Sunday, December 10, 2006

Do elves bake?

If there are such personalities as baking elves, I think I might apply. Friday (yes, all day) consisted of holiday baking. Lots of baking. Batches and batches of baking. I like (?) to bake for the holidays. The one year I didn't (when I moved back to L.A.) it was missed- both by me and by regular recipients of the holiday baked goods. And so, despite my hectic schedule as of late, I made a point to carve out some time for baking.

I knew this operation had to run like a perfectly well oiled machine in order to work. So, I measured out all my dry ingredients on Thursday night. Friday morning, I mixed all the dough, then I did all the baking.

First up, the perennial favorite and most requested of the holiday cookies: Snowballs. Sinful, buttery, pecany goodness, coated in confectioners sugar. I've got these down to a science.

Then, I always like to mix it up when it comes to the other cookies. I like to rotate old favorites, and sometimes I like to try something new. This year, I decided on simple ginger cookies. The recipe calls for them to be frosted at the end, but I think they're sweet enough as is.

Next, green tea shortbread leaves. I made these many years ago, but thought to resurrect the recipe this year. Generally I don't do cut-out cookies (takes a lot more time and I'm lazy), but I was inspired this year. It's basically shortbread, with a mellow green tea flavor. Something a little different.

And finally, now that I live with a dog and have so many friends now who also live with dogs, I couldn't very well leave our furry friends out, now could I? Peanut butter (all natural, sugar- free) dog biscuits. Again, with the cut-outs, but these were super fun. Hee hee...

Thankfully I was able to finish everything on Friday (night), because then I was able to hang out with Julia, Marnie, and Mary-Heather (and Kat, for a second) for a little knitting time and girl talk on Saturday afternoon. I wasn't able to stay for very long, but a short visit with the girls is better than nothing! Such a cozy Saturday afternoon.

And now, I must get back to packing. I'm leaving - this afternoon - for a week "back home" in Hawaii. It will be a short visit, but I'm looking forward to it. I'll be traveling with LA and two 5 month-old peanuts, which means I'm sure I will have some war stories to report)...wish us luck!

13 comments:

The Stitchin' Sheep said...

I'll pass on the doggy biscuits, but the others sound quite delicious. I'm especially intrigued by the idea of green tea cookies. Fun.

And, travelling with twins - even more fun. Good luck with that.

Theresa said...

Sounds way more ambitious than my scattershot baking!

Anonymous said...

It's been a couple of years since my annual "Cookie Plates", you've inspired me to set aside a day next weekend to surprise everyone. It was the snowball cookies that did me in --they sound delicious. The red v-neck vest is awesome. I'm impressed. Very nice.

Julia (MindofWinter) said...

If I had known snowballs were involved, I would have never banned sweets! We call them Russian Tea Cakes, and I LOVE them. Plus I know that you are an excellent baker. Although deadly, the buttercream frosting was tas-tee.

Have a great trip with the peanuts! And a happy, happy holiday!

xox,

Jennifer said...

I'm so hungry right now...

Have a good, uneventful(in a kid way) trip!

Anonymous said...

delicious-looking cookies, wishing you luck with the peanuts, and awwwww, i so wish i could have sat there with all of you for a knitting afternoon. !!

you're inspiring me to bake, yay ;)

dee said...

OOOh the snoooowbaaaalls! Cannot...wait...for...the...snowballs...

Disentangled said...

The bounty is truly impressive! Glad you were able to get away for some girl time :-)

mle said...

Wow, you're like a baking machine!! and I'm getting really hungry looking at those cookies!
Have fun on your trip!

Anonymous said...

Stomach grumbling...

Nasus said...

I remember those snowballs...yum...can't wait to hear about the Peanuts adventures!

Anonymous said...

Ah, I missed the knitout. You guys looked so nice and cozy!

- MJ

Anonymous said...

Green tea shortbread leaves sounds very tasty. Where did you get the recipe?