Giada's Lemon Bundt Cake with Chocolate Glaze and Candied Lemon

Ahh, the joys of baking.  It's my therapy.  :)

Today, I'm bringing you a gorgeous, mouth-watering concoction that you will love.  This beautiful, lemon-flavored bundt cake is smothered in a delectable chocolate glaze that falls over the edges and wraps the entire cake in an oozy, goozy hug.  The cake itself is studded with little bits of candied lemons that give it both a satisfying and surprising twist with each bite.

This cake is so unexpected, thanks to the lemon.  Yet, somehow, the flavors are perfect together.  The addition of buttermilk in the cake batter helps to keep it moist and lends a wonderful texture.  I love baking with buttermilk and substitute it into all kinds of recipes whenever I can.  

Although the recipe might seem a little long, I promise it's not complicated.  It would be an ideal baking session for a lazy weekend afternoon, when you can take your time and enjoy the process.  A few tips to keep in mind would be to not cut the lemon slices too thin, and don't cook them longer than the recipe calls for. 

This cake was a big hit around our house, and I'll definitely be making this little gem again.

Bon Appetit, my friends!  :)

Lemon Bundt Cake with Chocolate Glaze and Candied Lemon
Adapted from:  Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients:
Candied Lemon:

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water
2 lemons, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds

Cake:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Zest of 2 lemons
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt

Chocolate Glaze:
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup whipping cream

Directions:

For the candied lemon: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the lemon slices and simmer until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to drain. Let cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes. Finely chop the candied lemon slices. Set aside.

For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a nonstick Bundt pan with vegetable spray.

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or using a hand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. On low speed, slowly add the buttermilk and the vanilla. Stop the mixer, add the lemon zest and juice, and mix to incorporate. With the mixer on low, add the flour, one cup at a time, until combined. Finally, add the baking powder, baking soda and salt. Raise to medium speed and mix for 1 minute, until the batter is fluffy and smooth. Mix in the chopped candied lemons. With a spatula or wooden spoon, transfer the batter to the prepared Bundt pan and smooth out the top. Set the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden and a cake tester comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let the cake cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes before turning it out onto a plate.

For the glaze: Place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Once bubbles have formed around the edges of the cream, pour it over the chocolate. Whisk the cream and chocolate together until smooth. Pour the glaze over the Bundt cake, using a spatula or spoon to push the glaze down the sides and center of the cake.

Candied Lemon Slices

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#SaveTheBiscuit - Just Peachy Shortcake with Toasted Pecans & Maple Drizzle

Who's ready for some more biscuit deliciousness???  This recipe is one of my personal favorites when it comes to desserts that are perfect for the upcoming spring and summer season.  It's my take on a traditional shortcake.  Sky-high buttermilk biscuits take the place of the usual shortcake, and juicy peaches mixed with a little brown sugar make a mouth-watering filling.  Freshly whipped cream, a drizzle of maple syrup and toasted pecans take this dessert to stellar status.

Recently, I shared the news that my blog had been featured in Wiregrass Living magazine.  This recipe was one of the dishes in my feature.  It's definitely a hit around our house.   In fact, I have a confession to make - After photographing this dish, I unashamedly devoured the.whole.thing.  I mean, I couldn't let such a beautiful thing go to complete waste!?!  Shhh...Don't tell anyone.  ;)  A girl's gotta indulge every now and then.

I know that fresh peaches aren't always easy to come by this time of year, so a bag of sliced, frozen peaches would make a fine substitute if you're in a pinch.  Just defrost and proceed as written.  This entire recipe comes together quickly and the steps are super easy.

Here in the south, we southerners are serious about our homemade biscuits.  There's a debate about whether using salted butter or shortening is better when it comes to this topic.  I've always been a firm believer in butter, until very recently.  The past few times I've made biscuits, I only had shortening on-hand...no butter to be found.  I'm slowly becoming a shortening believer.  My biscuits came out mile-high and were super light and flaky. I've also perfected my kneading method and fold over the dough several times while kneading.  This helps to create beautiful layers.

