Baking: Round Two

In the afternoon, after the Super Bowl Sunday church service, I sat in my own Gethsemane and prayed.  I had not picked up a bag of flour or measured anything by cups or teaspoons since my terror-misu incident.  My confidence was broken.  Yes, I had taken the step out of the boat, only to realize the storm surrounding, and now I was sinking.   But I knew I could do all things through the one who gives all strength.  The cupeth, I shall drinketh…

Beyond my inexperience and inability to proficiently bake, I also had concerns regarding my manhood.  I told a lot of my co-workers I was going to be baking instead of watching the Super Bowl, and almost everyone had the same response of pity and disgust.  One even asked me how I planned to regain my mancard.  So the pressure was on.  To bake, but to retain my manliness.   I had to go big and go bold, but a flop would be devastating.  Bake for the entire Super Bowl and then have nothing to show for it?  This was a vomit-inducing thought.  It was game time, I had to put up or shut up.  

My downfall last time, I believe, was lack of adequate tools, so I went and borrowed a hand mixer from the Adertons. 

I’m a single man that does not own a hand mixer! +10 Man Points

I just borrowed a hand mixer…  -5 Man Points

Not trusting the tiramisu, I went back to the drawing board, by literally googling: “Impressive Desserts” 

Using Google as my recipe box  +3 Man Points

Giggling with excitement as I read the recipes -15 Man Points

I went to the store to pick up the ingredients.  My plan was this: To build up my confidence I had to go simple, so I decided to make a batch of chocolate chip walnut cookies.  And then make two desserts, essentially one for each half. 

I actually wrote a list!  +20 Responsibility Points

Forgetting the cream cheese and having to go back to the store   +10 Man Points

Now with all my fixins at hand, I began the multi-tasking challenge of my life. 

May or may not be a cup of salt instead of sugar... (just kidding it's baking soda)

After a shaky beginning, the cookie dough took form, and I began to hit my stride as our guests started to arrive.  Henry was looking good with his cinnamon rolls too.  No man wins alone, so I was glad to have him on my team. 

Girl says: “Wow! You guys are so domesticated!” (Aah!  That’s not a compliment!) -10 Man Points

Another Girl says: “You guys are like a Proverbs 31 Husband” (DEFINITELY NOT A COMPLIMENT!) -50 Man Points

I miss Super Bowl kick-off, and pretty much entire first half, until the final 30 seconds… Because I’m baking… -25 Man Points.

But I’m a man who keeps to his word +15 Man Points

We’re in the midst of some heavy baking.  A whirlwind of flour, sugar, and blood.  I start on my second dish.  A person asks, “What are you making now?”  I say, “I don’t know.  A chocolate-cake-raspberry-thing.” 

Not even knowing what I’m baking +10 Man Points

Straight up three sticks of butter in this bad boy.  (Disgusting)

I look over and see Henry using a can of Pam as a rolling pin.  Too legit to quit.  +50 Man Points

For the rest of the night I was back and forth between the upstairs and downstairs kitchen, double dutch ovening away the evening.  (Don’t even know what that means)

The first complete five minutes I watch of the night is of Madonna -5 Man Points

Super Bowl Intrigue:

The second half of the game was more relaxing, and I realized that although I’m semi-enjoying the baking experience, my multi-tasking is severely limited.   So fortunately, I get to converse with more people during the second-half as my two recipes have to settle and cool. 

I complete my third dish of the evening, a peanut butter pie.  And garnish up the chocolate tort.  Here are the results:

Chocolate-espresso Raspberry Tort

Henry's cinnamon roll.  As sweet as its creator.

The desserts, especially Henry’s cinnamon rolls and malts, received many compliments and praises. 

Coming up in the clutch: +50 Man Points.  Count it!

Thinking, “Oh my word, I am going to be soooo fat,” while I eat… -75 Man Points

I definitely have a newfound respect for baking.  But I'll be honest, it's just not my spiritual gifting.  Although I'm never opposed to receiving baked goods, if such is one's love language... If you want we can even trade goods and services, I do make a mean breakfast.  (Bacon and pancake specialist)