For this, I thank my parents.
You see, Dad loved to eat sweets...and Mom loved Dad. So, we always had some form of dessert at every meal, the cookie jar was never empty, and the smell of baking always permeated the house. My mom made everything from scratch - and I learned how to bake from watching her.
Baking brings back fond memories.
Homemade cakes, cookies, and pies were such a normal thing at our house that I didn't realize not all homes had an endless supply of sweet treats. I thought everyone had a recipe box filled with family traditions. And no kitchen was complete without the baking staples - flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, chocolate chips and butter or shortening.
Growing up, I didn't realize what how lucky we were.
I envied my friends who always had store bought cookies in their kitchens - nothing home made. They, on the other hand, loved coming over to my house where we always had warm cookies coming out of the oven.
I remember visiting my parents when I was in college living on my own and Mom always baked something special to celebrate my homecoming. I had a particular fondness for her Danish Puff Pastry - so simple but so good. She used to make a double batch - one for my visit and one for me to take back to Eau Claire and my roommates. This became a favorite treat - one that I have not had in ages...
When I met Lance and started to bring him along on my visits home Mom not only made one special treat but TWO! For Lance - chocolate chip cookies - always. For me - whatever she was in the mood to make. I guess she thought we each needed our own treat to feel special.
No wonder I have this obsession with baking sweet concoctions as a way to say "I love you"!
A friend of mine told me her mother-in-law once said that everyone needs a signature dessert. Something that they could be known for. That was why she got her granddaughter a Crème Brule kit for a wedding gift - it was the perfect signature desert.
It made me wonder - what would my signature be?
I make a lot of banana bread - and it is pretty good if I say so myself. But I don't think that really counts as dessert. Plus, the reason I make so much banana bread is that we don't eat our bananas fast enough - so bread they become!
I guess my signature dessert is variety...
Now that I am trying to live a healthier me - and by default so is my husband - I am attempting to figure out how I keep baking without sabotaging our efforts.
You see, baking goodies brings me pleasure. I enjoy finding new recipes to try. I like the mixing, forming, and creativity of putting together a tasty treat. I love the smells that take over the house when I am baking. And I can't wait to see the smiles and hear the sighs of enjoyment as the dessert disappears from sight.
Sharing special food with others is a way of sharing my love.
So, is there such a thing as a healthy, tasty dessert? I am about to find out...
This is my new challenge - because I can't give up this delicious way of showing my love and friendship.
The search in on...
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