This is the 3rd installment of my #savethebiscuit series, in which I've partnered with the nice folks at White Lily flour.

Bon Appetit, my friends!

"Just Peachy" Shortcake with Toasted Pecans, Buttermilk Biscuits & Maple Drizzle
Serves 5-6

Ingredients:

6 large peaches, peeled and sliced into wedges

3 Tbsp light brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

2 cups self-rising flour, preferably White Lily

1/4 cup cold, salted butter OR vegetable shortening, cut into cubes

3/4 cup cold buttermilk

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 Tbsp white sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Pure maple syrup

Directions:
For the peaches:

Mix together the sliced peaches and brown sugar in a medium bowl.  Let the mixture stand for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

For the pecans:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  Place the pecans on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until lightly toasted and fragrant.  Set to the side.To make the biscuits:

Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or coat with no-stick cooking spray.

Pour flour into a large bowl.  Using a pastry blender, cut 1/4 cup cold butter (or shortening) into the flour until butter pieces are the size of peas.  Slowly blend in buttermilk using a fork, just until dough begins to come together, being careful not to over-mix.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and very gently knead the dough 2-3 times, just enough to bring it together.  Pat or roll the dough into a 1/2-inch thick disc.  Cut biscuits using a floured 3-inch biscuit cutter, being careful not to twist as you cut.  Repeat until all dough is used.

Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, so that they are almost touching.  Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.

For the whipped cream:

While the biscuits are baking, combine the heavy whipping cream, white sugar and vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand mixer.  With the whisk attachment, beat on medium speed until soft peaks form.

To assemble:

Cut each biscuit in half and place a heaping spoonful of the peaches over each biscuit bottom.  Next, add a generous dollop of the whipped cream, followed by a sprinkling of toasted pecans.  Top with the crown of each biscuit, and finish with a drizzle of  maple syrup.  Garnish with extra chopped pecans, if desired.

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My Feature in Wiregrass Living Magazine!

So, I've got some wonderful news to share with you all - My blog is featured in the January/February issue of Wiregrass Living magazine, with a 14 page spread (and cover photo)!  Wiregrass Living is published in my hometown of Dothan, AL, and I was thrilled to hear that they'd be featuring my recipes.  

As soon as the magazine hit newsstands, we headed to the local Barnes & Noble, and you can imagine my surprise when I first saw the issue, and a recipe from my spread made the cover!  I was even more happy with the recipe they chose for the cover - Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup.  Why?  Well, this is a much-loved family recipe that I originally blogged about HERE.

The article features recipes that make it easy to incorporate fresh fruits and healthy vegetables into your meals, during these chilly winter months when it's easy to rely on our favorite, maybe not-so-healthy, comfort foods.

I thought I'd share some pages of the spread with you, along with two recipes.  I hope you enjoy!

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Recipes Featured:

1.   Asparagus, Mushroom & Roasted Red Pepper Quiche with Bacon & Gruyere

2.  Very Berry Arugula Salad with Toasted Almonds, Mandarin Oranges & Balsamic Vinaigrette

3.  "Just Peachy" Shortcake with Toasted Pecans, Buttermilk Biscuits & Maple Drizzle

4.  Whole Wheat Penne with Turkey Sausage & Veggies

5.  Tomato & Corn Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese

6.  Yogurt, Blueberry & Homemade Granola Parfaits

7.  Nutella-Peanut Butter Crepes with Bananas & Strawberries

8.  Greek Chicken Wraps

9.  Prosciutto, Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil Bruschetta

10.  Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup

Very Berry Arugula Salad with Toasted Almonds,

Mandarin Oranges & Balsamic Vinaigrette

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

For the salad:

5 oz arugula (4 large handfuls)

1 lb. strawberries, quartered

1 cup blueberries

1 (15 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/3 cup roasted sunflower kernels

1/2 red onion, minced

4 oz goat cheese, crumbled

For the vinaigrette:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tsp light brown sugar

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup grapeseed oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Place the almonds on a baking sheet in a single layer.  Bake for 3-4 minutes, or until lightly toasted and fragrant.  Set to the side.

