Stefin and Andrea officially kick off Preheated’s Fourth Season (!) by reminding Listeners about the UK’s Stir-Up Sunday on November 24. This Victorian-era tradition has evolved into a lovely way to kick-off the holiday baking season — especially Christmas puddings and cakes, which need a few weeks to “cure.” Stefin has been making her favorite mincemeat on this day for the past few years, and Andrea enjoys her own tradition of a pre-holiday pantry clean-out.

Listeners: How do you get ready for the holiday baking season?

Another important event happening in the UK this week is Stefin’s birthday! With a month full of cake, there’s little doubt she’ll have any shortage of sweets to help her celebrate.

Nigella’s Guinness Chocolate Cake: Deliciously Dangerous

Don’t need a quick, easy, and, above all, delicious “everyday” chocolate cake in your life? Then cover your ears while Stefin and Andrea discuss this true one-layer wonder from lovely Nigella. Both hosts loved this laid-back version of Stefin’s more-complicated three-layer favorite.

A few recipe notes from the hosts: Be sure to temper your eggs with the hot chocolate-beer mixture or you will end up scrambling them. Stefin doesn’t think a springform pan necessarily needs to be lined with parchment as long as you, like she, trust your pan to release with just a coating of butter or cooking spray.

The hosts came at the cream cheese frosting in different ways. Stefin’s recipe, which she followed directly from Nigella’s Feast cookbook, did not call for the cornstarch/flour Andrea’s web version did. Perhaps that’s why she had success whipping her cream to soft peaks first, then folding in her softened cream cheese and sifted (a.k.a., sieved) icing sugar, while Andrea was able to make the frosting entirely in her Kitchen Aid using the paddle attachment. Both methods worked!

Ultimately, this was a true one-layer wonder, which Andrea decided was dangerous to keep in the house, and Stefin will add to her “everyday” cake file. Yum, yum, yum-o!

This Week’s Bake Along: Carrot Cake Coffee Cake from Pinch of Yum

Next up this month is Pinch of Yum’s Carrot Cake Coffee Cake, which sounds like the perfect hybrid of two of the duo’s faves, and the perfect bake for Stefin’s birthday week. You can bake this streusel-topped, honey-butter- glazed cake in a 9″ round or an 8″ or 9″ square. Will this be the ultimate way to start your day? Let us know!

Fall Cookbook Round Up

Just in time for holiday gifting, Stefin and Andrea discuss the new titles they’re most excited about this fall. Mentioned on the show:
*Whiskey in a Teacup, by Reese Witherspoon
*When Pies Fly: Handmade Pastries from Strudels to Stromboli, Empanadas to Knishes, by Cathy Barrow
*Baking with Kim-Joy: Cute and Creative Bakes to Make You Smile, by Kim-Joy
*Bigger Bolder Baking, by Gemma Stafford
*Midwest Made, by Shauna Sever
*Weeknight Baking: Recipes to Fit Your Schedule, by Michelle Lopez
*Martha Stewart’s Cookie Perfection: 100+ Recipes to Take Your Sweet Treats to the Next Level: A Baking Book, by Martha Stewart

Previously on Preheated …

Three Years Ago: Episode 4: Cold Chocolate Snacking Cake

Two Years Ago: Episode 52: Baking Horoscopes Forecast Delicious Times Ahead

One Year Ago: Episode 100: Bagels and Royal Blue Ribbons

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