Yesterday I baked. I put on my favorite apron, pulled out my favorite cookbook, bundt pan and spatula and spent the better part of three hours shuffling tins of sweets in and out of the oven. It was blissful.
I’m not sure why I love baking as much as I do, but it is a simple pleasure. I truly enjoy playing with recipes, displaying my baked goods on pretty platters and happily gifting them to hungry recipients. I was joyful yesterday — humming along to music in the kitchen while I worked. It reminded me how good time at home to be creative is for my soul.
This weekend’s menu of heart-clogging, fabulously sweet treats:
Damn Good Chocolate Cake cupcakes, from “The Cake Mix Doctor.” I added a dash of cinnamon and cardamom to the top. They’ll be served tonight at a dinner party with a dollop of whipped cream.
Cardamom fudge brownies. Can you tell what my new favorite spice is? I love the earthy smell. I wasn’t sure how a brownie recipe would do in a madeleine pan, but these turned out nicely. Imust point out, however, that you have to give them plenty of time to cool in the pan or you end up with a mess.
Ahem.
You want a giant cup of milk right now, don’t you?
These are my peanut butter and honey cookies. They will be packed away in my luggage, along with the brownies, for a weekend trip to the beach with friends. I suppose if we can’t find milk, margaritas will do.
I spent a few minutes dreaming of my imaginary bakery and how I’d display my cakes in the windows each morning.
Happiness at home indeed.
Happy long Fourth of July weekend to all my American friends. To my British buddies, better luck next colony. Ha ha! (Just teasing.)
~K