Pour the arugula into a large bowl.  Add the strawberries, blueberries, oranges, toasted almonds, sunflower kernels, red onion and crumbled goat cheese.  Gently toss to combine all ingredients.

Divide salad onto individual serving plates and lightly dress with the desired amount of vinaigrette, reserving extra for later use.

To make the vinaigrette:

Pour all vinaigrette ingredients into a mason jar, with a tight-fitting lid.  Vigorously shake the jar for 1 minute to thoroughly combine.  

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Prosciutto, Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil Bruschetta

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls

3 oz. prosciutto, cut into small pieces

10 large fresh basil leaves, chopped

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 whole French baguette, sliced 1/2 - 3/4" thick

1 clove garlic, sliced in half

Directions:

Preheat broiler to 500 degrees F.

Combine tomatoes, mozzarella, prosciutto, basil and olive oil in a large bowl.  Season with freshly ground black pepper and mix together well.

Next, arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet that's been lined with a silicone mat or sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.  Place under the broil and toast until golden brown.  Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

Once bread is just cool enough to handle, lightly rub each piece with the garlic, cut side down.  The harder you rub, the stronger the garlic flavor will be.

Just before serving, spoon topping over the toasted bread.  Serve immediately.

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Tostadas Salsa Verde

 

Oh, how I love this dish.  First of all, Brad and I adore Mexican food.  We make it a point to fit it into our schedules at least once a week, if not more.  Secondly, this dish is so easy and flavorful, that I made it three times within the same week.  See, we had extra ingredients on hand after the first night, and I didn't want them to go to waste.  The solution?  Enjoy it multiple times, of course!

Making use of a rotisserie chicken makes this meal even easier.  If you can't get your hands on a rotisserie chicken, simply poach some chicken breasts ahead of time and shred the meat.  In fact, that's what the original recipe called for.

The tortillas are covered with shredded cheese and then baked to crispy, cheesy perfection.  Then, they are topped with a mixture of tender chicken, salsa verde, fresh cilantro and ground cumin.  This all bakes in the oven until piping hot, and then it's served with a mountain of shredded lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream on top.

Um, yum!

It sort of reminded me of a Mexican pizza of sorts.  You'll love this, folks!

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Tostadas Salsa Verde
Adapted from:  Great Food Fast by Martha Stewart, pg. 211

Ingredients:
4 (6-inch) flour tortillas
3 ounces shredded (3/4 cup) pepper Jack cheese
2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) shredded chicken (from a rotisserie chicken)
1 cup jarred green salsa, plus more for serving
1/4 cup chopped, plus 2 tablespoons cilantro
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
3 plum tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup sour cream

Directions:Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange tortillas on a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle cheese evenly over tortillas; bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss together chicken, salsa, 1/4 cup cilantro, and cumin. Spoon mixture evenly over tortillas; bake until heated through, about 8 minutes.

Top with lettuce, tomato, and sour cream. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Serve immediately, with additional green salsa, if desired. 

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Nutella Cappuccino Ice Cream with Roasted Hazelnuts

I'm pretty sure that this ice cream is served by the bowl-full in heaven.  

No, I'm serious.

On a recent trip to TN, I came across some farm-fresh milk (You know, the non-homogenized kind with the cream on top).  I had never been lucky enough to try milk that fresh, so I bought it and started dreaming of recipes to use it up. 

My first thought - ice cream!

I know we're a little past peak ice cream season, but come on...some things are so amazing that they need to be - no, they MUST be - enjoyed all year long.   Anything less would be tragic.  This particular flavor was inspired by our trip to Italy.  We had the most amazing Nutella Cappuccinos while visiting Rome, in a little cafe near the Coliseum.  It was bliss, and I wanted to try and re-create those unforgettable flavors.  After all, nutella and coffee are a match made in heaven.

The real stars of this ice cream are the roasted hazelnuts.  It just wouldn't be quite as marvelous without them.  I took whole hazelnuts and roasted them to toasty, fragrant perfection, then chopped them up and added them right to the ice cream base as it was being whirled around in the ice cream machine.  A generous portion of nutella is also added during the freezing process, so that you end up with wonderful little nuggets of nutella throughout.

