BH&G Fall Baking

Fall is back and not a minute too soon. The hot, dry afternoons of summer give way to shorter, cozier days. Sweaters and boots work their way back into the wardrobe rotation (yes!). And there are potlucks, tailgates, and other fall fun to jump into wholeheartedly. If you picked up this magazine, you already know that baking in the fall is a special kind of fun. It isn’t just about getting to the end result as quickly as possible (no matter how delicious it is). Instead, it ’s the feeling that comes from putting on your apron, gearing up with bowls and spoons, and settling in for an afternoon of measuring, mixing, and, of course, tasting. It was late last year when I first put pen to paper to plan…

THE BONES 8 NUMBER OF GALLEY KITCHENS IN OUR TEST KITCHEN Each is about the size of many NYC apartment kitchens. You won’t find fancy gadgets or restaurant-style ovens; we test with appliances and tools the average home cook might use. We do, however, have one awesome chandelier that hangs above our sharing table (aka the trough). Q:Do you go home and cook supper every night? (THE # 1 QUESTION ASKED OF OUR CULINARY PROFESSIONALS) A:Yes, absolutely. Our culinary specialists are home cooks at heart—like you. So at the end of their day they often step right back into their kitchens at home! 84 years of ON-STAFF cooking experience We fail in our kitchen so you have success in yours! Food Science Culinary Arts Consumer Science Dietetics VARIETY OF COLLEGE…

RICH MAPLE BUTTER CAKE PREP 25 minutes BAKE 35 minutes at 350°F 2 cups all-purpose flour 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar 1∕2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1∕3 cup cold butter 3∕4 cup butter, softened 3∕4 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 2∕3 cup pure maple syrup 1∕2 cup half-and-half Powdered sugar and/or maple syrup(optional) 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl combine 1 cup of the flour, the 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar, and the cinnamon. Use a pastry blender to cut in the 1?3 cup cold butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs and starts to cling together. Pat into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan. Bake 5 minutes or just until set. 2. In a large bowl beat the 3?4 cup softened butter with a mixer on medium 30…

GLOSSARY Here in Vermont, sugar is synonymous with maple syrup, and it’s used as a verb, adjective, and noun. These are some handy definitions so you can be in the know. SUGAR MAKER This refers to someone who produces maple syrup. If you’re picturing a middle-aged man in buff alo plaid, you’re not entirely incorrect. There are a lot of younger producers and women entering the industry, though. SUGARHOUSE This is the building where sap is boiled into maple syrup. During the season you will see billows of steam dotted around our state. Follow your way to the source of that steam and you will find a tired sugar maker who is usually happy to have visitors. SUGAR BUSH This actually refers to a forest with a good concentration of…

POUND CAKE CHERRY BAKE Pictured on page 14. prep 20 minutes bake 30 minutes at 350°F cool 30 minutes ⁄2 cup granulated sugar 2 Tbsp. cornstarch 6 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened pitted tart red cherries (about 1 3⁄4 lb.) 1 cup dried cranberries 1⁄4 tsp. almond extract 1⁄2 of an 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened 2 Tbsp. packed brown sugar 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1⁄2 of a 10.75-oz. frozen pound cake, thawed and coarsely crumbled 2 Tbsp. butter, melted 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large saucepan combine granulated sugar and cornstarch; stir in cherries and cranberries. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract. 2. In a small bowl beat cream cheese, brown sugar, and lemon juice…

MAKE-IT-MINE SAVORY BREAD PUDDING PREP 20 minutes BAKE 45 minutes at 350°F COOL 20 minutes 4 cups dried BREAD CUBES (choose 1) 1∕2 cup MEAT (choose 1) 3∕4 cup CHEESE (choose 1) 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 3∕4 cups milk 1∕4 cup butter, melted 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh HERB 1 teaspoon dried HERB,crushed (choose 1) 1∕4 tsp. salt 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 2-qt. square baking dish. Place BREAD CUBES, MEAT, and half of the CHEESE in the dish. In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, milk, butter, HERB, and salt. Pour over bread mixture in dish. Use a spatula to press bread down into milk mixture. 2. Bake, uncovered, 45 to 50 minutes or until puff ed and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.…