lots of baking happening

This was a busy weekend. We helped our dear friend Barbara move, Theodore went to two conferences and we, well, we did a lot of baking at home (among many other things, like raking the yard and spring cleaning our living room).

(Sorry for the yellow picture, it was already too dark to go outside for better light)

On Saturday I had to try this French bread recipe. Her blog is wonderful and she is a very good cook. I never doubt her recipes! As it was, the bread tasted delicious, and if I had started before we were already hungry and impatient, I think it would have been even better. Next time I will try to keep that in mind!!!!

Today we made our favorite mini blue berry muffins. The children love that they are so tiny and cute. Since our vegan friends joined us I supplemented oil for the butter, molasses for honey, rice milk for cow milk, and applesauce for the egg. They still turned out very yummy and moist.

Here is the altered and regular recipe:

1 3/4 c flour (I mixed ww with white)

1/3 c molasses or sugar or honey

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 c fresh or thawed blueberries

3/4 c rice milk or milk

2 Tbs apple sauce or 1 egg

1/3 c canola oil or butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 400F. Combine the flour, sugar (I added the molasses with the liquid ingredients), baking powder, and salt. Mix with mixer on medium speed. Add the blue berries, oil (butter), either milk, egg or apple sauce and molasses (if that is what you are using). Mix well. Fill cups half way and bake until tops are slightly browned and spring back when touched.

If you use a mini pan, baking takes only about 10 minutes or less.

We are ending our Sunday with home made pizza. I used the kitchen aid recipe and just used whole wheat flour for half the flour amount.

Crusty Pizza Dough

Yield 4 Servings

1 pkg active dry yeast

1 c warm water (I needed a little more water due to the whole wheat flour)

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp olive oil

2 1/2- 3 1/2 c flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed mixer bowl. Add salt, olive oil, and 2 1/2 c flour. Mix for about a minute. Add remaining flour and mix until dough clings to hook. Let the dough rise for about 1 hour.

Press dough into 14- inch brushed pan. Add toppings as desired. Bake at 450F for 15- 20 minutes.

The pizza is in the oven as I type. I love how the smell fills our home and it makes me hungry! Of course for each recipe I used my new kitchen aid and therefore everything was even more fun!

Bon Appetit!