Books, Tea, and the Trinity: Apple Buttermilk Cake

Back in 2020, some friends and I started a Tea Party/Bible Study/Book Club. We met every Wednesday and worked our way through the Chronicles of Narnia and are currently working through The Chronicles of Prydain. When we started I resolved to share all the recipes, we have made-but I haven’t gone through them as quickly as I hoped.

When we completed The Magician’s Nephew,The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; and A Horse and His Boy; we moved on to book four, Prince Caspian. This book is one of my favorites in the series as I love Prince Caspian (although the Disney film version is horrible). Like A Horse and His Boy, this book did not mention a lot of specific foods, so we planned whatever we wanted to make.

As I wasn’t in charge of this book, there will be no discussion questions, just recipes. 

The first week we had Apple Cinnamon Scones: Salmon Radish Cucumber Canapés, Cinnamon Bread-Honey-Cheese-Apple and Ham Sandwiches, Kellogg’s Cheese Potato Crisps, and Applesauce Cake; all paired with Caroline’s Coffee Roaster Princess Earl Grey (as we needed to have some royal-tea).

The next week we had lavender flowering tea, Irish Soda Bread, Tuna Salad, Twice Baked Potatoes, carrot soup, and Quaker Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips.

For our final discussion of Prince Caspian we had Earl Grey Lavender Scones, Salmon and Cucumber Sandwiches, Radish-Dill Canapés, Cheese Potato Crisps, and Buttermilk Apple Cake.

Today’s recipe is the Buttermilk Apple Cake from two peas & their pod. I first came across this recipe when I was looking for something to make with the leftover buttermilk from my Irish Soda Bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
• Pinch of fresh nutmeg
• ½ stick unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup shaken buttermilk
• 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, and sliced 
• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
• Turbinado sugar (to sprinkle on top of cake) [I didn’t have any so I used brown sugar instead)
• Powdered Sugar (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ½ teaspoon of the cinnamon, and nutmeg. 
3. Beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy.
4. Beat in vanilla. Add egg and beat until combined.
5. At low speed, mix in flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, and mixing until just combined.
6. In a small bowl, combine the apple slices with the brown sugar and other ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
7. Stir until apples are coated.
8. Spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top. Place sliced apples evenly over top and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
9. Bake until cake is golden and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
10. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm, 10 to 15 minutes more.
11. Invert onto a plate. Serve with vanilla ice cream if you wish or add powdered sugar on top.

This was delicious and is a wonderful way to use up the leftover buttermilk if you are looking for something different to try. It looked a little plain so I added the powdered sugar, next time I make it I am contemplating forgoing sugar on top and maybe adding a glaze? But yes, it was absolutely delicious and I recommend it.

For more from our Books, Tea, and the Trinity tea times, go to Radish-Dill Canapés

For more cake recipes, go to Applesauce Cake

For more dessert recipes, go to Brown Butter Matcha Brownies

For more recipes, go to Dark Chocolate Peppermint Scones

For more tea posts, go to Spill the Tea: Alley Cat Cafe

Brown Butter Matcha Brownies

Do you love Matcha? I do!

And I’m always on the lookout for a new matcha recipe. I discovered this brown butter matcha brownie recipe on Cooking Therapy, last year around Saint Patrick’s day and thought it would be perfect it makes as it is green. Unfortunately, they were out of white chocolate chips and I had to use regular chocolate. It tasted good, but didn’t look very matcha-y. I decided to try it again and make sure this time I had white chocolate.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup unsalted butter browned
• 4 oz white chocolate
• 2 tbsp matcha powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 3 eggs room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• ¼ tsp flaky salt optional

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease a 8×8 baking pan with butter and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. Heat the butter over high heat until it melts. Lower the heat to low. Heat the butter until small brown bits start to appear. Remove from the stove.
4. Add white chocolate and matcha powder to a small bowl. Pour the brown butter over the top and stir until all the chocolate melts. Let the mixture cool for 2 minutes.
5. In large bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer until thick and creamy (5-10 minutes).
6. While mixing, stream in your matcha chocolate ganache from step 4. Whisk until a uniform green batter appears.
7. Lastly, sift your flour into the bowl. Using a spatula, gently fold the flour into the batter using a until a green batter forms.
8. Spoon into your prepared baking pan.
9. Bake for 20-30 minutes.
10. Take out the brownies and slam them on the counter to get rid of some the air. Sprinkle some flaky sea salt over the top and put the brownies back in the oven. Bake for another 10 minutes.
11. Let cool for 20 minutes before serving.

