Let's Get Cookin'

I'm sure everyone has probably decided what they're cooking for Thursday, or at least how they're getting out of cooking. Congratulations and good eats! I'm making 2 kinds of cranberry sauce. One is pretty traditional, the other is spicy and involves port and pecans. It's a creation all my own. I'll let you know if I'm the only one who eats it. But, believe it or not, I'm on to Christmas.

Remember I said that I was going to give baked goods for gifts this year? Well, I went out yesterday just to peruse the retail world to see what non-food goodies caught my eye for the people I love the most. I've come to the conclusion, once again, that I love people way more than my bank account can support. So, I'm back to the baking idea. I hadn't abandoned it; I just thought that maybe I could throw in a few extras. Well, no! I can't.

So, off to Cakes Plus to pick up my special holiday kitchen essentials. I bought the cutest miniature tart pans and 6 inch spring-form cake pans. I also bought mini muffin tins and loaf pans and the best gift containers that can be kept and used over and over again. I had a blast and I'm going to have so much fun baking. I love to cook for people I love. I spent quite a bit of money, but it didn't come close to 1/3 of the price of just ONE of the gifts I'd love to be able to give this year. [Sigh] One year money will be no object for me at Christmastime. One day.

Anyways, do you want to know what I've decided on so far? I'll tell you, but first let me warn you...I don't like most things traditional and expected. So, no Christmas symbol shaped cut outs, no gingerbread men, and no boring sugar cookies. I'm sorry. If you were hoping to get any of those, please let me direct you to the refrigerated section of your local grocer. I'll bet you'll find what you need.

On to the list...

1. Cranberry-Orange Muffins (requested)
2. Italian Fig Cookies
3. Pistachio Lime Cookies
4. Dark Chocolate Chipotle Cookies (for a friend who loves that sweet/spicy combination, like me!)
   
5. Pecan-Praline Lace Cookies
   
6. Chocolate Hazelnut Tartlettes
7. Jam Thumbprints (because they're my favorites)
   
8. Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies (because they're Santa's favorites)
   
9. Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies (with and without pecans) (because they kick ass)
   
10. Mixed Fruit Tartlettes (I thought somebody requested these, and I think I know who, but I didn't see her comment at the old post. Maybe I'm imagining it. Speak up if you asked for this, otherwise somebody's gonna get them and be like, what the..?)
11. Oreo Cheesecake (requested)
    
12. The BEST Carrot Cake in the World (Nobody requested this, but it's the best, so somebody's gotta eat it. Besides, I've got to use that cute little pan for something.)

So that's what I'm thinking of so far. Not too many folks took me up on my solicitation of requests, so I hope you like what other people requested. Here's your last chance to either chime in on these, or let me know what else you like.

What do you think?

I'm excited to start. I might need to try out my tartlette pans with something extra for Thursday. We'll see.