Isn't this Cranberry-Orange Christmas Bread pretty?
I baked it, same as I did three Decembers ago.
I got out pretty plates and old silver and my favorite vintage Christmas tea towel. Lit a candle, borrowed a few old Christmas trees from my Christmas forest.
Set it all up for pictures with a sinking feeling in my heart because last time I made it the batter rose and rose.
This one didn't. Still, I covered it with the glaze and thought,
It'll probably taste good anyway.
I took my pictures. We sat down to eat the cake that fell but was going to taste yummy anyway.
Only it didn't.
The resident skunks and possums got the soggy mess and I got the dirty dishes from making it.
But it was pretty, wasn't it? And I am going to make it again!
It's from Romantic Homes magazine, December 2015. I couldn't find a link to the recipe or any other recipes that came close to the ingredients but if it turns out well the next time I make it I'll post the recipe here.
Whatever happened to Romantic Homes magazine anyway?
Have you ever had a pretty failure?
Aww, that's too bad considering this bread looks delicious! I wonder what happened? Was your leavening (baking soda or powder) fresh?
ReplyDeleteMelanie, it just might be the baking powder. I bought a rather large amount from Bob's Red Mill maybe 6 months ago and put it in a glass jar. Could it have gone bad that quickly? Also, I might not have cooked it as long as I should because the directions showed minutes for 3 different sizes of pans. Maybe I looked at the wrong size pan instructions? Usually my problem lately has been burning foods and that, I'm afraid, is due to forgetting my cooking and wandering off to do something and forgetting to go back to the kitchen. Ha!
DeleteBut it was a pretty photo OP though. -smile-
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas!!!
🎄😊🤶🎅😊🎄
I'm telling myself that!
DeleteHappy Christmas to you!
It is indeed a pretty looking piece. Those occasional flops happen to all of us and we just smile and carry on. Lucky birds and wildlife!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lorrie! Hmm, I wonder if I smiled?
DeleteChristmas tree spritz cookies have long been a family favorite. However, the past few years I just cannot get them to come out right. They just don't hold their shape. I probably need to add more flour! Luckily they still taste delicious and don't last long.
ReplyDeleteSpritz cookies are so pretty! I remember making them as a newlywed since I was given a little press kit for a wedding present with all the little attachments. At some point I must have stopped because I can't remember that spritz press being in my kitchen in a very long time.
DeleteMaybe flour is just not what it used to be?
Dewena, your Cranberry Orange Christmas bread certainly does look pretty and appetizing, indeed! The colour of the crumb is a buttery yellow, the cranberries are edible jewels, and the vanilla glaze is silky and smooth. Appearances, as we know, can be misleading, and I say this having experienced a pretty failure myself, just two days ago when I baked a cake that I've been baking for over 10 years, for the small get-together, I had told you about.
ReplyDeleteThere were two things wrong with this cake that I can prep with my eyes closed! One was that it had big air bubbles throughout and the other was that it wasn't sweet enough. Google results for the first issue said, 'This happens when a/ there's too much raising agent, b/ the cake tin's too small, or c/ the oven temperature is too high.'. As far as the sweetness goes, I have no clue, since I always double-check the amounts of each ingredient that goes in. Admittedly, I used a bundt pan instead of the spring form pan that I usually use, as it is at the house, but the baking powder was fresh and the oven temperature was correct. So, it remains a mystery! I was upset, though, since I haven't had such a failure in a very long time!
Hope your next attempt yields good results!
Happy baking!
Oh no, Poppy! I know the ladies must have been looking forward to tasting one of your signature cakes again but I bet it still tasted good and you had so many other treats planned to go with it. You have scientifically researched why you didn't get the normal results so I bet you'll figure it out. Perhaps the different pan did make a difference. On to the next one!
DeleteI think your Cranberry Orange Christmas bread does look pretty on the plate.
ReplyDeleteThe thing with cooking/baking is ... it doesn't always turn out like you hoped, but I'm sure next time it will.
All the best Jan
You're so right, Jan, a baking failure never ever makes me to stop cooking!
DeletePlease read my last post.
ReplyDeleteMuch Love
Oh no, you're not there anymore? I'll miss your beautiful posts!
Delete