Just Baking

Where are you autumn?
We haven’t heard from you in weeks. You are supposed to be here. The calendar says October, but the warm sun on my shoulders says spring. I look outside my window and even with orange trees and crunchy leaves on the street, nothing says you’re near. I see pumpkins and witches dressing […]

Following the lead of the ginger-spiked chocolate chip cookie recipe I created for my birthday, I snuck some crystalized ginger into a Molasses Cookie recipe I was trialing out.  The recipe was amazingly vegan (dairy-free, egg-free) and oddly enough, didn’t call for any ginger.  Knowing how well ginger goes with molasses, I thought this would be the […]

I’ve been unable to post in a while, but right before Christmas, I tried my hand at cinnamon rolls. I’ve found I really like the King Arthur Flour cinnamon filling; you just add 1 tablespoon of water per quarter cup of filling, stir until it’s goopy, then use as needed.
I used a potato dough, with […]

Lebkuchen is a form of gingerbread common in Germany. The difference between Lebkuchen and what we Americans typically think of gingerbread is it’s made with honey instead of molasses, hence the lighter color. Lebkuchen was first made in the 13th century by Franconian monks though the development of the name Lebkuchen is still a mystery. […]

Looking for ways to use up that leftover eggnog sitting in your fridge?  Here are a few:
Bake up a batch of my favorite new cookie of the holiday season:  Eggnog Cookies.  I haven’t had a chance to test out the recipe myself, but the ratings are high (A sure sign the recipe is a winner!).
Make popovers!  The […]

Every family has some foods that are only prepared once a year, but that everyone absolutely loves.  Something that you look forward to literally all year long, and that when mentioned the whole family’s eyes light up. 
Have you ever asked why you have that food only once a year if everyone loves it so much?  I […]

There is something magical about Christmas morning. The anticipation, the gifts, the time with loved ones, and in my family, the breakfast!  We would always head to my grandma’s house for breakfast, and man alive could she cook.  Fried potatoes and eggs, croissants, bacon, and whatever was left over from her Christmas Eve party she […]

I’m competitive.  And baking is my sport.  I take to the kitchen like an Olympian to a gym, knowing that I must challenge myself each time if I want to sustain that culinary endorphin rush.  So each holiday season, I strive to find a new recipe that will wow and vavoom the dessert socks off […]

If you’re like me, you love making food gifts to give. They’re easy, inexpensive, and mean so much more than a store-bought treat. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy receiving a box full of homemade yummies? With Christmas right around the corner, forgo store-bought goodies for homemade treats by dipping all kinds of things in melted […]

It’s that time of year again, and for those of you who enjoy being in the kitchen, you know what that means:  dozens and dozens of homemade cookies.  Whether you’re trying a recipe out for the first time or wanting to improve an old favorite, these tips will ensure your next batch comes out just […]