InspiringKitchen.com Baking Archives

Jan 04

How to make Easy Homemade Bagels

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Baking, Bread, Recipes | 10 Comments

No need to run to the bagel shop on Saturday mornings anymore with this easy homemade bagel recipe. Comfort food means something different to each person. For me, it’s fresh bagels. More specifically: everything bagels and cream cheese.

I’ve been making a lot of bread in the year of quarantine. I find it to be a stress reliever to knead out the dough. Plus, getting creative with flavors is always something I enjoy. So, it made perfect sense to me to try my hand at making bagels. With only six ingredients, they are simple to make. It just takes some steps.… Read more

Sep 25

Grandma’s Orange Sponge Cake with Coconut Whipped Cream

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Baking, Desserts, Recipes | 22 Comments

Food and family go together in my world. Memories of happy times come from special meals or dishes cooked by my Mom, Grandmothers, Aunts and Cousins. While many recipes remind me of those days, it is this Orange Sponge Cake with Coconut Whipped Cream that simply “takes the cake”.

Grandma’s most requested dessert to honor a birthday or occasion. We were wowed by the presentation. Served on a pedestal platter from her china collection. A candle-lit white cloud of sweetness with pieces of coconut trailing her along the floor from the kitchen to the dining room table. The slight citrus smell arrives once the cake is sliced.… Read more

May 02

Easy Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Baking, Housewares, Recipes | 7 Comments

The longer we stay quarantined, the more creative I am getting with ingredients. Or at least that is what it seems like! Usually, I am at the grocery a couple times a week without really considering what I already have at home to work with. So when a sweet craving kicked in and no grocery run happening, I began looking at what I have available and found a quick recipe to share for Easy Crescent Roll Cinnamon Rolls.

Making traditional cinnamon rolls is all about the layers of butter and dough. And time. But when you feel like a sweet treat without all the effort of making the pastry from scratch, using prepared ingredients is a total time saver.… Read more

Dec 10

Holiday Traditions: Chewy Molasses Cookies

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Baking, Hostess Gift, Recipes | 9 Comments

Do you have a favorite cookie? I do. I remember them from childhood at my Grandmother’s house. Molasses cookies. The chewy ones. Well, since Gram baked from the heart and left me no recipe, I had to create one. This was a seriously fun project to be on! Holiday Traditions: Chewy Molasses Cookies

After much trial and sort-of error, I have a molasses cookie recipe that I love. It’s so easy and is made with ingredients you have in your spice cabinet, especially this time of year. I use the Brer Rabbit brand of molasses. It has a mild flavor which I like in this recipe.… Read more

Dec 29

How to Make Light as Air Popovers

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Bakeware, Baking, Housewares, Recipe, Recipes | 42 Comments

Cold and dreary day means time for some comfort foods. Today I made a dish that both my Mom and Grandmother made as we were growing up. Popovers.

If you have never had them before, they are light and airy with an eggy interior and a delicate outside.

So simple in terms of ingredients but so many uses for it:

Brunch
Breakfast
With a salad or soup
Side to main courses
Filled with light ingredients – tuna, chopped fruit, diced vegetables

The recipe is filled with items you already have in your kitchen. The biggest trick is having the right pan.… Read more

May 29

New Paleo Cookie and Brownie Mixes

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Baking, Cookies, Foods, Gluten Free, Healthy, Vegan | No Comments

As people become more and more aware of the food in their diets, where it comes from and how it is made, many are searching for healthy alternatives. The paleo method of eating became popular a few years ago showing us how to eat simply and cleanly. Fulfilling cravings for sweet treats is always a goal no matter what your lifestyle. With that in mind, I wanted to share with you a line of cookies and brownies called Paleoful, that may be just what you need (or want!).

The story behind the brand’s creation comes from its creator, Lauren, in Salt Lake City, Utah, who struggled with food allergies feeling better when she followed the paleo diet.… Read more

May 22

Best Southern Biscuits

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Baking, Bread, Cookbooks, Foods, Recipe, Recipes | No Comments

There is something very warm and inviting when your hostess places a plate of steaming hot, freshly made biscuits in front of you. In the South, this is a tradition that is passed down through families. Not so much here in Chicago. But it should be!

It wasn’t until I received Jackie Garvin’s Biscuits cookbook that I really thought about making biscuits from scratch. As I paged through this cookbook, I discovered so many recipes that I wanted to try. Something great to realize is that most ingredients you need to make homemade biscuits are already in your kitchen. There is a recipe for monkey bread that is always a favorite at celebrations and a double crusted summer vegetable pie that looks ideal following a visit to the farmer’s market.… Read more

Mar 17

Inspiring Kitchen Ace of Cakes colorful cake

How to Make a Tie-Dye Cake

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Baking, Celebrations, Dessert | 10 Comments

In the housewares world, March is the time of year when those of us who live and breathe this business get to attend the International Home and Housewares Show held in Chicago. I will be doing a post coming up to showcase my finds from this year’s show, but I did discover one creative item that I had to highlight for those who love to bake.

Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes, from Charm City Cakes was showing his baking tools and equipment at the show. I was fortunate to be able to bring home one of his colorful mixes – perfect timing as I was having a very special guest for the week to bake with.… Read more

Dec 26

Homemade Chocolate Covered Toffee

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Baking, Candy making, Desserts, Hostess Gift, Recipes | No Comments

If you have always wanted to experiment with candy making but were hesitant to try it , then this decadent, melt-in-your-mouth toffee is just the recipe for you. It is so easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.

These are ideal for giving as hostess gifts whether you wrap them in decorative cello bags or find a pretty plate to put them on. In fact, many times I will find plates that have a decoration on them that is either seasonal or fits the personality of the hostess to leave with them. If I am attending a number of different parties, then finding dessert or appetizer plate sets (they typically come in sets of 4) works great.… Read more

Sep 22

French Macaron Cookie Baking 101

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Bakeware, Baking, Cookie, Dessert, Housewares | 5 Comments

Have you ever tried those colorful, delicate and delicious French Macarons that you see in the windows of bakeries? There are rows of yellow, red and green cookies that look like little, perfectly formed sandwiches. These are not the coconut macarons that probably first crossed your mind when I said “macaron” however. French Macarons are meringue and almond flour melt-in-your-mouth goodness filled with chocolate, pistachio or vanilla ganache. You can also fill with jams, jellies, and lemon or lime curd. It’s all up to you.

While I love to bake, I am definitely not a pro at it. As I have mentioned before in previous posts, I am a creative cook in that I improvise.… Read more