Simple Zucchini Bread Recipe

Hi, friends! More life progress to share - we finally got the kitchen organized, we opened a Giant Eagle Advantage Card - which is serious business - and filled our refrigerator/cabinets with all the necessities to start cooking again. Unfortunately, we only had room to pack the spices from our last apartment and building our new inventory is quite expensive! So, I decided to take full advantage of our new basics and bake. 

Today, I'm featuring one of my favorite recipes and it's a favorite because 1) it tastes delicious, 2) it was passed down to me from my mother-in-law and 3) it's so easy to make. Due to an unplanned drive-by from my parents, I also had a little assistance from my mom. She suggested the addition of carrots and a touch of nutmeg, which I welcomed to make this the perfect mom mash-up recipe. Food styling was also provided by my father and I must say, he's not bad! Looks like I might have to add them to the masthead :)

Happy baking and enjoy!

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Makes two loaves:

• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 cups grated zucchini 
• 1 cup grated carrot
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg 
• Chopped nuts (optional)

Beat eggs until foamy. Combine oil, sugar, grated zucchini and carrot. Once mixed, add all other ingredients. Pour into greased loaf pan (I also like to use parchment paper) and bake at 350 for 45 minutes to an hour.

Baked Doughnuts with Maple Bourbon Glaze

Plans for New Year’s Day? Why not invite your friends over for an afternoon brunch to recap the night and 2012. Serve bloodys, mimosas and…wait for it…homemade doughnuts with maple bourbon glaze! I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2013. Can you? 

Makes 24 doughnuts

• ½ cup plus 2 tblsp butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups flour
• 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 teaspoon bourbon vanilla
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• real maple syrup
• bourbon
• heavy cream

Blend butter with sugar. Add the eggs and mix well.

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Add to the butter and sugar mixture.

Blend in the almond milk and vanilla extract and mix together thoroughly.

Fill greased doughnut tins 2/3 full.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until doughnuts are golden brown.

While the doughnuts are busy rising, combine powdered sugar and enough maple syrup to make a thick paste in a mixing bowl.

Mix well and add just enough cream until glaze is the consistency you desire.

Add bourbon to taste. I used two shot glasses full. 

Dip doughnuts in the bowl of glaze. Double dipping gives more of a frosted look. 

Enjoy and Happy New Year!!

xo,

Jamie