Christmas Poundcakes

Marble Cake with White-Chocolate Glaze

I asked my wonderful friend and fellow baker CG to pick which of the cakes she wanted as her Christmas gift. She chose this one. I had to cut a piece from the middle before giving it to her so I knew what it tasted like (And for the picture).  I shared the piece with my mom and we were so entranced by it that we did not even notice my 2 year old falling from the chair saying "Save me!". She was OK and the Cake was Amazing. I wish the recipe made 2! 

I was a bit concerned over how to achieve the "marble  effect".  I did not divide the batter evenly in thirds (Math is not my strong point) and I also overlooked the extra Tbsp of cocoa needed which made the chocolate batter runnier than expected. My "checkerboard" looked more like it flooded. I ran the knife through twice to create the now "muddy" swirls. 

It baked for 52 minutes

127 to Go!

(The last of the Simple Baked Goods)

Brown Sugar Pound Cakes

This was My Favorite!

Very light and fluffy. It had a Maple flavor to it that is perfect for the season. 

It baked for 52 minutes.

128 to Go!

Lemon Pound Cake with Apricot-Pineapple Glaze

I made all four types of Pound Cakes in one day (It was a Pound Cake Marathon). They are Christmas gifts for Friends and Family. I made the 8" by 4" for the kids and the mini loaves for the gift packages. This was the kids winner by far. I did not add poppy seeds (Not due to possible drug testing but don't really know if they are good for kids).  I did not add the pure lemon extract because Safeway was out and instead added 2 extra TBSP of lemon juice. The full loaf baked for 40 min and the minis for 32 min.  I did not let them cool in pans but turned them out to wire rack. 

  I used Apricot-Pineapple Jam for the glaze with water instead of Cognac (Don't really drink or buy liquor). I brushed the bottoms and sides first to let the cakes absorb more and after about 15 minutes turned them over to brush the tops.

Very moist!

129 to Go!

Classic Pound Cake

In the New Project (and under the economic circumstances) it's OK to use Costco eggs. I did not realize they were extra large until it was too late. I don't know how much of a difference it made.  They baked for about 40 minutes ( I made 6: 5'' by 3'' loaves). I love the simplicity of steps and ingredients in Pound Cakes. 

Overall, OK. Will try again someday with the right eggs.

130 to Go!

Kids Christmas Cookies

In the New Project, if the kids ask for Christmas cookies you don't say,  "Sorry, I already did them in the Handbook, You'll have to wait until next year". 

Pear-Spice Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze

I made this for the Girls Christmas Party. It was a lot of work with many steps. 

By now you know how much I dislike working with caramel. I know I need to breathe in peace with caramel, breathe out peace with caramel. It still hardened and I freaked out. luckily it melts with the covered pears.  I did not use Cardamon because Safeway was out  and in my NEW Project I don't stress out about it (Or drive all over the island looking for it).  I also did not go through the painstakingly long (2 hour) Optional process of making Pear chips. This is another pillar of the New Project, OPTIONAL means NO THANKS!

It baked for 50 minutes. 

The Girls LOVED It. They all took some home for their honeys to try. 

131 to Go!

Classic Crumb Cake

I made this for my dad's birthday. He loved it!

 It was so moist, buttery and crumbly. Great with coffee.

 It baked for 50 minutes. 

132 to go!

Cherry-Streusel Coffee Cake with Milk Glaze

Forgive me Bakers for I have "sinned". It has been almost 2 months since my last Blog.  My faith in this project had been wavering. Yes, I had doubts, serious doubts.  I realized that what had started as a fun way to learn to Bake had become more like Homework and it was causing me much unnecessary stress.  I was ready to thrown in my oven mittens when my wonderful BF suggested instead of quitting all together, to extend the project to "YEARS with Martha". The second he said it I knew it was the way to go. It was humbling for a perfectionist to admit I could not do it (Actually, I COULD do it but my my health, work and family would be in shambles at the end). I felt proud of my ability to deny my EGO and be realistic on my limitations of time and energy.  A quote from Author Nora Roberts really spoke to me " When  juggling as much as you are, remember that some balls are glass and some are rubber. You can't drop the glass balls". 

This was the first cake I made after my decision. My grandmother was visiting and I wanted to make her something special for breakfast. It was delicious.  It baked for 45 minutes.

133 to Go!