Sometimes Simple, Sometimes Grand, Always Declicious
It’s time to be honest. I recognize that the holidays are supposed to be fun. I mean, what’s not to love? Presents, parties, sweets galore, family, days off from work and school. It’s a virtual nirvana, right? For some maybe. But for others, including myself? Let’s just say it can take a little extra effort to achieve nirvana status….
I have been wanting to put together a whoopie pie for some time now. Just the thought of a soft, moist, bite-sized cake paired with a creamy light center filling is enough to get my sweet tooth pining. With the flurry of Christmas still fresh on the calendar, my home has inevitably become littered with the likes of candy, candy and more candy. In particular, there seems to be a fondness towards mini candy canes. They can be found everywhere from my children’s school goodie bags to the sweet filled gingerbread houses we constructed at our first annual gingerbread decorating party this year. Check out a sampling of the masterpieces the kids put together:
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Ok, you’ve got your house built and now you’re tapping your fingers on the table wondering just how the heck you might go about decorating it. Well, I’ve got some good news for you, because as of right this minute, I’m all over it. After who know how many hours of standing in front of my culinary dwelling with varying pieces of sugar, some so small I practically needed a magnifying glass to see them, I’m finished, done, finito (well except for a potential welcome sign and maybe a mailbox and perhaps a little snow…). I have to say that I’m pretty darn pleased with the outcome. It might not win any national competitions, but it’s made with love and I even managed to impress myself on a few of the feats I achieved. Best of all I made it to the end (relatively speaking) and that, my friends, is something worth celebrating. Let’s take a closer look at some of the aspects of this house and I’ll pass on a few tips as to how I did them….
I was recently wandering the aisles of my favorite food stop, Trader Joes, when I spied a popular Christmas time treat. Panattone. Last year I spotted the very same bread at the very same store, but neglected to buy it each and every time I was there thinking I’d hold off until the following shopping week.
I think you know where this is headed.
I waited and waited and when I was finally ready to take the plunge, they were gone for the season. Nevermind that it was the week before Christmas and I had hoped to make panettone french toast for my visiting family. Nevermind that for me, the season didn’t end for at least another week or two. They were all gone. Period. I finally tracked a few down at my local Homegoods store (another favorite shopping stop of mine) and Christmas morning breakfast was saved.
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