Stefin and Andrea are reunited in London, where they’ve kept busy with Pancake Day festivities, and a puff pastry class at Borough Market’s Bread Ahead baking school.

Review: Milk Chocolate Pots with Citrus Shortbread from BBC Good Food

Kitchen science is puling a fast one on the baking duo this week. Though both bakers (and their families) enjoyed the sweet chocolate pots, Andrea had problems with a runny chocolate that wouldn’t set up. Stefin on the other hand, thought the chocolate texture was too thick and rich, and likened it to eating ganache. Likewise, Andrea struggled with a sandy shortbread dough that only came together after she whizzed it (very Brit) in the food processor, while Stefin achieved success with a “petticoat tail” variation (and perhaps thicker cookie).

Listeners: If you baked along, did you experience the recipe like Stefin? Or Andrea? Any trouble-shooting or tips on what might have occurred, texture-wise?

This Week’s Bake Along: Chocolate and Salted Pistachio Babka Buns from The Boy Who Bakes

The friends are looking forward to baking together for the first time since July when they tackle this week’s bake along, Chocolate and Salted Pistachio Babka Buns from the Boy Who Bakes in Stefin’s kitchen. Will it be the last ever episode of Preheated, or will their combined strengths turn out a blue-ribbon bake? Thanks to Listener XX who suggested the duo incorporate some live audio into the show (one of the Preheated 19 for ’19 baking resolutions). Tune in to Episode 117 for the results!

How Sweet it Is: A Short Guide to Natural and Alternative Sweeteners

Finally, the duo take a deep dive into natural and alternative sweeteners – from molasses to date puree to coconut sugar – there’s a whole host of ways to add flavor and sweetness to your baked goods beyond white sugar. An excellent resource is Joanne Chang’s book Baking with Less Sugar. Interested? Here’s a quick list of some past Preheated recipes that use, or could use, alternative sweeteners:
Episode 31: Agave-Sweetened Chocolate Ice Cream (agave syrup);
Episode 57: Gingerbread Cookie Bars (muscavado sugar);
Episode 84: Semifreddo with Honeyed Peaches (honey);
Episode 100: Alexandra Stafford’s Very Good Bagels … Easy-ish Too (barley malt or maple syrup);
Episode 101: Apple Spice Caramels (coconut sugar);
Episode 105.5: Figgy Pudding (natural molasses dark brown sugar).

Previously on Preheated …

Two Years Ago: Episode 19: Irish Eyes Are Smilin’
One Year Ago: Episode 68: Hot-Buttered Yum!

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If  you’re intrigued by our podcast, make it easy on yourself and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. That way you can listen to more than one episode, and have them download automatically on your phone or tablet. You can also bake along with us in our Facebook group, Preheated.