Baked

For years my mother and I have playfully argued over the rightful ownership of a cookbook.

Not just any cookbook either - a Pillsbury cookbook - only the best collection of baking recipes on the planet.

Years ago, when I lived in the same town as my mom, we shared a recipe subscription. We had a handsome three ring binder and every month we would get new recipe cards to put in it.

Eventually, I began to realize that I didn't like cookbook very much. The recipes sometimes used things I'd never heard of and more often than not didn't live up to expectations.

In the meantime, my mom bought this wonderful Pillsbury cookbook from a salesman that visited her shop from time to time selling books.

When we moved to Saskatoon, I took the binder with me, but it wasn't long before I negotiated a trade. The huge binder full of slightly useful recipes for the Pillsbury collection.

I've never regretted that decision for a day. In fact, it didn't take long before I told my mom the only way she'd get the recipe book back was if she pried it from my cold dead fingers.

As an aside, I have since tried in vain to track down this book, but it is out of print. I found it on ebay once, but it was expensive.

This Pillsbury cookbook is amazing. Every recipe I've ever tried far exceeds expectations. The recipes range from the traditional to more sophisticated offerings. Perfect for someone like me who loves to experiment and try new things. My Herbed Oatmeal Panbread and Ginger Cake with Raspberry-Pear Sauce are both recipes from this collection.

This year I will be giving friends and family the gift of my baking. We don't have much extra cash this year, but I really wanted to give my friends something that captured how much we treasured their friendship and support over the years.

So far I've frozen:
Lemon Butter cookies: Years ago I tried a lemon cookie recipe and swore I'd never try another. I had to tell people they were lemon cookies. They kept asking what the lemon zest was. Oi! Anyway, this year's attempt was declared "delicious" at first bite by my hubby.
Ginger cookies: These might not last til I give out my goodie plates, as these are hands down my family's favourite cookies. Even though it makes a huge batch I can never keep these things around for long. I may have to wrestle each cookie out of someone's hand to get it on a plate to give away!
Yuletide slices: This is a favourite receipe from my childhood that I rediscovered this year. Colourful marshmallows mixed with melted chocolate and rolled in coconut. Yum!
Berry fudge bars: One of the prettiest squares to ever grace a Christmas tray - white chocolate, dried cranberriess and silver dragees, all atop a chocolate-fudge base.
Blondies: Speckled with chocolate chips and Skor candy bits.

To be made this week or next:
Butter tarts: I made these as Richard's Christmas present one year. I'll be making some with coconut this year (because I hate raisins.)
Cream cheese candies: Just for Dave.
Chocolate Chip cookies: My daughter's favourite - soft, gooey and chocolately.
Butterhorns or other roll: This one hasn't been determined yet!

To be baked just before giving time:
Chocolate pixies: A little bite of chocolate fudge cake. For the chocolate lovers, it's a little bite of heaven.
Reindeer Cookies: On December 23 of last year I suddenly remembered I had forgotten to bake these whimsical cookies and I was so disappointed. Gingerbread cookies decorated to look like Reindeer with pretzels, chocolate chips and red smarties. These are often the cookies we leave out for Santa.
Split second shortbread: With a delightful strip of jam down the middle and a unique shape, these are both simple and yummy to make.

There. I probably just gave everyone a cavity!

Happy Christmas preparations!