Baking

[giuliacucina]

I am suddenly quite addicted to baking. In the past couple of weeks, I have made cardamom chocolate chip cookies, whole wheat apple muffins, chocolate spice cookies, iced pumpkin cookies and chocolate cookies with chocolate chips and a chocolate peppermint glaze (a Nigella recipe). I am trying to stop myself from baking pear ginger muffins and

Comments

[brandyeileen]

I love baking. It's like chemistry labs, but without the possibility of blowing up one's kitchen (unless you do something HORRIBLY wrong, at any rate).

I find it relaxing, cathartic, and ultimately satisfying because in the end I can look at what I've made and say, "I did this!" Then, I get to eat it and say, "Wow, I'm good!" It's always nice to be able to say those things to yourself, even if the sense of accomplishment comes from something otherwise so inconsequential as baking.

On the flip side, no one thinks I am cheap around the holidays and they all get their standard assortment of cookies and other baked goods. They know that I spend a lot of time and effort on them and appreciate their gifts, every year! I'd rather give baked goods than material goods, as it is more in keeping with what the holidays should be about regardless of what religion (if any) someone is. Also, it gives me a great excuse to spend three weeks or so baking, and then running around and saying hi to everyone to give them their platter/basket/container of yummy goods.

I do use electric mixers, both hand-held and stand. I do too much baking on a regular basis, often working within time-lines, so I really need to not spend two hours getting my batter just so. Cardamom is fantastic stuff and absolutely worth the price for quality spice. Folks keep telling me to take my baking to a business level, but I fear that making baking be about a profit will eventually have the effect of making it less enjoyable for me.

Let me know if you ever need a really great recipe for something or another. If I don't have it, I know plenty of semi-/retired professional bakers who surely do! Next stop, get a package of disposable Wilton bags and at least one tip, and learn to decorate cookies free-hand! It's like art, but more yummy than paint or pastels... ;)

[anna_esq]

Baked goods as holiday gifts is a great idea! Maybe I will make cookies this year as well. Do you have a favourite gingerbread cookie recipe?