Home for the Holidays

I had the flu this weekend. This probably isn't something I should admit to, or share, on a food blog; it isn't exactly appetite inducing. However, despite the misery, early signs of winter descended upon us and we enjoyed listening to a howling wind outside and lit a fire for the first time in our new home.

Although we haven't painted the walls, put up baseboard trim or covered the heater vents yet, this house felt like home. It was comforting. Home to me is not wanting to be anywhere else.

There is a reason everyone wants to be home for the holidays, and for several reasons, this is my favorite time of year. Because my three older sisters were 14-16 years older than me, they were all nearly moved out by the time I could remember. I would count down the days until they would be home for the holidays. Even better was the minute my sister Tina arrived home, we would find her in the kitchen making cookies. Chocolate Crinkles, Snickerdoodles, and Toffee Bar Squares.

Toffee Bar Squares

These delicious cookies are buttery, soft and melt in your mouth; in other words they are irresistible. I can't deny that my love for baking must stem from a resonating desire to consistently create "home" from my childhood memories.

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
Cream together

Add
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
Mix until incorporated

Stir in 2 cups flour, just until combined

Spread evenly in jelly roll pan for thinner cookies, or 9x9 inch cake pan for thicker cookies.
Bake at F350°, 15-20 minutes until edges are golden brown
Remove from oven, leave in pan
While warm coat with thin layer of melted chocolate and top with crushed walnuts

Shall we touch on the fact that I haven't blogged in... forever!? Life isn't the same without the oven on, so I'm making changes to remedy that.

One Year Ago: How to Create Your Own Cookie Recipe