2024 Bake Club Kick Off
Same sweet tooth, even better recipes!
Hi Bakers!
Happy 2024! I hope you are all starting off the year with something sweet in your life - food or otherwise.
You know that week between Christmas and New Year’s when you don’t know what day it is and forget about vegetables all together? When leftovers are life and stretchy pants are formal wear? Yeah well, I can now say with the utmost confidence which cookies from Cookie Week are good to go straight from the freezer and which could use a bit of thawing before eating (it’s the sables, gingerbread, and butter cookies - thaw the brownies, linzers, and macarons first FYI).
I don’t have any hard set resolutions, but I am excited to jump into the new year with some fresh motivation and a reinvigorated desire to get stuff done. That means more baking, more cooking, more movement, and more “yes.”
Yes to coffee to-stay instead of rushing out of the cafe; yes to exploring my neighborhood; and yes to the foods I love.
Here are some foodie things I am looking forward to in 2024
More Traveling Cakes
This little series that I started at the end of last year took off! AKA gâteau de voyage, these simple cakes are all I want this cozy season. You can definitely expect more glazed loaves, sugared Bundts, and streusel-ed coffee cakes this year.
Lemon and Citrus
The silver lining of a dreary winter is the array of citrus that come into season. When unrelenting rain tries to ruin the day, zesty lemon bakes and citrus desserts are just what you need to liven things up. I have a recipe for lemon curd crumb cake that I can’t wait to share soon.
Food @ Home
Ever hear the phrase “We have food at home”? Now that I am feeding a family of 5, the youngest with little patience for eating out all together, I’ve been pushing myself creatively to come up with nutrient dense, family-friendly recipes to make at home. I post weekly on Instagram for inspiration, with plenty of requests to share recipes here. More soon!
Revisiting Cardamom Buns
I really want to nail these this year. I’ve tried several variations over the years - some bready, some flaky. Cardamom is likely my favorite spice, and I am honored to taste test for you all until I get it just right.
Things I’ve Been Eating Lately
Lemon Labneh-inspired Dip - I made this multiple times over the holidays and it was a total hit with kids and adults alike. Strain plain Greek yogurt by lining a mesh sieve with paper towels. Scoop the yogurt into the center, set over a bowl, and rest in the refrigerator for at least a few hours (all day is best). Squeeze out as much liquid as possible then flavor with lemon zest, herbs, salt, and peppers. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with crackers or veggies. Inspired by this recipe.
My First Baked Brie - I finally baked a wheel of brie! I added honey, salt, and pepper then bundled it all up in parchment paper set in a small baking dish. The cheese was bubbling and served with pita chips. Will make again!
Christmas Eve Lasagna - There is something that feels so festive about a big, beautiful lasagna. Christmas music on, sauce simmering, magic in the air - this is my happy place. I was able to make, layer, and bake the whole lasagna before church. Lasagna reheats easily, if you want to make it in advance, giving you time to toss a green salad, stir a cocktail, or change into your cozies. This year, I used this recipe with an added layer of sausage.
Pizza Friday for the Masses - A few months ago, I tallied up the cost of a few take-away pizzas. Now that my kids have appetites that sometimes rival my own and that we aren’t living in 2004 (I still expect a movie ticket to be $6.75), pizza is surprisingly expensive. Late last summer, I started Pizza Friday. Almost always made from scratch and definitely with a side of greens and vegetables, Pizza Friday has become a Huff family tradition - one I even super-sized for our holiday houseguests.
As for my inspiration, I want to embrace the beauty and spirit of my own neighborhood. I live in the coastal mountains north of Vancouver and am really enjoying all that this region has to offer. Here’s how I plan to stay energized in 2024
IN:
Gardening - still learning how to maintain our backyard
Skiing - last year was my first time in 14 years!
Ferries - pushing past my apprehension towards sea travel to explore the coast
Hikes - so many great places to explore in the neighborhood
Tennis - finally hit the court late last summer
Year-round twinkly lights - to combat the dark, long winter days
Learning embroidery - my goal is to decorate the kids’ stockings by next Christmas
OUT:
Being too busy - to allow for a little more spontaneity
Rushing through the good stuff
Saving empty bottles - so guilty of this!
New house plants - always thinking about that meme of the neglected houseplant watching me pour water into the coffee maker everyday lol
Lastly, my brother and I were discussing some of the best things we ate in 2023. I had a hard time narrowing things down, but my favorites from Bake Club were the Lemon Posset Tart, Caramel Chocolate Mousse, and the Sans Rival Cake.
Tessa, I love seeing your Food@Home posts. Also, can't wait for the cardamom buns. I, too, love cardamom! Your pumpkin spice latte cake and black forest brownie cookies were big hits!
More fancy sheet cakes! Loved the styling of the tart and sweet cake and would love to do more in that style!