Baking: From My Home To Yours

Many of you, especially those of you who love to bake, may recognize this post title as the title of an incredible cookbook by Dorie Greenspan. I only recently purchased it after making many of her recipes that I read about on other food blogs.

Her desserts have become such a staple in my baking, that I figured I owed it to myself to have the entire book. I was especially interested in purchasing the book after learning about a group of food bloggers who bake recipes from this book and blog about them every Tuesday on the blog, Tuesdays With Dorie (TWD).

There seemed to be SO many recipes! After buying it, I can attest that this book is gigantic and heavy. There really are a ton of recipes. Anyone who is interested in baking and looking for a starter cookbook, I would say this is the one.

I've had the cookbook for a couple of weeks, but I only baked my first recipe from it last night. I made the Chocolate-Chocolate Cupcakes from pages 215-217, but of course with many changes. Just to set things straight, I adapt recipes based on what I have in the house, my own particular preferences and food restrictions. I'm certainly not trying to improve her recipes.

Coincidentally, the TWD group will be making these cupcakes the last Tuesday in October. I guess my post can be a bit of a preview. I'm not a member, but it's fun to check in and see what they're up to. Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 7th, they will be making Caramel-Peanut-Topped Brownie Cake from pages 264-265.

All I can say is that these cupcakes did not disappoint. They are very quick to make. The batter is gorgeous and chocolate-pudding-like. They are really chocolaty, not too sweet, bite-sized portions and amenable to all sorts of creative decorating. I didn't feel like making frosting, so G and ate them with some whipped cream. I tried one with some marshmallow fluff, which was okay too.

These cupcakes will be another staple in my baking. You just can't go wrong with them and I made a fair amount of changes. Well, from the woman who has brought us World Peace Cookies and the Swedish Visiting Cake, I expected no less.

Chocolate-Chocolate Cupcakes
(Adapted from Baking: From My Home To Yours)
Makes 12 small cupcakes

1/2 cup softened Smart Balance (butter or margarine)
1 heaping Tablespoon unsweetened apple sauce
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup vanilla rice milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

In medium bowl, add Smart Balance, apple sauce, egg, vanilla extract, rice milk, and sugar. Use a large whisk to combine. Stir in dry ingredients. Pour batter in muffin pan with muffin liners. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Enjoy!


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