5 essential ingredients I cannot live without
Heather Davis • August 25, 2020
Must-haves for the baking enthusiast
If stranded on a deserted island what essential items would you pack? Like many baking enthusiasts I would be certain to pack a few crucial ingredients to survive such desperate conditions. My pantry never runs low of these specific ingredients. In this installation, I'm sharing five ingredients that I pack in my arsenal and why I cannot live without them.
In recent times, butter has lost its place as an essential ingredient. As more individuals discover an intolerance to dairy products, modern-day innovation allows us to bake recipes without introducing butter into recipes. Although these dishes are quite tasty, nothing imparts the same flavor as butter. Make an attempt to substitute butter with oil and you'll discover there is no comparison. I recommend Challenge Butter which can be purchased in most local supermarkets. Perfect for sweet and savory dishes alike, this brand yields a warm nutty element like nothing on Earth. Many of my recipes begin and end with butter and sugar which leads me to my next essential ingredient.
The Imperial Sugar brand is superior to all brands. Founded in Sugarland, Texas this local sugar producer creates these perfect pebbles of sweetness. I've attempted to use other brands with disappointing results yet nothing can replace the consistency of Imperial Sugar. Fine granules yield the right amount of sweetness without weighing down the pastries. Surprisingly, sugar works as a leavening agent, performing double duties in the same recipe depending on the process. Creaming sugar and butter together creates air pockets that help cakes rise as they bake in the oven. Moreover, this process works in many recipes that do not call for traditional leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda!
Soaring prices of vanilla extract may give may give many sticker shock but baking enthusiasts all know the importance of this ingredient. I recommend splurging on the real stuff, leaving behind the imitation assortment. In recent years, bad weather, poor pollination and a case of supply and demand continue to contribute to the rise in vanilla extract prices. However, a little ingenuity on your part can save you the pain at the checkout counter. At the end of this installment is my recipe for homemade vanilla extract. Please consider creating your own bottle of vanilla extract. You'll find that its tastes exponentially better than your supermarket version.
Although I can agree that flour is an essential ingredient, I cannot agree on my brand preference. What I can tell you is that the Gold Medal brand and King Arthur brand are both kings in my world of baking. Flour reacts differently in certain recipes. Whereas a sponge cake calls for delicate cake flour, breads and bagels require bread flour, perfects for high-rising yeast pastries. With this in mind, my essential go-to flour is King Arthur All-Purpose Unbleached flour. This versatile flour is perfect for cookies, pancakes, crusts and so on. Be certain to stick with the unbleached flour which is produced in its most pure and unrefined form.
Last but definitely not least I cannot live without Guittard Chocolate. I rest assured knowing that Guittard uses fair trade-certified cocoa beans, non-GMO ingredients and is free from peanuts, tree nuts and gluten. All of these features are extremely important as more and more clients prefer allergen-friendly foods. At my bakery we make a concerted effort to offer more gluten-free options and with Guittard Chocolate's help we do not sacrifice the rich flavor that their chocolate imparts.
Creating this list of my top five favorite ingredients presented a challenge as I could easily extend this list from five to fifty but where is the fun in packing all of them to our mythical deserted island! So now I challenge you to create your own vanilla extract. Leave a comment below and let me know your opinion.
Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
5-6 Vanilla Beans (Grade A)
1 cup of Vodka (Non-Flavored, 80% proof)
1 Jar (With a tight lid)
1. Slit all vanilla beans in half down the middle and place into the jar.
2. Pour one cup of vodka into the jar with vanilla beans
3. Top the jar with the lid and shake.
4. Shake the jar once per week.
5. Vanilla extract can be used in as little as 2 months
but for optimal results wait for 6 months.
Pu mpkin spice season has officially arrived, and at Chic Sweets Bakery in Northwest Houston, we’re celebrating with one of our most beloved treats—Pumpkin Spice Bars. These bars are soft, flavorful, and topped with sweet cream cheese frosting, making them the perfect way to welcome autumn. Whether you’re cozying up at home or sharing with friends, Pumpkin Spice Bars bring comfort and joy with every bite. The popularity of pumpkin spice has grown tremendously over the years, but our recipe holds true to the homemade flavors Houston families love. With just the right balance of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, each bar tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie in handheld form. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the season without waiting for Thanksgiving dinner. At Chic Sweets Bakery, we bake Pumpkin Spice Bars fresh for our 1960/Champions neighbors every fall. They’ve become a tradition for many of our customers, who stop by year after year as soon as they return to the menu. We’re proud to keep that tradition alive, honoring both the flavor of the season and the community that supports us. Pumpkin Spice Bars are also versatile—they make wonderful additions to office gatherings, school events, and weekend brunch tables. If you’re hosting guests, bringing a tray of these bars guarantees you’ll leave with an empty dish and plenty of compliments. They’re easy to serve, easy to share, and impossible to resist. Our bakery loves being part of Houston’s fall celebrations, from football season get-togethers to church functions and neighborhood block parties. Pumpkin Spice Bars are one of those desserts that make everyone smile, no matter the occasion. They capture the warmth of fall in each delicious square. If you’re craving the flavor of autumn, stop by Chic Sweets Bakery in the 1960/Champions area today. Whether you take home a few bars for yourself or a box to share, our Pumpkin Spice Bars are the ultimate fall dessert for Houstonians who love seasonal sweets.