September 26: Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

(I realize this is out of order...I'm not sure how I missed this one!  I have no idea how to insert it sequentially, so it'll have to be here.)

Not too long ago we tried Almond Poppy Seed Muffins, but for this bread we went with the lemon flavor.  I think the kids actually liked it better, but I'm not sure they'd admit to that as the LOVE anything almond!

Poppy Seed Bread

• 1 package yellow cake mix
• 1 package instant pudding (either lemon or coconut)
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil (I use Light Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
• 1 cup hot water
• 2 Tbs. poppy seeds

1. Beat all ingredients together for three minutes with a mixer.
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

Makes 2 loaf pans.

March 7: Brown Sugar Nut Bread

I'm still not eating sugars and starches, so I knew I wouldn't be able to taste test this one again.  One of my goals in 2011 is to set a better example of healthy eating for our family.  Friends of ours started a whole foods approach to eating, and I'd like to start doing more of that in our house as well.  With that in mind, I came across this recipe in my recipe box, and it fits fairly well with the whole foods way of eating so I thought we'd give it a whirl.  It hasn't gone over very well.  Part of that may be my own doing as I replaced the flour in the recipe with a flour blend from The Sneaky Chef (equal parts white flour, whole wheat flour, and unsweetened wheat germ).  Koen didn't like the raisins, Seth detected the wheat germ immediately, and Ty and Brielle wouldn't even try it.  I'll probably end up freezing most of the loaf and eat it later because I hate to throw it out. 

In case it sounds good to you...

Brown Sugar Nut Bread
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup raisins
3 Tbs. butter
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 cup boiling water
2 cups flour

Combine all of the ingredients.  Bake for 1 hour at 300 degrees in a loaf pan.

November 8: Pudding Bread (again)

The recipe chosen for baking day was once again Pudding Bread.  This first made an appearance back in July and went over very well.  I keep wanting to try new recipes, and I do have some lined up, but for practical reasons -- like needing a snack for lunches this week -- we went with the tried and true Pudding Bread.  Stay tuned for new recipes in the future...

July 15: Pudding Bread -- a day late

While we arrived home on Tuesday after our time with the extended Smits family, we had no energy or desire to bake.  So Wednesday became this week's baking day which worked out well since Seth and Dad were working on the basement and needed some refreshments. 

Since we'd been away for so many days, I hadn't gone grocery shopping which limited the number of recipes that were even an option.  Koen had suggested we make pumpkin muffins, but the last time I was at Meijer they didn't have a single can!!!  Next time I find some I'll be stocking up on pumpkin!  I sifted through some other muffin/bread recipes and came upon Pudding Bread.  We had everything in the house except for the vanilla pudding, but we did have butterscotch pudding, so it was a simple substitution.

Ty is always excited about helping in the kitchen; he loves to lick the spoons and beaters.  Koen wasn't going to help with this recipe, even when I reminded him that the rule was you had to help make it to help eat it.  Ty and I had mixed everything and he had started in on his beater when Koen decided he wanted to lick a beater as well.  Fortunately for him, the cinnamon and sugar still needed to be mixed.  After he made the mixture he enjoyed a beater of his own.

Here's the recipe should you desire to have a taste:

Pudding Bread
1 box yellow cake mix
1 box instant vanilla pudding (or a flavor of your choice)
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water

Topping:  3/4 cup sugar
1 & 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Beat together for 8 minutes.  Grease 2 loaf pans.  Pour layer of batter in each.  Sprinkle 1/2 of the sugar mixture over the batter. Pour in remaining batter and sprinkle with remaining sugar.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.  Let cool and enjoy!

The butterscotch pudding version received rave reviews...Seth said it even reminded him of Friendship Bread.  

June 8: Applesauce Bread

Applesauce bread was the recipe we tackled for our first baking day. It seemed simple for kids to make and sounded tasty. Plus, I've had it sitting around for a few years intending to make it -- today was the day.

Koen, however, decided that he didn't like applesauce bread (not that he's ever had it), so he didn't want to help make it. I told him that was fine, but if he didn't make it he couldn't eat it. I thought that would do the trick and he would be eager to help, but no. Even after three attempts to get him involved, he chose to play trains (surprise, surprise) while Ty and I mixed together the recipe.

Both boys (usually) love to help in the kitchen...at least up to the part when they get to lick the spoons. After that they tend to disappear. :) On this day, Tysen enjoyed dumping in the ingredients, mixing them together, and talking about how "num-mmy" (add emphasis) this applesauce bread was. And he did think it was "num-mmy" as he ate most of the loaf himself (over the course of a few days, of course).

As I opened the oven door to put in the loaf pan, Koen's head popped up from his train reenactment set-up and he cried, "But Mom, I wanted to help make the bread!" Too late! He only asked once for some applesauce bread, and he was reminded why he couldn't have any. I felt badly about the situation, but I think it was for the best.

I've included the link to recipe we used below, in case you were interested in trying the applesauce bread for yourself.


Applesauce Bread Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes