bake for special occasions in 2012

I made a half batch because I only had one stick of butter in the fridge. It was so much fun to make these cookies completely from scratch.

I saved a plate of them for my valentine. The rest I took to the office. My co-worker said they were the best cookies.

I’ll add the photo that I took (evidence that this actually happened) the next time I download pictures for the scavenger hunt.

Edit: Here are the cookies.

I’ve avoided baking for years because it seems like my husband and I would go overboard in enjoying the outcome. But, I want to give us credit for having SOME self control. And, we’ll freeze the baked goods or share with friends and co-workers.

I’ve come up with twelve times for 2012. I think this will be a very good thing for eating healthy the rest of the time, knowing that there are built-in treats roughly once a month.

I’m going to focus on practicing a few recipes by repeating them throughout the year (Kolaches and Cinnamon Rolls use the same dough; Chocolate Layer Cake and Cupcakes use the same batter; Cheesecake is something I’ve aspired to make, to be good at, so I have that listed twice).

1. Kansas Day: Kolaches, some blueberry, some apricot, some cream cheese. Now that I know I can make some semblance of them, it’ll be time to practice again. Oops, this day came and went without remembering my plan. Oh well.
2. Valentine’s Day: Kolaches, some cherry-filled, some cream cheese, and some poppyseed! Chocolate Chip Cookies. Didn’t have time for elaborate baking.
3. My MIL’s birthday (springtime): Instead of St. Pat’s Day, the day that my FIL died—not a happy day, I will make something to honor my still-very-much-alive MIL…and I’m thinking a Chocolate Layer Cake.
4. Easter: I don’t know if this is traditional for Easter, but I think it’d be fun to make a New York Cheesecake.
5. My husband’s birthday: Whatever he’d like...maybe brownies or a carrot cake, or?
6. My parents’ birthdays: New York Cheesecake
7. Our wedding anniversary: Cinnamon Rolls
8. Late FIL’s birthday: Chocolate Layer Cake (is this too weird to celebrate his life this way?)
9. Halloween: Decorated Cupcakes
10. Thanksgiving: Pumpkin Pie
11. Christmas: Kolaches
12. And—when my husband completes his black belt: Kolaches again, since that’s been a favorite of his lately. Date: TBD (keeps moving).