Twas The Night...

Twas the night before Christmas,

And all through my house

We were keeping tradition, 

Not skimping an ounce.

 The table was full,
As though there were more.
When, in reality,
There were only us four!

 Memories were shared of times of old,
When parents and children arrived in tenfold.

 Tonight on our couch we were seated,
While by movies and tastes we were treated.

 Dalmations of Indy played on the screen,
Laughter and enjoyment all in between.

Tourtiere and wings,
Mini weenies and dips,
Candies and sweets,
Even cookies made out of chips!

After our movies,

All was a buzz.

For Scattergories was next to turn our brains into fuzz !

 The clock ticked onwards,
Forcing us into bed.

 Awaiting the morning...

When Merry Christmas could be said!!

7 Days of Baking- Days 2 and 3

Apricot Loaf

This gleaming loaf of delicious?

Oh, it's just my Nana's apricot loaf.

And by "just" I totally mean "It's the best loaf of apricoty goodness your mouth will ever enjoy."

Secret ingredient?

I'm pretty sure she sneaks in some essence of awesome as she bakes...because nothing is like hers!

She's an amazing woman, what can I say!

These mini ones my mother made are incredible though.

Just not quite as incredible as the real deal ;)

Don't worry, I'll be giving you the recipe...but don't be surprised if you feel like its missing something.

Because that something is my Nan's touch.

• 1 cup apricots and 1 cup raisins boiled in 2 Cups water
• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour

1. Preheat oven to 275
2. Cream butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla
3. Add eggs and mix well
4. Mix in flour and baking powder
5. Blend in apricots and raisins
6. Pour into loaf pans

You can use mini or one large one!

Stick them in the oven for two hours, or until they are cracked and the toothpick comes out clean!!

 I hope you enjoy these as much as we do in our house.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

For the third day of baking I chose simplicity!

My trick to these salty sweet sensations?

I trace them with the chocolate rather than dipping.

I put my melted chocolate into a plastic bag, seal it, and cut a little tiny corner off.

It's a makeshift piping bag!!

Just another thing that my bakery job has taught me =)

Sidenote: Lately, it has taught me that I am a human. Who makes mistakes.

Lots of mistakes.

Such as (but not limited to):

Forgetting half of an order in the fridge

Making ugly treats

Cutting myself with my own thumb. Not the scissors I was using.

Etc. Etc.

But I still love my job, and hopefully it loves me.

Humanity and all ;)

Seven Days of Baking-Day One

Here is a preview of what is coming =)

And an idea to what my day consisted of.

Creating, eating, enjoying!

Today, though, the focus is...

Shortbread!!

Whipped up,

Melt in your mouth,

Pure heaven.

They are the little wreath in the center of the picture ^^

And they are also an incredibly simple recipe.

• 1 Cup butter (softened, but not melting at all)
• 1/2 Cup cornstarch
• 1/2 Cup icing sugar
• 1 Cup flour

• Cream the butter--really well. Really really well. It's super important to the "melt in your mouth" situation previously mentioned.
• Once its creamed, add in all of the other ingredients, and beat until fluffy.
• Either put them in a cookie press an pop them out, or drop by the spoonful. Your choice.
• I suggest spoonful...they are touchy little guys in that press...

• They should look probably a little less misshapen than mine. I had to do some emergency wreath creating. As shown with the poor little fellow in the bottom left corner...
• Now, bake them in an oven at 325 for 15-20 minutes (mine took 18)
• And they should come out golden and delicious!

• DO NOT try to move them for a while. They will disintegrate. Tragically.
• Once you can move them, though, you can drizzle. Or devour. The decision lies with you.

Enjoy!!

Home Again

This is the breakfast of champions.

By champions, I mean those who have:

Passed all of their final exams.

Come back to their home.

Cooked multiple meals in few days.

Started back at their job at a bakery.

And are about to go back to their ballet studio.

Do you know any of those champions?

Yeah...I only know me ;)

College vs Home

Sandwiches

College

Vs

Home

See the difference a real fridge and food make?

My taste buds sure did ;)