Category: Bread

Sweet & Savory

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Bread Hors d'œuvres Recipes

Copycat Recipe: Trader Joe’s 5 Cheese Greek Spiral

Copycat Recipe - Trader Joe's 5 Cheese Greek Spiral © 2019 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Copycat Recipe - Trader Joe's 5 Cheese Greek Spiral | Erica Robbin

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: Easy
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A winner!

I love this cheesy, flaky pastry spiral called Trader Joe’s 5 Cheese Greek Spiral.

So I decided to have my own try at making it. And it turned out spectacular! It’s super easy to make too! The perfect snack, perfect appetizer. Light, yet fulfilling, crispy, with a gooey center.

And after a few experimentations, I’ve decided that any cheese you have on hand will work just as well which is the best part if you do not have access to the listed cheeses (namely Kasseri and Kefalotyri) that are more commonly found in specialty cheese shops. I tried it with a combination of cheddars, parmesan, and different blue cheeses, all so yummy!


Credit: ericarobbin.com

Ingredients

COPYCAT RECIPE – TRADER JOE’S 5 CHEESE GREEK SPIRAL:

  • 1/2 cup gouda, shredded
  • 1/2 cup kasseri, shredded
  • 1/2 cup kefalotyri, shredded
  • 1/2 cup semi-hard cheese, shredded, I used a sharp white cheddar
  • 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled, any type, I used Bayley Hazen Blue
  • 1 package of puff pastry sheets, thawed, I used Pepperidge Farm
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water

Directions

COPYCAT RECIPE – TRADER JOE’S 5 CHEESE GREEK SPIRAL:

  1. Roll out pastry into a rectangle shape onto lightly floured surface, cut in 1/2, lengthwise
  2. Sprinkle cheeses over pastry. 3. Roll, then place as a spiral shape onto greased pan.
  3. Mix egg and water, brush egg mixture over pastry spiral.
  4. Bake at 350-400 degrees F (176-204C) for about 15-25 minutes, until deep golden brown and cooked through.


Copycat Recipe: Trader Joe’s 5 Cheese Greek Spiral | Erica Robbin
Copycat Recipe: Trader Joe’s 5 Cheese Greek Spiral | Erica Robbin
Copycat Recipe: Trader Joe’s 5 Cheese Greek Spiral | Erica Robbin
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How does it compare? Trader Joe’s (left), mine (right).

  • Copycat Recipe - Trader Joe's 5 Cheese Greek Spiral © 2019 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.

Mine turned out a little puffier. The taste is there though!

Another time I made it, it did settle to a more wrinkly finish.

I also tried making some cut pinwheels which had a caramel, crispy cheese texture and more defined, bit of a saltier taste as a result. Very good as well and the pinwheels make a more easily shareable appetizer.

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Copycat Recipe - Trader Joe's 5 Cheese Greek Spiral © 2019 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.

Let me know if you give this one a try and what cheese you used in the comments below!

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Categories
Bread Featured Recipes

Homemade Tortillas

Homemade Tortillas | Erica Robbin
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Homemade Tortillas | Erica Robbin

  • Servings: 1 dozen
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Fresh, hot, homemade tortillas are the best.

So soft, so yummy. Mine are not as round as my mom’s but… they’re still delicious with a pat of butter, with jelly, with chile, whatever your heart’s content.

I know a few versions of tortilla recipes and this is just one of them. This one is light and fluffy, especially if you cook them on a higher heat for a very short amount of time.


Credit: ericarobbin.com

Ingredients

    HOMEMADE TORTILLAS:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3/4 cup lukewarm milk

Directions

    HOMEMADE TORTILLAS:
  1. Combine dry ingredients and add everything else.
  2. Knead dough for about 1-2 minutes
  3. Roll into shape
  4. Cook each side over high heat until golden brown

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Categories
Bread Desserts Featured Recipes

Cardamon Hazelnut Banana Bread

Cardamon Hazelnut Banana Bread | Erica Robbin
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Cardamon Hazelnut Banana Bread | Erica Robbin

  • Servings: 9-12 squares
  • Difficulty: Easy
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An autumnal twist on traditional banana bread.

I love cardamon. It’s probably my most favorite spice, though nutmeg is a very close second. I just love the warm, autumnal characteristic that it has. It’s a great spice to be the star of the show and an enhancement for many recipes. I love it in baked goods and it’s a wonderful ingredient in savory dishes such as curry or cardamon-scented rice.

Here is a banana bread recipe celebrates the coziness we all cherish this time of year.