This was absolutely delicious and I cannot stop eating it. I had to give it away to family it is so good.

Cannot stop!

For more Matcha recipes, go to Blueberry Matcha Smoothie

For more desserts, go to Applesauce Cake

For more recipes, go to Twice Baked Potatoes

Books, Tea, and the Trinity: Rice Krispies Chocolate Chip Cookies

Back in 2020, some friends and I started a Tea Party/Bible Study/Book Club; Books, Tea, and the Trinity. We met every Wednesday and worked our way through the Chronicles of Narnia and are currently working through the Lorien Legacies. When we started I resolved to share all the recipes, but have fallen behind in posting and are trying desperately to catch up.

After we finished The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; the next book in the series was A Horse and His Boy. This book was a bit harder to plan recipes as it didn’t have as many starting off points as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but that also meant we could make whatever we wanted to.

For the first week we had Cederberg Tea Co. Classic Red and Red Chai Tea. We also had Apple Cinnamon Scones, Heirloom Tomato Tarts with Basil, and a Healthy Waldorf Salad.

The second week we had veggies and Greek Yogurt Dip, Teatime Magazine’s Red Pepper Triple Stack Sandwiches, Zuppa Toscana, and Chocolate Covered Strawberries; with Vanilla Rooibos Tea

The third week of going through the A Horse and His Boy we had Tea Time Magazines’ Sweet Cream Scones, Homemade Strawberry Preserves, Tea Time Magazines Egg Salad and Cherry Tomatoes Sandwiches, Hummus and Veggie Sandwiches, Empanadas, and Rice Krispies Chocolate Chip Cookies; with Celestial Tea Devonshire Breakfast Tea.

I don’t have the empanada recipe as my friend made it and she winged it, but using a real recipe. As I don’t have that, I’m going to skip ahead to the next recipe, Rice Krispies Chocolate Chip Cookies.

This recipe I borrowed from my sister blog, Mysterious Eats and is one I LOVE to make over and over again.

“Not your traditional oatmeal cookie-an even better one! RICE KRISPIES add that extra crunch and the [chocolate chips] supplies the extra sweetness.”

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup of All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
• 1/4 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
• 1/2 Cup of Butter or Margarine, Softened
• 1/2 Cup of White Sugar
• 1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
• 1 Cup of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies
• 1 Cup of Quick-Cooking Oats
• 1/2 Cup of Coconut or Chocolate Chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit
2. Lightly coat two large cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray or butter. Set aside.
3. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
4. Place the butter in the bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium until light and fluffy.
5. Add the white and brown sugars and beat until blended, Add the egg and vanilla, beating to incorporate.
6. Stir in the flour mixture. When well combined, stir in the cereal, oats and coconut or chocolate chips.
7. Drop the cookie dough by tablespoonful onto the baking sheets, leaving room between the cookies.
8. Bake for 12 mins, or until the cookies are lightly browned.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool.

These are soo delicious! I love making them and once you try them, you will love them too!

And get those cookies out of the oven!

For more from our Books, Tea, and the Trinity tea times, go to Hummus and Veggie Sandwiches

For more cookie recipes, go to Snickerdoodles

For more desserts, go to Marmalade Rolls

For more recipes, go to Egg Salad and Cherry Tomatoes Sandwiches

For more tea posts, go to Sweet Cream Scones

Blueberry Yogurt Oat Scones

So my sister and I started Period Drama Saturdays last year during the stay at home orders.

At first we would just have tea but then that grew to adding snacks to our teatime.

One Saturday we were planning on watching Outlander and I had really been wanting to try out some oat scones from Plum Deluxe, and I felt like what better time than the present? After all oats and Scotland seemed to go well together.

But then I started baking and after I had already started mixing my ingredients, I realized my Sour Cream had expired, so instead I had to use a substitute.

From Clueless

I searched the internet and my fridge and ended up substituting with blueberry Greek yogurt. And because I was no longer following the recipe and had some frozen blueberries I decided to throw them in too. That’s also why these scones came out an interesting color.

YUM!

Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, grated and frozen
• 1 and 1/2 cups flour of choice
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup of Blueberry Yogurt
• 1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
• 1 to 4 tablespoons milk, if necessary
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 Cup of Frozen or Fresh Blueberries
• Sugar for topping

Directions:

1. Grate and freeze butter, storing in freezer until just before ready to use.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
3. Combine flour, sugar, oats, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in large bowl.
4. Add butter and toss with a fork until mixture is crumbly.
5. Add yogurt, baking soda, and blueberries; mixing until just combined, being careful not to overwork the dough.
6. If the dough is too crumbly and the flour does not incorporate, add a splash of milk to help bring it all together.
7. Turn dough onto a greased baking sheet, and form into a one-inch thick disk. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with sugar.
8. Cut into 8 wedges, placed slightly apart on baking sheet.
9. Refrigerate 15 to 30 minutes before baking (to re-chill the butter).
10. Bake 18 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and set.

These were good, but not that sweet. Would I make them again? I’m not sure. They weren’t bad, but they were also not fantastic or memorable. I plan to retry this recipe in the future again, but this time I will make sure I have all the ingredients.

In other news, I made this recipe at the beginning of the month, when I had Flat Jane, so that means I’m a step closer to finishing. If only I could catch up on all my other lists. But as for now:

For more recipes, go to Turkish Delight

For more scones, go to Blueberry Rose Scones

For more blueberry scones, go to Irish Blueberry Scones

For more tea posts, go to Jane Austen Birthday Party Music & Party Review

The Magician’s Nephew Tea Party/Book Club: Cinnamon Bun Scones

So every Wednesday, starting last October, I have been a part of a Tea Party/Bible Study/Book Club on The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. This is different from my book club and the Book Club Picks I was reviewing (and desperately need to catch up on). The first week we had Cederberg Tea Company Rooibos + Ginger Tea, Cranberry-Spice Scones with Maple Cream, Tea Time Magazine’s Ham and Cheese Tea Sandwiches, Cucumber-Four Peppercorn Goat Cheese Canapés, Fotina & Pork Puffed Pastry, and Mini Apple Pies.

The second week we had Chami Spice Ginger Plum Tea, Dark Chocolate Ginger Scones, Curried Egg Salad Triple Stacks Sandwiches, Turkey-Apple Tea Sandwiches, Fotina Flower Puffed Pastry, and Lemon Gingerbread Cake.

The third week we had Organic India Tulsi Masala Chai Tea, Parmesan and Chive Scones, Cucumber Aioli Canapés, Ham, Cheddar, and Apple Tea Sandwiches, Cranberry, Brie, and Rosemary Bites, and Mini Pumpkin Crème Brûlée.

And now to the fourth week. This week we had Tiesta Tea Victorian Earl Grey, Lavender and Earl Grey Scones, Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Tomato Hummus Salad, Cranberry Feta Pinwheels, and Triple Berry Salad.

Week five we had NovelTea Tins The Picture of Earl Grey, Haarlem Tea Room’s Cheddar Scones, Eating Well’s Radish Tea Sandwiches, Tea Time Magazine’s Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Brisket and Slaw Roulades, and Easy Fruit Tarts.

That brings us to week six, when we had Cinnamon Bun Scones, Curry Egg Salad Triple Stack Sandwiches, Cranberry Feta Cheese Pinwheels, Meat Pies, and Melt-in-Your-Mouth Buttermilk Chocolate Cookies.

As I was unable to share these earlier I’m catching up now and am starting with scones of course!

This comes from Bake or Break.

Emma (1996)

Ingredients Scones:

• 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (99g) old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3/4 cup (177ml) milk
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients Glaze:

• 3/4 Cup of Confectioners’ Sugar (Powdered Sugar)
• 3/4 Teaspoons of Milk

Directions for Scones:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Line baking sheets with silicone liners or parchment paper.
3. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add the butter and mix with a pastry blender or a fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Combine the milk, egg, and vanilla in a small bowl.
7. Add to the flour mixture and stir just until combined.
8. Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over the dough.
9. Gently stir until the batter is just swirled with the cinnamon mixture.
10. Drop the dough by 1/4-cup portions onto prepared pans. Leave about 2 inches between scones.
11. Bake 11 to 13 minutes, or until golden brown.
12. Cool the scones on a wire rack for 5 minutes while you make the glaze.

Directions for Glaze:

1. Combine the confectioners’ sugar with 3 teaspoons milk. Add more milk if needed to achieve pouring consistency.
2. Add to scones.

These were extremely delicious and easy to make. We all couldn’t resist them.

For more from The Magician’s Nephew Tea Party/Book Club, go to Easy Fruit Tarts

For more recipes, go to Brisket and Slaw Roulades

For more scone recipes, go to Lavender and Earl Grey Scones

For more tea posts, go to Eating Well’s Radish Tea Sandwiches