Preheated Baking Podcast

Ep 85: Pretzel Problems & Summertime Reads

It's potluck season! If you need inspiration for your next big batch bake, check out the podcast's Facebook page. From cream pies to Diplomat Cake, Preheaters have great suggestions for crowd-pleasing treats. Andrea and Stefin are intrigued and inspired, and have set aside several ideas for upcoming shows -- thanks everyone, and stay tuned! 

One dish that probably won't be gracing either of their potluck (or "garden party") tables soon is the Almond Butter Blossoms. Both hosts had a very frustrating experience with these no-bake cookies. From texture to taste, they just weren't winners. If you're in the market for a no-bake bar cookie that both hosts did love, check out the Chocolate Oatmeal Chocoalte Peanut Butter bars the duo reviewed last summer in Episode 43. (And if you had a successful experience with the Almond Butter Blossoms, please let us know!)

Here's hoping this week's recipe, the Lemon Crunch Bars from The View from Great Island, will restore the duo's faith in a no-bake cookie. With a substantial amount of lemon juice and cream, and a gingersnap cookie crust, it's already sounding promising. (Both hosts loved TVFGI's Cold Chocolate Snacking Cake way back in Episode 4!) "Assemble" along with us for our last no-bake treat of the month, and share your pictures to Facebook and/or Instagram.

Finally, the Preheated Book Club is back in session with several promising recs from Preheated listeners. Andrea's still looking for her first five-star book of 2018, but is enjoying That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam. Stefin recommends the Cazalet Chronicles series by Elizabeth Jane Howard for readers who enjoy historical fiction. Stefin and Andrea also love reading cookbooks and have found Irish author Marian Keyes' Saved by Cake to have some fun and engaging recipes. (Find a complete list of what we're reading and what our listeners recommend on our website, preheatedpocast.com.) 

Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!

Ep 84: Semifreddo with Honeyed Peaches and Cooking for Kids

Stefin's battling a mighty heat wave in London with some refreshing iced tea, reminding Andrea of her favorite beverage, the Arnold Palmer (try saying that five times fast!). The hosts are also wondering about the royal tradition of serving wedding cake at a baby's christening.

On to this week's review, the Semifreddo with Honeyed Peaches from Women's Day. Both Stefin & Andrea liked how quickly this dessert came together, but Stefin found her semifreddo a bit tart, while Andrea found hers too bland. Both the hosts absolutely loved the Honeyed Peaches and will consider making the peaches with fresh mint and lime again as a topping for pound cake or ice cream, or perhaps to serve with a bit of whipped cream. Andrea recommends trying Bee Local's Hot Honey when making the Honeyed Peaches if you'd like to add a bit of zing.

Next week's bake along is No Bake Almond Butter Thumbprints from Real Simple, which Stefin will be making for her annual garden party, if she can track down pretzels in London.

Looking for some fun summer cooking projects to do with your kids? Stefin and Andrea recoomenda a slew of kids cookbooks, including upcoming books: Donna Hay's Basics to Brilliance and Mardi Michels In the French Kitchen with Kids.

You can read the show notes here.

Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!

 

Ep 83: Icebox Cake Ups Your No Bake Dessert Game!

Andrea kicks off the episode with a report from her latest Cookbook Club at Olympia’s Browsers Book Shop where she sampled a wide variety of delicious treats from two of Molly Wizenberg’s food memoirs: A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes From My Kitchen Table and Delancey: A Man, A Woman, A Restaurant, A Marriage. Inspired by her recent interview with Helen Goh in Episode 80, Stefin’s eyeing a Peppermint Mocha Popcorn Brownie recipe, while Andrea’s wondering how to get the perfect bite of that into her mouth!

Last week’s dessert was the Strawberry Icebox Cake from Faith Durand over at The Kitchn. Other than the minor issue of finding graham crackers in London, both hosts loved this dessert!

Up next week is Semifreddo with Honeyed Peaches from Women’s Day Magazine. Andrea reminds the listeners that they can make their own Creme Fraiche at home with heavy cream and buttermilk.

Lifelong learners Andrea and Stefin continue to explore how their dessert choices inform their personalities. Now it’s time for Spoon University and “What Does Your Favorite Dessert Say About You?” Andrea went with Brownies while Stefin picked pie.

