UPDATED March 14, 2017 in honor of the Nor’easter blizzard we are having today!
UPDATED again (one of my very favorite posts!) March 7, 2018:
Wow, I was looking for some of my best cozy- stay-at-home-we-are-about-to-have-a-big snow storm-baking recipes… and look what I came across!!! Almost to the day, I was thinking the same thing as I am today on this cold snowy day here in Connecticut: it’s time to turn on that oven and start baking breads and muffins and scones (I added more this year): the kind that warms your heart, satisfies your tummy and still keeps you healthy!
Brrrr…It is cold outside, and to me, that means it’s time for some cozy baking inside! Time to have the house filled with those heartwarming smells of breads and muffins baking in the oven and sit by the fire with your honey with a hot cup of tea…or mulled wine!
Of course, I make these wonderful treats mindfully, Cuisinicity style, so you’ll find that I have cut down the sugar (and eliminated the salt of course–I wrote about this before in my “cookie-makeover” post and in my “Put Salt in its place” post) I use wholegrain flour instead of refined flours, replace the saturated fat from butter with healthy oils and use lots of fruit and/or veggies to give them that true flavor of wholesome deliciousness!
The nice thing about muffins and breads is that they keep beautifully in the freezer so I love to make several batches and store them for a later day. Just take out however many muffins, and no more than you need, for a special treat or dessert whenever the occasion arises; that way, you keep yourself in check and don’t overly indulge!
There are times, of course, that you just want to bake right there and then, just because -like today when it’s snowing outside and I am cozy inside, or for me every time my kiddies come home! I actually time it just right so that I have my Welcome Home Banana Bread in the oven when they walk in the door! Just ask all 5 of them! That wonderful aroma that fills the house has come to define our homy welcoming nest for them-hence the name!
I have recently created 2 vegan versions of it and honestly, I wonder which ones I’ll make next time they come home, it’s that good!
Years ago, I also created these Soft wheat Banana Muffins that are astoundingly low in sugar (1/4 cup for 12 muffins–say what?) so that I could just have them as snacks for the kids, as opposed to treats or dessert–Now, knowing me, that’s saying something!
Banana-Date-Bread-Recipe-Photo
I have also recently created a whole line of scones which I decided to call my trifecta scones (Apple date walnut scones, Pumpkin, Raisin Walnut scones, Pear Fig Walnut scones , Peach Walnut Date scones and I have many more in mind that I am working on)! It makes sense: the definition of trifecta is “a perfect group of three” or ” winning three times” and that’s what all my wholegrain scones are based on: 3 wholesome main ingredients, one fresh fruit or vegetable, one dried fruit, one nut and I vary any one of them to create a new flavor. I am having so much fun creating these moist luscious scones and one more thing…they have no added sugar!
Zucchini is another one of those veggies that lends itself beautifully to baking. My Chocolate Zucchini Muffins are a vegan variation of my conventional dark chocolate cake. They too are filled with grated zucchini that just “melt” inside the batter for pure rich moistness–so much so, that they could pass for little birthday cupcakes!
I have to admit, this recipe astounded me: First, the muffins rose in the oven and then, when they came out….they “deflated” (and I thought, argh, no, there goes my Vegan baking!) but really, that’s what created their unique dark rich dense outrageous lusciousness…
Come inside my kitchen, I’ll make a batch with you!
If chocolate is not your thing (say WHAT???!!!), then I have a plain Zucchini Bread for you. There is actually nothing “plain” about it except that it is just plain yummy!
Pumpkin is another one of those veggies that is just luscious-melt-in-your-mouth-flavorful-perfect (how is that for an adjective?!) for muffins and breads…WOW! Just go check these recipes for my Pumpkin Honey Ricotta Muffins and my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, or if you prefer vegan, my Pumpkin Banana Date muffins–That’s all I’ll say!
Pumpkin Banana Date Muffins
I couldn’t write a post about breads and muffins without including Carrots as the main ingredient. I decided to make my Carrot Bread with a healthy-fat-free-just-sweet-enough-with-a-touch-of-honey-and-a-sprinkle-of-cinnamon-kind-of dip (here I go again with my descriptive adjectives!)
