Mod Apron

Modern homemaking for the frugal urban mama.

Posts tagged baking

Aug 12
This afternoon, Maya tried her hand at her very first Gâteau au Yaourt. This was HER cake project. She made the entire thing - start to finish - all by herself. I instructed her step by step and she dutifully did exactly as she was told. The only thing I did was put it in the oven and take it out again when it was done. Behold Maya’s very own cake. (She chose to add the chocolate chips at the last minute. A bold move if you ask me.) It smells like heaven and we can’t wait for after dinner to dig in. So proud of my girl. [Photo via Instagram]

This afternoon, Maya tried her hand at her very first Gâteau au Yaourt. This was HER cake project. She made the entire thing - start to finish - all by herself. I instructed her step by step and she dutifully did exactly as she was told. The only thing I did was put it in the oven and take it out again when it was done.

Behold Maya’s very own cake. (She chose to add the chocolate chips at the last minute. A bold move if you ask me.) It smells like heaven and we can’t wait for after dinner to dig in.

So proud of my girl.

[Photo via Instagram]
Posted at 7:18 PM Tagged: cakekidsprojectbakingparentingmotherhoodlove

Jul 11

This lovely lady came for a visit the other day. I threw together a couple of berry-cherry-yogurt-homemade granola parfaits for our brunching pleasure. And afterwards, we had hot tea and homemade bread and jam for dessert!

How civilized!
Posted at 9:32 PM Tagged: brunchfriendsgranolatea and toastteaparfaitcookingbakingrecipehappylove

Jun 5

I’m giving myself a big high-five right now (otherwise known as confidently clapping? Either way, it’s making it difficult to type.)

Feelin’ pretty good because I had a really productive morning! In addition to getting all the regular laundry done, the diaper laundry done, cleaning the bathrooms and hosting a playdate, I also made a double batch of granola and baked what might very well win the award for The World’s Fugliest Loaf of Bread. Seriously guys, it looks like it’s made out of goblins. Sure tasted good with my homemade cherry jam though!
Posted at 5:05 PM Tagged: morningmehomemakingbakingcookingkitchenproductivitytime managementbreakfastgranolabreadyay

May 28
I did it, guys. I finally got around to making a big batch of granola. I even made enough to surprise the neighbors with. [Insert proud face here.] Here’s my recipe, if you’re interested: Ingredients: 6 cups rolled oats 1 cup chopped and whole nuts (any combination of walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc. - whatever you like; I usually use walnuts and almonds) 1/2 cup sunflower seeds (pumpkin seeds can be substituted) 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon (or more if you like cinnamon!) 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional) 1/2 cup walnut oil (canola or sunflower will work just fine too) 1/2 to 1 cup maple syrup (depends on how sweet you like your granola) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup chopped dried fruit (any combination of raisins, apricots, dates, cranberries, etc.) Directions: Oven 375. Mix the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl until well incorporated. Stir in oil, maple syrup and vanilla. Spread granola mixture evenly on 2 large baking sheets. Bake, taking care to stir well every 3-4 minutes. This is really important because the maple syrup will make the granola burn fast.  The granola is done when it is dried out and begins to turn golden. You can tell when it is getting close because the granola will slide around easily on the pan when stirred. (My usual cooking time is around 30 minutes total, including stirring time.) Pour hot granola into a very large bowl and fold in dried fruit. Stir thoroughly. Allow granola to cool completely, stirring up every so often as it cools down. Once granola is completely cooled, store in a well-sealed jar or container. Enjoy with milk, yogurt, fresh fruit, ice cream, smoothies, or on its own as a snack. Makes about 8 cups. Yum!

I did it, guys. I finally got around to making a big batch of granola. I even made enough to surprise the neighbors with. [Insert proud face here.]

Here’s my recipe, if you’re interested:

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup chopped and whole nuts (any combination of walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc. - whatever you like; I usually use walnuts and almonds)
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds (pumpkin seeds can be substituted)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon (or more if you like cinnamon!)
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/2 cup walnut oil (canola or sunflower will work just fine too)
  • 1/2 to 1 cup maple syrup (depends on how sweet you like your granola)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped dried fruit (any combination of raisins, apricots, dates, cranberries, etc.)

Directions:

  1. Oven 375.
  2. Mix the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl until well incorporated.
  3. Stir in oil, maple syrup and vanilla.
  4. Spread granola mixture evenly on 2 large baking sheets.
  5. Bake, taking care to stir well every 3-4 minutes. This is really important because the maple syrup will make the granola burn fast. 
  6. The granola is done when it is dried out and begins to turn golden. You can tell when it is getting close because the granola will slide around easily on the pan when stirred. (My usual cooking time is around 30 minutes total, including stirring time.)
  7. Pour hot granola into a very large bowl and fold in dried fruit. Stir thoroughly.
  8. Allow granola to cool completely, stirring up every so often as it cools down.
  9. Once granola is completely cooled, store in a well-sealed jar or container.

Enjoy with milk, yogurt, fresh fruit, ice cream, smoothies, or on its own as a snack. Makes about 8 cups. Yum!
Posted at 4:37 PM Tagged: granolarecipefrugalsimplebreakfastbakingneighborslove

May 14

Oh for goodness sake.

Let me begin this sad story by saying that we never, like, never have brown bananas. We simply go through them too quickly to ever get to that point. I often wish for brown bananas, but between my two little monkeys our bananas get gobbled up before they barely have a chance to turn from green to yellow.

Brown bananas are like GOLD in this house.

But on this sunny Monday morning, I found myself with a secret stash of two brown bananas. Oh the glory!

And since I haven’t had the chance to make brownies yet, I had the brilliant idea to make a loaf of banana bread to serve at the HOA meeting tonight. Perfection!

I was up early and I seized the opportunity to bake before the kids woke up. I mixed, I stirred, I mashed, I baked. 

And when the oven timer rang loud and true, I plucked my beautiful loaf of banana bread from the oven. It was quite something to behold, perfectly risen, and baked to a golden brown. But when I tried to turn it out onto the cooling rack, the unthinkable…

It all fell apart! Nooooooooooooo. #fail #tears #woeisme

And my beautiful loaf was reduced to a delicious, warm, crumbled pile of mess and crumbs. Not at all suitable to serve at the HOA meeting, sadly.

Good thing my kids have no objections to being served warm, crumbled gobs of banana bread for breakfast.* [Sigh.]

*Note Henry’s red, puffy, glassy eyes. That was caused by crying for more banana bread.
Posted at 10:30 AM Tagged: failbakingmorningbreakfastkitchenkidsfamilyhomehomemaking

Apr 24

We made cookies. Oh yes we did!

I substituted 50% whole wheat flour just for kicks. Honestly, I don’t think you can even tell. My messy little sous chef agrees. The verdict: Yumster.

And now, our cookie jar runneth over.
Posted at 2:03 PM Tagged: bakingcookieskitchenkidshomelove