These three glorious books found their way into my stocking on Christmas (with
What's really great about these books is I found all but one on the bargain shelf. Tell me that's not the best thing ever.
I picked out the Good Housekeeping Illustrated Book of Desserts because, well, I like pictures. Lots of them. And this book has them in abundance.
Each recipe contains several pictures of tips and techniques and ingredients, plus in depth instructions. I need instructions. Otherwise things go very, very badly.
I found the Hershey's Classic Recipes cookbook on the bargain shelf. It has fantastic, simple recipes using my all time favorite chocolate. Hershey's.
Can I tell you a secret? As kids, my parents used to buy us those giant Hershey's Kisses for Christmas. I would put mine in the oven and bake it for a few minutes. For no good reason except I think the taste of almost burnt Hershey's chocolate is to die for. Seriously.
I also found The Great American Cookie Cookbook on the bargain shelf. I already know this is where I'll spend most of my time.
The thing is... I like to bake for baking's sake. Don't get me wrong, I also love to taste (a lot), but it's the baking that I love. It probably has something to do with my hyper-organized personality, but who cares, right? It's just so much fun.
However, like I said, I do love to taste (a lot) so I need to be able to send the baked goods off with The Husband. (Before the baked goods stick permanently to my bottom.)
Cookies and cookie bars are easily packed up and sent away. Cakes and pies with pieces missing (not to mention the fork marks where someone just couldn't resist one more bite) don't go over too well.
Now it's a matter of deciding on a recipe. I want to try recipes that I've never tried in the past and would normally shy away from.
Do I start with the Delightful Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookie Bars? Or The Orange Pecan Gems? (I have a bunch of leftover pecans in the cupboard, but if I put nuts in the cookies, The Husband might divorce me.)
Okay, how about the Elvis Would Have Loved These Peanut Butter Cookies that are drizzled with a frosting made of butter, peanut butter, and marshmallows then sprinkled with peanut butter chips.
This is going to be a touch decision.
And can someone please tell me why I'm leaning towards the combo of peanut butter and marshmallows?
Peanut butter and marshmallows? PMS maybe? I never really like marsh mallows. Unless they were burnt, then they're more like caramelized sugar and I'm cool with that taste. I totally feel the ocd with the action of baking, I love it. But I'm an analytical chemist, we're ocd by nature. And really, all cooking is chemistry that you can eat so it makes sense that I find it satisfying. To me cooking or doing bench work in a lab is like soul food, I just love doing it and miss it when it's been too long since I did it last.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite childhood treats, which my mom made for me often after school, was graham crackers smeared with peanut butter and topped with a big, fat marshmallow, then baked in the oven till the marshmallow got gooey and brown on top. Mmmmmmm. A good thing to be leaning toward.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's PMS, but I am a woman, so you never can tell.Michelle, yesterday (after I wrote this post) I went back to the book store, this time for my sister who was returning a couple things. I found a book by Alton Brown titled I'm Just Here for More Food. It's all about the science of baking. I read through the first 80 pages last night. I'm hooked and learning how all the different ingredients effect (affect?) one another scientifically. It's fascinating.Kisa, that sounds amazing right now. I mean, I love grahams, I love peanut butter, and I LOVE marshmallows. I guess it's about time I start putting them together. ;)
ReplyDeletePeanut Butter and Marshmallows are two of the greatest flavors to go along with chocolate so why shouldn't they do well together? Gotta love new cookbooks! Happy cooking.
ReplyDeleteWow! You are a lucky woman. I think I now have some ideas for my birthday list (in three months)! The Elvis cookie sounds very yummy. Don't forget to take photos when you bake. Your food photos are the best!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I give.The Elvis Peanut Butter cookies did it. You win. I surrender. I'm gonna chew on my fingers until Miss Carol makes me some.
ReplyDeleteI came to see your blog after you commented on mine (and became a "follower"--Thanks!)I must report that I gained 8 pounds simply by looking at your title. And the pictures. I almost drooled on the keyboard, and that's just not good.Off to exercise...Roxanne
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