Winter Solstice Baking

How today is already the first day of winter is beyond me! It certainly felt like winter here this morning when I got up as it was only 25 degrees outside! It only made it up to about 44 today so it was quite chilly. Since it was cold I stayed home for most of the day, getting some wrapping done, and I was in the mood to bake so I decided to make some cranberry sugar cookies; one I thought Tony might like.

The first thing you have to do is boil and then simmer dried cranberries. I used Craisins.

While those simmered I put together the other ingredients and then when all the liquid had simmered out of the cranberries, I mixed everything all together. I wish I could include the smell here, it was so, so amazing. 

Then you make little balls with the batter and then roll it in a bit of sugar before baking. The dough was super easy to work with, no sticking and easy to roll.

The recipe I used made about 4 dozen, so there are plenty to share. Aren't they pretty? Too bad they ended up smelling and looking better than they tasted...I don't know if I screwed up the recipe or what but they just weren't sweet enough. Poop. 

Since I already had all my stuff out I decided to go ahead and make a couple loaves of chocolate chip pumpkin bread. I'd been meaning to make them forever and today was finally the day to get it done. My recipe makes two loaves and I decided to make them and freeze them both for when people are here (talking about you Zoe & Brandon!). I know my mom enjoys this bread too so I'll be sure to save some for her when she's here later this month.