On this episode…
This episode features a special Procrastibaking episode of the show Chopped. Our hosts also play a round of Pop Quiz and discuss what it would take for brownies to score an invite to brunch.
Photos
Luisa's Chocolate Coffee Bundt Cake
Rachel's Honey Cake
Links, Recipes and Sources
Rachel's Honey Cake Recipe Inspiration
Better Than A Boyfriend Brownies
S’more Brownie Recipe
Mix crushed graham crackers and melted butter and press into brownie pan. Pour your favorite brownie batter on top and bake as directed. During the last 5 minutes, top with minimarshallows and return for last 5 minutes.
Spiced Brownie Recipe
Preheat oven to 350 and line a 9x13 pan with parchment. Grease parchment. Melt 2 sticks of butter and let cool slightly. Add 2 cups of sugar, 4 eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla and stir. Add ⅔ cup of cocoa, 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne and ½ teaspoon of baking powder and stir until smooth. Pour into prepared pan and bake 20-25 minutes until middle is fully cooked. Let cool completely before cutting. Cut and drizzle with dulce de leche.
Coming up next...
Join us for a cocktail hour with Captain Jack Sparrow in celebration of National Rum Day!
Connect with us!
Email: Procrastibaking@yahoo.com
Bonus Batch
During this podcast episode, we explored the concept of brownies at brunch and what sweets make the cut for the brunch table. We thought it’d be fun to dive a little deeper into what makes the perfect Procrastibaking brunch:
Luisa: These days brunch is looking a bit different; instead of being able to go to our favorite restaurants we have started trying to recreate brunch at home, by either making some of our favorites or bringing home items from nearby local bakeries. Being six months pregnant also means I’ve had to temporarily say goodbye to my favorite brunch treat: mimosas! A fun compromise has been drinking my milk and boring orange juice in my champagne flutes-anything to feel like I can still join in on the fun! My brunch favorites are a tie between pancakes and a good breakfast sandwich. For pancakes we lately have been making them with bananas (my dad always made them with banana and the nostalgia is savored with every bite), blueberries and mini chocolate chips at home, while my favorite restaurant pancakes usually involve strawberries and tons of whipped cream. Some days I still dream about a restaurant we used to go to in Burbank called Bea Beas that makes matcha green tea pancakes with mascarpone, whipped cream and white chocolate chips…a dream come true! We also always have to have bacon or sausage as savory sides, as well as home fries. And breakfast sandwiches are truly tied with pancakes as my other brunch favorite. One of my all time favorite breakfast sandwiches is one from another Burbank restaurant called Red Maple, which has eggs, tomato, bacon, avocado and manchego cheese on focaccia bread. Even just the vibe of brunch is something that feels uplifting and warm; a big smile when greeting friends we haven’t seen in forever, accompanied with the satisfaction you get when you make it to the restaurant at just the right time to get a table right away and avoid the long wait. Oh my...please excuse me while I try to figure out how to get brunch at 7:30 pm on a Tuesday!
Rachel: Oh my! Luisa’s ideal brunch sounds fantastic. That breakfast sandwich is calling my name. Way earlier this year I held a vision board brunch with my potluck club and we tried out my new raclette grill which is fairly similar to a fondue. That was a blast as we got to mix in match our veggies, fruit, meats and bread with our melted cheeses of choice. I am drawn to that concept because I like all of my meals, but brunch especially, to have multiple components so that I can have a bite of this and that. Let’s start with beverages. I’ll take a mimosa please. Unless it’s chilly then I’ll have a spiked hot chocolate or chai tea. I’m pretty sure Luisa and I have mentioned several times on the podcast how much we both adore chai. In addition to a celebratory drink (brunch does seem fairly celebratory, right?) , I like to have a bready item like french toast, pancakes (chocolate, chip, banana or blueberry depending on the season) or CINNAMON ROLLS. If you’re hosting brunch at home, cinnamon rolls can easily be your star performer as you can make them weeks in advance and freeze them. You can also make a bulk quantity but change the filling for each plateful. A good brunch needs a meat choice or two. I’m partial to bacon or country ham but sausage is a good standby and I haven’t heard anyone complain about mini-chicken biscuits or chicken with waffles. Add an egg dish (sheet pan eggs are a fave of mine!) and something healthy-ish like a fruit salad or veggie platter (crudité for your fancy pants procrastibakers) and you have my perfect brunch! Cheers!