LIFT UP LOCAL 006
By Connie Sweet of Connection Group
Chief Baking Flour Convert
Who knew the stay at home orders in 2020 would bring so many new ideas and products to market? Augusta Mills Baking Flour, a key ingredient in the delicious Double Cocoa Brownie recipe below is one example.
Historically, Knappen Milling Company has sold soft baking flour exclusively to large businesses in the cereal and food industry. You may have enjoyed them in some of your favorite brands and snack foods without realizing it. With so many people baking and cooking at home, during the stay at home orders, it was hard to find flour in the stores. Friends and neighbors began asking if they could purchase flour directly from the mill. So, the Knappen team rolled up flour-dusted sleeves and launched Augusta Mills Baking Flour.
As a fourth generation mill whose core values are family, community, and love, it was fundamental to do everything possible to get baking flour on the shelves for everyone. After experimentation, rave reviews, packaging, labeling, and approvals were complete, Augusta Mill Baking flour was on the store shelves in record time.
What began as a way to help neighbors in the pandemic has grown to the new baking flour of choice for homemade cookies, brownies, and more. Home bakers have discovered that using baking flour in recipes creates the lightest baked goods with the most tender crumb.
Why Baking Flour versus All Purpose Flour?
Bakers can use equal parts baking flour to all purpose. So if a recipe calls for one cup of flour, you will use one cup of baking flour.
Because baking flour has lower protein content than all purpose flour, it has lower gluten levels
Lower protein creates a fluffier, tender crust.
Augusta Mills Baking Flour is also unbleached unlike most all purpose flour. This means less chemicals added to your home made masterpieces.
Grandma’s best recipes contain baking flour and love. If you’re taking the time to bake from scratch don’t compromise. Use quality ingredients and pour your love into every batch.
When you’re preparing your Valentine’s Day menu or deciding what to bring to the Super bowl party, move these brownies to the top of the list. They’re super simple to bake and take a little over a half hour from beginning to end. The results are so soft and chocolatey they legit won’t last long.
Double Cocoa Brownies
ingredients
1 Cup Augusta Mills Baking Flour
1lb Butter, softened
2 Cups Brown Sugar
3 Cups Granulated Sugar
8 Large Eggs
2 Cups Cocoa Powder
2 Teaspoons Salt
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
instructions
Preheat oven to 375°
Line half sheet tray with parchment and spray bottom and sides with pan spray
Use a hand mixer or the paddle attachment, beat butter, sugar, and cocoa powder until light and smooth.
In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients together.
Slowly mix dry ingredients into butter.
Mix in eggs and vanilla.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until done.
Recipe Author: Cory Barrett, CEPC, Winner Season 5 Spring Baking Championship Food Network
Look for Augusta Mills Baking Flour at the Capital City Market. You can also find the retro Kraft flour bags at all of the Meijer Marketplace stores throughout Michigan. If you want to spread the love beyond baking, go for a more savory option and dredge fish and other meats in it for sautéing or frying. You’ll love the light fluffy results. Discover more recipes on the AugustaMillsFlour.com website. Experiment, have fun, and thank you, thank you, for supporting women-owned small business and Michigan made.
Happy Valentine’s Day!