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Saturday, December 19, 2015

Baking Aunt Hilda's Boston Brown Bread...


Hello my friends.. 
I thought I would share my day with you today...

I went to bed last night with a plan.. 
I decided that I would spend all day today just baking.. 
I was so anxious to get at it that I didn't sleep that great and while still dark this morning I got up and came out to the kitchen..

I spent a little time with the Lord and then drank my coffee and dug out my cookbook.. 
You know the kind I mean.. 
All handwritten and a bit grubby.. smile.. 

I usually only make a few things since the kids have all their own homes now but this year I thought I would make extras and give some away.. 
A very good intention, don't you think?  grin.. 

Well, I started on making a favourite but also an easy one as I thought that would be encouraging to see something all made and baked sitting on the counter so early in the morning.. 


These are so easy and delicious.. 
Our daughter-in-law gave me the link for the recipe.. 

CHEWY SUGAR COOKIES.
You can find the recipe HERE

They make a good sized batch.. 
Very good so far.. 


I love my little pantry because as you can see .. 
I am a messy cook.. 

I made up my mind though that today was going to be different !
I bought a cook book from a thrift shop this week and one of her great tips which I have tried repeatedly to do but usually fail at is ,, 
clean as you go... 

Good advice, eh?  
And I did.. 
After the bowls, cups and such were washed in soapy water I moved on to recipe #2.. 
My Aunt Hilda's Boston Brown Bread... 
You start out by boiling up fruit for 15 minutes then cooling... 
So while that was going on my sweet hubby made my breakfast.. 
Two over easy fried eggs... 
and a glass of tomato juice... 
I sort of went over the recipe book a bit more then decided I needed to get my shortbread made and put in the fridge for an hour .. 

Got it made and put in the fridge then started on my aunt's recipe.. 


Got the ingredients all together and then decided I needed to call my Aunt Eleanor because I didn't think all the dough would fit into just 1 tomato juice can and I needed her advice.. 
These two aunts are my Dad's sisters.. 
Aunt Hilda has passed away but I knew Aunt Eleanor would know and of course, she did.. 
It would be better to use 2 cans which I had washed and ready.. 


They turned out rather well but I think I could have cooked them a few minutes less.. 

Here is her recipe.. 
AUNT HILDA'S BOSTON BROWN BREAD.. 
Boil for 5 minutes.. 
2 cups of water
2 1/2 cups of raisins ( used golden, sultanas and current mix)
Cool 15 minutes 
Add.. 
1 cup white sugar
1 egg beaten
1 tsp. vanilla 
Sift together.. 
2 3/4 flour 
2 tsp. baking soda 
1/2 tsp. salt.. 
Mix together and add 1 cup cherries and 1 cup of walnuts.. 
* Spray Pam into two large juice cans and line with parchment paper.. 
This is not in the recipe but my aunt remembered that her sister used cans.. 
Just draw a circle on parchment for the bottom and fit some around the sides.. 
Divide dough into two parts and put into the cans.. 

325 degrees 1 hour and 15 minutes.. 


This made 2 good sized breads.. 
I don't think it would work in just one as it might run over.. 

I made up the shortbread cookies and a batch of nut toffee ... 
I also made lunch for us and a big batch of chili to freeze .. 
Besides chatting on the phone to my sons, my sister a couple of times and my Mom that is all I accomplished.. 
But I did clean as I went.. smile.. 
I am just soooooo slow..
I want to make a couple pans of squares and a few other things..
But I have next week.. right? 

This is a dear little enamel tray that I found at the thrift store..  


Hand painted, too.. 

This is what our countryside looks like... 


Mild temps but a bit of snow overnight... 
We may have a green Christmas as mild temps are called for.. 
That is fine with me as our 3 children and their families are to come for Christmas day... Yeah!! 
I love that they will be here on the big day... 
Usually, we do Boxing Day together but some of the grandsons need to work on that day but everyone is off for Christmas Day.. 
Lovely, eh?  

By the way...
I have another issue with my blog.. 
If it is not one thing like being hacked it is another.. 
Just today I lost 16 or so followers from the Google followers on the widget on the sidebar.. 
What is with that I wonder.. 

If you cannot see yourself there then please follow again if you don't mind.. 
Hopefully, it will get fixed and this too shall pass... 
If your thumbprint pic is missing then you won't see the posts on the Reader... 

Anyway.. 
There are more important things to worry about.. 
This is just annoying is all.. 
Looking forward to hearing from you and thanks for your sweet comments on my kitchen redo.. 

Have a great weekend and enjoy the Lord's Day.. 
So thankful for the gift He gave.. 
Himself... 

God bless... 

32 comments:

  1. So delicious...enjoy your time with family Faye and Merry Christmas :0) mari

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  2. Your brown bread recipe looks similar to my Great Great Grandmother Rittenhouses's recipe. It is an old family recipe and has been in the refrigerator since Thanksgiving. None for me - no nuts, no seeds! But my sister and husband will devour it! I am so envious of you. You are so ambitious and get things done. Kitchen looks as pretty today as it did the other day! HAHA.

    L...
    S...

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  3. Hello there. The chewy sugar cookies look amazing. I love the platter you found. What a great find. Blessings.

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  4. Hoping to try these, they sound wonderful.
    I love your pantry.
    I love all the blue dishes.
    I never get that much cooking done in only one day, it would take me several! grin

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  5. The boston bread looks delicious! Thank you for taking the time to post the recipe. Wish you a blessed Christmas, Pam in Norway xx

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  6. Love the platter and the Boston bread just looks delicious, would love to give it a try. What size would the cans be you used? The pantry is a delight.

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  7. What a busy day, and so much achieved! I never thought of baking in tins.

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  8. Don't worry about the followers thing, I am seeing lots of people mention it this morning, I don't think that it is your blog only, the same has happened to me. Hope that it sorts itself out! Your baking all looks and sounds - and no doubt smells and tastes! - delicious! Happy Christmas! xx

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  9. I love your pantry and your lovely kitchen, Faye. I think Blogger is just having issues, as usual.

    Thank you for sharing....many Holiday Blessings to you and your family.

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  10. Yeah I had lost 5 bloggers from my Google Friends connect all of a sudden I think blogger is up to it's old tricks again I am sure and hope it gets fixed . Oh everything looks soo YUMMY ! there . I have never heard of the fruit bread being made in a soup tin that's handy . Yes a green and very warm Christmas for us here to 12C they say our kids are all coming over here Christmas and boxing day to it is nice to have them down as they are all so busy with their own families ! Thanks for sharing again a lovely post and photos ! Have a great week and if your not in blog land before Christmas we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas .

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  11. Your bread looks lovely! Faye please tell me " what is spray pam?" x

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    1. Hi dear.. thank you for visiting.. Spray Pam is a spray can of cooking oil so that your dough won't stick... xo

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  12. Oh how YUMMY!! I cant wait to try out these recipes!!!
    Love to you dear Mr. Henry!!
    Jessica (oldest Mayo daughter)

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  13. Hello, I remember making a bread very similiar years ago. It made my mouth water! I enjoyed seeing your new kitchen. I loved all the blue and white on the shelf! And that tray is so pretty and so winter time and hand painted!
    I did chuckle over cleaning as you go, as it really does help stop my kitchen turning into a disastour.
    Merry Christmas and may this next New Year bring you much JOY
    Hugs, Roxy

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  14. I love the visit to your baking day! I was shocked to lose thirty followers until I remember the same thing happened before. Only I think Blogger sent out a warning that time. They reset our Followers widget, dropping people who have not visited for a certain amount of time. Whew! At first I wondered if I said something controversial!

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  15. I love your 'new' kitchen!! And want to wish you the most Blessed Christmas!!!

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  16. I love your 'new' kitchen!! And want to wish you the most Blessed Christmas!!!

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  17. You've done better than I have with holiday baking. I've made 7 dozen sugar cookies and that is all! Sigh... fortunately I have a wonderful sister who makes like mad crazy and shares!!

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  18. Your kitchen is lovely! And you have certainly been busy with your baking. Everything looks delicious. Merry Christmas to you and your family! :-)

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  19. Thank you for visiting my blog! All I had to do was look at your header and I knew yours was a blog I would love to read. You have such a big lovely kitchen! I will be back to read more! Thanks you!

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  20. Thank you for visiting my blog! All I had to do was look at your header and I knew yours was a blog I would love to read. You have such a big lovely kitchen! I will be back to read more! Thanks you!

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  21. Is that Self-raising flour for the fruit bread?

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    Replies
    1. No, Phil.. It is just regular all purpose flour... xo

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    2. No, Phil.. It is just regular all purpose flour... xo

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  22. Hi,
    I have always wanted to make Boston Brown Bread. Thank you for the recipe. I pinned it.
    I am not sure if I am on your sidebar, but you use to follow me.
    Have a blessed Christmas,
    Carla

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  23. Love your newly painted kitchen and I sure enjoy your recipes. Don't always make them, but they sure do look good. I have made something like your fruit bread baked in coffee cans - recipe I used was from my mother. You are so blessed to still have your mother and can talk to a sister. My parents passed 10 years ago and my brother 6 years ago. I sure miss them and especially at this time of year. Love Christmas with my husband and sons and I do know I will get to see the others in heaven. You mentioned you felt like you were slow. Me too!!! I spent about 12 hours making up 16 coffee cup/arrangements with greens, red carnations and a candy cane. Took to my Sunday school class yesterday. Years ago I could have accomplished that in 4. (Smile) I sure enjoy your blog. Merry Christmas and God's best for the New Year.

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  24. You are one busy cook, Faye. :) The Boston brown bread looks delicious. What a treat! I wonder what happened with your followers? I haven't noticed any missing on mine but will keep checking. Enjoy the next few days. Hard to believe there are only 3 sleeps until Christmas! Hugs and Blessings. Pam

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  25. I so enjoyed spending time in your cozy kitchen, Faye. Everything looks so delicious, I want to try it all. Happy holidays.
    Amalia
    xo

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  26. All these cookies look so delicious. They have to be very tasty. Thank you a lot for posting recipes, I'll definitely try to bake them)

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  27. I LOVE brown bread...my Grandmother used to make it....yes, in a tin can!
    I hope you all have a joy filled Christmas and that 2016 will bring many wonderful days and blessings.
    J

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  28. Love that enamel tray! Do let me know if it will every be for sale in your shop.

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