Apple Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Apples + Pumpkin + Cake

(Can you say delicious!?) 

It's been far too long since I last posted and I apologize! Who knew college would get this busy so quickly!? And no, I don't mean busy with naps, television, and the occasional exam or two. (Although a couple of naps have found their way into my schedule...). I'm the type of person who enjoys having plans and events. Yet, I was able to squeak in a weekend home for a very special occassion (and this very special cake!)  In searching for the perfect dessert for my grandmother's birthday, I found this recipe for Apple Pumpkin Bundt Cake and I had to make it! It was love at first site when I read the recipe...and love at first bite when I made it! Find the recipe here to try it for yourself: http://juliasalbum.com/2013/11/apple-pumpkin-bundt-cake/

Look at all that hot caramel poured on top!!

Words can't even begin to describe how moist and delicious this cake was, and making it was so easy! Plus, using only one cup of pumpkin puree gives the cake a settle orange color, while the apple and cinnamon flavors can still really shine. Drizzle some hot caramel on top and you've practically got yourself a caramel-dipped apple in cake form! (Not to mention you've got one poshed-up, delectable cake ready for any fall occasion!)

You can even see the chunks of delicious baked apples!

And fortunately, it was a huge hit for my grandmother's birthday!! Served next to a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt... it was hard to resist licking the plate and going back for more! (I mean, we have seconds during dinner...why not dessert?)

I just had to share this recipe with you all and let you know I'm still here! I'm always thinking of Posh Cuisine...dreaming of the kitchen...my apron, rubber spatula, and measuring cups at the ready. College is going well, though, and I'm thoroughly enjoying my classes. (I won't bore you with the details, but rest assured I'm keeping it posh here at school, too!)

So, this season (my favorite season), don't be afraid to experiment with fall flavors and make them your own! Bring on the apples, pumpkins, squash, and seasonings! Sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on your pumpkin pie, or cook up some homemade applesauce. Add a little posh to every dish! And try this cake!! (You'll LOVE it!!)

With love (for food),

Ellen

--A dash of posh can make all the difference in your next dish!--

Blueberry Crumb Bars

Blueberry Crumb Bars

For those freshly picked berries just waiting to be poshed!

Can you think of a better way to end summer vacation than with a family BBQ, complete with smoked brisket, ribs, beans, homemade sides, and delectable blueberry crumb bars? My cousin was nice enough to surprise us with pounds (and I mean pounds) of freshly picked blueberries. I realize there's a ton of recipes one can make with blueberries (and trust me, we have enough berries to try plenty!), yet something about classic blueberry crumb bars...I couldn't resist!

Recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

Juicy blueberries, layered between flaky, buttery dough... it's no wonder they were such a hit! I found the recipe on Pinterest (big surprise, right?) and you can find it by clicking here or visiting www.browneyedbaker.com/blueberry-crumb-bars-recipe/. The ingredients are simple, no-fuss required! And combined, they make this wonderful dessert! (or snack, or breakfast? There's berries in them, after all!)

The recipe was also wicked easy.  As a note, I lined my 13x9" pan with parchment paper. This way, the entire batch could easily slide out of the pan and be cut. Parchment paper works great for baking any type of bars, fudge, cookies, you name it! (That's my pitch for parchment paper, by the way.) 

Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal

How could this recipe be poshed? (Although the recipe on it's own is pretty dang delicious!) But if you feel like being creative, try using a raspberry filling, or spread a can of lemon pie filling on the bottom layer of dough before topping it with the blueberries and crumb. Another option: make the bottom dough thicker by using all the batter, then sprinkle an oat-crumb topping over the blueberries. You could even make individual crumb pies! Let the kitchen move you, and your taste be your guide. I'm sure it will be delicious!

Posh Update:

Now, you may have noticed my little 'blurb' under the "Posh Cuisine" logo. I am back at school, getting ready for another exciting year! I will keep posting, for I have lots to share! Plus, I care about helping you find and develop your posh in the kitchen (while having some fun!) Posh is not something one just 'perfects' in a summer. It takes time, practice, and dedication (plus a stocked pantry and big appetite never hurt). It may take more time in between posts and recipes, that's all! 

Try out this recipe (as I highly recommend you do), or browse through the many I've posted this summer. And keep checking in for updates, posts, and more! 

With love (for food),

Ellen

--A dash of posh can make all the difference in your next dish!--

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Classic Coffee Cake

Just Add Posh!

I thought after making (and eating) so much wedding cake lately, the last thing I'd be making is another cake! However, this one is a bit different... (I know, I know. Cake it cake. But this cake! This one!) This is a classic sour cream coffee cake, from a classic recipe book, and it's sure to fit in your collection!

