An update on Baking

One thing I have been proud of since being back is the amount of baking I have managed to do.  I haven't managed to keep up with all that many of my resolutions post-GYIL, but the best one is probably the baking. A couple of times I've baked for the sake of it, sometimes because I really wanted something sweet and recently because there has been an occasion.  I still don't feel I have managed all that much, but I am still trying.

This week I went to Sainsbury's and had a great time in the baking aisle buying all sorts of ingredients.  I feel I have a very well stocked cupboard now with lots of decorations.  I have this  week made a couple of batches of Judith which I have been pleased with and decorated merrily.

My cake of choice to make these days is a banana loaf - probably because its the only one I actually like to eat.  Hoping to make it today so will try take a photo and add in.

I'm enjoying my Mickey mold.  We have got into a nice tradition of having cheesy red (or yellow!) muffins on a sunday night - yum yum.  I liked making muffins before GYIL and in fact they were the only things I felt confident making.  Pleased to be carrying on with them.

 On the other hand.... cookies.  These have not been so sucessful...yet!  I love chewy cookies but am struggling to make them.  I've started with simple recipes, but now feel I might have to go for more technical recipes. 

 The cookies spread out so much and went thinner than I hoped so I tried making them in cookie molds to keep them thicker.  It was a bit of a strange result and I wouldn't serve them to others, but they were great for me!

 

I have kept trying with the shortbread, though I have now given up on the mold.  I was really proud of a batch I made and took to Birmingham and then took the leftovers to school.  But them I tried to make a batch yesterday which was a disaster.  Sadly I only have a photo of the disaster batch... I think it may have been because I rolled it a bit thin then didn't chill in the fridge long enough.

  

I have made bread a few times with this recipe and easy ready to go bread flour.  I'd like to do this more often so that I feel more confident.  I haven't got my head around the timings yet which puts me off making them often.

 Popcorn has happened a few times - I took this photo to show the various successes.  Lesson this time: don't heat the kernels by themselves for too long.

And to share at the end.  I am pleased to be trying with baking, but I am under no great allusions about my achievements or expectations.  Especially with a wonderful sister-in-law who can whip up such great creations!