Once again, Daring Bakers!

It is that time of the month again! Today, the August Daring Baker Challenge is due, (along with my August car payment!) I know this is only the 4th challenge I have done, but this one, by far, has been my favorite. The pictures aren't as beautiful as other DB's, but they tasted A-mazing. I actually made the recipe twice, because they were that yummy. I have already had my pics looked at by a professional, and had been given some photog advice. I am still learning, and love any feed back. Ex: These pics were taken in Straight Sunlight, and Open Shade is the best place to take pics. I did not know that, and next time, I will keep that in mind. So, lets get to the story, and the pictures. This is something that most anybody could try. It was not at all complicated like the last... 3 challenges. And, like I said, the taste alone was worth it.

The challenge was given by MeetaK at whatsforlunchhoney.blogspot. And the recipe was from her "sugar daddy" Pierre Hermé. (I am not sure if he is really her Sugar Daddy, or it was a figure of speech?) MeetaK was very generous, and let the DB's play around with the recipe. The recipe was for Chocolate filled eclairs. The first time I made them, I did use chocolate filling, and chocolate topping. Here are 2 shots, that are just "Keepin It Real!"

Take note, this is Nora, eating her breakfast, and I actually made the eclairs at night! Don't judge me! I was exhausted by the time I was done, I made an executive decision, and that was to leave the mess till the morning! Because the first time I made them, it was dark, and there was NO natural light, I decided to make them a second time, with vanilla filling. I am not sure why, but the topping did not set the second time. I tried it twice that day, and could not get it to stiffen. But by all means, they tasted as good as they did the first time.





I realize that I have been really lousy at blogging lately. I am really embarrassed to hear that there are a few people spreading rumors about my "Fabulous" blog, and honestly, I suck at it! If you are looking for a "FABULOUS" blog, go here. Last week, she gave away 3 KITCHEN AID MIXERS! She has great pictures, and great recipes.

We are leaving for Disney in SIX days!!! I have so much to blog about before I go, so later today, and this week, when I take a tutu break, stay tuned!!!

Daring Baker (July)

I made it! Ugh... moan, groan, whine, this challenge had me rethinking my decision to join the Daring Bakers. It is definitely more of a challenge that I thought it would be. But, my mom continues to push me through, and I guess I am glad she does. It is fun to learn new skills, and test my limits. As a mommy, I don't get enough of that (said with MUCH sarcasm!). On a side note, tomorrow is my honey and I's 4th anniversary... and he made the Daring Husband plunge, and also made a huge investment for our family! I will post more on that tomorrow, but these are the last DB pictures taken with a "Point and Shoot". WOO HOO!!!

This month the recipe was called: Filbert Gateau with Praline Butter cream
From Great Cakes by Carol Walter. I had little french in High School to know that Gateau is cake! As I read the recipe, there were more french words. I printed out the recipe, and got to work... wait... the recipe is 8 PAGES!!!! I really needed to read this, and get an idea of what would be happening during this cake making ordeal. I read in the recipe, and a few times through out, "Do this quickly", "Do not let sit". YIKES! This is going to be tough. It was tough. I completed it with my mom on Sunday morning before church. Nothing like a little heated stress before sabbath worship.

The cake was a lemony cake, with a praline butter cream, and a bittersweet chocolate icing. I don't like bitter chocolate, so once again, I could not fully appreciate the flavor. I always have family be my testers, because a) they know the sweat and tears that go into the dish, and b) they will give me an honest opinion. Joel is BRUTALLY honest, so sometimes I hold back, and don't give him anything, because I don't want to know how bad it is! Alie said, "This is something that you would find in a super fancy bakery, and spend a lot of money on." Joel ate three pieces or so, so I know he liked it. I think it tasted better then it looked!

A stressful and time consuming job! I learned how to make a great butter cream, and will use that skill if anything!

First Daring Baker Challenge (June)

Super fun for me!!!! I have been following a few blogs of cooks, chefs, and bakers, and I notice one common denominator...




There is a forum that is known throughout the world world amongst bakers, who bake the same recipe every month. They then post their results on their blog. This month was my first time, and well, I have been a little behind. Better late then never. After today, I will be working on July's Challenge!!!

For my first challenge, I was really challenged. When I first learned of the Daring Bakers, the recipes I saw seemed pretty self explanatory. Then I got the instructions for my first challenge, and I was more then perplexed! Of course! Maybe that is why it too so long for me to complete it. I was beginning to think, maybe I am not "all that" of a baker. Maybe I am in way over my head. My mom is a great cook. She has a catering business, and she always makes the food look fabulous! So together I knew we could, "Make it work". Thanks Tim Gunn!!!

This month they called for all Daring Bakers to make a Danish Braid. The filling was baked apples, or your choice. I chose Raspberry Cream Cheese. The technique is a lot of folding, rolling, folding, and rolling some more. That is how danishes get that flaky layerey effect.

I took pictures through out the whole process. I noticed some D.B. ers do just the final product, and some from start to finish. This month I will try it the hard way, and next month we'll see if I want to go the easy route. I also just started using Photoshop, why? Don't ask me! I regret using it so soon, I have NO IDEA what I am doing. I thought, "Play around with it... can't be that hard..." It is completely GREEK! Maybe after a few forums and tutorials, it will be better next month. I may have screwed up the pics even more. YIKES! Too many new things in my life! Must stop!!!

I really, 100%, want to hear the criticism of these pics. I NEED to hear it! PLEASE, don't make me beg. I am a sponge. Will listen to anything! Please post the comments, so I can reference back. Thanks and here it is....

So once you have to dough made, it has to be measured out. Since I can't eyeball things AT ALL, I used painters tape, and a tape measure. Roll out the dough,

After you have the dough measured out, you spread a layer of a butter spread over 2/3 of the dough.

Then you fold the dough over the butter, and make a poke! That means 1 fold! Then you chill it, roll it, fold it, poke it, and repeat 4 TIMES!!!

Once the dough has been rolled and folded a billion times, then you are ready to braid the bread. Each side has to have 5inch long cuts, 1 inch apart. Hence the tape measure!
Once the cuts have been made, you are ready to add the filling. This is where you get creative. Or in my case... add what you have already in the pantry. Raspberry jam, and cream cheese. I am so glad for food storage!

Then just start braiding! It was so fun, remember when you were like 7 and loved to braid your dolls hair... Memories!!! I love it!

Once the braid it complete, it must rest for 2 hours. Then it is ready to go in the oven. It bakes for 30 minutes, and honestly, you can't screw this up! It comes out beautiful. If you know me, and you know my mom, you know, she is the DOILY QUEEN! Feast your eyes on this...



This was the perfect Sunday morning treat. The reviews on the taste were... mixed. Joel doesn't like cream cheese, so he said, "Errr". My parents on the other hand thought it was great. I thought there was a weird taste, which I know now is the cardamom. I am not a fan of the spice, but I didn't know that before baking this. Other then that, I thought it tasted alright. I will definitely be baking more Danish Braid in the future. I am thinking chocolate though!

That is my debut of The Daring Bakers!!!!