Tag Archives: fast

Cheddar Pecan Date Bread – the Quick Version

BY HELEN S. FLETCHER, ON
COPYRIGHT, HELEN S. FLETCHER, 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ALL PHOTOS BY PASTRIES LIKE A PRO UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

This Cheddar Pecan Date Bread is a sleeper.  Normally, I’m not a big fan of savory quick breads.  But this one was quite a surprise and really quick.

The recipe to which I was referring used cheddar cheese, buttermilk, and bran but I had none.  I also didn’t have the recipe.  What I did have was cheddar, pecans and a bag of dates.  Armed with those I knew I could use them to good advantage.  This moist loaf with its cheesy overtones is the outcome.

Dates can be tricky to chop.  I cut them up with a pair of scissors.  It goes really fast and is so much easier than trying to cut them with a knife.

While you could use just all-purpose flour, the whole wheat flour, while not discernable, enhances the flavor of this Cheddar Pecan Date Bread even though it can’t be tasted.  This is definitely a quick bread to make.  Whisk together the dry ingredients.  Blend together the wet ones and combine them.  That’s it.  Bake, cool and enjoy!

Cheddar Pecan Date BreadIngredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (250 grams or 8 3/4 ounces)
1/2 cup whole wheat flour (70 grams or 2 1/2 ounces)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar (50 grams or 1 3/4 ounces)
1 cup sour cream (225 grams or 8 ounce)
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (114 grams or 4 ounces)
1 cup chopped dates (114 grams or 4 ounces)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (60 grams or 2 ounces)

Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Line the bottom of a 9×5” loaf pan with parchment paper.  Spray the entire pan with a non-stick baking spray.  Set aside.

Whisk both flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar together.  Set aside.

In the bowl of a mixer, combine the sour cream, milk, and the egg. Liquid ingrediants mixwd

Add the dry ingredients, mixing completely.

Blend in the cheese, dates, and pecans.Cheese, nuts, dates for Cheddar Pecan Date Bread

Pour it into the prepared pan and smooth it out. Batter in pan

Bake for about 45 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.

The aroma of the Cheddar Pecan Date Bread is heavenly, but wait until the bread cools to eat it.

Store in a plastic bag where it will last several days.

If  you like this bread, I’ll bet you’d like these:

Crumb Topped Orange Date Muffins
Bacon and Cheddar Cheese Popovers
Four in One Amazing Quick Breads

Easy Skillet Turtle Brownies

BY HELEN S. FLETCHER, ON
COPYRIGHT, HELEN S. FLETCHER, 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ALL PHOTOS BY PASTRIES LIKE A PRO UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

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Greek Tomato Salad

BY HELEN S. FLETCHER, ON
COPYRIGHT, HELEN S. FLETCHER, 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ALL PHOTOS BY PASTRIES LIKE A PRO UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

Greek Tomato Salad

Greek Tomato Salad was featured on my original blog, “The Ardent Cook” which posted more food recipes than baking and pastry.  It was also a TV segment during my TV days.  This is super easy to put together and while, best the first day, I have been known to eat leftovers a couple of days later. The feta cheese and calamata olives give it a distinct Greek influence and the simple dressing doesn’t overtake the other ingredients.

As you can see I can’t get enough tomatoes and basil, especially in the summer when they are fresh and plentiful.  Just looking at the colors when the Greek Tomato Salad is finished picks up my day. Continue reading →

Hot Peppered Pecans

BY HELEN S. FLETCHER, ON
COPYRIGHT, HELEN S. FLETCHER, 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ALL PHOTOS BY PASTRIES LIKE A PRO UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

Hot Peppered PecansHot Peppered Pecans are perfect with the super bowl around the corner.  I originally discovered these Hot Peppered Pecans when the St. Louis Art Museum wrote their cookbook, “Artists in the Kitchen”. Some of the testing was done in my bakery kitchen

These pecans are a standout. Heat Alert –  they are hot!!  So if you don’t favor a lot of heat, tone down all the pepper and the hot pepper sauce. Start with half and go from there.

If you’re going to a Super Bowl party these are a great hostess gift.  Or if you’re hosting a Super Bowl Party these Hot Peppered Pecans make great gifts to send home with your guests.  Choose little containers or put them cellophane bags and tie with decorative ribbons. They are also great on a cheese tray, crumbled in a salad or included in any recipe calling for pecans, including sweet ones.  The kick they add to chocolate chip cookies is amazing.  Add them to Cocoa Brownies for an unusual twist.  As an added bonus they are gluten-free

Including baking, these Hot Peppered Pecans shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes.  Continue reading →

Chocolate Cranberry Quick Bread

BY HELEN S. FLETCHER, ON
COPYRIGHT, HELEN S. FLETCHER, 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ALL PHOTOS BY PASTRIES LIKE A PRO UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

Chocolate Cranberry Quick BreadI hope your cookie baking is just about finished and you can turn your attention to other things. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is think about on a holiday is making a big breakfast. What if this Chocolate Cranberry Quick Bread is stashed in the freezer waiting to add to the festive feeling? Continue reading →