[aaronatthedoublef]

Violet and I made green cupcakes for St. Patrick's Day. It was another Duff Goldman recipe and the first I've tried that was not very sweet.

The cupcakes used melted butter, something I've never done in a cake before.

I think Iover-mixed and over-baked them. They were a little hard and dry. We added the food coloring after the mix, in several batches until we had a color that Violet liked. I think this is when they became over mixed. Next time I'll mix the coloring into the melted butter & sugar before I add the eggs.

I did not get to try brown butter buttercream because Violet wanted to make the frosting and decorate with Kate so I was kicked from the kitchen (not really I just worked on dinner).

Next time.

[aaronatthedoublef]

Thanks Mike. I wasn't actually going to make corn beef. When I have made it I use the flat, not the tip and I trim off most of the fat (beyond what the butcher trims). For pastrami I'm told you leave the fat on because it keeps th emeat moist when it's smoked.

I also steam/braise corn beef instead of boiling.

[aaronatthedoublef]

CWC - that is a great idea. I don't make cream cheese frosting because two of my crew do not like it. But I could use this for buttercream.

[aaronatthedoublef]

I made BA's crackers for the first time in ages! Too thick and a little overdone. Need to get my touch back.

Not sure what else I will bake this week.

[aaronatthedoublef]

BA, the brown butter is for shortbread.

[aaronatthedoublef]

Hi BA. I haven't tried it yet. First week in a new job so not much spare time for this.

Aside from Sundays at the bakery (which stopped because of a remodel) I haven't baked much at home. I need to fix that.

[aaronatthedoublef]

Thanks again. Hadn't seen this recipe by Stella. I would have just used a half sheet so using a non-metal pan with high sides (less spilling!) will be good too.

[aaronatthedoublef]

Thanks Mike.

Does anyone have a recipe for toasting sugar?

Say I want to toast 3 lbs. How hot for how long?

Thanks

[aaronatthedoublef]

BA, have you ever tried nonfat sour cream? My chocolate cake recipe has oil and sour cream. I've used nonfat a few times when it was all I had. Some people notice but most don't.

[aaronatthedoublef]

BA - forgot to say congrats and your stepson and new daughter-in-law to be.

And Mike, congrats on 50! Isn't eating 50 year old cake a Seinfeld episode? Elaine eats old cake

[aaronatthedoublef]

BA, interesting tip about the olive oil. I've always added some coffee as it's supposed to bring out the chocolate flavor. My chocolate cake calls for oil. Never thought about using olive. Always used some neutral cooking oil. Next time I'll try olive oil.

What kind did you use? Right now we have several different ones from the inexpensive big jugs of Spanish OO from Costco to some fancy Italian oils to some interesting Israeli stuff my brother gave me when he came to visit. All are extra virgin.

My kids would love it if I made different cakes to test the different olive oils but my wife might kick me out.

[aaronatthedoublef]

So... do they want to keep a layer to freeze for their 1-year anniversary? Will they want to keep some cake for that. It was great to pull it out of the freezer and celebrate. It was first anniversary, we just found out we were going to have our first kid, and it was my 40th, so lots to be happy about.

My two main cakes, one chocolate and one white, freeze very well. I double wrap them in plastic and then in a freezer bag (the freezer bag probably isn't needed). My boss at the Seattle bakery used to do this so she always had a cake on hand for a special customer.

You could freeze the layers and thaw them at your destination. If you're worried about them being dry you can make a simple syrup or something else to add some moisture and brush the layers with it before you frost them.

[aaronatthedoublef]

Should I be more sympathetic to our international members? They joined a group with "America" in the name of the org and are now complaining that we do not represent them because we're an "American" organization.

[aaronatthedoublef]

The price of flour (among other things) has been a recent big topic on the BBGA and I know my baker has been shifting whole grain flours just trying to keep costs down. Recently he switched to spelt and now he cannot find that. Most of his flour comes from Central Milling and he has had a hard time finding flour from them. He has switched to Galahad for now but is not a big fan of KABC anymore.

Down here in CT, the cost of gas has increased about $1.15 since since January. It may be more or less where you live but when something that basic goes up it increases the cost of everything. ANd the more touches a product goes through the more it will raise the cost.

I love working in supply chain/logistics.

[aaronatthedoublef]

I've been baking a lot. I found a neat little bakery/cafe in Sandy Hook CT. The owner is a really decent person and a genuinely good teacher. I am almost to the point where I can handle Sunday morning production. I am still slow but I am becoming faster and more consistent. Everything is done by hand except the mixing.

Both the pastry chef and the owner are BBGA members and asked me if I've ever read posts by "Mike Nolan" ;-).

It is a lot of work but a lot of fun.

[Author]

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