Here is my annual Cake Day cake. I mention this every year, but I don’t make cakes all that often — I’m not very good at decorating / frosting, and even more so in the days of a global pandemic, making cupcakes as not to share food is better anyway. That said, one day out of the year, I do make a cake, so this year is no different. I love the combination of coconut and chocolate so this celebratory has both cake types and frosting types, in addition to garnet-colored sugar flowers as they are the January birthstone color. Here’s to being 50, I guess!
nuts
Starting off 2022…. I bought a pineapple. I don’t do that very often because about half way through, I realize that pineapple is pretty acidic and I lose interest. But I felt like buying a pineapple for it’s symbolism. There are lots: warm welcomes, celebration and hospitality, friendship. Have one (or a painting or sculpture of one in a doorway, and it might mean stop in for a chat. In addition, it reminds me of warm climates and it’s pretty yucky weather here in greater Boston to start out the new year, so maybe I subconsciously was dreaming of Hawaii or the tropics. Either which way, I decided to make the standard crumble bars to start of the new year. Delicious, as always.
Another stocking stuffer idea. Or a snack. Or just because you can! I used to make caramel corn a lot. In 2018, I brought some to a work gathering an people were actually fighting on who could eat the crumbs. And then, yesterday evening, I was in the Christmas section of Target and they had Caramel Popcorn with peanuts, or macadamia nuts, or pecans, and I though — yeah, I should make some of that! and so I did. This is Caramel Macadamia Nut Popcorn and it is seriously delicious.
As is often this time of year, I am thinking of “stocking stuffer” style gifts and inevitably I make some roasted nuts. This year: Maple Syrup and Bourbon…. a sort of New England meets Kentucky thing. They are delicious, not too hard and quite addictive. I should stop eating them, otherwise I won’t have any more to give away!
Here’s another simple “stocking Stuffer” like idea, if you are looking to make your own foodie Christmas presents this year: Chocolate-Covered Roasted Cashew + Pretzel Rounds Brittle. Takes less than 15 minutes to prepare, an hour to chill/harden and then voila! A homemade present! You can, of course, use other nuts, but I am definitely partial to cashews here. If you want to make them a little cinnamony, that might be a nice twist too.