Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Spirit is elusive to me in my old age.  When you're young, you don't go searching for it.  It comes to you.  It's about you.  You can't escape it!  

I remember being 7 or 8 years old and waking up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning and knowing it was slightly too early to wake up my parents and race downstairs.  But it was strictly forbidden in my house to peak at the presents without the whole family awake so I'd smash (and I mean really smash) my face into the wall so I could bbaarrellly get a glimpse down the stairs and around the corner to the tree.  I would do this in the early morning hours when the rest of the house was sleeping.  Just me, in my pajamas, smashing my face against a wall.  Quietly not breaking any rules.  Typical.  

Cranberry Pistachio Galette with Grapefruit Sugar Crust

THIS CRUST.  Oh lordy the crust.  I hit the jackpot with this crust.  And it all happened by accident, really.  

See, I wanted to make this galette but I was out of sugar.  So I stopped at Trader Joe's and couldn't find anything except Cane Sugar.  I knew it would work just fine but I didn't expect the Cane Sugar to really transform the galette like it did.  It's chunky and substantial and made for an excellent crust with a lot of sweet crunch.  

Upside Down Banana Gingerbread Cake

THE SMELL.  MY GOD THE SMELL.  

Pardon me.  I shouldn't have screamed at you like that.  It's just that this cake produces the most delectable smell while baking.  I want a candle that smells like this.  

Are you listening to me Bath and Body Works?  Please make an Upside Down Banana Gingerbread Cake Candle and then charge $22 for it but no one will ever pay full price because everyone knows that candles will be 2 for $22 if you just wait long enough.