Strawberry-Plum Cobbler

Yesterday, I made cobbler. In my oven. On a day where the temperature reached 95 degrees. In a house where there is no air conditioning.

The things I do for this blog.

The awful, horrible things I have to do. 

So. terrible.


Strawberry Plum Cobbler
serves 6 generously


4-5 c. strawberries and plums (use what you have- peaches, nectarines, blueberries)
2 tbsp. flour or cornstarch (I used whole wheat flour because it's all I have)
1 tbsp. maple syrup or agave nectar
1/4 tsp. each of cinnamon and nutmeg
juice of 1/2 a lemon

Combine and toss into the bottom of a round oven-safe dish. 

1 c. flour
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 stick cold butter, cubed
1 egg, beaten lightly
1/4 c. milk (I used almond milk)

Mix flour, sugar and baking powder in a small bowl. With a pastry cutter (or in a food processor), cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles small peas. 

Add egg and milk and mix just until combined. Dollop on top of the fruit mixture. 

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes, or until browned and bubbling. 

Yum! Makes an excellent breakfast, too. Trust me. 

The Best Part of Waking Up...

Is NOT Folger's in my cup- contrary to popular belief. It's a slice of this ridiculous banana bread.  

It is inspired by the incredible Flour Bakery in the South End of Boston. Every.single.thing at that place is so delicious (but not so waist-line friendly). Oh boy- if you don't make this immediately, you're missing out on a world of deliciousness. Unless you hate bananas. Then don't make it. Otherwise, you're guaranteed a good morning when you've got a slice of this to wake up your taste buds!

Good Morning Banana Bread
preheat oven to 350 degrees f. 


1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 overripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 c. chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional!)


Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. 

Mix together eggs and sugar- beat until fluffy (3 minutes or so in a stand mixer). 

Slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil. 

Add bananas and vanilla and mix until incorporated. 

Add in dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Prepare a loaf pan with baking spray or lots of butter. Pour in batter and bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. 

Slice off the tiniest piece and eat it hot from the oven. You wont' regret it. 

The next morning, I like to toast a slice and have it with my coffee. Mmmm. Good morning.

Easter Menu Planning

Hey y'all. We've been busy here at Tiny Wallet Style, dreaming of tulips and daffodils and plotting our spring planting. We're also trying to figure out what in the heck we're going to throw together for our Easter brunch.

All of the foodie magazines and websites are heralding the arrival of spring with recipe collections of the BEST Easter menus and recipes. Our go-to's for a delicious brunch menu are Martha, Epicurious and the Smitten Kitchen. 


Usually, we have a ham and some sort of pasta dish (lasagna or pastitsio). This year, the key will be prepping the night before and utilizing slow cookers. 


Here is what I think would be a great (and easy) brunch menu: 
-Cheese and fruit plate

via

-Apple and cheddar scones (so delicious and easy!)

via

-An eggy casserole in the slow-cooker 
-An asparagus tart or some kind 

via

-A simple green salad with shaved apple and goat cheese with a light vinaigrette


 Since we're serving a crowd and most of us are watching our figures, I think straying from the traditional (and not waist-friendly) Easter menu will be a good thing. Not to mention cost-effective. Since we are budget conscious, we would like to plan this brunch for maximum deliciousness AND maximum savings. No pricey ham for us! 


What are your favorite brunch recipes? Do you have any Easter traditions to share with us? We're all (bunny) ears!!!

Aunt Maureen's Coffee Cake

We recently went to a family gathering where this cake was served. The recipe is courtesy of Mike's Aunt Maureen, who is adorable and wonderful and we love her. I was initially horrified when she recounted the ingredients, but then I tasted the cake and I was a  changed woman. It ain't good for you, but it sure is tasty. And it only has 5 ingredients AND if you shop sales, it costs under $3.oo to make! (We got our cake mix on sale for $1/box and the pudding was $.79.)



Aunt Maureen's Coffee Cake

Makes 2 9-inch loaf pans or one tube pan

1 box yellow (not butter) cake mix (We use Betty Crocker)

1 box instant vanilla pudding (We use Jello brand)

1 c. sour cream

3/4 c. oil (whatever you have- we used safflower)

3 large eggs

1/3 c. sugar

2 tbsp. cinnamon



Mix together cake mix, pudding, sour cream, eggs and oil until smooth.



Spoon 1/2 of the batter into the bottom of you pan (or 1/4 into each loaf pan).



Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture (or 1/4 per loaf pan) and cover with remaining batter. Top with remaining cinnamon-sugar. Bake at 350°f for 40 minutes and then cover with foil and bake an additional 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Crunchy, soft, sweet. This is amazing served for breakfast, brunch or even dessert. Or 10pm when you pull it out of the oven. You know...

*You can add chopped nuts to this if you would like. Or top it with a yummy glaze. Or just slice it and enjoy the goodness.