffee powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips (I like Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips)

Preheat oven @ 375 degrees F

Grease or place paper cups or silicone liners in  a 12-cup muffin tin

In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, espresso coffee powder, salt and cinnamon.

In another bowl, whisk together milk, butter, egg and vanilla until blended.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients; add milk mixture and stir just to combine.  Stir in chocolate chips.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups; bake approximately 20 minutes @ 375 degrees F or until a cake tester inserted in the center of one muffin comes out clean.

Remove muffin tin to wire rack.  Cool 5 minutes before removing muffins from cups.  If using silicone liners, remove the muffins in the liners to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes, then remove from liners.  Continue cooling muffins on the rack.

These muffins freeze well.

They are delicious plain or extra-delicious served with an Espresso Spread:

ESPRESSO SPREAD

• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 2 Tblsp. chocolate chips (Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Chips)
• 1 Tblsp. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. instant espresso powder
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mixing can be done by hand, but a small food processor makes quick work of it.  Place the chocolate chips in the food processor and grind into small pieces.  Add sugar and espresso powder and process to blend.  Add cream cheese and vanilla and process until smooth

Remove spread to a small bowl.  Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.  To serve, let stand 10 minutes at room temperature to soften.

Makes approximately 1-1/2 cups.

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