favorite bakes and foundations

There isn’t a whole lot to write about this year that other people haven’t already written, arguably more eloquently. There has been so much unnecessary suffering and also unbelievable displays of resilience. For me personally, I am more aware than ever of my privilege and wanted to share some organizations and causes I’ve had the opportunity to know about, learn from, and donate to. As a white, cis-gender woman, with a stable job, secure housing, and an abundance of tangible and intangible resources, it’s important to keep pushing myself to share and give what I have. I’ve paired each organization one with one of my favorite bakes of the year in case you feel like like pairing them too.

1. bakers against racism + cheddar chive biscuits

Founded by Chefs Paola Velez, Willa Pelini, and Rob Rubba, Bakers Against Racism is like a giant community bake sale where the proceeds benefit Black Lives Matter. I’ve posted very little on the blog this year because it has felt incongruent with the ongoing racial injustice, as well as the lack of representation of BIPOC bakers and chefs. I was thrilled to see this genius idea and am crossing my fingers they do another one soon so I can participate.

The biscuits were a late addition, coming in hot in November after I saw @pastrywithjenn repost them from @meilin . The trick is to keep everything EXTREMELY cold (straight from the freezer) and then do a series of folds like you would with a laminated dough. You have to visit their stories for the recipe and process and I couldn’t recommend it more. I’ve made them three times in less than two months. The picture above is unbaked because I’m showing off those layers – but when baked they are flaky, tender, savory, and crispy-almost-fried- on the edges.

2. together we rise + dark chocolate chunk artisan loaf

Together We Rise is an organization that supports children and adolescents in foster care. I learned about them back in March/April when I was pulling together a presentation about resources for college students following the transition to remote learning due to COVID. Family support, housing, and basic resources are not a given for all children/teenagers and together we rise aims to lessen the gap.

A great foundation deserves a great bake, and this chocolate chunk loaf is probably the best thing I’ve eaten all year. The chewy salty bread, studded with dark chocolate, reminds me of a chocolate croissant. It’s unbelievable hot from the oven, fantastic fresh at room temperature, and glorious toasted with butter and salt. You can make it as sourdough or as a sort of combo bread with store bought yeast for those of you who have lives.

3. the greater boston food bank and chocolate chip cookies

Obviously the Greater Boston Food Bank is location specific, so please take this as an enthusiastic endorsement to support your own local food bank. With schools closed for social distancing, kids who rely on school-based meals throughout the day are at risk of not eating. As a baking blog focused entirely on indulgent things I have the luxury and privilege of making and eating, it’s absolutely necessary to recognize and work against food insecurity. I’ve been donating regularly over the last 9 months and look forward to continuing to do so even when kids are safe to be all germy together in the future.

The chocolate chip cookies are the chocolate chip cookies by Jacques Torres but it was Hummingbird High‘s endorsement of them that finally sealed the deal for me to try them. I took them to a socially distanced fire pit happy hour a few months ago and every single person was in disbelief at how good they were. The texture is insane with a crispy exterior and chewy but not overly gooey interior. I think everyone describes cookies that way and whatever, fact is fact. There is more depth of flavor to these than your average chocolate chip cookie and I could easily eat the cookie part plain without chocolate at all. I did not buy the expensive chocolate because I have an embarrassing amount of chocolate already in my home, but I would recommend doing chocolate chunks or chopping it yourself rather than using chocolate chips. This recipe makes a lot of GIANT cookies and I keep the dough balls in my freezer for quick access. As a fun fact, Paola Velez (of Bakers Against Racism) worked for Jaques Torres and said it was one of the few places she felt supported and encouraged as a Woman of Color working in the food industry.

4. brigaid + montreal style bagels

Founded by Dan Guisti, who used to be the head chef at Noma, Brigaid encourages chefs to focus their efforts not on fancy restaurants, but on the food served in public school systems (arguably the most important food there is). I heard Dan talk about this initiative on Dave Chang’s podcast a few years ago and have been completely obsessed ever since. It’s amazing the hoops they have to jump through to make the food fit budget and nutritional specifications, and the amazing care they put into each meal makes me cry on a weekly basis when I follow the instagram updates. This is goodness at it’s best with someone in an elite position choosing to pivot and refocus food where it’s really needed.

At the beginning of quarantine, unsurprisingly, I became super focused on classic comforts. I made soft pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, banana bread (along with everyone else,) and finally tackled bagels. I chose to do Montreal-style bagels because the bagel I had on a senior trip to Montreal after being very cold and very hungover was probably the most satisfying food I’ve ever eaten. They are smaller, chewier, and slightly sweeter than a large American bagel – almost like challah meets bagel – and that’s a meeting I’d like to be a part of.

5. loveland foundation + breton butter cookies

The Loveland Foundation is a focused on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Black women and girls. Founded in 2018 by Rachel Cargle, I’m so happy this initiative exists. As a therapist myself, I know first-hand how difficult it can be to even find a therapist, let alone a provider who can demonstrate cultural humility and meet the unique and important needs of Women of Color.

These Breton butter cookies are from Benjamina Ebuehi, one of my absolute FAVORITE British Bake Off contestants. She posted these cookies on her instagram so I don’t think the recipe is up on her blog yet but it’s pretty simple and will hopefully make it to oh, honey honey in 2021 if I can get my act together. I used these as my Christmas cookies this year and piped some chocolate to make them look like presents. They are such a classic and simple cookie, rich in good quality butter and three egg yolks. Make them on the thicker side to get all the good texture we deserve.

Hopefully this list inspires some good deeds and good bakes : )