You can read the show notes here.

Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!

Ep 82: Keep Your Cool

It's July ... and sometimes the last thing you want to do is turn on your oven! Fortunately, Andrea and Stefin have a whole month of "no bake" treats to help keep you cool. First up, though, the duo want to know what books Preheaters are dipping into this summer -- food-related or not! Post your suggestions to the Preheated Facebook community, and tune in to Episode 85 for Preheated Book Club. The first dessert of this Some Assembly Required month is a classic  No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake from Faith Durand, author of the perfectly seasonal Bakeless Sweets. This simple but nostalgic dessert of graham crackers, whipping cream and berries can be assembled in a few minutes and is perfect for feeding a potluck crowd, and for using up seasonal berries. Andrea also recommends Healthy Strawberry Oat Bars from Well Plated, if you, like she, have a hard time saying no at the fruitstand. And speaking of potlucks, how about some historic American desserts for your Fourth of July picnic? Stefin and Andrea travel back to the 18th century to dissect some favorite sweets of US founding fathers and mothers. Which Preheated favorites were just as popular then as now? 

Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!

Ep 81: You Say "Freed-o," I say "Fredd-o"

After a debate about the correct way to pronounce this week's bake along (is it FRED-o, FREED-o, or should you just put on your best Italian accent?) the duo get down to business. Stefin's been busy whipping up Hummingbird Cake Cupcakes, using dehydrated pineapple fruit powder for a delicious cream cheese frosting. She's in love with the intense flavor, and feels a bit like an astronaut. Andrea is excited to kick off this week's "freeze along" a coconut passionfruit semifreddo from Australian baker Donna Hay that uses one of England's favorite flavors and does not require an ice-cream maker. Both hosts give two "spoons up" to the Minimalist Baker's Tahini Chocolate Banana Soft Serve. Andrea used maple syrup while Stefin relied on dates for sweetness. Both enjoyed the rich chocolate taste and delightfully smooth and silky texture. Your family will never guess they're getting a non-dairy treat that's rich in fruit and fiber! Finally, the hosts discuss what to do with dessert leftovers -- among other things, Andrea loves making pie milkshakes, and Stefin uses leftover cake in trifles. They're also intrigued with a new foodsharing app, OLIO, which aims to get leftovers into the hands of those who need them. 

Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!

Ep 80: An (Ice Cream) Dream Come True

Welcome to a very cool, very special 80th episode! Starting things off, the hosts review Cuisinart's creamy, dreamy Simple Chocolate Ice Cream with Rocky Road mix-ins. Stefin used the original recipe and toasted almonds; Andrea went dairy free with coconut cream and pistachios, and treated herself to a bag of fresh marshmallows (after a much-needed cupboard clean out). However you choose to whip up this old-fashioned treat, both hosts agree it's an easy, delicious and versatile ice cream to experiment with all summer long. Next up, a dairy free, gluten-free, and (could be) sugar-free treat inspired by Preheated listeners: Tahini Chocolate Banana Soft Serve from the Minimalist Baker. Endless variations here, too, and PixiFood-lovers, take note: There's an optional Magic Shell topping! Speaking of dreams coming true, Stefin sits down with Helen Goh, Ottolenghi pastry chef and recipe developer, and coauthor of Preheater favorite cookbook, Sweet, to discuss her path to baking fame, her favorite frozen treats, and ... popcorn balls! Finally, the hosts discuss their favorite single-serving desserts when you need to show yourself some love, have a craving for something only you enjoy, or simply don't want to share! "Emergency" brownie, dessert hummus or fruit crisp anyone? 

You can read the show notes here.

Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!

Ep 79: Dole Whip and PixiFood

Andrea's recently back from upstate New York where she tasted regional favorites Tomato Pie, and Half Moon Cookies, along with a delicious and easy Biscoff Ice Cream Sandwich. Our hosts reviewed the DIY Dole Whip ice cream. Both our hosts' blenders struggled to get this dish blended enough to make a smooth and creamy ice cream. Stefin's family enjoyed the frozen treat, while Andrea and her family were ultimately disappointed in the flavor. Could this be a PixiFood, a term coined by writer Joe Posnaski to refer to "Any food substance that is highly pleasant to the taste as a child and tastes shockingly unpleasant once you become an adult"? Stefin's PixiFood is Pop Tarts, while Andrea's is Chef Boyardee Mini Ravioli.

