Stefin’s celebrating a birthday this week and her family is whipping up a special treat of Ina Garten’s Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting. Proving that “Choosy Moms Choose JIF” Stefin will be taking a trip to the American Food Store for this crucial ingredient.
Recipe Review: Very Good Bagels, Easy-ish Too
This week’s review is the Very Good Bagel, Easy-ish Too from Alexandra Stafford and both our hosts are roundly pleased with the results! Neither host used the barley malt syrup called for in the recipe, so you can safely substitute maple syrup. Stefin cautions against using too much salt on the topping, while Andrea raved about the results straight from the oven, one day later, and even one week later! Both hosts like the size of these bagels and agree the flavor is much more robust than store-bought bagels. Stefin used these in a weekday morning bagel bar for a special treat, while Andrea’s having fun using her bagels as sandwich bread.
Speaking of store bought bagels…Listeners, can you recommend a good place to buy bagels in London? Stefin’s yet to find one.
Bake Along: Sweet Potato Pie
The bake along this week is a Sweet Potato Pie inspired by Patti LaBelle from the food blog What’s Gaby Cooking. Neither of our hosts has ever made a sweet potato pie (although they’ve certainly clocked in some time eating them!) so they’re both pretty excited about this recipe. If it turns out well, perhaps it can compete with the ever popular pumpkin and grace a Thanksgiving table this year!
Listener Favorites from First 100 Episodes
Up next, listeners weigh in on their favorite recipes from the first 100 episodes: Sugar Cookie Bars from Episode 44, Lemon Drizzle Cake from Episode 45, My Mother’s Peasant Bread from Episode 67, Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream from Episode 30, Jalapeno Cheddar Scones from Episode 23, and the Butterscotch Curry Pie from Episode 62 all got a mention. But topping all of these delicious goodies is the regularly mentioned and often baked Totally Biscoff Pie from Episode 14, which is most definitely our listeners’ favorite. This delightful pie introduced both the hosts (and many Preheaters) to baking with Biscoff, and they’ve never turned back.
Season Two Blue Ribbons
Finally, Stefin and Andrea weigh in on their Season Two Blue Ribbons. Stefin started with a wide-ranging list of 16 of her favorites, then narrowed it down to the six that she has made more than once. She focused further to three season-less recipes that she makes all year round: the Moist Chocolate Cake from Episode 61.5, the No Knead Peasant Bread, and Prince Harry’s Caramel Banana Cake from Episode 77. But in the end, she decided to go with the recipe that most speaks to her in her life as an adopted Londoner … Prince Harry’s Banana Cake! It’s easy, flavorful, moist, baked in a tray, and crowned with a browned butter caramel frosting. It’s great for a crowd, or a potluck, or a special family treat at home.
Andrea also loved the Homemade Toffee from Episode 56, and the London Fog Shortbread from Episode 61. Her top two contenders were The Sussex Pond Pudding from Episode 73.5, and the Lemon Crunch Bars from Episode 85.5. But rising above all that lemon was her Season Two Blue Ribbon pick: the Queen’s Favorite Cake, the Chocolate Biscuit Cake from Episode 75! This no-bake, easy to assemble, crunchy, flavorful cake (a.k.a., Homemade Kit Kat) has captured Andrea’s attention and been easy to make and serve on multiple occasions. Hats off to the Royal Chef, Darren McGrady, who was chef to Queen Elizabeth and Princes William and Harry for 15 years, and captured both of the top spots for Season Two, turning a regular Blue Ribbon into a Royal Blue Ribbon.
Stefin’s Season 2 Blue Ribbon: Prince Harry’s Caramel Banana Cake
Andrea’s Season 2 Blue Ribbon: Chocolate Biscuit Cake
Listeners’ Top 100 Recipe Pick: Totally Biscoff Pie
Finally, Stefin and Andrea think back fondly to the first listener who posted a bake along: Vickie from Indiana! She made the Cranberry Upside Down Cake from Episode 3, and has the special distinction of being the first listener who wasn’t already a friend or a family member. Vickie has loved many recipes from the first two seasons. Of special note: She took the Lemon Elderflower Wedding Cake from Episode 76, made a few variations, and won her very own blue ribbon at the state fair this year. Congratulations, Vickie, and thanks for being with us every week.
Previously on Preheated…
One Year Ago: Episode 52: Baking Horoscopes Forecast Delicious Times Ahead
Two Years Ago: Episode 4: Cold Chocolate Snacking Cake
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