I started the Ugly Duckling Bakery blog in 2021 to share the recipes that I make for my family, ranging from 30 minute weeknight meals to more complicated weekend cooking, baking projects made from scratch, and classic cocktail variations. I realized recently that I identify personally with heirloom tomatoes - my goal isn’t to create recipes that are the equivalent of artificially ripened but tasteless tomatoes we get year-round. We’ll get along if you’d rather eat a tomato that is bursting with summertime flavor but perhaps looks misshapen and imperfect. My tiramisu cake doesn’t look like it came from a commercial bakery, but no one complains about how it tastes.
In 2024, I Resolve To...
Hi Reader
Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for supporting me and the blog as it turns three. We made it through the holidays!
I'm not big on New Years resolutions - why wait until January 1 to make changes - but the new year is always a great time to reflect and make plans.
My 2024 Resolutions ❤️
Don't worry. 2024 will still be full of deliciousness.
But I'm a planner. So here are some things I've resolved to cook and bake and the recipes I'll be sharing:
1) EAT MORE BEANS
There are lots of reasons to eat more beans. And I'm really excited about some of the recipes I'm working on, from a bean dip to a game-night chili to a fancier cassoulet.
In the meantime, check out these beany recipes already on the blog:
- Garbanzo Bean Soup
- BBQ Pinto Bean Burgers
- Southwestern Black Bean Burgers
- Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes Loaded with White Beans
- Apple Pie Baked Beans
2) MAKE MORE LOAF CAKES, QUICK BREADS, AND MUFFINS
For nearly every week in 2023, I baked a batch of cookies for my team staff meeting. This year, I'll be changing it up a bit with loaf cakes and muffins. No fussy layer cakes in this list!
- Blueberry chocolate chip muffins
- Orange poppy seed muffins
- Kale and cheese quick bread
- Coffee and walnut loaf cake
- Chocolate chip pound cake
3) MORE COCKTAILS!
I signed up for a spirits certification in January, and this will be the 3rd year I've run the #52weeksofcocktails challenge. If you like cocktails, making a new cocktail every week is a great way to learn and explore.
If you're interested, check out the list of weekly challenges. Post your cocktail photos on your favorite social media and tag me @uglyducklingbakery. Or just have fun making the cocktails as we go along.
Not into any of this?
Looking for something else? check out:
- A one pot recipe perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Frying this with a bit of butter reminded me of grilled honey buns from my college snack bar.
- The cocktail that starts the challenge every year.
I hope you find something here that makes your just a little more delicious.
Please send me a note to tell me what your food resolutions are for the year. Happy New Year!
Ugly Duckling Bakery
I started the Ugly Duckling Bakery blog in 2021 to share the recipes that I make for my family, ranging from 30 minute weeknight meals to more complicated weekend cooking, baking projects made from scratch, and classic cocktail variations. I realized recently that I identify personally with heirloom tomatoes - my goal isn’t to create recipes that are the equivalent of artificially ripened but tasteless tomatoes we get year-round. We’ll get along if you’d rather eat a tomato that is bursting with summertime flavor but perhaps looks misshapen and imperfect. My tiramisu cake doesn’t look like it came from a commercial bakery, but no one complains about how it tastes.
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