"Nuggets of nutella"...Doesn't that sound just delightful? :)

By the way, the farm fresh milk was the best milk I've ever had in my life, and it made a big difference in this ice cream.  If using farm fresh milk, just use 4 cups of milk, instead of the milk and cream quantities listed below. 

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Nutella Cappucino Ice Cream with Roasted Hazelnuts
Ice cream base adapted from:  Emeril Lagasse's recipe for Coffee Ice Cream

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
6 egg yolks

1/3 cup nutella

1/2 cup whole hazelnuts

Directions:

Combine the cream, milk, sugar, and coffee in a medium, heavy saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat.

 Beat the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Whisk 1 cup of the hot cream into the egg yolks. Gradually add the egg mixture in a slow, steady stream, to the hot cream. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and reaches 170 degrees F. on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes.

 Remove from the heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down against the surface to keep a skin from forming. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

While the ice cream base is chilling in the fridge, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.  Place the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the pre-heated oven.  Roast for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly toasted and fragrant.  Transfer the hazelnuts to a cutting board and chop.  Let cool completely. 

Remove ice cream base from the refrigerator and pour into the bowl of an ice cream machine. Freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.  About half-way through the freezing process, begin adding the nutella.  Do this by dropping very small bits of nutella into the ice cream as it churns, until it is all gone.  With this method, you will end up with small chunks of nutella throughout the ice cream.  If you see any large chunks of nutella, break them up with a spoon the best you can.  Once all of the nutella is incorporated, add the chopped hazelnuts and continue to freeze until done. 

After the ice cream is made, transfer to an airtight container. Cover tightly and freeze until ready to serve. 

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White Chocolate Raspberry Biscuit Bread Pudding + A GIVEAWAY!

Did you know that it's National Biscuit Month?  Pretty awesome, huh?  What do you say we celebrate by making a mouth-watering, ridiculously delicious white chocolate bread pudding.  BUT - This isn't just any old bread pudding.  It's made with made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits, which give it an incredible texture and presentation.   In fact, my father-in-law is a self-proclaimed bread pudding expert, and he deemed this bread pudding one of the best he's EVER had...That's serious stuff, folks!  :)

Trust me, there will be audible OOHs and AHHS when you pull this baby out of the oven.  The biscuits are cut in half and arranged prettily in a pie plate, only to be topped off by fresh raspberries and then smothered with a creamy white chocolate mixture that you'll want to take a bath in.  

Um, yes, please!

After you finish licking your plate from the goodness that was the biscuit bread pudding (it won't last long!), take a minute to enter my latest giveaway, which is sponsored by the wonderful folks at White Lily.  I mean, I can't think of a better giveaway, sponsored by a better company, to celebrate National Biscuit Month, can you??  The lucky winner will receive a Biscuit Essentials Kit, which includes:

White Lily Biscuit Essentials Kit:

• "Save the Biscuit" Tote Bag
• "Save the Biscuit" T-Shirt (so cute!!)
• Biscuit cutter
• Pastry Blender
• Flour Sifter
• 1 bag of White Lily flour
• Tea towel 

Keep scrolling to the bottom of this post for directions on how to enter the giveaway...

Bon Appetit, my friends!

White Chocolate Raspberry Biscuit Bread Pudding
Adapted from:  White Lily

Ingredients:
8 to 9 prepared White Lily Light & Fluffy Biscuits (recipe below)
6 ounces fresh raspberries (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 (12 oz.) package white baking chips
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar

Directions:
HEAT oven to 325°F. Coat 9 1/2- inch deep dish pie plate with no-stick cooking spray. Slice biscuits in half horizontally. Arrange, split side up, in a circular pattern in prepared pie plate. Arrange raspberries randomly over biscuits.

Microwave baking chips in uncovered microwave-safe bowl on medium high power for 1 minute and 15 seconds. Stir. If necessary, microwave at 15 second intervals, stirring just until melted. 

