Happy Wednesday!

This week has been going by so fast. We are still getting settled in our new place and getting organised. When my aunt was visiting last week we talked about how my cousin is super into cooking and it made me miss baking. Anyone who knows me knows I love baking, but I find when it's just Tj and I, I don't do as much because I end up eating it all myself lol.

I definitely get my love of baking from my mom. I remember growing up and she would make at least 20 different recipes at Christmas time and make boxes of baking to bring to family events or give away as gifts. I was only allowed the burnt or broken ones until way after Christmas. But half the fun was going into the freezer and sneaking some. She'd always know because my favorites would be gone while there would still be lots of other recipes that I didn't like lol. Everyone did it though, haha it was like a thing that if you stopped by you had to take some.

I have lots of aunts who bake a lot too. To add a personal touch to my wedding, I even requested some family and friends to make some of their signature homemade desserts for my sweets table. They were such a hit they were all gone before I even got to have any!

When I moved to Toronto I was working towards my Baking Arts certificate at George Brown college. I had a uniform and a hat and everything. My friend and I would do classes together every week and those were some of my best times in Toronto. There were some baking disasters, but we always had a blast catching up and making yummy treats. And Tj's colleagues liked it too because I'd let him take lots of goodies to his office.

When I was set up in Toronto I had all the equipment I needed. Tj got me my dream Kitchenaid mixer for Christmas one year and I legit have a tool box of baking supplies! I especially like baking at my mom's house at home in Ottawa because she always has lots of ingredients and there are lots of people around to share the desserts with.

Having everything at hand makes baking so much easier, so as we've been setting up our new place, I've been picking up things here and there to have everything I need to get started.

Here is a basic list I've come up with for everything you need to get started baking:

1. Mixing bowls of different sizes
2. Pans for cookies, squares, loafs, and muffins/cupcakes
3. Handheld mixer
4. Spatula
5. Measuring spoons
6. Parchment paper
7. Oven gloves
8. Icing tips and bag
9. Unsalted butter
10. Flour
11. White sugar
12. Brown sugar
13. Vanilla
14. Baking powder
15. Chocolate Chips

The chocolate chips aren't really necessary, but they are good to have around. Also, I didn't include eggs but I feel like most people have eggs around.

I'm still looking for some things on my list, like a muffin pan and icing tips, but I wanted to make something. I decided on this Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread recipe I found on Pintrest. I've made it before and loved it, but baking something for the first time in a new place is always interesting. The first time I baked in London with a gas stove, I burned all my cookies!

Verdict: Recipe turned out ok, but you have to split the batter and put the cream cheese mixture in the middle, and I didn't leave quite enough for the top layer. No worries - it's still yummy!! I can't wait to have a slice with my tea tomorrow morning!

Let me know if you have any recipes for me to try! I wouldn't mind trying a vegan or sugar-free dessert, but remember - I can't have chocolate until after Easter lol.