Buttermilk Biscuits

Effortless is the word I like to use when making this recipe; as they take very little effort and very little time and the same can be said about devouring these with butter and jam.  

 Buttermilk Biscuits 

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2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup cold butter

1 cup buttermilk or milk

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together then cut in the cold butter, using a pastry cutter, forks or clean hands. Mix well until the the dry ingredients become some what crumbly. Slowly add the milk until the dough forms a ball. 

Flour a clean flat surface and gently roll the dough to 1 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out into 2 1/2 inch rounds and bake, on the prepared baking tray, for 20 to 25 minutes or until nicely golden brown.  

Hope everyone has been enjoying the sunshine and staying warm. - JD   

Apple Cheddar Buttermilk Bread

Easily one of my favourite loaves to make. Perfect for sandwiches or on it's own with  a nice lashing of butter.  


Cheddar Apple Buttermilk Bread

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makes 1 loaf

2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

2 tablespoons caster sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

pinch of salt

1 cup of shredded old cheddar cheese

2 apples, peeled and diced

1/4 cup butter

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC) Grease and flour a loaf tin. Line the bottom with baking parchment paper. Set side.

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt. Add the shredded cheese and diced apples to the flour mixture. 

Cut in the butter and mix well with your hands for a few minutes until the flour mixture becomes crumbly and start to stick together.Stir in the buttermilk to form a nice soft dough. Place the dough into the prepared loaf tin and spread evenly. Sprinkle more shredded cheese on top and bake for about 45 minutes.   

Hope everyone had a nice weekend and for those whom had a long weekend, like us, it was as well. There seems to be a bit of a break, weather wise, temperatures have warmed up slightly... if you call minus 19ºC warm. Which at this time, I am! Stay warm and for those in warmer climates,  stay cool. - JD 

Buttermilk Oat Bread

Small but substantial. This oaten loaf is wonderful with butter and jam or cheese.  

Buttermilk Oat Bread

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makes 2 small loaves

1 cup fine oatmeal

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup milk

1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

In a bowl, soak the oatmeal in the buttermilk and milk overnight. 

The following day...

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking tray with baking parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the oatmeal and milk mixture and mix well to give a soft dough. Knead until smooth.

Divide the dough into two portions. On a floured surface, roll each portion out to a thickness of about 1 inch and about 4 inches in diameter. Place both loaves on the prepared baking sheet, side by side about 3 inches apart, and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes, until golden and sound hollow when tapped.

Remove from the oven and serve hot with butter and jam. 

Notes: I brushed the tops of each loaf with a bit of butter then sprinkled flaked oats on top.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Some warmer temperatures are coming our way. 
- JD 

Chocolate Walnut Fudge Cake

My daughter decided that a Chocolate Walnut Fudge Cake was the perfect Springtime recipe and a great way to have more chocolate. The cake itself is moist and... of course, chocolatey! I suppose that you do not have to icing this cake however my daughter was feeling rather decadent and wanted a double chocolate taste and the chopped walnuts on top gave us a peek as to what was inside. I supervised mostly and if need be her brother was there to lend a helping hand. 

Chocolate Walnut Fudge Cake 

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1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 cup caster sugar

1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup of milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

3 sq. unsweetened chocolate (3 oz), melted 

2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 350ºF.

Grease and flour a square baking pan (9"x9"x2ish") and place a piece of parchment paper on the bottom. 

Sift the flour into a large bowl and then add the sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt. Use a whisk to combine together.  Add the oil, milk and vanilla. Beat with a hand held mixer for about 2 minutes on medium speed. Scraping down the sides and the bottom of the bowl constantly. Add the eggs and the melted chocolate. Beat for 2 more minutes; scraping the bowl frequently. Stir the walnuts into the batter; then pour into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely before icing.

Easy Chocolate Icing

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1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 to 2 cups icing sugar

1/4 cup good quality cocoa powder

1 to 2 tablespoons milk or low fat buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Using a hand held mixer, beat the butter until fluffy. Add the icing sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla and beat until fluffy. Adjust with more milk if necessary.