Credit: ericarobbin.com

Ingredients

    CARDAMON HAZELNUT BANANA BREAD:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cardamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1 cup toasted, chopped hazelnuts (set aside a couple of raw ones for the top)

Directions

    CARDAMON HAZELNUT BANANA BREAD:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 C) and prepare 9×9 baking dish with butter or parchment paper.
  2. Cream together butter and sugar.
  3. Mix in eggs.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, cardamon, nutmeg.
  5. Mix combined dry ingredients with wet ingredients, then incorporate banana and nuts.
  6. Pour batter into baking dish and sprinkle raw hazelnuts over top.
  7. Bake for about 30-50 minutes and enjoy warm with a pat of butter over top.


Cardamon Hazelnut Banana Bread | Erica Robbin
Cardamon Hazelnut Banana Bread | Erica Robbin

What is your favorite spice?

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Categories
Bread Desserts Featured Recipes

Banana Cake Swiss Roll

Banana Cake Swiss Roll © 2018 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
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Banana and Cream Cheese Swiss Roll | Erica Robbin

  • Servings: 8-10
  • Difficulty: Moderate
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Creamy and delicious!

I love making swiss rolls. They just add a bit of fun, elegance, and unique interest to the traditional cake. This particular recipe is light, creamy, and delicious. I like to add walnuts for a bit of nutty flavor and texture.


Credit: ericarobbin.com

Ingredients

    BANANA AND CREAM CHEESE SWISS ROLL:
  • 2 ripe bananas, smashed
  • 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated (1 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup walnuts, chopped
  • Powdered sugar (for rolling if not using parchment lined pan)
    • BANANA AND CREAM CHEESE SWISS ROLL FILLING:
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 8 oz package cream cheese, room temperature

Directions

    BANANA AND CREAM CHEESE SWISS ROLL:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 C).
  2. Mix together bananas, eggs, and sugar.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and add to wet mixture.
  4. Stir in citrus juice and vanilla.
  5. Spread batter onto 9×13 inch parchment lined or greased baking sheet.
  6. Sprinkle nuts over top.
  7. Bake for about 15 minutes until just done (do not over bake as a dry cake will be difficult to roll).
  8. While cake is warm, either roll with parchment paper in place or place cake with walnut side down onto tea towel generously sprinkled with powdered sugar.
  9. Allow rolled cake to cool completely with seam side down.

    10. BANANA AND CREAM CHEESE SWISS ROLL FILLING:

  10. Whip heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks, set aside.
  11. In a separate bowl, whip cream cheese until smooth.
  12. In batches, add whipped cream to cream cheese and mix until creamy.

    13. BANANA AND CREAM CHEESE SWISS ROLL ASSEMBLY:

  13. Carefully unroll cake.
  14. Smooth filling over top and reroll.
  15. Garnish as desired.

Let me know what your favorite cakes and fillings are in the comments below!

Banana Cake Swiss Roll © 2018 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
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Categories
Bread Featured Recipes

Easy Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks

Easy Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks © 2019 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
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Easy Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks | Erica Robbin

  • Servings: 1-2 dozen
  • Difficulty: Easy
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These breadsticks complete any meal and are also great on their own!

Homemade breadsticks are quick and easy to make. With only a few ingredients, you can have these hot, fresh, and ready by the time the rest of your meal is done being prepared and cooked.

You can also bake them as directed and then lightly fry them in a small amount of oil in a pan over the stove. This method will add an old-fashioned styled Pizza Hut breadstick taste to them.

And if you have never made yeast bread before, this is a great recipe to start with. I’ve been making this recipe since I was literally in grade school. I find kneading dough so relaxing, I hope you enjoy making them too!


Credit: ericarobbin.com

Ingredients

    EASY GARLIC PARMESAN BREADSTICKS:
  • 1 package dry, active yeast (1/4 oz or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 cup warm water (105-110 degrees F or 40.5-43 C)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 5 tablespoons oil (I typically use olive oil)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • Garlic salt
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, can use fresh or packaged

Directions

    EASY GARLIC PARMESAN BREADSTICKS:
  1. Dissolve yeast in warm water.
  2. Mix in flour, salt, and oil.
  3. Place dough into greased bowl, turn once to coat exposed side, lightly cover.
  4. Set in a warm place and let rise until double in size (about 1 hour).
  5. Punch dough down and knead for about 10 minutes.
  6. Shape into thin, pencil-sized pieces or plaits and place on greased or parchment prepared cookie sheet.
  7. Lightly cover and let rise for another 20 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C).
  9. Brush melted butter over breadsticks.
  10. Sprinkle garlic salt and parmesan over top.
  11. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown.
  12. Brush remaining butter over top and sprinkle a bit more garlic salt.

  • Easy Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks © 2019 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
  • Easy Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks © 2019 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
Easy Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks | Erica Robbin
Easy Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks © 2019 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
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Categories
Bread Ensalada Featured Recipes Toppings & Fillings

Homemade Croutons

Homemade Croutons © 2018 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
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Homemade Croutons | Erica Robbin

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Homemade croutons are so easy to make!

