Home bakers have been very active during the stay-at-home mandates currently in effect. But now housebound consumers and professionals alike are looking for new ideas that are easy to execute with ingredients on hand. Here are five recipes that fit the bill: Three quick loaves, one bar cookie and one focaccia.
Photograph courtesy of Pacific Northwest Canned Pears
1. Pearnana Bread
On social media feeds, banana bread is a shelter-in-place favorite among home bakers everywhere. Chef Mark Muszynski differentiates his recipe with the addition of drained, canned pears—a pantry staple in many households. Try it next time you have overripe bananas on hand and are looking for a new twist on a popular quick bread.
Although focaccia starts with a yeast dough, this recipe doesn’t require a lot of kneading or rising time. The combination of prunes, prosciutto and rosemary makes for a sweet-savory flavor profile. Chef Kyle Kuklewski operates Ramekins, an event space that provides catering and cooking classes.
Using olive oil along with butter in a cake recipe imparts a moist, tender texture and unique flavor. This not-too-sweet cake is conveniently baked in loaf pans and can be stored for several days. Pastry chef Jenny McCoy’s philosophy on baking is simple: by combining the best ingredients available and a creative touch, anyone can expand their repertoire to create expertly refined recipes and original pastries with ease.
These brownies are nice and fudgy but get a bit of a health halo from the addition of chopped fresh mango and whole wheat flour. Chef Allen Susser complements the tropical fruit with hints of cinnamon and almond extract. The brownies are chocolatey enough to be an indulgent treat that’s also a good-for-you snack.
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Photograph courtesy of National Honey Board
5. Honey Thyme Loaves
Honey gives these loaf cakes a distinctive flavor and is a natural preservative, slowing down the drying process. At her bakery in New Orleans, chef Megan Forman complements the honey with savory thyme to create a cake that can fit any meal occasion—from breakfast to afternoon snack to after-dinner dessert.
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