I’ve been in quite the baking mood recently. As some of you may have noticed, I tend to use coconut products in my baking (when I can). I love finding healthy alternatives to ingredients or just mixing things up a bit. I found a recipe on Taste Of Home called Coconut Loaf and I just knew, I had to try it. It had the name Coconut Loaf but the only coconut ingredient was the flaked coconut. I turned it up a notch or two and added more coconut loveliness. Now I can really call it Coconut Loaf!
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars until well combined
Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition
In a medium bowl, add all-purpose flour, coconut flour, baking powder and salt Combine with a whisk
Add flour mixture alternately with the coconut milk
Pour combined mixture evenly into three greased mini loaf pans
Bake for 35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean
Notes
This recipe makes 3 mini loaves or one standard loaf pan baking for an hour
3.2.1199
This bread was fragrant, sweet, crumbly and dense. Having something like this every now and again should be mandatory. I decreased the amount of shredded coconut from the original recipe. I figured since I was using coconut sugar, coconut flour as well as coconut milk…holding back seemed like a good idea.
Coconut Loaf Slices
I baked three of these loaves and was able to give 2 away. One young lady that I gave a loaf to, ate almost half of it in one go. These loaves are fairly small so I guess it can be a single serving….
Mini Coconut Loaf
This is certainly a good treat for coconut lovers. Enjoy!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, spent with family and friends. I took the week off to do my last-minute running around, making sorrel, baking cakes, doing some light housework, spent a day out of town… the family was quite busy. I even surprised myself when I realized that I had not physically been on the computer for 3 whole days. This type of scenario does not happen often. But it was all for a good cause, seeing as it was the most wonderful time of the year.
Well, it’s the end of 2012 and as I reflect, I know very well that I have much to be thankful for. I’m satisfied with my accomplishments in blogging and I’m ready for what 2013 has to offer. Bring it on! There’s so much more to be done! I feel like making some changes at The Lovely Pantry. I’m still tossing some ideas around in my head so I’m not 100% sure what I’ll be doing. Growth is a wonderful thing.
I don’t do resolutions anymore. If I really want to accomplish something, I will just do it. It’s just a matter of timing and priority. There are a few recipes that I plan to conquer in the new year. I’m creating a list of things I want to learn, both in and outside of the kitchen. As a life long learner, I don’t feel comfortable if I’m not growing in some way or the other. Looking at my posts throughout 2012, I see lots of growth. I see improvement in my photography and in the types of recipes that I’ve challenged myself with.
Lets take a look at what had people’s attention. Here are the top 12 posts for 2012 at The Lovely Pantry!
I want to say a very special thanks to the #SundaySupper family. It feels good to be a part of such an incredible group of people who share a common cause – to get families together to enjoy a home cooked meal on a Sunday. It could be on any day of the week, as long as it is possible. Sharing ideas for meals for your family is what I enjoy doing, and I spend a lot of time sharing on Twitter and Pinterest. Congratulations Isabel, for your amazing success! I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for #SundaySupper!
I really love my little blog. I’m quite fond of the wonderful people and communities I’ve joined along this journey.
I want to thank each and every one of you who read/comment on my posts.It means so much to me.
To the friends that have made recipe suggestions and offered advice with regards to technique/instructions, I thank you!
For those that have suggested The Lovely Pantry to friends/family who are looking for meal ideas, have an interest in Jamaican cuisine, or who are just wanting to know how to use a certain ingredient… I appreciate you!
Consider joining me on Facebook and Twitter to keep up whats new on TLP, or just stop by to say hello.
I didn’t get to indulge in my usual #MuffinMonday this week. Sadly I’ve had to deal with 2 sick kids plus I’m trying to get over a little cold/cough. It’s the season to share in a little more than just holiday spirit. I believe we are on the mend and this means I’ll be back in the kitchen, whipping up something great for you. I do have a muffin recipe that I wanted to share that I made a few weeks ago but didn’t get to post it. I’m so glad that I got to use up some pureed pumpkin that I had in the freezer.
I get so much junk mail delivered to my door, and I usually just recycle. But there was a flyer for a local business that caught my eye. The photograph on the flyer had me drooling. It had a recipe that looked so delicious, I went ahead and made it. And it was so good! I have no idea where the original recipe came from so I have no reference for it. But here it is!
