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Holiday Bakes and a Happy New Year 2022

 Whew! That was one hell of a holiday i must say. So many cookies and cupcakes to bake and not just for me but for my sister's give aways. It is my sister's tradition to go home to Baler and give away cookies and cupcakes to kids near their farm, relatives, helpers in their resort etc...

So i made 4 batches of cookies and cupcakes for her to bring home, and then a week later, made more cookies and cupcakes for my own give aways. As i was baking, my sister who was still in Baler, sent me a  message asking me if we can bake some more, just 1 small batch of cookies and cupcakes. Apparently, they were not able to eat some of the goodies as the kids and everyone else loved them. I mean, come on, who does not want free stuff these days, right?

Talk about ESP, because i was already done baking them without her even asking me. Hahaha. I don't know, it wasn't that i know she was going to ask me for more treats, but i had this feeling that since i couldn't go around the malls to shop for gifts then why not just give them some cookies. Normally, when i bake, everyone else in the house gets to have some but since she was going to give them away, i said just bring everything with you. That was why my Kuya and niece never had some.

Anyways, 4 batches, in a 10 quart mixing bowl weighs heavily on my back. I wish someone can carry the bowl for me but there was none so it was a back breaking task but i felt happy in the end.

I bought cookies jars online, and washed them. Then baked the cookies and labeled them just in time for Christmas. Everyone gets a jar, and the jars are pretty neat since they're re-usable. 


About 200 some pieces of cookies, i stopped counting when i was molding them.




What's in the cookie dough are assorted candies and chocolates that i don't want to eat anymore so i chopped them up to add in the dough for an extra treat. I reduced the sugar in the dough by as much as 10 % so even i can eat these cookies.



You cannot imagine the JOY i had when i was packing the cookies into the jars. I can already see my sister beaming with joy, she will get 4 jars because i am giving her husband who is this cookies number 1 fan, and her two children. WOW, 4 jars! Each containing 25 pieces! 

Anyway, i could not contain my happiness as if i was the one getting these goodies. 😄Too late to realize i ordered only 8 and not one jar is left for dear poor me. Hahaha. Oh no, i wanted that blue capped jar, but well, there is always the next time.

On to the cupcakes, by Christmas time i already feel like road kill. I was exhausted, i even thought i passed out for a couple of seconds there...oooh, but i need to put a little xmas touch on the cupcakes still so good thing i have some frozen buttercream. 

Took the easiest piping tip in my tool box, and piped some on the top. The cupcakes are made of a pound cake recipe my sister liked so much i had to make her two loaves with the specific instructions that i had to load them with nuts. 



The cake is loaded with Pecans and Almonds inside, my sister was the one who bought the nuts, maybe because she wanted to be sure that i will not skimp on the nuts.


Cookie Recipe

Brown sugar     1 cup
Refined Sugar  1/2 cup
Shortening   1/2 cup
Butter or Margarine 1/2
Eggs, Large   2 pieces
Vanilla 1 teaspoon
All Purpose Flour   3 cups  if you want the cookies to be crispy, use 3rd class or Primera which is actually cheaper by 10 pesos in your local bakery supply store.
Baking Soda 1 teaspoon

Sift the baking soda and flour together. Set aside.

Cream the sugar and butter/shortening together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mix well using low speed until well blended.

Add the vanilla, and the flour in 4 batches, scraping the sides every now and then, using just the lowest speed of your mixer. 

Mold the cookies and place them on paper lined baking sheets. Flatten the top slightly, make sure the cookies are at least 1 and half inches apart from each other. 

Bake in a 325 F pre-heated oven for 13 to 14 minutes. If your oven does not bake evenly, shift the pans halfway through the baking process. 

Use a timer. This is very important. 1 minute added can burn your cookies fast so do not go wandering about in the house when your baking the cookies.

Cool the cookies before packing or storing. The pound cake recipe is taken from  The Joy of Baking website. I love trying out new recipes and put my own twist in it so you should too.

My hands on class is still on, please be advised that you need to be fully vaccinated to attend my lessons.
You can have the lessons customized. Cakes and breads, or cake decorating etc.,, The only thing i do not teach are croissants and puff pastry because i do not have a pastry sheeter and my back cannot handle rolling manually.

Please text me at 09495705091 for inquiries or email me at sherqv17@gmail.com or add me as a friend on my facebook

You can also send me questions anytime you like..

Happy New Year and may all your wishes come true this new year. Let's all be healthier than before and keep the flu bug off by eating less fatty and salty foods, exercising in your garden, doing some light gardening on the side and staying positive. 

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!!
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mick said…
All of these baked goods entice me! Your posts are really engaging! I enjoyed reading. I want to share a school that is specialized in cooking classes. "Trupp the Chef's Table" . They have courses suited both for beginners and advanced cooks on the kitchen. Once again, thanks!
5:15 PM
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