Corn bread is another one of those treats that I love with just a little drizzle of honey, along side a strong cappuccino…YUM! I also have a vegan version of it, so you can choose! 
So, with all this baking and wonderful smells in my kitchen, it’s time for me to go put on my cozy socks, sit in front of that roaring fire and ride out that beautiful snow storm with my honey!
I hope you will do the same!
with love,
I’m going to make the banana date bread today, and hopefully if I time it right, Mike will walk in the door as it is baking, just like you mentioned above! Thanks Catherine for making this snowstorm the best one yet ^_~
Donna, great plan! It beats having him walk through the door with me torturing you with DQPN edits!!!! HAHAHAH!! BTW remember to take a look at the little video clip I have for it, it’s always so helpful to see how easily it comes together in real time! 🙂
https://youtu.be/ISK9DSeHVlI
Catherine,
I hope you all stayed cozy the last few days and rode out the storm fine. Here fortunately all is blooming and spring is in the air. But its perfect for having a hot chocolate and a nice muffin Picknick in the garden (high forties / low fifties here at the French boarder of South Germany). Thank you for the inspiration as always!
Sibylle
Blizzard baking in Northern Vermont. I am going with the Chocolate zucchini muffins. My honey has a birthday this week and is at work until seven. He has an hour drive in good weather so cuddle time will have to wait ’til much later tonight.
Arlene, I absolutely love everything about this! Enjoy! 🙂
Hi Catherine!
We’re staying cozy here in NJ (photo of my 2 furry babies staying warm and cozy on and under their heated blanket!). I can vouch for the deliciousness of your date banana bread (a delicious and thee most moist cake I’ve ever made!!)
I showed my husband Jeff, the photos of your breads and muffins and he wants me to make your “Apple Date Walnut Scones”! ( I have all the ingredients!). So I’m off to do some baking and will enjoy them after we do a little shoveling :))
Thanks as always,
Caroline & Jeffrey
p.s. Unfortunately, I was not able to paste a photo of my 2 cats (I’ll try some other way)
You are such a sweetie Caroline!! Please send me the photos of your wonderful furry friends by e-mail!! 🙂
Merci pour ces délicieuses recettes. Mes enfants sont très difficiles et mon fils mange peu de légumes. Ton pain aux carottes est un succès dans la famille. Mon fils, lui il en redemande! Quelle belle façon d’ajouter des légumes dans son alimentation. Merci
C’est magnifique Dominique!!! J’adore votre commentaire!
Je ne sais pas si vous avez vu mon article en particulier pour les enfants http://cuisinicity.com/stealth-mom/, mais j’au plein d’autres recettes qu’il aimerait peut-être aussi où je “cache” des ingredients remplis de bonne nutrition (j’ai même un milkshake au chocolat avec des lentilles cachées qui est absolument delicieux!). Allez-vite voir ça!
Salivating at all of these!!!
HAHAHA Corinda, I just knew it!!! 🙂
Wonderful choices. I have made your pumpkin ricotta before and they are delicious. The pumpkin choclate chip is calling to me because I have the ingredients on hand.!
Thank you Barbara!!! I love those pumpkin muffins too!!! 🙂
les photos sont si belles , on en mangerait!!!! et …merci pour le partage gourmand!!! bonne journée! martine de France
Merci beaucoup Martine! Ah, que c’est beau aussi le régale des yeux!!
Hi Catherine,
OMG!!! Every one of your recipes look absolutely irresistible!! I’m going to try the carrot bread for tonight’s dessert! But first I’m going out to shovel to earn some of those extra calories (so far in Morris County New Jersey, we’ve gotten 18 inches and it’s still coming!!). How is it in Conn?
Stay warm and thanks for thinking about your fans and followers on this gorgeous wintery day!!!
Caroline
You are the woman Caroline! You will definitely earn it after all the shoveling !It’s coming down here in CT too but not as much of course…what a storm! David is out hiking in this….crazy guy! The fireplace is waiting for him….with me in front of it!!!
I love reading your recipes and your sweet commentary. Now to get baking.
Awww Thank you Arlene!!! Let me know what you made…I think I can smell it from here!! 🙂