It’s a tower of waffles. Sourdough this time. Using my favorite cast iron waffle makers.
If you want to give this recipe a try, follow my basic waffle recipe here, but use half the oil, omit the buttermilk (or soured milk), and add 1-2 cups of sourdough starter.
Happy breakfast!
This has become my favorite loaf to make. It’s so big, and tall, and luscious. Give it a try with the recipe below and let me know how it turns out. Post a picture of your loaf in the comments!
Sourdough Sandwich Loaf:
Begin with approximately 2 cups of activated sourdough starter. This means that the starter should have been fed within the last 2-3 hours. I don’t specifically measure. I just eyeball it.
Add the following…
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbls honey
1 1/2 cups water
Stir all this into the starter.
Next add your flour. If you are using an all purpose starter, add the all purpose flour first. If you have a whole wheat starter or other whole grain add the whole grain flour first. You want to be sure that the flour that your starter is used to being fed is mixed into the starter well before another type of flour is added. So….
2 cups all purpose flour
1 3/4 – 2 1/2 cups whole grain flour
The whole grain flour could be whole wheat, spelt, etc. I use freshly milled flour.
The reason I give a range here on the flour is that this can vary for you depending on how thick/thin you keep your starter. I typically use about 2 cups of whole grain flour.
The other thing to keep in mind is that this is a fairly stiff dough. For those of you used to high hydration loaves, you may feel like you are over flouring here.
After you have mixed in the flour that your starter is typically used to being fed, then mix in the other flour one cup at a time. You need to read your dough after the first cup of flour. You are going for a dough that is fairly stiff and just cleans the side of the bowl.
After you think you have added enough flour, covet the bowl with a wet towel and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
After the first 30 minute rest, you want to perform 4-5 sets of stretch and folds every 20-30 minutes. To execute a stretch and fold, reach under the dough and pull a section of the dough up and fold it toward the center of the dough. Do this all the way around the circumference of the ball of dough. Let the dough rest for at least 20 minutes, and perform another stretch and fold until you have done it 4-5 times.
Now give the dough a final 20 minute rest and while you prepare your loaf pan.
I use an Emile Henry Italian Baker. As you can see, this is an extra-large loaf pan. You could use an oval Dutch oven to make this loaf, or divide the dough into two regular sized loaf pans. You could also cut the recipe in half if you only want to make one loaf in a regular sized loaf pan.
If using loaf pans, butter or grease your pans well.
After the dough has completed its final rest (divide it in half if using two loaf pans) and then flatten it into a rough rectangle just slightly smaller than the length of your pan. Roll it into a log shape, pinch the seam closed, and place it in the loaf pan for its final rise. If you have the EH Italian baker, cover the dough with the lid while it rises. (Note: if baking in a Dutch oven, let your dough rise in a covered, oblong banneton, and use parchment paper to line your Dutch oven with rather than greasing it.)
Let the dough rise until it reaches the top of your loaf pan or banneton.
Once it had risen to the top of the pan, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Once the oven is hot, place your loaf pan in the oven and bake covered for 30 minutes. Then remove the cover and bake for 15 more. If baking in regular loaf pans, you can bake uncovered, just watch the loaf for the last 15 minutes to be sure that it is not browning too quickly. If you find it browns too fast, reduce the heat to 350 for the last 15 minutes.
Cool completely on a wire rack and enjoy your beautiful loaf!
I needed a new cookie recipe today. Something that would be healthy enough for a snack.
Here is the result.
Let me know if you try it out.
Orange Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies:
In a large bowl combine the following:
1 cup light tasting oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp salt
2 eggs (or 4 egg yolks)
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbls orange juice
Whisk until combined and mixture is slightly thick.
2 cups finely grated carrot
Fold the carrot into the wet ingredients. Then add…
2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups oats (or spelt flakes)
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix dry ingredients until combined. Add…
1 cup chocolate chips (or raisins)
Fold the chocolate chips or raisins in until mixed well.
Spoon onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.
Enjoy!
We’ve finished our first week of school and I’m making these cookies as a treat. Try them out this weekend. They are worth it!
Try the recipe here!
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins:
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 – 1 cup of sugar
2 tbls baking powder
Chocolate chips
Blend dry ingredients.