Have leftover bread or bread that is stale or dry? Make some croutons out of it!


Credit: ericarobbin.com

Ingredients

    HOMEMADE CROUTONS:
  • 6 slices of bread, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

    HOMEMADE CROUTONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 C).
  2. Toss together bread pieces with oil, salt, pepper, and sesame seeds.
  3. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.

Enjoy!

Homemade Croutons © 2018 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
Homemade Croutons © 2018 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
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Categories
Bread Desserts Featured Recipes

Berry Cream Cheese Muffins

Berry Cream Cheese Muffins © 2018 ericarobbin.com
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Berry Cream Cheese Muffins | Erica Robbin

  • Servings: 1 dozen
  • Difficulty: Easy
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This recipe makes for soft, moist, homestyle muffins with a fresh summery tang to it, yet also tastes like Christmas.


Credit: ericarobbin.com

Ingredients

    BERRY CREAM CHEESE MUFFINS:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 8 oz cream cheese (divided in 1/2 with 4 oz softened, the other 4 oz cut into small cubes)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cup fresh berries such as strawberries or raspberries (sliced or cubed) or whole blueberries or cranberries

Directions

    BERRY CREAM CHEESE MUFFINS:
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (204 C). Line a 12 cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. Mix butter, 4 oz softened cream cheese, and sugar until smooth.
  3. Add beaten egg, mix completely.
  4. Mix in cream and vanilla.
  5. In separate bowl, combine flour, orange peel, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  6. Gently fold berries and remaining 4 oz cream cheese cubes into dry mixture, then fold into wet mixture.
  7. Scoop into prepared muffin tin.
  8. Bake 18-20 minutes.


I hope you have a wonderful day! Let me know if you try these. This recipe is adapted from The Dutch Baker’s Daughter. The original recipe is called Strawberries and Cream Muffins… Improv Challenge. I found it while looking for a strawberry and chunky cream cheese style muffin recipe that I wanted to test out based on a muffin I enjoyed at the Taos Inn in New Mexico. It’s similar, but not an exact match but I’m glad I came across it because it is so flavorful.

Berry Cream Cheese Muffins © 2018 ericarobbin.com
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Categories
Bread Desserts Entrées Featured Hors d'œuvres Kitchen Helps & How Tos Le Petit Déjeuner Recipes

Pumpkin & Walnut Empanadas

Pumpkin & Walnut Empanadas © 2018 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
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Pumpkin & Walnut Empanadas | Erica Robbin

  • Servings: 1 dozen
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Print

Originating in Galicia, Spain, empanadas are a delicious filled pastry that can be baked or fried.


Credit: ericarobbin.com

Ingredients

    EMPANADA DOUGH:

  • 4 cups white all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons buttered flavored shortening (Crisco)
  • 2 teaspoons table salt
  • Warm water

    • FILLING:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4-1/2 cup brown sugar (to taste depending on sweetness of pumpkin)
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 can (15 oz) canned pumpkin or use 2 cups fresh baked pumpkin (fresh baked adds to prep time)
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

    EMPANADA DOUGH:
  1. Mix dry ingredients together.
  2. Add warm water gradually until dough is soft to knead but not sticky.
  3. Roll dough into 3″ balls and let rest in a bowl covered with warm flour sack towels (see below for more about flour sack towels) for 1 hour.

    4. FILLING:

  4. Melt butter over stove and add brown sugar until sugar is dissolved and begins to caramelize. Stir in white sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and salt. Then add pumpkin and walnuts, heat through.
  5. There are many variations to try and you’re welcome to add raisins, shredded chicken, diced apples (with caramel 😊), or anything you like as they can be savory or sweet.

    6. PREPARING AND COOKING:

  6. Fold and flute. Click here or see below for my How To: Fold and Flute an Empanada video.
  7. Fry in vegetable oil at medium heat or 350 degrees F (177 C) until golden brown and cooked through.


The word comes from the Spanish verb empanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Today they are made in many countries including Spain and the Americas.

Pronounced em-pah-nah-th ah, they can be sweet or savory and filled with meat, vegetables, and a variety of additions such as raisins or nuts. This particular recipe includes fresh pumpkin and chopped walnuts for a tasty combination, but feel free to experiment and add your favorite ingredients, the options are endless!

Flour sack towels can have multiple uses but are great for covering bread dough while it’s rising. The weave is slightly looser compared to a typical tea or dish towel. Because they aren’t dyed, they’re safe to use around foods. A good quality flour sack towel is low lint, low pill, and lightweight enough to allow dough to rise, while maintaining enough coverage to prevent drying out and crusting. They should have finished, clean fabric edges that won’t unravel with repeated use so they don’t end up in your recipe.

Pumpkin & Walnut Empanadas © 2018 ericarobbin.com | All rights reserved.
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