Rich Cake - Temperature probe

Yes, I've only heard good news about Cea's crop. Roasted coffee only has a shelf life of about 2 weeks max. If you buy more than this, it will freeze ok, but you must remember to allow the beans to defrost fully before opening - otherwise a layer of moisture forms on the beans. Bertie

Interesting- thanks for the info! So, bake any more cakes lately?

I did a repeat of the above fruit cake, but substituted 7oz of dates for the glace' cherries. I tried my first sourdough bread last week. It wasn't very good, the top collapsed and it tasted too sour. I posted in alt.bread.recipes.

I made a few adjustments and the second one was good. Tomorrow, I'll bake a bread called 'Fannie Farmer's Water Bread' I work from home, but it's fairly quiet now, until the new year. The Water Bread Recipe was first published in 'The Original Boston Cooking School Cookbook' in 1896. I've never tried it before, it should be fun. Bertie

"Bertie Doe"

Update : I made another rich fruitcake, but this time soaked the fruit in brandy overnight and baked it a few degrees cooler. Another fruitcake tip[ I picked up from a book was "towards the end of the bake-time, listen to the cake, if it's not quite ready, you will hear a faint sizzling sound. Sure enough, at 2 hours you could hear the sizzle and the wooden skewer was still sticky. 15 minutes later, no sound and clean skewer.

My wife covered the top with marzipan, then a final top layer of sugar frosting. We prefer not to cover the sides, as we find that the end of the slice is too sweet. As you see from the picture, I forgot to buy soft, dark brown sugar and had to use white again. The crumb should be a lot darker. So remember : speak to your flowers (flours?) and listen to your cakes and have yourselves a great New Year all.

Very nice! I did not do as much baking for the holidays- I meant to do more, but we had quite a snowstorm which really slowed things down around here! I had taken last week off for vacation, but my husband still had to work. He has a motorcycle, but can't ride it in the snow, so he had to drive our only car. I had a pretty enjoyable week- it was nice to spend more time with my 11 year old. And it was beautiful out with all the snow, but glad to see it gone finally! I did make the Xmas bread I usually make, but it was a little overbaked. It's just a sweet dough, and I add apricots, almonds, and cardemom. I baked a loaf yesterday from "Artesian Bread in 5 Minutes a Day", altho I can't remember what it was called! It's Swedish, and has a bit of Rye flour, orange zest, ground anise, and cardemom- nice flavor! So, any big plans for the New Year, or will you be like us- asleep at 10 pm? LOL!

Very nice! I did not do as much baking for the holidays- I meant to do more, but we had quite a snowstorm which really slowed things down around here! I had taken last week off for vacation, but my husband still had to work. He has a motorcycle, but can't ride it in the snow, so he had to drive our only car. I had a pretty enjoyable week- it was nice to spend more time with my 11 year old. And it was beautiful out with all the snow, but glad to see it gone finally! I did make the Xmas bread I usually make, but it was a little overbaked. It's just a sweet dough, and I add apricots, almonds, and cardemom. I baked a loaf yesterday from "Artesian Bread in 5 Minutes a Day", altho I can't remember what it was called! It's Swedish, and has a bit of Rye flour, orange zest, ground anise, and cardemom- nice flavor! So, any big plans for the New Year, or will you be like us- asleep at 10 pm? LOL!

No snow on the south coast of England (yet) although the night temperatures are hovering around freezing. My brother and his wife each have a Harley, which they use in the Summer only. I guess they're trying to fight off middle-age but it hasn't worked -:)

I posted a 'trail mix' bread on alt.bread.recipes which was great fun. It contained fruit and nuts also. We both need to go on a serious diet in the New Year after all the Xmas treats have been eaten -:)

Have a great New Year all.

Bertie

Hi again! I will look for your recipe- it sounds good. I know what you mean by going on a diet :( My son has a Wii system, so I bought the Wii Fit for it so I could try to lose a few. I just started it the other day, and I'm quite impressed by it. I'm actually motivated! Anything special you do there to celebrate the New Year, like make a traditional recipe? If so, hopefully it will be low calorie! Best to your wife for the New Year!