Facebook & Recipes...Yeah, I like that!!

Perfect paring with coffee or tea!

Recently, I read some rumblings on Facebook about ads running on the side of the page. People are finding them annoying and intrusive. I usually save those terms to describe people. I, on the other hand,  also understand that even Facebook has to make money so the rest of us can continue to use this popular social media site for free, so am not that bothered by them. In fact, recently I kept catching a glimpse of a delicious looking Orange Cream Cheese Bread, from a site called JustAPinch.com, that I had to click on it (something I  never do for fear of accidently “liking” it), but I was so glad I did. First of all, it was easy. I like easy. I am more of a cook than a baker so it was rare that I chose this recipe to click on. After reading it, I “Pinned” it, something else I’m new to, so I could check it out later. And I did! On a cold, snowy Sunday, I decided to give this a try. Soon the house was filled with the aroma of something good in the oven! It was amazing.   

Ingredients

1-8 oz	package cream cheese, softened
1/2 c	shortening
1 2/3 c	granulated sugar
2	eggs
2 1/4 c	all-purpose flour
1 tsp	salt
1 Tbsp	baking powder
1 c	milk
1/2 c	chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp	grated orange peel
1/4 c	orange juice Directions1 Combine cream cheese and shortening, creaming well. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating well after each addition.4  Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix well after each addition. Stir in walnuts and orange peel.  Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 3 inch loaf pans. Bake at 375 degrees F for 55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.8  Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Then sprinkle orange juice over loaves. Remove to wire rack to finish cooling

I, as usual, substituted half Splenda for half of the sugar, but it worked very well. One of the things I like about the site Just A Pinch, is reading the comments from people who have already used the recipe. There were questions on what type of shortening to use (the originator used Criso), others used butter or margarine. Seems it doesn't really matter, so I used butter.

 Many added other things like raisins and dried cranberries. And as wonderful as that sounds, I didn't have either in the pantry so the standard recipe was what I went by and added of dusting a powdered sugar when cooled. It was really more of a pound cake than bread, but it was moist and so flavorful, that I actually did “like” JustAPinch.com Facebook page so I can see what they are bringing up next! Best thing about this site, is that it is a great collection of recipes from home kitchen cooks, like us!

So don’t easily dismiss all those ads that appear as you are checking on your Facebook friends. They actually may have something good to offer! Oh wait a minute...I just checked Facebook and JustAPinch.com has posted a "Brownie Chocolate Cheesecake" recipe! I have a wedding in five months to get ready for! Someone else please make this and report on results! On second thought, maybe I should avoid the ads for a while.

Photo & Recipe property of Just A Pinch Recipes