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Whoosh!

That’s the sound that February and March made as they whizzed right by. They were good months, but also difficult ones as a big work project took up a good chunk of my time.

More than once I caught myself staring longingly at my baking pans and my long-neglected mixer, but with no real energy to actually bake something.

Finally, though, I’m back and it feels so good.

I celebrated by trying out a few recipes from the March 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living. The first is the Yeasted Chocolate Coffee Cake, which was so delicious. I actually made it with quick-rising yeast because I was all out of active dry yeast and the results were excellent.

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The real gem, though, is the Cinnamon-Streusel Coffee Cake from the same issue. This is one of the best sour cream cakes that I have every made. It’s moist and not too dense, with a lovely streusel running both inside the cake and on top of it. I made the glaze a bit thick and so it look a bit on the goopy side but I didn’t hear any complaints!

It feels so good to be back to Magazine Mondays. I have some entries that were languishing in my inbox so here they are — the folks who actually joined me quite awhile ago for MM:

Wandering Coyote of ReTorte made Whole-Wheat Oatmeal Waffles from the February 2008 issue of Gourmet, Flaky Biscuits from the May 2010 issue of Canadian Living and Egg and Shrimp Sandwiches from the June 2010 issue of Canadian Living.

Tina of Life in the Slow Lane at Squirrel Head Manor made a Fresh Ham with Cracklings and pan Gravy from the March 1990 issue of Gourmet.

Mary of Caramels, Bonbons et Chocolats made Rosy Almond Marshmallows from Chatelaine.

Ranjani of Four Seasons of Food made Veggie Burgers from the March 2011 issue of Food & Wine.

Have a great week, everyone!

Ciao!