Listeners, do you have any PixiFoods that come to mind?

Next week's bake along is Rocky Road Ice Cream from Cuisinart. Andrea will be making hers vegan and dairy free by substituting coconut milk for the whole milk, and coconut cream for the heavy cream. Andrea is planning on using pistachios, while Stefin is thinking of using almonds.

Finally, our hosts discuss several ways to use fresh fruit fast, and what to do when fruit is past its prime. Andrea is enjoying creating compound butter and flavored cream cheeses, along with a new discovery from Waitrose  - Strawberries in Sweet Lemon, Cardamom and Black Pepper Syrup. Stefin enjoys stuffing her cupcakes with a mini fruit bomb, along with her quick breads, smoothies, and face masks!

Next week stay tuned to hear Stefin interview Helen Goh, pastry chef from Ottolenghi and co-author of Sweet.

You can read the show notes here.

Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!

Ep 78: Sweet Frozen Treats

Stefin's jumped on the kombucha train, and taken her first steps into making this fermented sweet tea at home. Join our hosts and turn your kitchens into a science experiment!

Join Stefin and Andrea for a Pies and Prosecco class on Saturday, July 28 at 6pm in downtown Olympia at the Little General. Whether you are a novice pie maker intimidated by the thought of making a homemade pie crust, or an experienced baker ready to show off your techniques, we'd love to have you come, laugh, and learn. We'll post a registration link soon.

It's June and that means Frozen Treats! Stefin's thankful we are devoting another whole month to frozen desserts, as she dragged her ice cream maker to London, considering it an essential kitchen tool. Starting out the month, our first bake along is a homemade Dole Whip. Disney Dole Whip lovers, rejoice!

Summer also means easy living, and Andrea is celebrating one bowl baking. Stefin recalls many one bowl recipes featured on Preheated in the first two years: The Pumpkin Bundt Cake from Episode 2, The Lemon Drizzle Cake from Episode 45, the Gingerbread Bars from Episode 57, and the moist Chocolate Bundt Cake from Episode 61.5. Andrea enjoys trying recipes from Yvonne Ruperti, author of One Bowl Baking, which you can find on SeriousEats.com.

You can read the show notes here.

Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!

Ep 77: Wild About Harry's Caramel Banana Cake

Andrea and Stefin are celebrating some big Preheated milestones! They recently published their 75th episode and reached 25,000 total downloads. Thanks to old and new listeners who helped make this happen! On to the final recipe of the Royal Treatment month: Prince Harry's favorite Caramel Banana Cake. This easy, delicious cake with a decadent frosting was a winner on both sides of the pond, and was another win for Royal Chef Darren McGrady during this special month. The hosts couldn't close out the month without paying tribute to the newest royal, Ms Meghan Markle, but her sweet tooth proved a bit elusive. The closest this California girl would come to naming a favorite dessert was a chia seed pudding, so Andrea shares her own tips and experience with this anytime treat. Finally, the hosts disucss how practicing the art of mise en place can make your time in -- and out -- of the kitchen happier. 

You can read the show notes here.

Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!

 

Ep 76: A Cake Worth Celebrating

Andrea's back from a Paleo desserts cooking class she recently attended, where she was happy to pick up several ideas for naturally gluten-free treats, including her favorite, a chocolate mousse made with coconut milk. Both hosts are intrigued with the idea of using dehydrated fruit powder in frostings for a hit of natural flavor and color. Since their wedding invites must've been lost in the mail, Stefin and Andrea celebrated at home with the Spinklebakes verison of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's lemon-elderflower wedding cake. Though she admits making cakes is "a lot of work," Andrea thought the payoff was well worth the time, effort, and copious amounts of butter needed. Stefin thought the cake was a showstopper -- perfect for any celebrations in your own (royal) family's future. Next week, the hosts will tackle a lower-key sweet when they try their hand at Prince Harry's beloved Banana Caramel Cake -- even though it features Stefin's nemesis caramel, and Andrea questions the instructions to boil sour cream. Finally, Stefin reports on her springtime trip to Greece for the Globetrotting Gourmet, and has a new favorite custard dessert and liqour to share.

You can read the show notes here.

Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!