The Cookie Exchange: Challenge Completed

Although astounded when I found out I was actually going to be making 120 cookies in four days, rather than 12 (which was due to an arithmetic error on my part), I thought to myself, "Challenge accepted." This was after a slight meltdown ensued, of course. As I admitted in my last blog post, I have never baked to this extent in my lifetime, especially 10 dozen cookies, even if it was over a few crazy sugar-spewing-and-flour-mixing days of anarchy at its best.

From fruition...

I set off on Thursday with about three dozen in the oven, with these guys were on their way to being part of the group of 120 cookies to be received by my lucky coworkers. Fast forward to Saturday, when I made about six dozen, the biggest stretch of the race I had made that far along the trek. Next came Sunday. I reached out to my best friend, because I felt I was in need of some expert-baker help. My handy BFF helped me along, and we made the last three and a half dozen of the bunch. After that, we made them into pretty little packages.

Cookie dough is almost too enjoyable.

Funny part is, by the end of all of this sugar-y madness, I was enjoying myself. I had my recipe memorized, and I was making the best cookies of my life, which made me a proud once-a-year-but-soon-to-be-all-year-round-baker.

Perfectly pink

Today, I passed said cookies out at work, which was a little holiday party in itself. All of us gathered in an office that was made to be a garage originally, and still functions temperature-wise as such. Ladies of all ages and stages of life started bringing their cookies back to the garage, and then everyone started milling around collecting their equal amounts of cookies, mini cheesecake squares, buckeyes (my personal favorite), and the like. Joy!

...to creation.

Who knew baking could be so much fun?

The end product (a couple of them disappeared somehow)

Sugar Cookies Galore

I know I haven't posted in a long time, but to save time, and your readership, I'll suffice to say I haven't cooked/baked enough in a long time, either. But, here we go again!

This was my first attempt at making sugar cookies all on my own. "WHAT?!" I'm sure you will say, but this girl, as previously stated, is not an expert cook OR baker, for that matter. I know women and men of all ages will be aghast, but that's just a chance I have to take in sharing this blog. 

Before

Now, it's not like I have never baked before. I have been baking since I was little with my Great-grandmother, Grandmother, and Mother (along with my brother and sister from our Steel City). I have taken part in some of the biggest bake-offs (in our family) this side of Norway some have ever seen. Anyways, I have baked all sorts of cookies, brownies, and other various desserts, but this was all on my own. It may not seem like a big accomplishment to some, but to me, this was a gold medal. They are pretty good, too! I think they turned out pretty well, but you'd have to ask my significant other and another man in the house (Joe) to be sure! They were easy enough, and the instructions from generations of Nelsons and Flickingers were easy to follow. I actually think I like baking. Endless hours of fun shall ensue, I'm sure. 

First batch

The only thing I regret is not taking a picture of the counter after I was done baking. It was kind of  a disaster to say the least, but I guess that comes with the territory. Wish me luck on future baking endeavors! I may be cooking another cookie-themed post next week, also, because we are doing a cookie exchange at work, and I am joining in on one for the first time ever. I almost felt like a baker for a minute when I was asked to join in through a chain e-mail. The woman in me is really starting to show herself each year I get older. 

Hoping to get more reviews of my sugar cookies after the exchange, also. I'm also hoping I don't wear you guys out on Christmas cookie posting... 

The second batch turned out better, albeit a little crumbly.