Party Favors.

I can't believe I haven't posted anything here in a month, bad blogger, bad blogger!!! My apologies to all of you devoted followers. It's been quite a busy month, between work, birthday parties, going away parties and this past weekend my dad got married. Several months ago my dad and his wife asked me to bake party favors for their guests. We settled on 2 cookies each of the following cookies: my famous chocolate chip cookies, lemon clove cookies (a recipe by Alice Waters) and linzer cookies (the best recipe from Martha Stewart, of course). So I decided to share these with you all, even though none of you can take a bite. I know I'm such a tease.

I decided to package them in Chinese take-out boxes and tie a bit of red tulle for some color. They turned out great and I received several compliments from guests at the reception. The chocolate chip cookies are one of my go-to recipes, it's actually a recipe from a vintage Better Crocker cookbook for kids. These cookies are ridiculously soft and the real key to doing these justice is two fold: 1. the combination of oil and butter and 2. letting the cookie dough rest overnight in the fridge.

I've been an avid fan of Alice Waters' work at Chez Panisse and came across her recipe for Lemon Clove cookies many moons ago. This citrus infused butter cookie is bright and cheery, like sunshine on a crisp morning. Accompanied by a hot cup of java or tea us the perfect accoutrement for this delicate cookie.

When I was in college, I was a devout fan of Martha Stewart and developed a deep respect for linzer cookies, especially her recipe for them. This is another butter cookie rolled in ground hazelnuts and then dolloped with a thumbprint of seedless raspberry jam in the middle. It's one of my dad's favorites and he requested it for the party favors.

I'm seriously considering offering a cookie take-out box for parties, etc. Depending on the request and number of cookies, each box will range from $4-6. If you're interested, please send me an e-mail at madamemunchies@gmail.com for more information.

weekend baking.

A couple of weekends ago, I found myself in the mood to bake. I had tabbed a recipe in my recent issue of Gourmet magazine - a Raspberry Buttermilk Cake, and I was also in the mood for some homemade bread. So alas, I spend Saturday evening baking a rustic country bread (recipe from New School of Cooking) and on Sunday, I made this Raspberry Buttermilk Cake (which I brought to my small group on Monday night for devouring). The cake was moist and delicious, the raspberries enhanced this buttery cake with its sweet and tart qualities. A perfect afternoon dessert, goes especially well with coffee or tea. A light dessert, you could easily substitute the raspberries for a different berry or other fruit if you'd like. Nothing is like baking, especially bread. For me, it's always been a source of therapy. Using my hands, my energy to create a living organism (yeast that is). Yes it's timing consuming, but ever so worth it. The bread was dense, chewy and yielded a beautiful crumb. Just warm with butter, a sprinkly of kosher salt and jam made a fine late night snack. It's important to take time out and do something in life that brings you joy and pleasure, whether that takes place in the kitchen or elsewhere. Take time.