Chocolate Chip Cookie Taste Test

Mass Audubon was looking for volunteers to bake cookies for their maple sugaring weekend, so I took it as an opportunity to taste test 6 different chocolate chip cookie recipes I had in my cookbooks (plus Nestlé Toll House Refrigerated Cookie Dough). My coworkers and Brandon's work family judged the appearance, taste, and texture of the 7 cookies. While some enjoyed the traditional crisp, flat result from the Joy of Cooking recipe, Todd English's and Thomas Keller's cookies were the winners for most, with a nice ratio of dough to chips and a balanced soft but crispy texture.

Surprise Birthday Funfetti

We surprised our coworker Marc a month after his birthday (which fell during the holidays) with this cheery Funfetti cake.

Baked Alaska

Inspired by a project at work on coffee machines, I was in search of a coffee ice cream recipe when I stumbled across the Cook's Illustrated Baked Alaska recipe. Having recently seen this beautiful dessert made by the contestants on The Great British Baking Show, I couldn't help but give it a shot. The Cook's Illustrated version results in a half cylinder shape - I opted for a dome. Using a metal bowl to shape the ice cream and a round cake pan for the supporting layer of cake, I then created and applied the meringue, and then was shocked to see that you really can put this ice cream creation in a 500 degree oven to crisp the tips of the meringue while leaving the interior in tact. Delicious!

Bagels

Using the Cooks Illustrated New York Bagels recipe, I made, proofed, shaped, and boiled a yeast dough to create these deliciously soft fresh bagels.

Torrone

Another classic Italian dessert, torrone is a nougat cookie sandwiched between sheets of rice paper. Different nuts and flavorings can be used - this one has pistachios and lemon zest.

Anise Ricotta Cookies

I used homemade ricotta (originally made for a batch of ricotta gnocchi) in these classic Italian anise cookies dipped in a lemon icing and topped off with colorful rainbow sprinkle dots.

Nutmeg Spice Cake

Nutmeg spice cake with creamy rum buttercream a la Joanne Chang for Thanksgiving dinner at Brandon's Mom's.

Pumpkin Ginger Crème Caramel

Pumpkin ginger crème caramel on spiced pumpkin cake with pecan shorts and toffeed pecans! Recipe found in the Olives Dessert Table by Todd English, prepared for Friendsgiving with Dan and Leasa.

Apple Pie and Cinnamon Rolls

For my coworker Nate's November birthday, I made apple pie a la mode, with vanilla bean ice cream and homemade caramel sauce. With the extra pie dough, I made cinnamon rolls like my Mom taught me!

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite desserts, celebrating delicious seasonal berries and pairing them with lightly sweetened tender biscuits and fluffy whipped cream.

Raspberry Crumb Bars

I started working at ELEVEN today and learned that one of the partners at the company (Ben) was having a birthday, so I whipped up one of my favorite Flour Bakery recipes to bring in for the celebration on day 2. As Joanne Chang says, her raspberry crumb bars are "an addictive treat that anyone would be excited to receive as a birthday gift."

Ginger Molasses Cookies

I work from home and my SEEK work family is in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. So in the absence of my own coworkers to bake for, I send things like these Flour Bakery ginger molasses cookies to the good people at Sametz Blackstone Associates, where Brandon works.

Neighborly Cheesecake

I made this showstopper from the Flour Bakery cookbook, "Luscious cheesecake," to say hello to our new neighbors when Brandon and I first moved in to our apartment.

White Coconut Cake

I bought my cousin Whitney a cake pedestal for her wedding shower, and couldn't resist helping her put it to use right away with this white coconut cake from the Flour Bakery cookbook!

Valentine's Day Hearts

I made dozens of these little heart-shaped cookies using my cookie press, then dipped them in chocolate and decorated them with red and white sprinkles (which I had to meticulously separate from the blue ones in the patriotic sprinkles I had on hand!). I sent these in the mail to my SEEK coworkers across the country (San Francisco, Tucson, Cincinnati, Philadephia, and DC) and also shared a few with generous neighbors who lent me their shovels during the epic snowstorms we had this winter.

Superbowl Chocolate Cake

I chose Flour bakery's Midnight Chocolate Cake with Milk Chocolate Buttercream to indulge in while watching Superbowl XLIX: New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks.

Carrot Cupcakes

Joanne Chang's Flour Bakery recipe for Carrot Cake, made into soft, delicious cupcakes. Note to self: Next time, leave out the raisins!

Pizzelle

Traditional Italian Pizzelle - a Christmas tradition in my family. These are flavored with anise extract.

Birthday Celebration Cake

"Funfetti" cake for Brandon's 39th birthday! White cake baked with rainbow sprinkles and frosted with vanilla buttercream icing.

Chocolate Cookies

Melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cookies from Barbara Lynch's magnificent Stir cookbook.