What did I learn?
- Baking cookies every week helped me understand the basic cookie recipe - ingredients, measurements, and methods. I know so much more about what different ingredients or methods do to the final outcome. I could almost create a recipe without out looking - maybe.
- I really enjoyed learning as I went through each week and seeing my knowledge grow by simply practicing baking so often.
- I learned, or maybe relearned, that I do well with rules and goals and really enjoy having both outlined clearly. Along with that, I feel guilt easily, often self-imposed by my own rules/goals/expectations.
- Also, I learned just how happy cookies make people! My goodness people love cookies. More than I even thought. It really is the simple things.
What tools did I already have that were helpful?
- Good cookie sheets
- A sturdy, grid cookie cooling rack
- Silpat mats
- A great rubber spatula to scrape the bowl
- A thin, flexible spatula to lift cookies
- Cookie scoops
- a trivet (for setting the hot cookie sheets on to cool quicker between batches - good tip)
What did I buy?
- Kitchenaid Stand Mixer (I've always wanted one, this just gave me the excuse to buy one when I found a good deal. LOVE IT.)
- A sifter - the kind you spin the handle, not squeeze because that's too much work
- An extra large cookie spatula to move several cookies to the cooling rack at once
- A zester, so much easier than a basic grater
- round biscuit cutters
- some other cookie cutters
- gel icing, so fun!
- plenty of extract, butter, sugars, flour, cream cheese, citrus, chocolate, and other required ingredients!
- Gallon size bags for shipping and gifting and storing
- Lots of postage!
- I was gifted a nice non-stick mat for rolling out dough
What do I miss?
- Making people happy
- Cookies!
- The therapy of baking
- feeling accomplished each week
- having a specific goal to complete
What makes me glad it's over?
- Having a clean kitchen!
- Measuring cups/spoons are put away in the cabinet
- I don't have to plan something all the time
- I don't have to shop for baking ingredients
- I can do other things with that time and not feel as busy
- I Want to Marry You Cookies
- Twix Cookies
- Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Cookies
- Brown Butter Salted Caramel Cookies
- Lemon Bar Cookie Cups
- Orange Zested Cookies
- Flourless Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling
- Pretzel Cookies with Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chips
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
My most common cookie tasters' cumulative top 5 - sort of, because they were all so different.
(This group is Brian, my mom, grandma, Ron, my dad, Barbara)
- Twix Cookies
- Strawberry Lemonade Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Filling
- Lemon Bar Cookie Cups
What's next??
First, a break!
Next:
I feel the need to ease out of this adventure. So.
I am going to try to continue to make a new cookie recipe, maybe one a month? We'll see. No limitations, rules, etc. I want to keep up the baking at a much slower pace.
I have always loved baking. I will always love baking. Baking once meant out of a box or a simple recipe for a special occasion. I started to venture out and try some ideas once I found Pinterest. Now I have tried so many new things. This year has vastly expanded my confidence, willingness, and love for baking cookies and sharing with others. Cookies make people happy. I love cookies. I love making people happy. WIN!
Peace, love, and cookies!
Alissa