Combine milk and cream in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Whisk eggs, egg yolks and sugar in large bowl. Gradually whisk in hot milk mixture and melted baking chips until blended.

Ladle egg mixture gently over biscuits until almost full, pressing down slightly to submerge. Let stand 20 minutes. Add remaining egg mixture as biscuits absorb liquid. Bake uncovered 45 to 50 minutes or until firm and knife inserted 2 inches from edge comes out clean.

White Lily Light & Fluffy Biscuits

Ingredients:
2 cups White Lily self-rising flour
1/4 cup all-vegetable shortening, chilled
2/3 to 3/4 cup buttermilk or milk

Directions:
Heat oven to 500 degrees F.  Coat baking sheet with no-stick cooking spray.

Measure flour into large bowl.  Cut in shortening with pastry blender until crumbs are the size of peas.  Blend in just enough milk with fork until dough leaves the sides of bowl.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface.  Knead gently 2 to 3 times.  Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness.  Cut using floured 2-inch biscuit cutter.  Place on prepared baking sheet 1 inch apart for crisp sides or almost touching for soft sides.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

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How to  Enter the Giveaway:
 
Simply leave a comment on this blog post, which answers the following question:

What is your favorite type of biscuit?
Also, for extra chances to win, simply do the following and leave SEPARATE additional comments letting me know that you did:

• Like Sugar & Spice on Facebook
• Follow Sugar & Spice by Celeste on Twitter 
• Tweet the following:
  NEW GIVEAWAY: Win a #whitelily Biscuit Essentials Kit! @SugarSpicebyC #nationalbiscuitmonth #giveaway @DVLprad http://sugarandspice-celeste.blogspot.com/2013/09/white-chocolate-raspberry-biscuit-bread.html 
• Follow the Sugar & Spice by Celeste board on Pinterest 

The Rules:

• Entries must be submitted by midnight (CST time) on Sunday, September 22nd. 
• A winner will be picked at random (using random.org) and will be announced on Monday, September 23rd.
• Please make sure you include your name and email address so that I will have a way to contact you if you win...especially if you leave a comment using the "Anonymous" option.
• At this time, the contest is open to US residents only.

Good Luck, and THANKS for stopping by!  :)

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Fabulous Homemade Granola

Lately, I've been loving granola.  I can't get enough of it.  I love sprinkling it over greek yogurt and fresh blueberries for a healthy, yummy snack.  Or, it's equally as mouth-watering by the handful.

So, I got to thinking...Why don't I come up with my own recipe for the crunchy, satisfying goodness that is granola?  This recipe was the fabulous result.  It's perfectly sweet, thanks to a combination of light brown sugar and wildflower honey.  Sliced almonds, roasted sunflower kernels, and sesame seed also make an appearance.  Plus, a smattering of ground cinnamon only adds to the wow factor.

If you're a granola fan like me, you will really love this recipe!  It comes together easily and is ready in a flash.  Store it in an air-tight container, and you've got a snack that will last for days (if it doesn't disappear faster!).

Bon appetit, my friends!

Homemade Granola

Ingredients:

3 cups old-fashioned oats

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup roasted sunflower kernels

1/3 cup sesame seeds

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup honey, preferably wildflower

1/4 cup canola oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Mix the first six ingredients in a large bowl. 

In a separate small bowl, vigorously whisk together the honey and canola oil until well combined.  Pour over the dry ingredients.

Using your hands, thoroughly mix the granola until the honey mixture is fully incorporated, lightly squeezing as you go.

Press the granola into an even layer on a large silicone-lined baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown; stirring every 10 minutes to promote even browning.

Cool completely;  granola will harden as it cools.

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Delicious Peach & Blackberry Cobbler

A warm cobbler right out of the oven possibly screams "Summer!" better than any other dessert that I can think of.  They are easy to put together and are a wonderful way to showcase summer's bounty of fresh fruits.  My personal favorite always involves peaches, and this particular recipe adds fresh blackberries to the mix.  

