*Holly Bake* Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook

I haven't posted FOREVER but I'm still here and I'm baking my way through the 

Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook.  

I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions but for some reason this year I wanted to take on a challenge. I was reading the Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook, drooling over all of the recipes.  Before I knew it I snapped this picture and threw it up on Instagram with:
"Thinking that 2014 goal should be to make ALL the recipes in this cookbook. Starting on 'Nana Cream Pie!! Let's see of I can do it?!?! #backinthedaybakery #backinthedaybakerycookbook"  

And now it is all baking history!  

I came across Back in the Day Bakery a few years ago while watching this episode of Paula's Best Dishes.The owner Cheryl Day was making Sweet Tea Brined Buttermilk Fried Biscone Sandwiches. Now that is a mouth-full to say but I fell in love with Cheryl's personality and did a quick internet search and found the cute little bakery that she owns with her husband Griffith. 

 Well...it's located in Savannah, Georgia...quite a commute from California...Darn it!! 

 So I started following the bakery on Facebook and enjoyed seeing there post pop up in my Facebook page. Every once in awhile they would post that the bakery is hiring and I was so tempted to send in my resume but once again that darn commute from California! 

  Then, one day I get a text from my cousin, who was road-tripping through the south, that said "I found a bakery that you would LOVE!"  Of course it was The Back in the Day Bakery! She raved about the Biscones with Cinnamon Chips. When that same cousin moved to Tennessee we had a "southern send-off party" and made those Sweet Tea Brined Buttermilk Fried Biscones....delicious!

Eventually I bought their cookbook and read (and re-read) every page.  You see I have always wanted to own a bakery and have had it visualized in my mind for ages.  Looking through the pictures in the cookbook was like seeing my vision come to life, in fact, I own half of the same vintage items they have in their shop!! 

So this all leads me to that day in January when I decide to challenge myself and make all of the recipes in the cookbook.   I post a picture of each recipe on my Instagram Hollydoboutique using #backinthedaybakerycookbook 

I also connect the pictures with my Facebook page Holly Do. Boutique.
 Do you know how excited I was when I saw this on my Instagram feed?!?!  Ummm...so exciting and yes, I did take a screenshot of this!!  Really, I'm not a crazy stalker, just a big fan!
 
   

I record the number and the date in the cookbook when I completed the recipe.

This is my baking shelf with the little metal board I use to write the recipe name on for the picture.  

Follow along if you want to see some yummy food!

So here's the answers to Frequently asked Questions:

How do you decide what order you are going to make the recipes?

   It is all random!  Sometimes on my mood, cravings, or if it is a savory item what will go with the dinner/meal.  It is also based on what is in season.  The local strawberry stands have just opened so I will be starting on strawberry recipes soon.  There are also a couple blackberry recipes which I will cook in July when I can pick them fresh at my grandma's house.

How do you have time to bake all these items?

  Well, baking is a passion so I have always baked a lot.  I probably don't bake more often then I used too, I'm just using all Back in Day Recipes.  I have always enjoyed trying new recipes, in fact, I don't think I have ever made the same chocolate chip cookie recipe twice.  

How do you organize the recipe list?

  Not to long after I started this challenge I sat down and wrote every recipe name down with a list of ingredients that I would need to purchase for the recipe.  I take this list to the grocery store and just choose a few based on what I feel like cooking.  

Have you been able to find all of the ingriedents you needed for the recipes?

  I have had to search for a few of the ingredients like mace, currants, and fresh cranberries.  I had to use frozen cranberries that my aunt gave me because I couldn't find cranberries anywhere.  Maybe it is a southern thing?  Also, still have to get benne flour and sorghum which I will have to order on line.  Otherwise my grocery store has had most of the items.      

Sometimes you post 2 or 3 recipes in a day.  Do you bake all of these recipes at one time or do you just forget to post?

  I usually bake a few recipes at a time, especially on Fridays.  It is just easier to do a lot at a time.  Why on Fridays?  Well that is answered in the next question!

Who eats all of this food?

  My family and I eat our fair-share of the food.  If it is a chocolate recipe I eat more than my share!   I take most of the food to work with me and share with my co-workers.  I work at a local restaurant and we have a larger staff on the weekends. That is why I bake more on Fridays. The staff is more than happy to polish off a plate of cookies, bars, pie, cupcakes, whatever the latest recipe may be.  They are like a bunch of vultures when I walk through the door.  Since we work in a restaurant that believes in using high quality, seasonal food they are all a bunch of "foodies."  I love hearing their feedback...so far they have liked everything!  

Will you share the recipes on your blog?

  So this is a hard one to answer.  Since I am cooking my way through the whole book I would have to write out all the recipes and just don't think that is fair for the bakery's cookbook.  You see, I'm a big fan of supporting local, small business.  I am a small business owner, and also work for a family owned restaurant.  We depend on the local support from awesome customers to earn a living.  If you are drooling over the food that I post I highly suggest you purchase the book.  It is listed on Amazon at a great prize.   Trust me you won't be disappointed.

What recipe has been the hardest so far?

  I don't know why, but i just couldn't get the Brown Sugar Fudge to turn out for me!  I had to make it twice, since the 1st batch was inedible.  The 2nd batch wasn't bad but not perfect.  I guess I will just have to keep trying.  

What is your favorite recipe so far?

  Well, that is a hard question.  Once again, anything chocolate I love.  I think my favorite is the Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies.  The intense chocolate flavored followed up by a little bit of heat from cayenne pepper is right up my alley.  The chocolate chip banana cupcakes always stand out as a favorite too. They all have been great, it is really hard to choose just one.