Whole Wheat Molasses Bread

I'm still not over my love for molasses apparently.

This was a great bread and I could definitely taste (and smell) the ginger-bread quality it had. I got through about half of the loaf before it started getting dry, so definitely either wrap it up VERY well in the refrigerator or eat it super speedy!

Whole Wheat Molasses Bread
Joy the Baker

1 2/3 cup greek yogurt (Joy says you can use buttermilk as well)
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup molasses

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8 by 4 or 9 by 5 inch loaf pan. Non-stick baking spray works too.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, salt and baking soda.

In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt (or buttermilk) and molasses.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold to combine. The batter will be slightly thick, but not dry. Spoon batter into prepared pan and place in the oven. Bake loaf for 45 minutes to an hour. You may want to rotate the loaf in the middle of baking.

Remove the loaf from oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes in the loaf pan. Run a butter knife along the sides of the pan and carefully invert onto a wire rack.

Loaf will keep, well wrapped at room temperature for up to 4 days.

You can serve it with cream cheese, jam, butter, nutella, honey, pumpkin butter, almond butter...the options are endless!

Tortillas

I'd never had homemade tortillas before. When my Stepmom mentioned over Christmas that she wanted to make enchiladas but didn't want to have to make the tortillas, I jumped at the opportunity to enjoy her kitchen!

And boy, oh boy, was it ever worth it! And these weren't even difficult to make. You just need some time over the stovetop after you mix the dough. The difference is astounding. Homemade tortillas are so much fluffier and fresher than store-bought!



Homemade Tortillas
Eating, Etc. 

Makes 8 tortillas

1-1/2c all-purpose flour

1/2c whole wheat pastry flour

1-1/2 tsp baking powder

1tsp salt

2tsp of canola oil

3/4c warm milk

1) Mix together the flours, baking powder, salt and oil.

2) Slowly add the warm milk.

3) Stir until a loose, sticky ball is formed.

4) Knead for 2 minutes on a floured surface. Dough should be firm and soft.

5) Place dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 20 minutes.

6) Divide dough into 8 sections & roll them into balls. Place on a plate, not touching each other, and cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes. (It’s very important to let the dough rest or it will be like elastic and won’t roll out to a proper thickness and shape.)

7) After dough has rested, place a dough ball on a floured surface, pat it out into a four-inch circle, and then roll it out, like you would a pie crust, until it’s thin and about 8” in diameter. Don’t over work the dough. Keep covered until ready to cook.

8) In a dry cast-iron skillet heated on high, cook the tortillas about thirty seconds on each side. They should start to puff a bit when they’re done.

9) Keep cooked tortillas covered, in a paper towel until ready to eat.

Store leftovers in the fridge tightly wrapped in foil or plastic for a day or so.

Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

During a particularly icy and no-bueno weather day here in New York, I leave you with some hearty cookies to tame the cold-weather blues.

I found these almost a granola-type cookie, but loved them all the same! They were soft but I loved the hearty texture of the oats, the banana and peanut butter together. Next time I make these I think I would try whole wheat flour as it would definitely add to the hippie cookie.

Peanut butter drizzle equals yum. Trust me.



Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
Two Peas and Their Pod

1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large ripe banana, mashed (about 1 cup)
2 cups old fashioned oats

3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon honey

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine butter and sugars, mix until smooth. Add peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and egg. Combine until smooth. Next, add the banana and mix until combined.

3. Slowly add in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in the oats.

4. Drop cookie dough by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets that have been lined with parchment paper or Silcone baking mats.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Remove cookies from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

5. To make the glaze-combine peanut butter, powdered sugar, milk, and honey in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. If it is too thick or thin, adjust by adding more milk or powdered sugar. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies.