Weeknight Baking – Cookbook Giveaway

Enter our giveaway to win a copy of Weeknight Baking: 75 Time-Saving Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week by Michelle Lopez

Weeknight Baking: 75 Time-Saving Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week by Michelle Lopez, author of the blog, Hummingbird High, makes baking more approachable and not something saved for weekend marathons in this her debut cookbook.

Recipes range from Boxed-mix brownies, from scratch and Single lady chocolate chip cookie (yes cookie) to a White wedding cake and beautiful pies and tarts. There are detailed instructions on how to apply a crumb coat and other decorating methods. There is a chapter on vegan and gluten-free recipes.

The variations on certain recipes are great for batch baking during the holidays. For instance, the Brown butter blondies shares instructions on how to turn the basic blondie into birthday cake blondies, halva blondies or chocolate hazelnut blondies. Imagine your cookie tray this season with an assortment of blondies nestled in those cookies.

Michelle covers dozens of tutorials including how to freeze cookie dough to bake later, weeknight layer cake decorating techniques and creating different pie crusts. Michelle covers it all in Weeknight Baking including how to grind your own spices with plenty of step-by-step photographs and details to guide us to successful baking any night of the week.

Special thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing the following recipe for our members to try now as well as offering copies of this book in our giveaway below.

Choose-your-own pumpkin spice bread
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I first discovered this recipe when I was living a few blocks from the famous San Francisco bakery Tartine. In the fall, I’d brave the long line, ignore their famous croissants, and instead opt for a slice of their seasonal pumpkin loaf bread. It was light and fluffy, and tasted like pumpkin pie. When I moved away, I bought a copy of their cookbook just so I could make the loaf bread and get my fix in my new city. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the recipe came together quickly and was perfect for weeknight baking; unlike most loaf cakes, it used oil instead of butter, skipping the need to cream butter and sugar together. The oil also kept the loaf flavorful and moist for much longer, perfect for savoring a slice to get me through my weekday mornings. I’ve since customized their recipe with my own mix of pumpkin spice, and you can, too! If you choose to make your own spice blend, just be sure to add another 5 minutes or so to the Prep Time, since the recipe assumes you’ve already mixed your pumpkin spice.

  • 1¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon (8.15 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 1 recipe Classic Pumpkin Spice, Vanilla Pumpkin Spice, Chai Pumpkin
  • Spice, or Actually Spicy Pumpkin Spice (page 67)
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (9 ounces) canned pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ⅓ cups (9.35 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Spray the parchment, too.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the pumpkin puree, oil, vanilla, and 1 1/3 cups (9.35 ounces) of the sugar. Whisk on medium-low until just combined, about 1 minute, using a rubber spatula to scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the eggs one at a time, adding the next egg only after the previous one has been fully incorporated, scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl after each addition. With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl once more, and whisk on medium for an additional 15 seconds.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Set the loaf pan on a sheet pan and bake for 60 to 65 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few crumbs attached. There will still be patches of sugar on top, but that’s totally okay, I promise! In fact, that’s the look you want. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. The cake can be stored at room temperature, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 3 days

variations

Pumpkin brûlée bread
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This is a really impressive variation that requires barely any extra work. When you pull your pumpkin bread out of the oven, there should still be patches of granulated sugar on top. Cool for 20 to 30 minutes on a wire rack, then use a chef’s torch to brûlée the patches of sugar until melted and golden brown. Serve immediately. This variation does not significantly affect Prep, Work, or Bake Time.

Toasted coconut pumpkin bread 
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Proceed with the recipe as directed, but use melted coconut oil instead of canola oil in the recipe. In the final step, substitute 2 tablespoons coconut sugar for the granulated sugar; combine the coconut sugar and ¼ cup (about 0.5 ounces) large raw coconut flakes in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over the batter. Bake as directed. This variation does not significantly affect Prep, Work, or Bake Time.

Brown butter pumpkin bread
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Brown butter adds an extra nutty flavor to this bread, and its intensity will mute the flavor of the spices. If you want your bread to maintain the same level of spice, I suggest increasing the pumpkin spice in the recipe by a half. Before starting the recipe, you’ll need to brown 1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter following the instructions on page 161 and let it cool. Proceed with the recipe as directed, but use the brown butter instead of the canola oil in the recipe. This variation adds about 10 minutes of Work Time.

Thanks to the US publisher for providing three copies of the above-referenced title in our giveaway open to EYB Members in the US and to the Canadian publisher for offering one copy to our Canadian members. One of the entry options is to answer the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post and this forum post. Once you log in and enter your member name you will be directed to the next entry option – the blog comment. After that, there are additional options that you can complete for more entries. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on January 18th, 2020.

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157 Comments

  • Kristjudy  on  November 19, 2019

    Birthday cake blondies

  • jennycooks1971  on  November 19, 2019

    I would love to try the hazelnut blondies!

  • jenlhawes  on  November 19, 2019

    Pumpkin brûlée bread

  • inflytur  on  November 19, 2019

    Tahini brown sugar cake looks interesting

  • lauriesk  on  November 19, 2019

    Choose-your-own pumpkin spice bread

  • cpattersongo  on  November 19, 2019

    I would like to try the Snickerdoodles first! Looks like such a great cookbook!

  • vickid59  on  November 19, 2019

    Toasted coconut pumpkin bread – two of my favorite ingredients!

  • jr0717  on  November 19, 2019

    The Birthday Cake Blondies sound too fun not to try first!

  • Hihelen  on  November 20, 2019

    Single Lady cookie!

  • JRumi  on  November 20, 2019

    Blueberry lemon muffins

  • Mariajpanagopoulos  on  November 20, 2019

    The toasted coconut pumpkin bread sounds so good!

  • lean1  on  November 20, 2019

    Peanut butter banana bread

  • Shelley.b  on  November 20, 2019

    Birthday cake blondies

  • kmn4  on  November 20, 2019

    Oatmeal cookies

  • Mtetpon  on  November 20, 2019

    pumpkin bread

  • MiMi60  on  November 20, 2019

    Tahini brown sugar cake

  • LeMinou  on  November 20, 2019

    Pumpkin brûlée bread

  • sarahawker  on  November 20, 2019

    Cranberry orange muffins

  • hbakke  on  November 20, 2019

    Toasted coconut pumpkin bread

  • nadiam1000  on  November 20, 2019

    Jammy Pie Bars

  • dbranigan27  on  November 20, 2019

    I would have to try the Chocolate ganache cheesecake bars right after the Banana Bread.

  • mcrimmins  on  November 20, 2019

    Chocolate Ganache Cheesecake Bars would be the best Thanksgiving dessert.

  • demomcook  on  November 20, 2019

    Better-than-supernatural fudge brownies

  • ebs  on  November 20, 2019

    Better-than-supernatural fudge brownies

  • oreganoca  on  November 21, 2019

    Peanut butter brown sugar cake

  • erinsuzanne  on  November 21, 2019

    Brown butter blondies

  • matag  on  November 21, 2019

    Jammy pie bars

  • AGM Cape Cod  on  November 21, 2019

    Overnight small-batch cinnamon rolls because I bake a lot of my local library bake sale.

  • debakken  on  November 21, 2019

    Definitely the lemon pound cake.

  • Blackeyedsusans  on  November 21, 2019

    Brown butter brownies

  • Patoliv1312  on  November 22, 2019

    Peanut Butter cup banana bread

  • stargirl  on  November 22, 2019

    Birthday cake blondies

  • roxlet  on  November 22, 2019

    Pumpkin brulee bread

  • tararr  on  November 22, 2019

    Tis the season for pumpkin bread!

  • jenmatt  on  November 22, 2019

    Black-and-white chocolate chunk shortbread cookies

  • sndaily  on  November 22, 2019

    Toasted coconut pumpkin bread

  • Mariarosa  on  November 22, 2019

    Tahini brown sugar cake

  • Lafauvette  on  November 22, 2019

    peanut butter cup banana bread

  • Pizzacat13  on  November 22, 2019

    Key Lime Pie!

  • fujirw  on  November 22, 2019

    peanut butter cup banana bread!

  • heidimia  on  November 22, 2019

    I would definitely try the pumpkin brûlée bread. Yum- love all things pumpkin!

  • rchesser  on  November 22, 2019

    The Better Than Supernatural Brownies.

  • jimpan3  on  November 22, 2019

    Pumpkin bread

  • lisambb  on  November 22, 2019

    Birthday cake blondies

  • skaleko  on  November 22, 2019

    The single lady chocolate chip cookie, for sure!

  • JessHeilman  on  November 22, 2019

    Birthday cake blondies!!

  • Lora724  on  November 22, 2019

    Lemon pound cake sounds delish!

  • MarciK  on  November 22, 2019

    Savory cheddar mustard scones

  • GranChris  on  November 23, 2019

    First up will be Pumpkin brûlée bread.

  • t.t  on  November 23, 2019

    Chocolate banana bread

  • mpdeb98  on  November 23, 2019

    A modern red velvet cake

  • ktcupcake  on  November 23, 2019

    Cake toast!

  • hillsboroks  on  November 23, 2019

    I would try the lime curd bars.

  • ravensfan  on  November 23, 2019

    Peanut butter cup banana bread

  • Lyla  on  November 23, 2019

    For me I would try the Pumpkin Spice Loaf, it appears to be very easy to put together, as well as flexible. But, I would also choose the Classic Pound Cake recipe, as that is my hubby favorite!

  • Dannausc  on  November 23, 2019

    Brown butter pumpkin bread

  • mrskitcatb  on  November 23, 2019

    Snickerdoodles

  • LaurenE  on  November 23, 2019

    hazelnut blondies

  • Shelmar  on  November 23, 2019

    Savory mustard cheddar scones.

  • CookieMomster12  on  November 23, 2019

    What a wonderful cookbook, I can’t wait to check out all the lovely recipes.

  • ljsimmons  on  November 24, 2019

    Pumpkin brûlée bread

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  November 24, 2019

    I would like to make the choose-your-own pumpkin spice bread.

  • horselady57  on  November 24, 2019

    Pumpkin brûlée bread!

  • goodfruit  on  November 24, 2019

    Halva Blondies

  • mph993  on  November 25, 2019

    Snickerdoodles and all the various toppings!

  • Rachellefp  on  November 25, 2019

    Snickerdoodles…yum

  • lebarron2001  on  November 25, 2019

    Chocolate Ganache Cheesecake Bars sound delicious.

  • Arrivaderla  on  November 25, 2019

    Baking anything on a weeknight is miraculous – this will do it.

  • sequoia55  on  November 26, 2019

    Cranberry orange muffins

  • Cookingitall  on  November 26, 2019

    Pumpkin spice pumpkin bread

  • lhudson  on  November 26, 2019

    Modern Red Velvet Cake

  • kelrific  on  November 26, 2019

    I so admire Michelle! I would love to try her blackberry lime tart 🙂

  • Steben  on  November 28, 2019

    Peanut butter banana bread

  • virjeania  on  November 29, 2019

    Peanut butter cup banana bread

  • moralla  on  November 30, 2019

    cake french toast

  • debbiehb  on  November 30, 2019

    Pumpkin Brûlée Bread

  • roxlet  on  November 30, 2019

    Toasted coconut pumpkin bread

  • Laura1  on  December 1, 2019

    pumpkin bread

  • lleonard05  on  December 1, 2019

    Pumpkin brûlée bread – love creme brulee so I would really like to taste this recipe.

  • kennethjohngilmour  on  December 3, 2019

    Peanut butter cup banana bread found on page 60

  • Blackeyedsusans  on  December 3, 2019

    Magic dream lemon cream tart

  • AnneOther  on  December 3, 2019

    The “Tahini brown sugar cake” is one recipe I’d love to try–it sounds different, but undoubtedly delicious.

  • daniellespinato1  on  December 5, 2019

    Almost-no-mess shortbread cookies

  • kbennall  on  December 5, 2019

    I’m always down for any kind of pound cake, and/or anything with a sugar crust on top…and then make that Cake Toast with it!

  • NaomiH  on  December 6, 2019

    Tahini brown sugar cake

  • trudys_person  on  December 6, 2019

    Peanut Butter Cup Banana Bread – nothing better than peanut butter and banana and chocolate!

  • PaolaS  on  December 10, 2019

    Fantastic book! Thanks!!

  • lpatterson412  on  December 11, 2019

    Overnight French toast for a crowd

  • davisesq212  on  December 12, 2019

    I want to make banana cream pie first

  • davisesq212  on  December 12, 2019

    I want to make banana cream pie first.

  • Linda013  on  December 13, 2019

    Birthday cake blondies

  • Kblg  on  December 13, 2019

    Banana cream pie

  • percussion03  on  December 15, 2019

    Birthday cake blondiez

  • stevenpeters  on  December 16, 2019

    Pumpkin brûlée bread!

  • kimbolarson  on  December 16, 2019

    Citrus cheesecake bars.

  • chefthomas  on  December 19, 2019

    Lemon pound cake

  • itadakimasu  on  December 19, 2019

    oatmeal cookies

  • barbibrarian  on  December 20, 2019

    Lime curd bars

  • clairew137  on  December 26, 2019

    birthday cake blondies

  • BMeyer  on  December 27, 2019

    supernatural fudge brownies

  • Vanderpham  on  December 27, 2019

    Pumpkin brûlée bread

  • stephntran  on  December 27, 2019

    The jammy pie bars sound amazing!

  • brenboites  on  December 28, 2019

    I’d like to bake the chocolate hazelnut blondies.

  • ARackerby  on  December 31, 2019

    Oatmeal, cherry, and pistachio mix-in

  • JJWong  on  January 2, 2020

    Single Lady Chocolate Chip Cookies!!

  • jezpurr  on  January 2, 2020

    Chai pumpkin spice!!!^_^

  • priyamaine  on  January 2, 2020

    oatmeal cookies!!

  • robynnemellor  on  January 2, 2020

    Birthday cake blondies

  • Karla123  on  January 3, 2020

    Desert dessert island vegan mocha brownies…sounds irresistible!

  • dmflis  on  January 3, 2020

    Blueberry lemon muffins

  • Pamyoungvb  on  January 3, 2020

    Choose your own pumpkin spice bread. I like the options offered to change it up.

  • ennsee  on  January 3, 2020

    I would try the Better-than-supernatural fudge brownies first.

  • etesla  on  January 3, 2020

    Almost-no-mess shortbread cookies – almost-no-mess is honest but compelling. 😉

  • Tracey11  on  January 4, 2020

    I would love to make Toasted coconut pumpkin bread.

  • Cathyschuh  on  January 4, 2020

    caketoast!

  • lbguerrant  on  January 5, 2020

    Pumpkin brulee bread

  • nicolthepickle  on  January 6, 2020

    The Peanut butter brown sugar cake.

  • antpantsii  on  January 6, 2020

    Almost no mess shortbread cookies

  • bkwrms78  on  January 9, 2020

    I love pumpkin pie, and trying new recipes, so I’d try The silkiest pumpkin pie.

  • dusya4  on  January 9, 2020

    Halva blondies

  • rstuart  on  January 10, 2020

    Tahini brown sugar cake

  • chiller  on  January 10, 2020

    pumpkin spice bread

  • Mericka  on  January 10, 2020

    Brown butter pumpkin bread

  • Icecat  on  January 10, 2020

    Toasted pumpkin bread. Love the idea of combining both flavours!

  • maggz19671  on  January 10, 2020

    Single lady cookie

  • ang709  on  January 10, 2020

    Lime curd bars

  • Redlizzy1  on  January 10, 2020

    Snickerdoodles would be first on my list.

  • JulieQC  on  January 10, 2020

    Brown butter blondies

  • ljkish  on  January 10, 2020

    I would like to try the Birthday cake blondies.

  • sh0rtydu0p  on  January 10, 2020

    I adore pumpkin “anything”. It might sound silly, but I’m super-excited about your “Actually Spicy Pumpkin Spice”! I would not only love to try it in the Brown Butter Pumpkin Bread, but if the flavor works, I’d could see myself incorporating it into a savory, pumpkin/butternut squash pasta recipe.

  • pjschepp  on  January 11, 2020

    Toasted coconut pumpkin bread!

  • runandierun  on  January 11, 2020

    Blackberry lime tart

  • RSW  on  January 11, 2020

    Classic pound cake

  • jwal902  on  January 11, 2020

    I’d like to try Toasted coconut pumpkin bread first.

  • taylorfriese  on  January 11, 2020

    I would be all up on the Tahini Brown Sugar cake

  • totoro415  on  January 11, 2020

    PB cup banana bread

  • meghanbridget  on  January 11, 2020

    Small batch cinnamon rolls.

  • banba1  on  January 11, 2020

    Tahini brown sugar cake

  • calguire  on  January 12, 2020

    Birthday cake blondies

  • miggsy  on  January 12, 2020

    Chai pumpkin spice

  • dan031082  on  January 12, 2020

    Almost-no-mess shortbread cookies

  • HomespunHouse  on  January 12, 2020

    Raspberry grapefruit tart

  • Redmoose31  on  January 13, 2020

    Sweet crème fraîche scones

  • gypsychai  on  January 13, 2020

    My husband’s favorite – key lime pie

  • annmartina  on  January 13, 2020

    Black sesame snickerdoodles

  • Shana.  on  January 14, 2020

    Peanut butter banana bread

  • KarenDel  on  January 14, 2020

    Tahini brown sugar cake

  • Sfgordon  on  January 15, 2020

    Halva blondies!

  • cookbookaddict2020  on  January 15, 2020

    tahini brown sugar cake

  • lisa59  on  January 16, 2020

    The Single Lady Cookie!

  • AshtasticAwesome  on  January 16, 2020

    Lemon Pound Cake or Chocolate banana bread. Probably both. Lol

  • vhfvhf  on  January 16, 2020

    Choose your own pumpkin spice bread

  • dbf123  on  January 16, 2020

    Pumpkin brulee sounds scrumptious!

  • monasli  on  January 18, 2020

    Peanut butter cup banana bread!

  • rlgreen91  on  January 18, 2020

    I would love to try the tahini brown sugar cake.

  • starzine  on  January 19, 2020

    Lemon pound cake.

  • Redmoose31  on  February 4, 2020

    Brown butter pumpkin bread

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