Busy Brunette Bakerista

My homemade coffee cake recipes don't call for actual coffee but they are delicious. Well, I tired another recipe in the fabulous cookbook Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook and this coffee cake is moist, light and has the sweetest crumble in the middle (also has no coffee ). It does take a while so remember to follow the directions to every detail. Enjoy! BITDB Coffee Cake Streusel Ingredients ¼ cup packed light brown sugar ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt 3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional) 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes Cake Ingredients 2 ½ cups cake flour (not self-rising) 2 teaspoons baking powder, preferably aluminum-free ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon fine sea salt ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (I used pumpkin pie spice to give it a little more texture) 12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 3 large eggs,...

These crunchy pecans are the tastiest appetizers ever! I’ve been making them since I first got married and they are simply delicious. They are great in salads, for gifts in little jars, or in a dish on a table at a party! Slow-Roasted Snacky Pecans Makes one pound of pecan nuts ¼ cup butter ¼ cup light corn syrup 3 T. of water   1 t. kosher salt 1 pound of whole pecans Preheat oven to 250 ° F Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil including up the edges. Melt butter, corn syrup, water, and kosher salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add pecans and stir to coat nuts.   Spread out evenly on the lined baking sheet.  Now this is important – bake for one hour stirring every 10 minutes. If you don’t, they won’t cook evenly and stick together in one large ball...unless you want them in a shape of a football. Let pecans cool for three minutes then transfer to a dish, bowl, Mason ...

This soup is so good we serve it during special holidays in our family. During these times when we are at home cooking more for our families...it's a good soup to make and freeze as well. You can adjust the seasonings but it’s awesome just plain by itself! I’ve had lots of tortillas soups, and this one is the best . Chicken Tortilla Soup de Ortega Serves about six 7 T. vegetable oil 10 corn tortillas chopped 6 cloves garlic (minced or through a garlic press) ½ cup chopped cilantro 1 yellow onion chopped 1 (28oz.) can diced tomatoes 2 T. ground cumin 1 T. chili powder 3 bay leaves 6 cups chicken broth 1 t. salt ½ t. cayenne pepper 4 cooked chicken breasts or 6 cooked chicken thighs 1 lemon toppings:  shredded cheese,  avocado slices It’s important to cook the chicken first to give the soup great taste! Place chicken in a pot and cover with water. Slice one lemon and add slices to the pot along with a little sa...

There are enchilada recipes that require dipping tortillas in oil or sauce, frying, layering, and making a mess…this is not one of those recipes. My enchilada recipe can be mixed in one bowl. You can even freeze half of the cooked enchiladas for later when you are in a rush for dinner. Olé! Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas 1 cooked whole rotisserie chicken de-boned and chopped up (deli department) ½ yellow onion 1 to 2 T. butter salt and pepper to season (2) 14 oz. cans  or  (1) 28 oz. can mild enchilada sauce  4.5 oz. can of diced/chopped green chiles ¼ cup salsa ¼ cup sour cream 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese or mix of cheese 10 to 12 flour tortillas Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Open can of enchilada sauce and pour just enough to barely cover the bottom of   a large 9” x 13” casserole pan. Set aside.  Pick all chicken meat off the bones and place on a large cutting board. With a large knife, chop up chicken into 1-inch ...

Just as the name states, this dish is simple and so tasty! I promise when you make it, your house will smell like Thanksgiving no matter what time of year it may be. The consistency of the chicken thighs helps make the apple mixture soft and the perfect addition as a sort of “chutney” to the chicken. Serve along side some rice, biscuits, or even at Thanksgiving. Fall Chicken Thighs with Roasted Apples and Garlic About 1 ½ pounds of Braeburn, or other crisp apples, chopped 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 / 8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 4 or 5 garlic gloves, skin removed and crushed or chopped ½ teaspoon salt, divided 8 chicken thighs, boneless, skinned (about 2 pounds) ¼ teaspoon black pepper Cooking spray Preheat oven to 475 degrees (yes, that hot). Line a rimmed baking sheet or jelly roll pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Combine chopped apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and garlic in a large bowl and stir gently. Add ...