I don’t get many requests from my husband like this, but he asked if he could take some muffins to work to share with his colleagues. He is well aware of my #MuffinMonday fix, and knows that unless the week is lost due to an extremely hectic schedule, muffins shall be made! He and his co-workers work really hard, and for long hours on rotating shifts. It’s very hard on their bodies and affects their sleep pattern. I was more than happy to send this weeks #MuffinMonday goodies for a break time treat! It’s the least I could do for such hard-working guys 🙂
Today’s #MondayMuffin recipe is adapted from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody. This is my first time making snickerdoodle anything. The ingredients looked great but rolling the batter in cinnamon sugar seemed hilarious to me. Couldn’t wait to give it a try! I didn’t make too many changes as I really wanted to keep it simple. I did however, add a topping that somehow just went so well with these muffins. I also believe that this topping made this muffin “a cupcake in disguise”. This has got to be one of the best muffins I’ve tried. (Do I say that every #MuffinMonday?) Seriously, this muffin is moist, delicate, and needed more frosting! I purposely made a small amount of frosting to adorn these muffins. It’s all about control, especially during the holiday season!
Snickerdoodle Muffins with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Very visually appealing. The tops really do look like cookies! Or do I just have cookies on my mind…
I realized after I put these muffins in the oven that I used pretty pink muffin liners for my husband and his co-workers. Hopefully it will make them smile, before and after the first bite.
Snickerdoodle Muffins
The white chocolate cream cheese frosting was just an experiment and I’m glad it worked out. I’m sure semi-sweet would work just as well. I’m tempted to try it with dark chocolate.
Snickerdoodle Muffins with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
A very moist muffin. Not too sweet. Seriously addictive.
Snickerdoodle Muffins with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Happy Monday!
Muffin Monday is an initiative by Baker Street. A culinary journey of sharing a wickedly delicious muffin recipe every week.
Drop in a quick line to join her on her journey to make the world smile and beat glum Monday mornings week after week.
This weeks #SundaySupper theme is Favourite Celebrity Chef! Wow! How can a food blogger ever choose!!?? We are all so very excited about this weeks #SundaySupper. Our host for this week is Tammi from Mommas Meals. I am eager to see what everyone has made and also to see what celebrity chef has inspired them. I was a bit indecisive in the beginning because I adore so many Chefs on television. It is reasonable to say that I don’t have one specific chef as my favourite, since they each offer their own unique style and culinary flair.
For a long time, The Food Network is where I got most of my inspiration. It all started in 2007 when I was home for a year on maternity leave with my son. I was tired of just making sure the meat was merely cooked. I was especially tired of making cakes from a box. I really wanted to make a change in how I prepared meals for myself and my husband. I wanted to cook and I wanted to bake, and I wanted to do them well. This was something that was, and still is very important to me. For a while it was all about Paula Deen, Rachel Ray, Michael Smith, Giada De Laurentiis, Anna Olson, Laura Calder, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver, and Ina Garten. I’ve made recipes from all of them. I watched their technique, learned about ingredients that were unfamiliar to me, and also I learned about dishes from other cultures. I still draw inspiration from them to this day. My appreciation for food, and for the culinary craft continues to grow. I don’t watch as much Food Network anymore, as my time is very limited. But when I do get the chance, I ask not to be disturbed. In time, I will acquire their cook books and continue to be inspired.
After the birth of my daughter, I decided to stay home with my little girl and her big brother. I discovered and watched Everyday Food which came on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). I don’t believe I missed an episode. In fact, you’ll find that many of my earlier recipes came from The Food Network or Everyday Food. Everyday Food is no longer a part of my cable programming for whatever reason, but their website is still a very good resource for me. Can you imagine being one of the chefs in that test kitchen?
I got to thinking… who offers a selection of recipes that really appeals to me? …Martha Stewart. I buy her books, I bake her cakes, I follow her on Pinterest, I trust her recipes! I also love that she introduces and collaborates with other awesome celebrity chefs like Emeril Lagasse. Aside from the fact that Martha is a MOGUL in her own right, she is also a teacher. She is the epitome of culinary excellence as well as classic home cooking and entertaining.
Today I’m sharing with you a recipe that I adapted, simply because I wanted to try it with other ingredients. This is a great cake for the season, and also it is my most recent recipe from Martha Stewart that I have made. I made the original recipe first ~ Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Squares, and it was amazing! Then I made it my way, and guess what? It was amazing!
