2016, the year I began to bake. Seriously.

I have always loved baking, since I can remember. Growing up on a farm, it was pretty much bake inside or play outside. And if the weather was horrendous, guess which one I chose.

I’ve baked continually — in dorm hall kitchens, my grandfather’s musty-as-anything house, college weekend get-togethers for friends, and in pursuit of my now husband. Now, however, I have two kids and seeing the excitement on kids’ faces at the offer of yummy baked goods means I don’t want baking to be just a sometimes occasion. I want — I NEED — to bake. A lot.

So, this is the year I begin to take it seriously. Like learning a foreign language or learning a new sport, there is a certain feeling that I get for how recipes should go; but I haven’t studied them closely enough to know why there is or is not success. I want to understand the science behind baking, to experiment more, and to make some bloody great food.

Here is my challenge:

• To bake at least 1 item per week.
• If the item isn’t successful, to repeat it that week until it is. (Unless I choose to write it off as an unworthy pursuit.)
• To create a self-published cookbook [by the end of the year].

I may allow myself wiggle room with that last item, but only in terms of timing. The cookbook really is my objective. For personal success, I don’t need it to go beyond self-publication for family and friends, but considering I adore baking, photography and graphic design, this is a challenge I’m SUPER excited to take on.

In order to give some preliminary definition to the recipes, I intend to focus evenly between:

1. Cookies / Bars
2. Muffins / Loaves / Bread
3. Cake

Though with that said, don’t be surprised to see other random items entering the stream — like granola. Or Eton Mess. Or other things that make me feel mmmmmmmm….

I don’t intend to write much in my posts, using this area instead to simply document my actions. I plan to use this space as my notebook; to document all work. So, be warned: the not-so-great may well be interspersed with the delicious! Hopefully, I’ll find a way to clearly identify between the two.

Happy baking to all!