Friday 11 April 2008

The Wonderful Wanda!

The book I’m cooking this week is one that was covered in one of the Daring Baker challenges I didn’t manage to take part in. I somehow felt compelled to buy the book though =), and it’s a fabulous baking book. Wanda’s Pie In The Sky by Wanda Beaver. I tell you it’s finding bonus unexpected books like this (Dorie’s Baking was my last big ‘find’) that make all my online searching for new books worthwhile! The kind of book you think ‘wow how could this book have been out there and I have never heard of it!’. It’s a happy event discovering books like this, especially when you own a certain number of books, finding a really good one is like seeing a shooting star, a memorable and happy occasion.
Lemon Coconut Crisps
I made a couple of cookie recipes first an oatmeal raisin cookie which I turned into oatmeal raisin-cranberry by using half raisins and half dried cranberries. Then I did lemon coconut crisps, they are crisp and melting and so tender all at the same time, an old recipe that is so worth keeping alive. Next came her butterscotch brownies, a rich toffee experience if ever there was one!
Oatmeal Raisin-Cranberry Cookies
I’ve recently been feeling the need of some comforting baked goods, life gets hectic sometimes, but Wanda’s pineapple upside down cake hit the spot. A homey pudding, but a real showstopper for all that, the cake part is made with some sour cream and it was just dreamy 20 minutes out of the oven with some double cream. I don’t usually major on sponge in a pudding, but this was just so good – I had to eat my whole bit!
Butterscotch Brownies
It’s only now that I realise I’ve not made a pie, but I’m sure this book will be re-visited in the future!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Adapted from Wanda’s Pie In The Sky by Wanda Beaver
Topping:
¼ cup (2oz) butter, melted
½ cup brown sugar
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
6-8 pieces pineapple
1/3 cup approx, whole pecans
Cake:
¾ cup (6oz) butter, softened
1 ½ cups caster sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups plain flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 ¼ teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
2 pinches salt
1 cup or 10fl oz pot sour cream,
Double cream for serving
Topping: Combine butter, sugar and cinnamon. Spread onto the bottom of a 10 inch (25cm) cake tin (I used a Portmerion flan dish). Arrange the pineapple slices and pecans over the sugary base.
Cake: Using a KA etc, beat the butter and sugar until light. Add eggs, one by one, beating in between each addition. Add vanilla and beat again. Sift the flour, baking power, bicarbonate of soda and salt together. Add the dry ingredients in three lots, with half the sour cream in between each dry lot. Spread the batter over the pineapple and pecans. Bake for about 35 - 40 minutes, or until cooked. Leave 10 minutes in the tin or dish, then run a knife around the dish and invert onto a serving plate or dish. I served it about 20 minutes out of the oven

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

All look good and wholesome, KJ. I presume the book is American, am I right? Next stop. Amazon!

Jeannette

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Ooooh, butterscotch brownies -- they look amazing. I haven't seen a beautiful pineapple upside down cake in ages, so thanks for that, too.

Deborah said...

I have been wanting to buy this since the DB challenge - I think it's the only book I don't now own that a DB challenge has come from since I joined. They all look wonderful!

KJ said...

oh how good does that cake look. So light and fluffy and delicious. I haven't even registered the pineapple yet. YUM.

Peabody said...

I so want pineapple upside down cake now!!!

Pat said...

Ohhhhhhhh I just love Pineapple upsidedown cake!!!! Hmmmmm but it isn't good for my diet. But I may just have to bake one today anyway!!!

Maria♥ said...

Kelly what a beautiful assortment of bakes and oh my does that pineapple upside down cake look incredible. I am definitely going to add this book to my wishlist!

Maria
x

Anonymous said...

Wow you have been busy KJ. What a lovely selection of goodies you have there.

Anonymous said...

What a delicious collection of goodies!

Elle said...

These all look great, especially the pineapple upside down cake...but then I loooooove cake.

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Sorry I'm laughing away while I type this. So much I've totally forgotten what I was going to say... As I was scrolling down this very delicious post I saw the cook yourself thin link and clicked to that... Can you guess how my mind is working at the moment...?

Paola Westbeek said...

Immediately caught my eye on Tastespotting! What a beautiful photo and whatr a gorgeous dessert!!

paola

Rhyleysgranny said...

Your baking as always is gorgeous. I saw the pic on TasteSpotting. Well done
xxx

Jannett said...

This cookbook looks like one everyone needs to own... Great photos.. :)

Vicky said...

WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW! What more can I say.

Vicky xxx

Elle said...

I know I've already commented, but I’ve awarded your blog an “E for Excellent”. Go to my Feeding My Enthusiasms site at http://feedingmyenthusiasm.blogspot.com to see the post. You were an easy choice because of the quality and joy of your posts.

Rosie said...

Oh KJ you spoil us with all these scummy treats here! WOW they all look SO divine I wouldn't know which one to choose to taste first if they were laid out in front of me :)

I must look this book up now too!

Rosie x

Nickki said...

Oh Wow I need that book!! The blondies look beatiful, YUM! (And the cookies and the pineapple cake!) xxx

Maggie said...

I still love pineapple upside down pudding but yours is a posh version with those pecan nuts.
I love the brownies too.

priscilla joy said...

This all looks good...but my favorite is the cake with the pineapples on top - yummy!

violets said...

I just love the look of this cake, anything with pineapple in it is definitely a winner for me.


btw, I've tagged you check out my blog.


Vi xx

Anna's kitchen table said...

Oh my gosh KJ, everything looks really amazing!! droolworthy!
xx

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Those all look delicious. I'll have to definitely check out this book!

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Pineapple-Upside down cake is my dad's all-time favorite. You're really making me want a piece right about now.

Cynthia said...

You have been busy in the kitchen, I see.

Kelly-Jane said...

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments, and to Elle and Vi for your tags...I'll get round to them soon. =)

KJxx