Almond Joy Bread

Today is my girlfriend's birthday and what better way to celebrate than by turning one of her favorite candy bars into a sweet loaf of bread!

Perfect with a cup of coffee, the almond-coconut flavor really shines though.

Happy Birthday, Rachel!

Almond Joy Bread

Almond Joy Bread

For the Bread:

• 4 eggs 
• 2 c sugar 
• 3/4 c vegetable oil 
• 1/4 c melted unsalted butter 
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 1 tsp coconut extract 
• 3 c flour 
• 1/2 tsp baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp baking powder 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 1 c buttermilk 
• 1 c sweetened coconut 
• 1/2 c slivered almonds 
• 1 c mini chocolate chips

For the Glaze:

• 1 c sugar 
• 1/2 c water 
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter 
• 1 tsp coconut extract

How You Do It:

1. Combine the first 6 ingredients into the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat ingredients on medium speed for 2 minutes.
2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Starting with the flour mixture alternate flour and buttermilk, mixing until just combined.
4. Fold in coconut, chocolate chips and almonds.
5. Pour into deep loaf pan that has been greased and floured. Bake at 350F for 1 hour or until a cake tester inserted in bread comes out clean.
6. Remove from oven and place on rack to dry.
7. To make the glaze, Place ingredients into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Allow to boil for about a minute. Turn heat off but leave saucepan on burner.
8. While cakes are still warm, poke several holes in the top of the cake with a wooden skewer. Drizzle Coconut Glaze into the holes, and then pour as much of the glaze over the top as you prefer.

Almond Joy Bread adapted from Steph's Bite by Bite.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Blondies

Up before 6:00am on a Saturday morning means prime time for some pre-Rosh Hashanah baking.  This morning, Dark Chocolate Cherry Blondies.  Packed up and into the freezer for a couple weeks, they look and smell delicious!

Dark Chocolate Cherry Blondies

What You Need:

Dark Chocolate Cherry Blondies

• 2 3/4 c flour
• 4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 sticks butter, room temperature
• 2/3 c sugar
• 1 c packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cherries

How You Do It:

1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl.
3. In large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and both sugars until smooth.  Add in eggs and vanilla and beat again until combined.  Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and slowly beat until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips and cherries.
4. Press mixture into prepared glass baking dish.  Bake until toothpick comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting..

Dark Chocolate Cherry Blondies recipe adapted from Martha Stewart September 2012 Everyday Food Magazine.