The Holidays and the Aftermath

       It was sad to see the holidays pass. I do look back at them with a smile when I remember the highlights -- the family get-togethers, the parties, the fun, the laughs, and the food. Holiday baking always comes to mind because it promises an entirely new range of seasonal baked creations. Think Christmas cookies, for example.
       I am now living in the aftermath of Christmas and New Year's. This part is not so fun, for me, at least. All that heavy eating never sits well with me, and it can take a while to fall back into healthier eating habits once again. Even so, I can look back on a wonderful year and welcome a new one.

        Of your holiday highlights, which do you remember most? Did you eat anything especially delicious? I know I did. Many times. Many cookies.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

When Life Gives You Chocolate, Make Crackle Cookies

        The other day, I spent the night at my cousin Leah's. She's the greatest for many reasons, one of them being the fact that Leah is the only other baker my age I know. Consequently, she's the only person with whom I can discuss one of my life's greatest joys. We spent most of our time that night talking, laughing, and (of course!) baking. It was wonderful to have a baking partner for a change… I almost always have no choice but to fly solo. Even on those rare occasions when I'm able to force some unwilling individual to bake with me, it just isn't the same as having another baker by my side who revels in it every bit as much as I do.

        Now, before we did anything else the pair of us had to choose what to make. We took our time rifling through a few of her baking cookbooks… and finally settled on these teeny and delightful cookies.

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

A Truly Serious Addiction to Butterscotch Cookies

I'm the kind of person who, if you ask me nicely to make you cookies sometime, will remember and get on it. The way I see it, it's a win-win situation. I'm content to spend my time baking up a storm and you get to eat the fruits... er, cookies... of my labor.  I also receive another bonus: feedback. I'm always hungry for reviews. Hence, the moment my lifeguard older brother David asked me the other day to bake him a batch for a competition at work, I made up my mind to do exactly that.

        At the community centre where he works, they hold a "food day" once a week. I don't know who came up with that idea and I can't fathom its connection in any way to water sports, but I'm really glad they did. The goal is simple: bring in the best food and you win. The challenge sounded to me like a great way to get some honest feedback from a large group of people.

Chewy Butterscotch Oat Cookies