Writing isn’t coming easily to me these days between the general anxieties of starting a new year, the political climate, my friend’s meeting and losing their baby, and Kev saying goodbye to his grandma—all held within the capsule of a month. This mighty big pill is currently lodged in my mind, leaving me with crumbs of insistent thoughts that will find no other way out except out (or swallowed). So today, even if only for myself, I need to couch the weight of these thoughts inside lofty, bittersweet black cookies and get them out. Read more
Do you remember when this blog was strictly about baking with a side of soup? A couple years in and my pants got tight, so I shifted my focus to healthier (that’s a loaded word), wholesome eats. And then I got pregnant with Hal, ate ice cream every night, and baked liked it was my job. After she arrived, I was certain I’d have to majorly cool it. But for the first time in my entire life, I had trouble keeping on weight. I guess nursing can do that to you. Of course, that luck eventually ran out. Hard. I went back to my healthier, more balanced ways. That’s when Kev started asking, “Where’s the dessert?” To which I responded, “Did you shrink my jeans in the dryer?” My favorite skit on Whose Line Is It Anyway? was always “Questions Only”. It’s exactly as it sounds: you can only respond with questions. Read more
When I want a cookie, which is not every week or even every month, I want a substantial cookie. From a bakery case, not a cookie jar, but at my house. You know the kind. Remember Not Your Mom’s Chocolate Chip Cookie or Big Fat Sugar Cookies? Measuring in at 3½” wide and 1½” tall, they share a thin exterior layer of crunch with plenty of soft cookie throughout, much like these bakery-style peanut butter cookies. I like my cookies epic, so epic they crack at the edges.
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You know you’re a mom when showering becomes an item on the to-do list. When diapers are a line-item in your budget. When a good night’s sleep is 5 consecutive hours. When folding laundry means catching up on an entire episode of Grey’s. When you start decorating cookies with stamps to make Heart Stamped Cookies. That’s when you really know you’re a mom. Read more
When adding doughs and batters to a baking pan, rarely do I just pour. A couple extra utensils make all the difference in achieving a uniform and professional looking outcome. When making baked donuts, I use a piping bag. When making cookies, I use a small spring release scoop. When making cakes, cupcakes, muffins, waffles, and pancakes, I use a large spring release scoop. When making sugar cookies and biscuits (and sometimes when making mini cakes), I use a biscuit cutter. There must be a million other tricks out there. What do you do?
You might remember Christmas in a Bowl. Layers of homemade brownies, white chocolate peppermint mousse, and dark chocolate pudding. It’s decadent, rich, and a must-have this time of year. But I’ve decided to extend the Christmas in a Bowl family. At 12:25 early yesterday afternoon, Christmas in a Cookie was born. The labor was quick. Much faster than Christmas in a Bowl. She’s tiny but packs a festive punch. Read more
We made our first trek to NYC this weekend. It was glorious. But it started with an alarm at 5:45 am. A walk to the train in the pouring rain. And a two hour train ride. Wishful thinking—I thought we lived closer to the city. Read more
If you’re gonna make mini gold cakes, you’ll probably need to make gold cookie pops too.
Let’s face it. Gold is the new black. And food on a stick is the new fork. Or something like that. Read more