Sour Cream Coffee Cake (Pecans & Cinnamon Sugar on top!)

Sometimes we all need to go back to the basics when it comes to recipes like this. Too often we see the already "poshed-up" versions. (Like the Rhubarb-Lemon Coffee Cake I made back in June. Click here to see because it's delicious! Talk about the perfect summer brunch!) Anyways, this recipe came from "Mariam B. Loo's Fresh from the Oven Breads" cookbook - a well used and loved staple in our kitchen!

This recipe is a terrific base for any type of coffee cake. "Base?" you may ask... With this simple recipe and its elegant taste, the cake lends itself to all sorts of posh! I made it just as the recipe directed (sometimes nothing beats a classic), and I encourage you to try it this way as well. Then take it to the next level! (Do note, the butter should be softened before creaming it with the sugar - just a tip!) Feel free to be creative by adding a fruit layer in the middle, or making coffee cake cupcakes, or even using your favorite crumb and icing topping! Don't like pecans? Try walnuts, or even no nuts!

1/2 the batter, then a layer of 'posh' and repeat!

With this simple recipe, you can really test your posh skills and make it your own. Impress your brunch mates with a new, all-you, recipe! This cake, even with no added posh, is a favorite in my house. Imagine what a difference a little posh can make!

As a fair warning, any leftovers of this cake don't last long... It's just too easy to cut off another piece, or have "one more bite." Make it in your home and see what I mean!

With love (for food),

Ellen

--A dash of posh can make all the difference in your next dish!--

Wedding Cake

I am so pleased to announce Posh Cuisine's first wedding cake was a success! After months of planning, weeks of preparation, last weekend's trial run (well worth the effort), and crunch-time decorating, this wedding cake was a huge hit at my uncle's wedding!

This cake was no easy feat, let me tell you. But I just love weddings!! Everything about them! I really wanted this cake to be special, so I made sure to do my research. There's a lot to making a wedding cake! I held my breath up until it was not only delivered, but sitting on the table in the reception hall. I was so nervous!

All this work was totally worth it. Both the ceremony and the reception were beautiful - wonderfully done! And I'm so happy to welcome my new aunt and cousins into the family! So, with this cake as my gift to my uncle and (new) aunt, may your marriage be filled with happiness and love. And let there be cake!

With love (for food),

Ellen

--A dash of posh can make all the difference in your next dish!--

Crisp Chocolate Chip Cookies

A Posh Cuisine Update & Cookie Jar Favorite

UPDATE: First, I have to say I'm so sorry for not posting a lot! This past week has been super busy and while I know that's no excuse, you need to know how much I think of you, my readers! And I'd love to show you what I've been doing...

This was my first wedding cake attempt because...my uncle is getting married on Saturday! And I'm making the cake!! (Eeeep! Are you as excited as me!?) I know I should have told you sooner, but with all the baking and recipe testing going on this summer, it's been crazy!  I've been doing so much research towards making a wedding cake, in addition to finding the pans and equipment (there's a lot to it!). And since I was going to a family BBQ today, I thought it'd be a great time to put my research to the test and make a smaller version of the cake. (With a theme to match this summer party, of course!)

Wedding Cake #1

It was such a huge hit! I don't even know where to begin! The flavor, texture, frosting - everything! This is no cardboard cake with frosting. If Posh Cuisine is going to make a cake, it's gotta be pretty and delicious! (That's how true posh is measured.) And this cake has got some posh, let me tell you!

But now, let's get back on topic. What's this about a "cookie jar favorite" in the title?

Click here for the recipe!

Want a chocolate chip cookie which melts in your mouth? Doesn't get hard-as-a-rock in the cookie jar? Holds up to freezer storage and still tastes fresh? Then look no further! The recipe I am about to share is a favorite of mine (and I'm pretty picky when it comes to cookies). It's always a huge hit with the family, at parties, as gifts, with my friends at school - you name it! So thank you again Taste of Home, because this recipe for Crisp Chocolate Chip Cookies is fantastic! And I must warn you - not only will these cookies remain airy and melt in your mouth, they're addicting, too!

I follow the recipe on this one, yet I always use crisp rice cereal (never cornflakes) and quick-cooking oats (never regular). I also always use Hershey's Special Dark chocolate chips in nearly all my cookie recipes. They're wonderful chips for both melting and baking (and snacking...). As seen in the image above, I always flatten these cookies just a tad before baking for a smoother-topped cookie. The recipe yields about 6 dozen (using a large cookie scoop), so I highly recommend freezing some!

