52 Weeks of Baking

Working AC doesn't get installed until Tuesday, so baking is still not happening in this house. I had a couple homemade meringue cookies left in the freezer, so I mixed them into some homemade bourbon dark chocolate ice cream.

Original reddit post

Welcome to Week 28 of our 52 Weeks of Baking Challenge! We’re officially past the halfway mark, and it’s been amazing to see all your creations so far. This week, we’re diving into the light and airy world of meringue. Whether you’re a fan of crisp meringue kisses, fluffy pavlovas, or decadent meringue-topped pies, this challenge is sure to test your skills and creativity.

So preheat your ovens, whip up those egg whites, and let’s see what delightful meringue masterpieces you come up with.

Not sure where to start? No worries! Here are some ideas:

Classic Pavlova - A meringue-based dessert topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

(Vegan) Meringue Cookies - Light and airy cookies that can be flavored with vanilla, chocolate, or fruit extracts.

Lemon Meringue Pie - A tangy lemon curd filling topped with a fluffy meringue.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream - A silky smooth frosting perfect for cakes and cupcakes.

Happy baking!

Been a busy couple weeks, but i am finally starting to get settled into my new apartment. Unpacked enough to make dinner and even bake something last night! I'm pretty crunched on time, energy, and money right now so i couldn't do anything to fancy unfortunately. But lemon bars are perfect for a hot American summer!

It's hot and my air conditioner is broke, so actual baking is not happening this week.

Original reddit post

Hello bakers! Welcome to week 27. For this week, your challenge is to channel your inner Willy Wonka and make a chocolate flavored treat, or incorporate chocolate into your bake in some way.

(yes, white chocolate isn't technically chocolate but it's acceptable for this challenge if you're not a cocoa person)

Here are some example recipes that fit the theme:

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Flower Cupcakes

Chewy Fudgy Frosted Brownies

Happy baking!

Used the coffee cream pie and cookie crust from Pieometry, but made made my own topping design.

Original reddit thread

Hello bakers, and welcome to week 26! This week your challenge is to make something inspired by STEM - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Show off a savvy STEM related skill in your baking, or make a treat decorated with a STEM theme.

As always, here are some example recipes that fit the theme. Happy baking!

Pi Cookies

Dry Ice Volcano Cake

Periodic Table of Cupcakes

Recipe. Delicious, and one of my better looking cakes.

Original reddit post

Hi bakers! This week's theme is...monochrome! Showcase something that is a single color or in variations of tones of a single color. Monochrome is also often considered to be black and white - so that counts too! Some examples that fit the theme include...

Purple Velvet Cake with Purple White Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing - It's purple both inside and out!

Silver Cupcakes

Strawberry Cookies (with Strawberry icing)

Happy baking!

My dad loves berry pies, so had to make him one for Father's Day. Fresh seasonal items used were blueberries and lemons (picked from my tree). The rosemary was from my yard too, but that thing grows year round 😋

Other berries used were the frozen Costco mix of blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries and pomegranate, on a homemade crust.

The ice cream was a custard base, with rosemary steeped in the milk & cream. I like experimenting with unique flavors of ice cream, and this one was a hit with my family.

[Image description: a close up of a slice of double crust berry pie with a dollop of melting ice cream on top.]

Recipe. I used regular honey and added toasted walnuts.

Original reddit post

Hi bakers! This week marks our second seasonal ingredients challenge. Showcase something that is in season where you live (or, barring that, something that is themed on the season it is where you live). If you're not sure what's in season where you are there are tons of resources online, or you might even hit a local farmer's market and choose something!

For example,,,

Simple Cherry Cake - Using fresh cherries which are currently in season in New York

Easy Kiwi Tart - Kiwi is in season in New Zealand

Lychee Baked Yogurt - Lychee (aka litchi) is in season in India now

I just read that the original tollhouse recipe from the 70s had water in it, so I added some. Presumably that's the way Grandma would have been accustomed to them. Mom said these were one of her faves.

Recipe. My crust had yeast in it because I forgot the nature of the challenge.

Original reddit post

Hi bakers! This week's challenge is Celebration of Life, where we celebrate the life of a loved one by making something they love/d. This can be for someone who has or has not passed on. We'd love to hear about your relationship to this person and why you chose to make what you did.

Ordinarily I would post a few sample recipes here, but given that this is something so personal, I will forgo that this week.

Happy baking!

Original reddit post

Flatbreads are, shockingly, quite flat and thin. They are usually unleavened (no yeast or rising agents), although there are some exceptions like pita. They alsp typically do not use rich ingredients like butter or eggs.

Quick to make, healthy to eat, they can be a great side to soak up sauce, pick up a dip or sandwich some meat / veggies. Since they are thin, they can be made on a griddle or grill instead of an oven.

There are a variety of flatbreads across cultures. Try pita and for bonus points make gyros. Or make some naan on a skillet - and discover how easy and tasty a base for pizza it can be.

For something richer and more substantial, try these flaky scallion pancakes

Let us know what you'll be making this week and what you're going to pair it with for a full meal.

Recipe

I made the mistake of not trying these when they were fresh. My mom did and thought they were great. I did not enjoy the following morning.

Original reddit post

This is another of those creative weeks. The sky's the limit on what you can bake, and extra points if it looks like the sky!

You can try focaccia art of flowers. Or cupcakes decorated with piped roses. Use dried flowers or herbs to decorate a cake. Make a chocolate mud pie with gummy worms. A galaxy cake to celebrate the night sky or the Northern lights.

It's spring in the northern hemisphere, a walk on a nature trail or a trip to the beach may bring unexpected inspiration. Good luck with whatever you choose to bring to life!

Recipe

Made for eurovision, and it was a fail in every way. The cake was top flat to cut in 3 layers, the custard never set, and, as you can see, the marzipan cracked apart.

Original reddit post

This week, pull out all the stops and dress (your bake) to impress! A showstopper is a dish that is delicious, elaborate and over-the-top gorgeous. So this is the week to stretch yourself : clear your calendar, get out your premium ingredients, put on your creative thinking caps and go at it.

If you're looking for inspiration, check out some memorable showstoppers from the Great British Bake-Off : https://www.lovefood.com/gallerylist/207527/ranked-great-british-bake-offs-most-spectacular-showstoppers-ever

Sorry for the infrequent posts. I lost my job and am trying to move out to Cleveland. Add some other personal stuff to the mix and it has been a rough month for me.

But these are a gift for my best friend's birthday this weekend. She's an absolute coffee fiend. I'm not big on tropical flavors at all so I'm not really impressed by them, but here's hoping she likes them.

Notes from baking these, but my powdered egg substitute was not useful. I had a lot of issue gettting the dough to come together and ended up using way more oil than is usually necessary for biscotti. They al holding shape, but they were definitely more crumbly than i was originally hoping for.

Recipe. Pretty standard bun.

Original Reddit post

This weekend is Cinco De Mayo - so perfect timing to celebrate the cuisine of Mexico. (At least that's what us Americans believe. This may well be one of those immigrant holidays that are more celebrated in the US than in the country of origin).

There is the iconic Tres Leches cake.

Or chocoflan.

And of course churros.

For something a little lighter try Conchas or Bolillo. Or Gorditas.

Whatever you make, consider pairing it with a good tequila for best effect :)

Einkorn cake recipe

This cake is delicious. If you're not big on overly sweet desserts, I recommend it. And if it's not sweet enough, a dusting of crumbled maple candy helps.