In another bowl or 4 cup measuring cup, add…
2 cups milk, milk substitute or water
1/2 cup light flavored oil
4 eggs
2-3 mashed bananas
Mix wet ingredients and then add them to the dry, mixing until just combined.
Spoon into muffin cups and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. this recipe will make about 5 dozen baby muffins, or 2 dozen regular sized muffins.
I had a bunch of starter to use up today.
At least six cups to be exact. What should I do with all of it? Invent a new batter bread of course! It uses up a lot of starter and it’s yummy!
The recipe below is for one loaf. You can easily double, triple, or in my case quadruple it depending on how much starter you have to use up.
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Batter Bread:
2 cups sourdough starter
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
Mix all of the above together until well blended.
Then add…
1/2 cup of flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup+ chocolate chips
Mix well. Add more flour if needed until the batter resembles the texture of soft cream cheese.
Grease a loaf pan or 8×8 casserole dish, pour in your batter, let it rise 1-2 hours or until your batter is about 1/2 inch from the top of your pan if using a loaf pan, or about 1/2 way up if using an 8×8 pan.
Bake at 400 for 35 minutes. If using a loaf pan or may need 10 minutes more. To ensure that the bread is done, check the center with a skewer as you would test a cake, or use an instant read thermometer. Internal temp should be between 190-200 degrees.
If the bread is already looking brown at the 35 minute mark, tent with foil and continue baking if more time is needed.
This cake is not only cute, but delicious. He certainly brightened up our Easter table. And he’s allergy friendly too. This cake is free of eggs, nuts, and dairy. I made it with sourdough, but if you don’t have a sourdough starter, you can easily make it without. Modifications for the non-sourdough version are written below the picture of the recipe card.
Regular (not sourdough) Bunny Cake:
To make this cake without sourdough, simply omit the sourdough, and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Use 3 full cups of flour and use 2 tsp of baking powder instead of baking soda. Follow the rest of the recipe as written.
This is delicious and healthy. Try it!
Orange Spice Chocolate Cake:
This is an egg and dairy free recipe.
This recipe makes one large 9×13” casserole dish. For a square 8×8” dish, divide the recipe in half.
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 tbls cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
Mix all the above ingredients well.
Next stir in….
2 cups finely grated carrot
1 cup chocolate chips
Mix these until the carrots are completely coated with flour.
Now add….
2/3 oil
2 cups water with 3 tbls frozen orange juice concentrate dissolved in the water
Combine all the ingredients and pour in your casserole or cake pans.
Bake on 350 for 35 minutes.
This batter bread is delicious, savory, and filling. Trying as a surprise side dish with dinner. It’s great way to use up your extra sourdough starter.
Garlic Herb Batter Bread:
3/4 cup sourdough starter
1 tsp. salt
1 cup water
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbls garlic powder or granulated garlic
1 tbls Italian seasoning
handful of sliced black olives
Add all purpose flour 1/2 cup at a time until the batter resembles a stiff buttercream frosting.
To bake, spray a casserole with oil. Pour in the batter and let it rise in a warm place for 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake for 30 minutes.
Try this with your mature sourdough starter. (Note: If your starter is not mature yet, you can still make this. Double the starter and baking soda and decrease the water half.)
1 cup activated starter (this means starter that has been fed within the past 2 hours)
1 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oil
3 mashed bananas
Mix all these wet ingredients. Then add….
2 tbls cocoa powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp baking soda
Handful of chocolate chips
Add flour until the dough resembles a stiff buttercream frosting.
Pour into an oiled or buttered casserole. Let it rise, covered, in a warm place until it reaches the top of the pan, or about 2 hours.
Remove the cover and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Poured into casserole. Ready to rise.
Risen for two hours. Ready for the oven.
If you have someone in your household that can’t eat anything, then these pancakes are for you. Only five ingredients. My son will verify that they are quite tasty. Only prerequisite is that you need to be able to have a gluten based grain.
2 cups flour (For added nutrition use sprouted grain. I use sprouted spelt.)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbls baking powder
1/4 cup oil
2 cups water
If using whole grains mix and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Stir vigorously to develop the gluten until it is a smooth, stretchy batter.
Cook at medium high heat on a lightly oiled skillet. Freeze excess or store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Enjoy!
