When I was little, I used to “bake” with my mom. You can tell me if this counts.
My mom was a prodigious—but mostly basic—home baker. She was feeding five hungry boys, so she generally stuck to cookies and bar recipes, though I did love her Whoopie pies, which made rare appearances. And she could make a decent birthday cake if we weren’t driving her nuts. (So…those were seldom made.) I remember asking what was in a pan once, and she said, “junk.” And it was. She threw whatever she felt like and had around the house into the recipes, knowing her ravenous kids would eat anything. Raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit, apple sauce, spices languishing in the back of the spice drawer, didn’t matter: we were two-legged locusts.
So now my first “baking” — when I was little, maybe 4 or 5, my mom would make bread every few weeks. Since I was her helper, she’d give me some dough to knead and then made a show of putting it in a miniature loaf pan that would reappear, all baked and tidy, at dinner. I ate my bread proudly. Only many, many years later did I learn she always threw out my dough and swapped in her own before baking. “Are you kidding?” she laughed, “It was black as soot from your grimy hands. I gave you dough so you would be distracted and stop driving me crazy!”
I have the warmest memories of those Duncan Hines Brownies. To this day they contain all the elements of a great brownie. A crispy top and edge. A dense chewy middle, and just enough of a cake like texture to separate it from a cookie, or anything else for that matter. Add a glass of cold milk, and it wanted for nothing. As someone who loves all things chocolate - candy, cake, donut, muffin, cupcake...the brownie, when done right, might just be the perfect chocolate treat. Thanks for another great journey Jolene. See ya next week.🙋♂️
The first thing I ever baked on my own was chocolate chip cookies. I've improved my recipe over the years and now have one I love -- but rarely make anymore since there are 2 sticks of butter in the batch and each cookie takes a 1/4 cup of dough. They're for special occasions only and they're AMAZING.
I love chocolate chip cookies, and I know what you mean about special occasion desserts—that’s how I feel about the brownies! Glad we met on the thread, have a great weekend, Ava!
I'm so glad I read this first. I love, love, love brownies, the gooier the better! It'll be fun to try these recipes - especially looking forward to the Palmer House brownie - I've never had one glazed with apricot jam! Thanks Jolene! 💜
Hi, Heather! So glad you are enjoying the recipes and so glad we met on the thread yesterday. Have a wonderful weekend and I’m looking forward to reading your newsletter! 😃
Love the story here! However I would pass on the apricot jam for sure.
The first thing i cooked was a cake in my easy bake oven. Does that count?
Hahahaha! 🤣That was one powerful light bulb in that oven! 💡
❤️
These look AMAZING!
Thanks, Bruce!
Thanks for the time capsule and for the recipes.
When I was little, I used to “bake” with my mom. You can tell me if this counts.
My mom was a prodigious—but mostly basic—home baker. She was feeding five hungry boys, so she generally stuck to cookies and bar recipes, though I did love her Whoopie pies, which made rare appearances. And she could make a decent birthday cake if we weren’t driving her nuts. (So…those were seldom made.) I remember asking what was in a pan once, and she said, “junk.” And it was. She threw whatever she felt like and had around the house into the recipes, knowing her ravenous kids would eat anything. Raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit, apple sauce, spices languishing in the back of the spice drawer, didn’t matter: we were two-legged locusts.
So now my first “baking” — when I was little, maybe 4 or 5, my mom would make bread every few weeks. Since I was her helper, she’d give me some dough to knead and then made a show of putting it in a miniature loaf pan that would reappear, all baked and tidy, at dinner. I ate my bread proudly. Only many, many years later did I learn she always threw out my dough and swapped in her own before baking. “Are you kidding?” she laughed, “It was black as soot from your grimy hands. I gave you dough so you would be distracted and stop driving me crazy!”
I love this story! Your sweet and savvy Mom 😊❤️
Thanks. She could be sweet, but most folks would call savvy and sassy. She did not hesitate to speak her mind!
I have the warmest memories of those Duncan Hines Brownies. To this day they contain all the elements of a great brownie. A crispy top and edge. A dense chewy middle, and just enough of a cake like texture to separate it from a cookie, or anything else for that matter. Add a glass of cold milk, and it wanted for nothing. As someone who loves all things chocolate - candy, cake, donut, muffin, cupcake...the brownie, when done right, might just be the perfect chocolate treat. Thanks for another great journey Jolene. See ya next week.🙋♂️
Aww, what a sweet post, Donald. Thank you. 😊 (and cold milk 🥛 is still my favorite drink with a brownie!) ❤️
The first thing I ever baked on my own was chocolate chip cookies. I've improved my recipe over the years and now have one I love -- but rarely make anymore since there are 2 sticks of butter in the batch and each cookie takes a 1/4 cup of dough. They're for special occasions only and they're AMAZING.
I love chocolate chip cookies, and I know what you mean about special occasion desserts—that’s how I feel about the brownies! Glad we met on the thread, have a great weekend, Ava!
I'm so glad I read this first. I love, love, love brownies, the gooier the better! It'll be fun to try these recipes - especially looking forward to the Palmer House brownie - I've never had one glazed with apricot jam! Thanks Jolene! 💜
Hi, Heather! So glad you are enjoying the recipes and so glad we met on the thread yesterday. Have a wonderful weekend and I’m looking forward to reading your newsletter! 😃
once again, incredibly fascinating! A ladies dessert for boxed lunches- it makes so much sense!
Thanks, Michelle!
Today is National chocolate chip cookie day! Love your memory of the smell of rose water (and I love baklava!) Thanks for sharing your memory, Amy. ❤️