The Baking Bug

Well, it looks like winter is starting to whisper around these parts.

See evidence below:

It's a beautiful yet terrifying transition into the season of winter. . .

Your windows are frosted, the leaves are dusted with a layer of icy crystals, you can see wisps of your breath when you exhale...it's on it's way and you know it. Old Man Winter is stretching his legs; he's preparing for total domination of our lives for the next 5 months or so. However, with ice, snow and temperatures leveling around 10'F, it sets people up for perfect winter adventures!

But, okay, we're only in November...even though it's bound to, the snow has not taken over. Still, when the weather gets chilly, I get the baking bug. No need to get a flu shot for this kind of bug, in fact, it's quite welcome.
Symptoms of the baking bug include:
- The urge to fill the house with the smell of some savory treat
- The love of the heat from the oven when you go to switch cookie trays
- The uncontrollable desire to sample the goodies you just made, even though you know they're still scorching hot, fresh from the oven

The cure for this bug is simple: bake!

Here's how I remedied:

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

What you'll need:

Dry:

2 C. quick cooking oats

1 2/3 C. whole wheat flour

2/3 C. cocoa powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 C. white sugar

2 Tbs. ground flax

Wet:

2/3 C. non-dairy milk (I use almond milk)

1/3 C. Canola oil

1/3 C. Apple sauce

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp almond extract

1 C. dried raisins/cranberries/cherries (optional...but so good)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350' and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper

2. Stir together oats, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a separate bowl, mix sugar, ground flax, non-dairy milk until smooth.

4. Add the oil, applesauce, vanilla and almond extract to the wet mix and beat until well mixed.

4. Fold in half of the dry mixture, mix a bit, and then add the rest of the dry mixture.

5. Add the dried fruit (if desired). mix well.

6. Drop 2 generous Tbs of cookie dough on the parchment papered pan, spacing about 2in from each other.

7. Bake for 10-12 mins. When done, remove from oven and let rest on pan for about 5 mins to settle.

8. Remove from pan to wire rack to cool

9. Eat em!

 Do you love of loathe the changing weather? Do you ever get the baking bug? - How do you conquer your baking bug?