Ep 85: Pretzel Problems & Summertime Reads

It's potluck season! If you need inspiration for your next big batch bake, check out the podcast's Facebook page. From cream pies to Diplomat Cake, Preheaters have great suggestions for crowd-pleasing treats. Andrea and Stefin are intrigued and inspired, and have set aside several ideas for upcoming shows -- thanks everyone, and stay tuned!  One dish that probably won't be gracing either of their potluck (or "garden party") tables soon is the Almond Butter Blossoms. Both hosts had a very frustrating experience with these no-bake cookies. From texture to taste, they just weren't winners. If you're in the market for a no-bake bar cookie that both hosts did love, check out the Chocolate Oatmeal Chocoalte Peanut Butter bars the duo reviewed last summer in Episode 43. (And if you had a successful experience with the Almond Butter Blossoms, please let us know!) Here's hoping this week's recipe, the Lemon Crunch Bars from The View from Great Island, will restore the duo's faith in a no-bake cookie. With a substantial amount of lemon juice and cream, and a gingersnap cookie crust, it's already sounding promising. (Both hosts loved TVFGI's Cold Chocolate Snacking Cake way back in Episode 4!) "Assemble" along with us for our last no-bake treat of the month, and share your pictures to Facebook and/or Instagram. Finally, the Preheated Book Club is back in session with several promising recs from Preheated listeners. Andrea's still looking for her first five-star book of 2018, but is enjoying That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam. Stefin recommends the Cazalet Chronicles series by Elizabeth Jane Howard for readers who enjoy historical fiction. Stefin and Andrea also love reading cookbooks and have found Irish author Marian Keyes' Saved by Cake to have some fun and engaging recipes. (Find a complete list of what we're reading and what our listeners recommend on our website, preheatedpocast.com.)  Bake along with Stefin and Andrea in their baking Facebook group, Preheated. You can find links to recipes on their baking website www.preheatedpodcast.com, as well as on their Pinterest page. You can also follow the hosts on Twitter and Instagram, using handle preheatedpod. Join the fun!