Sweet Potato Chocolate Chips Squares
Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Squares for #SundaySupper
A delicious cake made with sweet potatoes and chocolate chips
Author: Lyn via Martha Stewart
Recipe type: Cake
Serves: 12
Ingredients
2 Cups All Purpose Flour, Unbleached
2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Tsp Baking Soda
¾ Tsp Salt
1 Stick Unsalted Butter, Softened
½ Cup Coconut Oil
½ Cup Granulated Sugar
½ Cup Coconut Sugar
1 Large Egg
2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Sweet Potato Puree
¾ Cup Dark Chocolate Chips
Instructions
Preheat Oven to 350F
Line the bottom and sides of a 9X13 inch pan with foil or parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, sift flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda. Add salt. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter, oil and sugar until combined.
Beat in egg and vanilla until combined.
Beat in the sweet potato puree
On a low speed, gradually add the flour mixture until combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips
Spread the batter evenly into the pan. Push the batter into the corners as best as possible.
Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean
Allow to cool completely in the pan
Cut into squares, serve and enjoy.
Notes
This recipe is adapted from http://www.marthastewart.com/336431/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-squares
3.1.09
Well, of course the cake smells amazing. It was firm but moist to the touch. Cut into portions using a very sharp knife. I made 15 squares but you can cut them a lot smaller if you wish.
Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Cake – fresh out the oven!
One thing for sure – the colour and texture of this cake is awesome. Moist and chewy. Certainly something to consider for gatherings over the holiday season. It’s so easy to make and also very easy to transport.
Sweet Potato Chocolate Chips Square
How about this tasty little treat for your friends and family?
Sweet Potato Chocolate Chips Squares
Please enjoy the recipe selections from the #SundaySupper bloggers:
Starters or Snacks :
Martin at ENOFYLZ Wine Blog – Oyster and Brie Soup and Wine Pairings for Celebrity Chef #SundaySupper
Linda at The Urban Mrs. – Inspired by Bobby Flay, Lobster Chowder with Roasted Corn Salsa
Please join on us via Twitter for #SundaySupper on December 2, 2012, throughout the day. In the evening, we will meet at 7 PM EST for our weekly #SundaySupper live chat.
All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag or you can follow us through TweetChat.
These muffins were destined to be baked. I’ve been wanting to make Rum & Raisins muffins for a while now. The time just didn’t seem to be right, until now. I was so determined to make these muffins that I made 2 batches before I actually got to the one you see here.
Determined.
Rum & Raisin Cinnamon Muffins
You see, the first batch I made was…well, lets just say I didn’t want to eat them. I realized afterwards that I had too many ingredients, or not enough moisture. Either way, it just was a disaster. I had a good laugh at myself. I don’t often throw anything away but I’m well aware that it can happen. I was a little bit annoyed though, as I don’t like to waste food/ingredients. I couldn’t save them. When I realized where I went wrong, I had renewed confidence and proceeded with a big grin.
And then as soon as I carefully placed the muffins into the oven – I saw a main ingredient on the counter. I forgot to fold in the raisins!!!!! Argh!!!!! Ok, now I was MAD! How could I have forgotten to add the raisins!!!???? I could have continued and called the muffins something else. But I really REALLY wanted raisins! So…I proceeded for the third time to make my muffins.
Has this ever happened to you? A bad baking day that turned out great?
Today’s #MuffinMonday recipe comes from King Arthur Flour – Simply Sinful Cinnamon Muffins. Of course, my own spin made it a tad bit risqué. I think I may have created a filling. Butter, sugar, cinnamon and Jamaican Appleton Rum. I’m going to call it Rum Butter. How’s that for festive?
The rum butter oozing out of the muffin. The aroma in my kitchen. Just lovely.
Fresh out of the oven
A sweet and crunchy topping, for your Monday morning delight.
Rum & Raisin Cinnamon Muffins
Moist muffins with a hint of rum.
Rum & Raisin Cinnamon Muffins
Happy Monday!
Muffin Monday is an initiative by Baker Street. A culinary journey of sharing a wickedly delicious muffin recipe every week. Drop in a quick line to join her on her journey to make the world smile and beat glum Monday mornings week after week.
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