Breads: Broiche

This time I wanted to make something different, so I decided to make broiche. I hadn't made a French bread before. I was really enjoying baking breads.  So this time I went to Better Homes and Gardens Complete Step-By-Step Cook Book again to see if they had a recipe. Here is what I found.

So I began making the broiche. This recipe was different then the other breads I had made. It sat in the refrigerator overnight, then it was suppose to rise again, and so it was baked the next day. The other breads I made all were made and rose the same day.
Here is what the bread looked like as it came out of the oven.

They were very tasty, if fact I shared some with my parents when I went for a visit. They were absolutely delighted. The bread is a buttery goodness, just as you would expect from French cooking.

Related Recipes
The Italian Loaf
English Muffin Toasting Bread
Homemade Cinnamon Bread

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Breads: The Italian Loaf

This time I decided I wanted to make an old world time of bread. Like the loaves people carry when they walk home from the European bakeries.  I found this recipe for Italian loaves in  Better Homes and Gardens Complete Step-By-Step Cook Book and I decided that was the recipe I was going to try.It was published in 1978. Slightly outdated since it is 2014, but baking hasn't changed that much. This was the result.

They were beautiful, so I definitely felt I was doing something right.
Here is the recipe directly from the book.

There is one change I made. I had a container of active dry yeast not packages. So 2 packages of active dry yeast is equal to 4 and 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast. I discovered this thanks to a little research on the web.
With all the problems I had with yeast and temperature, I have discovered that you can usually tell if the yeast is work if the dough sticks to something but comes off cleanly (this is after all the flour has been added, even if it is slightly sticky, it will come off cleanly).
As you can see from the recipe there are a couple of ways you can fashion this recipe. I just followed the top of half of the recipe. It is nice and simple.

There is my beautiful loaf of bread. Cut open and ready to be munched on.

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Holiday Baking: Peppermint Snickerdoodles

Peppermint Snickerdoodles was an exciting new recipe for me to try. I have had snickerdoodles, and although wonderful cookies, I find the peppermint snickerdoodles quiet extraordinary. The candy cane gives the snickerdoodles spunk or wham.  You can't miss the taste of the peppermint candy cane.

English: A candy cane. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Perfect for a holiday gathering, perhaps one this weekend.
I followed Baking Bites recipe for Peppermint Snickerdoodles. It was very easy.

Food, family and friends are what makes the holidays special. Food is what brings them together. The next best thing to do is to share.
All ready for Christmas!

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Starbucks Hot Cocoa for Christmas

Recently I purchased Starbucks Hot Cocoa from the supermarket. I couldn't wait to try it.

Look at what it says on the side of the box about their vanilla brulee hot cocoa.

I make the Hot Cocoa  and the great thing, it is perfect with milk, Almond milk actually.

Here is the packet with the directions right on it, although I have to tell you, I made it backwards. I heated up the milk in the microwave and then added the Hot cocoa and stirred. It was still terrific.

I even added whipped cream and it was low fat.

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