Home (baking) for the Holidays

Jelly and Nut Cookies

Most times, I won’t be baking at home. I am always amazed that people do. It’s a lot of work, prepping ingredients, making room on the counter for the mixer, let alone rolling out dough and finding space for it all. I love my home kitchen but I am truly spoiled with 4,000 square feet of bakery space, plus 10 or so 6 foot stainless work tables.

I was recently asked to be a part of a ” chefs at home cooking” article for Hartford magazine . It would feature one course from a famous local chef, spotlighting their holiday traditions. The super sweet and diligent young writer Kelly contacted me and we settled on a date for the interview, along with step by step instructional photos and video of a holiday dessert. I began to crazy clean the kitchen and organize the clutter. For me, it’s always interesting to see a chef’s home kitchen. And ask the question “what’s in the fridge?” For me, usually lots of cheese, leftover pasta and Prosecco….

Of course holiday time is cookie time so I decided to share my Aunt Giulia’s Rolled and Filled Jelly and Nut cookies. She was a lively woman, an awesome baker, and her cookies are still a family favorite. With only one more week or so of holiday baking to go check out the recipe and give them a try. I only wish I could have eaten the full menu from this article with the fabulous chefs. Maybe next season….after I clean the fridge.

Maria at Home . photo: Michael McAndrews