Holiday Bakeathon 2015

Holiday baking day #2! We learned from the previous year and seriously dialed things back so that we could finish everything in one day, such as keeping it down to 1 type of cutout cookie. We kept some recipes we really liked, but also collectively chose some new things to try out. I liked making everything so close to Christmas this time so things could still be really fresh to bring to family celebrations.

RECIPES

• Spicy Gingerbread Cookies (Smitten Kitchen) -- this year's designs featured hipster owls and hipster bread men (gingerbread men with glasses and sweater vests). I taught Sarah and Caroline to pipe frosting and they had a lot of fun with it.
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• Decadent Hot Chocolate Mix (Smitten Kitchen) -- so good we made it again. I gave some to a friend, and she introduced me to some adult beverage serving suggestions that make it extra cozy: 1/2 ounce (1 tbsp) or so of banana liqueur (she strongly recommends 99 Bananas) or blackberry brandy! I have tried both and love both.
• Cinnamon-Sugar Rugelach -- something new to try that I first had at a work potluck, featuring the irresistible combination of cinnamon, sugar, and butter.
• Homemade Marshmallows (Alton Brown) -- to accompany the hot chocolate again, though just as delicious alone.

BAKEATHONS PAST

• 2014