Christmas Baking - Round One

Friday kicked of the beginning of the Christmas Baking at the Dohrman's.  It will continue until Christmas Eve. 

The first project was for Bob's basketball team.  He coaches a sixth grade boys team, not that we have a sixth grade child, he just loves to coach.

There are nine kids on the team and each one received a plate of goodies. 

I started by making chocolate baskets.  I have a mold so these are pretty easy to do.  I filled each one with chocolate covered pretzels.

Next I made salted caramels.  Which are really good by the way. New this year to the list, but definitely a keeper.

Cookies were next, chocolate chunk and sugar cookies. 

Finally, I made my Danish Puff recipe. 

 

I finished up about 2:30 Saturday morning.  Crazy I know, but I just had to give the guys something for Christmas.  Here's the finished product.



Christmas Baking Ideas

I've come up with quite a list for my Christmas baking.  Since it's so ambitious I'm not sure I will be able to make everything.  Some of the items are too labor intensive so that should help.  Plus there is always time to work on other items while things are baking. 

Here's the list. 

1. Marbled Caramel Slice - shortbread with caramel and chocolate

2. Danish Puff - an almond flavored puff pastry

3. Salted Caramels

4. Cream Cheese Pound Cake

5. Sugar Cookies

6. Truffles

7. Oatmeal Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

8. Fudge - Traditional and Peanut Butter

9. Chocolate Covered Pretzels

10. Banana Bread

Did I miss anything? 

Unknown Struggles

"The dream you have inside is not there by accident. There's a reason it's calling to you."  ~Kim Luret

I'm not sure why but this quote hit me hard this morning when I read it.  I guess maybe it's because I've been struggling the last few weeks with my dream.  

I haven't been told that I'm crazy for wanting to start a bakery in a town of 3,000 people, but comments have been made that it would be very hard to make it work.  "There's not a big market"  "Would people really support a bakery in Goldendale?"  Things like that.
  
I thought I had blown the comments off but I guess they've still been in the back of my mind all this time. 

My goal isn't to be a millionaire.  My goal really isn't about the money.  Of course we have to have money otherwise we'd live naked on the street, and no one wants to see that.

"Each of us has what I call a 'Unique Package'; that singular combination of our unique inner and outer selves. And through that package comes our gifts. Discovering what our gifts are and then expressing and sharing them is what we're all here for. There are no 'better' sets of gifts and talents. They are all needed. We are all needed." ~Kim Luret

  

I've learned that we need to share the gifts and talents that we have been given.  Whatever they may be.  I often wonder about this desire I have to bake.  I don't know if it's a talent.  I do know that I'll never learn the lessons I need to learn if I don't keep moving forward. 

"It is no accident that you are YOU and that you're alive at this time.  There is a divine purpose and calling for your life."

Where did November go?

Wow, it's December first.  Where did the time go?  I've been making donuts and baking, but just didn't get around to posting.  I know, lame excuse. 

We've been getting up on Saturday and making donuts since it's easier than trying to get up early enough to make the donuts and be to work on time.  Some day when the shop is open, that won't be an issue. I hope anyway.

I made pies and cheesecake for Thanksgiving.  My cheesecake cracked.  I guess I need a food processor so it doesn't get as much air in the filling.  I also had the bright idea to make a big batch of crust for my pies.  That didn't work so well.  I made it work, but I fought with it the whole time.  Next time it's back to one pie at a time.  I know it takes longer, but I can control the consistency better.  At least I'm not starting out mass producing pies.  I'll perfect the large batches of crust before that happens.

Here are a few pictures of the donuts we've been making.  I will be doing a lot of baking in December.  Christmas is the best time to bake.  I've got some new recipes to try plus some old faithfuls.  I'll do better this month on keeping you posted.