Who Wants a Starter?

Amish Friendship Bread is one of my favorites, and I'm really glad I got a starter a few weeks ago. It's not everyone's cup of tea though, so I'm not about to lose friends by forcing starters on them. The steps involved in making the bread are minimal, and after a painless process you have some to-die-for sweet bread wafting through your kitchen.

I created a bit of a monster though when - upon my husband's request - I kept two starters after baking the previous batch. Instead of 3 to give away, I now have 7 bags for some lucky ladies (or gentlemen) living in the Chicagoland area. If anyone in Chicago is looking for some decadent Amish Friendship bread, I've got it and would love to give a bag to you...just let me know! As an added incentive, the starter is already on Day 4!

An important note on Amish Friendship Bread for those hesitant of the experience. If you’re sick of mashing the bag, making bread, and possibly losing friends by passing them starters every 10 days, do yourself a favor and dispose of it all! Contrary to popular belief, the Amish (and you) can find the starter recipe online (allrecipes.com) if you decide to start it up again.

Any takers?

I'm So Crafty, I Make People

This phrase that I saw from a friend struck me the other day because it was apropos. I've never been one for making announcements, but I'm guessing I can't just suddenly pop out a baby this March and move on in the blog arena like nothing monumental happened. TK and I are expecting a boy March 2 and are looking forward to this new stage of life with great excitement! I've always wanted to be a mama, and by our estimation there's no time like the present.
Due to the baby's male nature, I'm afraid my new found love of pink, girly fabrics will quickly meet its demise...or at least be diminished. C'est la vie... there are still plenty of things I can make and create for junior. His dad, a carpenter/contractor and all-around wonderful man, is thrilled to have a boy coming to whom he can impart his creative passions as well.

Wish us luck over the next 4 remaining months!

Reconnect with Your Bundt Pan

I'll admit it. I think I've hated Halloween for quite some time. It's just not my thing. To be honest, any other holiday excites me more. In rebellion against it, my friend Celina and I opted out and stayed in to bake pumpkin goodies. Call me a prude, but it was such a better alternative in my mind.

Inspired by The Food Librarian's "I Like Big Bundts" month of recipes, we made a Pumpkin Spiced Bundt Cake with Buttermilk Icing (recipe here). Bundt cakes are delicious and just plain pretty on so many levels. I think baking batter in a bundt pan makes any fall day brighter. How many times do you think I can say "bundt" in one paragraph?

We brought our cake into the office and it's since been referred to as "perfection." Not our words, theirs! Thanks to the buttermilk and the pumpkin purée (have you stocked up despite the shortage?), this cake is moist and delish. For the icing, we used a little more buttermilk than the recipe called for so that it wasn't too stiff. Try it. You'll like it.

If you're not the homemade-pumpkin-baking-type but have a Trader Joe's nearby, their Bread & Pumpkin Muffin Mix is also to die for and is only a whopping $2.99.

Now go. Reconnect with your bundt pan!

Bring on the Bliss

You know what yesterday was in my book...time to break out the Christmas music! I've got some Mariah Carey playing and am sipping on a peppermint mocha. Now that wretched Halloween is done it's time to bring on the holidays!