A New Year’s Treat - Available Only at Bakeshop!
We all know the hours of a baker are a middle of the night affair, waking while the moon is still making its path across the sky. Even for those of us that love, thrive even, in the middle of the night, these hours can become a chore. The screech of the alarm clock can be an annoyance to a deep sleep. Oftentimes we’re up and out of bed, quick to work, too early to stomach breakfast, we begin without sustenance. Some mornings, the promise of any pastry of our choosing, especially when it’s warm from the oven, can be a motivator to get up and out to fire up the ovens.
For me, my pastry of choice in the early morning is always the Cheese Straw. A twist of croissant dough, layered with a blend of shredded, pungent cheeses - parmesan, asiago, fontina, provolone - with the lingering heat of cayenne and black pepper. They’re one of the last items to emerge from the oven. Their arrival timed in sync with mine, a moment to pause.
Crisp, buttery, stabilizing. They catch me before the nausea (a sign of an empty belly) comes on. Spoiled, after all of these years, I will only eat them hot from the oven. Any other way and, to me, they’ve lost their luster.
For others, it’s the perfect accoutrement to a lively party. For one couple in particular, they host wild, extravagant parties. I know to show up to their soirées with a box (or two!) of Cheese Straws baked dark to caramelized perfection. For this version, I first cut them on the bias while frozen, before the proof and bake, creating the perfect two bite accompaniment to a glass of wine or an herbal n/a sparkling spritz.
For the most anticipated evening of the year, New Year’s Eve, we are offering Take & Bake Cheese Straws by the half dozen (or dozen if you cut them into a mini version). Whether for that evening or the next morning, they’re sure to add festiveness, sustenance and delight.
Wednesday, December 31st from 8am - 1pm, they will be on offer at our retail counter, as will whole Ham & Cheese Quiche, Caramelized Onion Quiche, Burnt Basque Cheesecake, Brown Butter Apple Pie and of course a broad variety of our pastries.
We wish you the very best transition into the new year. May you be safe, healthy and well fed.
Thank you for your support this year. We are truly grateful.
Kim + The Bakeshop Team