Has everyone been bitten by the baking bug? I definitely have, and I have seen more people baking on social media than ever before. I think it’s simply because baking is soooo relaxing. For me, once I start baking, I can’t stop and look for one thing after another to make. This is somewhat problematic because there are only two of us here. While Preston does eat more than the average sized human, it can easily be overwhelming when we have two or three desserts in our kitchen. Today’s post is all about what I have been baking, tips for baking right now and where I am getting inspiration from!
What I have been baking lately
Joanna Gaines’ After-school Banana Bread (I added a lot of cinnamon! I didn’t measure but probably two tsp!)
Joanna Gaines’ chocolate chip cookies + skillet cookie
Kristin Johns’ chocolate chip cookies
Blueberry scones- my recipe is from this private Facebook group I am in, so I am not sure how to share, but any blueberry scone recipe would be delicious!
Jenny Marrs Peanut Butter Cookies – I am actually making these tonight!
Inspiration
I have been on a huge Joanna Gaines kick during this social distancing time. I think it’s because her life and tone is so ideal and serene? I honestly have no idea. She has been uploading short baking videos to her YouTube channel, and she even had an hour long special on Food Network this past Sunday. Her recipes are just so good, simple and have ingredients I already have in my pantry. It’s so nice to be able to whip up a treat we are craving at the last minute without any planning.
Kristin’s Kitchen is one of my favorite series to watch on Youtube, and I even notice Preston getting distracted by her videos when I am watching in the background. All of her recipes look SO good, and as soon as I get some active yeast, I am going to make some of her other treats!
I have also gotten really hooked on Bon Appétit and their YouTube channel- I am also noticing a common theme, YouTube has been so easy and fun to watch for me lately! I haven’t made too many of their desserts before, but I am really interested in the Chocolate Cake. Preston also really likes watching these with me.
Lastly, I love following @elisabethandbutter on Instagram!
My tips + what I have my baking section stocked with
Diversify your desserts
One thing that has helped us waste very little, is diversifying the types of desserts I make. I always try to make something like banana bread or coffee cake at the same time as pie. This way we have something for breakfast and something for after dinner dessert. If we just had two traditional desserts, I don’t think we would get through all of it!
Freeze
I used to be so hesitant to freeze anything, but I would be on the phone talking with my mom about how something was about to go bad, but I didn’t have enough to make a full dessert. She encouraged me to utilize freezing, and I am now realizing how helpful it can be! For example, on chocolate chip cookies-I always make the full recipe, bake about six cookies, then freeze the rest for another skillet, more cookies, etc. Having homemade cookie batter in the fridge is such a treat. Preston secretly loves it when it’s 8:30 at night, and I suddenly exclaim “I am gonna make a cookie for us!” and we end up with delicious homemade cookies with little work. I also froze sliced and peeled apples that were about to go bad to use the next time I want to make an apple pie or cobbler.
Optimism
If you look at an ingredient list and think you can’t make something because you’re missing one of the ingredients, try to be creative and optimistic! If there is something I have that is pretty close, I always google “baking substitution for _____” or “can I leave out _____ in this dessert.”
Here is what I have in my pantry right now- so far I haven’t encountered very many recipes I couldn’t make because of lack of ingredients.
