Mom passed away nearly 8 years ago. It is so strange to think that she has never known Ellie and Tessa, and won’t have known this little one while here in this life.
The thing that reminds me most of mom is baking. Her kitchen always smelled amazing. She made 8 loaves of bread at a time every week, usually with cinnamon rolls or dinner rolls on the side. Her Texas cake was famous. When I am missing mom, I feel close to her by making the recipes that she made so often.
I am not much of a baker, but for some crazy reason, as the days pass, I find myself returning to the kitchen to make messes that need cleaning. Yesterday saw breakfast of Aebleskivers; Danish pancakes that hide an apple slice inside (or, after the tradition of mom; apple, banana, chocolate chips, or all three). Each one is a surprise. The day before, I revisited my favorite Toffee Bar recipe. Today, I tried my hand at a new recipe for peanut butter cookies that quite literally melt in your mouth. Though I am not (supposed) to eat any of it, why should I deprive my family? Right?
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I am freezing some so that I can totally pig out after baby!
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Enjoy the pictures (by Ethan) and the yummy recipes.
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(Oh, and this is why these are soooo yummy; the caramel layer fuses to the crust and makes them taste almost like candy.)
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Toffee Bars
Mix and press into a 9x13 pan:
½ cup butter
½ c sugar
¼ tsp. salt
1 c flour
Bake at 350 til lightly golden
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Meanwhile, simmer till bubbly in a saucepan, stirring constantly until thickened:
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp butter
Pour out on crust. Bake until golden.
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While hot, top with 1 -6 oz pkg chocolate chips. When chips have melted, smooth them out and allow to cool. Cut when cooled. Optional toppings to add: nuts and coconut.
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Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
2 c peanut butter (2 ½ if you use all natural)
2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp baking soda
Dash of salt
Mix and bake, baby. 350 for 8 minutes. They are very delicate, but the yummiest ever.
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If this baby doesn’t come soon, I am going to have to open a bakery. Oh, wait… my oven is already occupied.
3 comments:
This was such a beautiful post - you have such a way with words!
What a lovely way to remember Mom and feel close to her. Looking back, it seems the years have passed so quickly...
We just had Aebleskivers the other day, too! At the last minute, Zack threw in some blueberries. Oh my, I'll never so back to any other filling. (Including chocolate chips!) They were delicious! I'll have to try those peanut butter cookies. My mouth was watering just looking at the picture.
Love you!
This was nice. The food sounds so good!! The bun in the oven joke was fuuunny!!!!
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