Baking Help

[Schmee]

My SIL is having Easter Brunch I thought I might like to make something. I was thinking of a lemon or orange cake or muffins,maybe with poppyseeds. I went lookng in a few of my cookbooks and I have a couple of questions since I do not bake much. I looked at the Orange Cake in The Silver Palate (which I have made)and the Orange Poppyseed Cake in the new Gourmet . I should mention that Silver Palate has an Orange Poppyseed Cake right next to the regular Orange Cake. As I am looking at the recipes,I noted that the ones with poppyseeds only call for some zest,while the non-poppyseed recipes call for zest and juice. It seems like there must be some reason for this since they are both consistent in this. I am just afraid that the zest alone will not be flavorful/fruity enough but I know that I should not mess with baking recipes since they are so exact.

I am also wondering if there is any reason why I could not just put these in muffin tins instead of a cake pan. They look similar to other muffin recipes that I have seen. Any thoughts on this? Sorry this is so long.:)

[Aubergine]

hey there Schmee, methinks you're getting caught up in the all-too-familiar Analysis Paralysis, listening to the Itty Bitty Committee (in your head). i know this syndrome all too well.

i think you need to Keep it Simple--decide on one recipe, and follow it. no need to complicate things here. if, for example, you're not experienced in turning loaf recipes into muffins, then don't go there this time. otoh, if you want a muffin recipe, then ask for one.

particularly since you're talking about fruity quick breads, i would urge you to do it tonight, or tom'w a.m. at the latest, b/c they do improve in flavor overnight, and (imo) are at their best on days 2 and 3.

fwiw, in my experience: use the zest if the recipe calls for it; it adds an irreplaceable flavor which is crucial to the final result. as for poppy seeds, i'm a great fan of them, but in quick breads, the more i make them, the more i think they're more for show than, say, berries, whose tastes assert themselves.

HTH, suzanne

p.s. don't be competing w/ SIL--leave that mindset. bring something you're confident about, if you must bring something.

[Schmee]

Thanks for the advice. You are right on all counts,I guess I was overthinking things. Just not sure what I wanted to make so I threw a wide net. I later found a recipe for Ina Garten's Lemon Cake that makes 2 small loaf pans. I might do that since I can take one to SIL's and one to my mom's(since we are still doing that garbage for a few more years)

I really truly am not trying to compete though,we get along pretty well and I just thought it would be nice to bring something.

[tulip255]

I have made Ina's lemon cake and it is very good. I'm sure it will work well for you. I really like lemon desserts for spring.

[schuh]

I like Ina's lemon cake as well -- but it is very lemony!
It makes two regular bread loaf-size cakes.