I actually prefer them frozen...they're just wonderful! Store them in plastic freezer bags for months - they'll stay tasting fresh and delicious! This is the only chocolate chip cookie recipe I like to make now, and trust me, I've made it a lot! For some reason, they just don't last long in my house (or at school with my friends). This recipe is amazing and I just know you'll love them! Click here or visit www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/crisp-chocolate-chip-cookies for the recipe. And keep it posh, people!

With love (for food),

Ellen

-A dash of posh can make all the difference in your next dish!--

Cobb Salad

Cobb (Posh) Salad

Not Your Ordinary Salad!

I'm a salad girl. I confess! As much as I'd love to tell you I'm your solid, meat-and-potatoes girl with a heart for cheesy side dishes, my heart yearns for that fresh crunch of lettuce under a sweet vinaigrette. Don't get me wrong though! I love a good chicken pot pie or fall-off-the-bone ribs. Yet, every now and then, I want a meal to freshen up my palate, as I step back from all the heavy cooking. So, I give you this Cobb Salad, with tons of posh and so many ways you can make it your own! In fact, I'm calling it Cobb (Posh) Salad. Give it a chance! (You might just like this whole 'salad' thing!)

There are so many ways you can make Cobb Salad (or most salads, for that matter). This is how I did it. You do it the way you want! I customized each plate for each person (all three of us - Mom, Dad, and me!) Extra tomatoes on one, bacon on two, avocado on all three, you get the idea! But talk about fun to make! It's like an entire plate of posh! How you arrange the veggies, what type of dressing, chilling the plates, serving the eggs warm, grilling the corn etc etc etc! We should really just omit the "Cobb" and call it "Posh Salad."

Each topping can be poshed as well. For example, the corn (the only thing not individually pictured below, of course) was from a partial bag of frozen corn. I defrosted it in the microwave, and threw it in a cast iron skillet. Then, cook until it browns, season with garlic powder and pepper, and viola! Perfectly poshed corn to top this Cobb (Posh) Salad. Think of all the creative ways you can posh the other toppings!

The dressing is another very important salad component. I love this brand called Annie's. (Check out annies.com to see all the great products!) It's natural, organic, and delicious! This was the the first time I tried the Annie's brand salad dressing and it was amazing! A good Cobb (Posh) Salad needs a dressing which will allow the flavors of the toppings to really shine, just like this Fat Free Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette. It wasn't too sweet and had just enough tang to lightly flavor the entire dish.

So what are you waiting for!? Posh up some fun in the kitchen and impress your dinner guests with customized Cobb (Posh) Salads! 

With love (for food),

Ellen

--A dash of posh can make all the difference in your next dish!--

Lemon Blueberry Bread

Great recipe alert!! 

Prepare yourself for the flavors of the season with this Lemon Blueberry Bread!

After picking a couple pints of fresh blueberries, some just had to be made into lemon blueberry bread! (But not just any lemon blueberry bread. This recipe, found here, is fantastic!)

The bread took less than 30 minutes to whip together (Just don't really whip it! It's very important to gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet and use great care when adding the blueberries. This way the bread stays light and airy.) Also, since the recipe only calls for a little lemon, I'd recommend adding some extra zest and freshly squeezed juice for that burst of lemon flavor! (Don't be afraid to add a bit of posh right into the batter!)

The recipe also calls for a glaze, yet I found with some extra blueberries and a sprinkle of sugar on top (more posh!) it was just enough! (The extra lemon juice in the batter really helps, too.)

So, if you're up for a quick and easy bread, with fresh summer flavors - this is the one! It stays moist, light, and delicious. It's great for brunch or even dessert! (Or both...like with whipped cream and extra blueberries on the side...) And you can add the icing, or sprinkle your own posh on top. Maybe you want to try it with raspberries in place of the blueberries? This bread would be excellent paired with a cream cheese filling or frosting, too. There are so many ways you can make this your own! Grab your apron and try it for yourself!

'Posh' is Spreading...

Also, quick update! Last night my dad was in charge of dinner, and since I wasn't allowed to snoop around the kitchen or guess what he was making, I was left only with the beautiful aroma drifting through the house of this homemade beef stroganoff. With its white wine and fresh mushrooms, topped with nonfat Greek yogurt (no, not sour cream!) and dried parsley flakes, each plate was a masterpiece and tasted delicious! He really put the 'posh' on this dish and it was amazing! So well done, Dad!

With love (for food),

Ellen

--A dash of posh can make all the difference in your next dish!--