Author: Marti Kennedy

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 14: Mom’s Caramels

I had never made my mom's caramels before. I didn't even have the recipe. They were just one of those things only my mom ever made. When I moved to the East Coast, I didn't take the recipe with me because it makes a remarkable number of caramels, more than The Husband and I could … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 14: Mom’s Caramels

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 13: Aunt Hanna’s Cookies

These cookies are an everyday Finnish cookie, that I decorate with green and red glazed cherries for the holidays (inspired by Beatrice Ojakangas' suggestion in The Great Scandinavian Baking Book). They have become one of my favorite cookies, because they are not overly sweet, and are a nice change from all the sugary treats around … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 13: Aunt Hanna’s Cookies

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 12: No-Bake Wreaths

This is another recipe from a homemaking/parenting magazine from years ago. Despite the look of them, and the "kid-stuff" list of ingredients, these crispy, sweet, cornflake and marshmallow wreaths are delightful. Rather than the sticky, chewy consistency of puffed rice marshmallow bars, the cornflakes take on a light glaze of marshmallow, and provide relief from … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 12: No-Bake Wreaths

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 11: Spiced Rum Pecans

This is inspired by a recipe I collected and until now, never actually made. I don't remember where I got it, exactly, but it is on the inside of a cardboard box, that I cut and glued to an index card, making it impossible to discern what was originally in the box. I suspect it … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 11: Spiced Rum Pecans

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 10: Snickerdoodles

Here's another recipe from my mom, that I transcribed as she read it to me over the phone, some time in the distant past. Turns out that, upon closer examination, it came to us by way of Betty Crocker's Cooky Book, and they, in turn, acknowledge they got the recipe from Mrs. Ronald Anfinson, of … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 10: Snickerdoodles

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 9: Mom’s Fudge

My recipe card simply says Mom's Fudge, but I suspect it's not just my mom's fudge, but a lot of folks' moms' fudge, because it is suspiciously similar to the "foolproof fudge" recipes on the labels of both Kraft's Marshmallow Creme and Durkee Mower's Marshmallow Fluff. Then there's the whole Creme vs Fluff issue to … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 9: Mom’s Fudge

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 8: Pecan Tassies

Time for something a bit different from a cookie. Pecan Tassies are great for those who, like me, like the combination of savory flaky crust and sweet sticky nutty filling, but find a whole slice of pecan pie a bit of a challenge after a few bites. These are the perfect ratio, and the perfect … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 8: Pecan Tassies

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 7: Perfect Royal Icing

This recipe from Stella Parks makes the best royal icing I have ever tasted and decorated with. But that perfection comes with some cost. Ms. Parks is a marvelously scientific baker, and all ingredients are calibrated quite precisely. That means, of course, if you deviate in any way, you may not achieve the perfection she … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 7: Perfect Royal Icing

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 6: Chocolate, Cherry, & Pistachio Pinwheels

I found this recipe a long time ago, in some parenting/homemaking magazine, long since forgotten. But the cookies are unforgettable, and are a holiday tradition for us. They are another labor of love, with a number of fiddly steps, but the result is well worth the effort. Chocolate, pistachio and cherry are quite lovely together, … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 6: Chocolate, Cherry, & Pistachio Pinwheels

Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 5: Holiday Sugar Cookies

Let's be honest with each other. Baking sugar cookies during the holidays is…well, more about the decorating than the eating. Don't look at me like that, you know the sugar cookies are the last ones left on the cookie plates after holiday gatherings. Don't let that happen to you this year. Those of you who … Continue reading Baker’s Solstice Countdown: December 5: Holiday Sugar Cookies