At last count, I've baked three cakes, one round of shortbread and four dozen cookies in the last week and a half. I'd like to pretend I've been honing my cookie making techniques and whittling down recipes in preparation for a maniacal Christmas cookie-making frenzy. Or that I've been busy mailing off care packages to the soldiers being forced to fight that ridiculous sham of a war in Iraq, or hand baking treats to take to the hospital for the children who can't go trick or treating this year.
(WHOA! Jesus! This was just supposed to be another carefree, self-denigrating post about one of my bad habits, but instead my imagination has got me feeling all guilty for not having done either of those last two things, ever, or even having thought of doing them before today. I just obviously suck at being a good person, but I can do better. I mean it. I sense a New Year's resolution coming on.)
So, back to me. (We never left, you say? Too true.) I haven't been doing any of those alternately obsessive or virtuous things. Instead, the reason I've baked so much lately is far more banal (was there ever any doubt?) It's all about avoiding my responsibilities. That's right: I bake as a form of mad procrastination.
It's been this way ever since I started working at home. Got a story to research and interviews to do? How about a chocolate cake? Time to sit down and edit a first draft? I'll bet Mr. Food Musings would love a lemon tart for dinner! Deadline just around the corner? I'd better dig out every cookie recipe I've clipped in the last decade and make them all. Today.
But there's no denying that my fiendish procrastination has its upside. Namely, yummy treats for me, Mr. Food Musings, his office mates and anyone else who happens along my path when I'm desperate to offload some of my sugary progeny. I highly recommend the oh-so buttery chocolate shortbread (and if you can get your icing to look as perfect as Martha's, lemme know what you did).
The pumpkin-chocolate chip-oatmeal cookies seemed like the perfect thing to bake for a Halloween party, and they turned out uber-moist and rather addictive, considering their odd coloring. (Note: in my temperamental oven, it took 17 minutes per batch rather than the 10-12 allotted in the recipe.)
Next up? Chocolate-peanut-cinnamon cookies. And then I'll get down to business. Promise and pinky swear.
Mmm... both batches of cookies look great. I love the sound of the oatmeal pumpkin ones.
Posted by: Nic | November 01, 2005 at 05:57 AM
They were a hit at the Halloween party last night, that's for sure.
Posted by: Catherine | November 01, 2005 at 08:15 AM
Those on MS's site are dipped -- you can see the "feet" where the icing spread out as it was drying.
That recipe is simple enough that maybe even *I* could make it.
Posted by: Fatemeh | November 01, 2005 at 11:37 AM
No one can get the icing as perfect as Martha! She sold her soul to the Devil for such skills! :)
Posted by: Beth | November 01, 2005 at 01:36 PM
Fatemeh -- good tip. And yes, you must give it a shot yourself. Super duper easy. (Though Beth may be right, and since I'm no Faust perhaps I shouldn't even try?)
Posted by: Catherine | November 01, 2005 at 02:02 PM
Ooooh those shortbread look scrumptious! (as does the recipe for the chunky peanut chocolate cinnamon cookies- Im tempted to try that myself!)
Posted by: tanvi | November 01, 2005 at 11:58 PM
Tanvi -- go for it, and stay tuned -- I have a cookie baking food blogosphere idea I'll launch later this month...
Posted by: Catherine | November 02, 2005 at 08:15 AM
Both of those look terrific. Thanks for the new ideas. I've actually been looking for a good choc. shortbread recipe.
Posted by: LisaSD | November 02, 2005 at 07:28 PM
Those pumpkin chocoloate-chip oatmeal cookies are HEAVENLY. I also had canned pumpkin burning a hole in my refrigerator and I was glad to get rid of it in such a delicious way. I have to get rid of them though. Cookies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner does not a svelte figure make.
Posted by: Mina | November 21, 2005 at 03:58 AM
LisaSD -- yeah, and it's easy too.
Mina -- yay! They do make tons, eh? You live in a big building. Make friends with all the neighbors!
Posted by: Catherine | November 21, 2005 at 08:43 AM
I thought I was going out on a limb when I searched "pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies" just because of a craving for all of the above, but alas, I found your blog and love it. Mostly because of the chocolate shortbread. Thanks!
Posted by: WesternWarmth | February 28, 2008 at 08:12 AM