Speaking of blackberries, I was pretty excited to discover several blackberry bushes on one of our nightly walks with the pup, very close to our house.  I have to give my hubby, Brad, a special thank you, because he hand-picked the blackberries for this dish!  After all, food always tastes better when you pick the fruit yourself.  :)

I've made a lot of different cobblers throughout my dessert-making adventures, but this one is definitely going to be my new go-to recipe.  It was inspired by a Paula Deen dish that I tweaked here and there.  My secret ingredient is cardamom, in addition to the traditional cinnamon.  It adds a scrumptious depth-of-flavor that I love.  I also used buttermilk and substituted half of the white sugar for brown sugar.

I have to admit - I've made this cobbler THREE times over the past several weeks.  I took it to a family get-together recently, and then it was requested again at our July 4th celebration.  I wanted to make sure that there was plenty to go around, so I made 2 dishes of it for the holiday.  And you know what?  It's already all gone...This stuff doesn't last long!

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Blackberry Peach Cobbler

Adapted from:  Paula Deen

Ingredients:
4 cups peeled, sliced peaches

1 cup blackberries

1 cup white sugar
 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 cup water
8 tablespoons butter
1 cup brown sugar 
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 1/2 cups buttermilk  
Extra sliced peaches & blackberries, for garnish

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the peaches, blackberries, 1 cup white sugar, cinnamon, cardamom and water in a saucepan and mix well.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Put the butter in a 3-quart baking dish and place in oven to melt.

Whisk together 1 cup brown sugar, flour, and buttermilk slowly to prevent clumping.  Pour mixture over melted butter.  Do not stir.  Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring in syrup.  Batter will rise to top during baking.

Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until crust is golden brown.

To serve, scoop onto a plate and serve with your choice of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Garnish with fresh peach slices and blackberries.

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Classic Buttermilk Biscuits

After the 2013 Southern Baking Retreat, I couldn't help but come home and bake biscuits.  This resulted in a delicious explosion of flour in my kitchen, but it's so worth the mess.  Homemade biscuits have always been a favorite thing of mine to make.  Mostly in part because it brings back all those wonderful memories of being in the kitchen with my grandmother, cutting biscuits with an upside-down sweet tea glass.  Plus, I'm a self-proclaimed "bread girl," so no meal is complete without some sort of biscuit, toast or roll on the side.

When it comes right down to it, is there any food more quintessentially southern and delicious than a well-made buttermilk biscuit?  

It's an art form in itself.  Even though there's really only 3 ingredients involved - flour, butter & buttermilk - so much can go right, or so much can go wrong on any given biscuit-making day.

It's all about the technique and ingredients that you use: 

• Southern flours, like White Lily, are made from soft winter wheat, and therefore have much lower levels of protein.  This results in lighter, fluffier and more tender biscuits.  

• In addition, always use COLD butter and buttermilk.  

• Work quickly while making the biscuits, so that the ingredients stay cold.  Once that cold butter hits the hot oven, it will create steam, which helps the biscuits rise higher. 

•  And most importantly - Use a gentle hand and do not over-mix.

This recipe is a delicious, yet basic one that I've always used.  Biscuits only get better with lots of practice, so don't be afraid to make a flour-y mess of your own.  :)

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Classic Buttermilk Biscuits

Ingredients:
2 cups Southern, self-rising flour (such as White Lily brand)
1/4 cup COLD, salted butter, cut into cubes
2/3 to 3/4 cup cold buttermilk 
2 Tbsp melted butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or coat with no-stick cooking spray.

Pour flour into a large bowl.  Using a pastry blender, cut 1/4 cup cold butter into the flour until butter pieces are the size of peas.

Slowly blend in buttermilk using a fork, just until dough begins to leave the sides of the bowl.  Do not over-mix!

Place dough onto a lightly floured work surface and very gently knead the dough 2-3 times, just enough to bring it together.  Do not over-knead. 

Pat or roll the dough until it is 1/2 inch thick.  Cut biscuits using a floured 2-inch biscuit cutter, being careful NOT to twist as you cut.  (This will seal the edges and prevent the biscuits from rising as high.)

Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, so that they are almost touching.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.

While still hot, brush additional melted butter on the top of each biscuit.

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