52-Week Baking Challenge
Let’s get whisked away! (Sorry, I had to.)
New year, new bakes! I love the idea of a year-long baking challenge (hello, the origins of this newsletter), and after falling down a rabbit hole on Reddit, I discovered a subreddit dedicated to the 52-Week Baking Challenge. But — as with most things — I thought, “I could do this better.” So, I made my own!
Introducing my 52-week baking challenge. Here’s how it works: each week is a new theme to inspire your baking. The themes range from ingredients to holidays, colors, or even countries! It’s like your favorite baking show but without the stress of being judged by Paul Hollywood.
Want to join the fun? I’ve put together a handy PDF with all the themes so you can follow along—or jump in whenever inspiration strikes! Whether you’re a baking newbie or a seasoned pro, this challenge is all about having fun, learning something new, and maybe even impressing a few people along the way.
Pavlova with Passion Fruit, Blueberries and Mint
inspired by this Claire Saffitz video
For New Year’s Eve, I brought one of my favorite showstoppers: a pavlova topped with passion fruit, blueberries, and mint! It looked stunning, but many of the party guests... didn’t quite get it. One person thought it was hummus, and another guessed cheese. (Uncultured!!!) But the girls who knew, knew, and we happily ate a few slices. If you’ve never had pavlova, it’s crispy meringue on the outside with a marshmallowy interior, and it is the perfect base for tart and juicy toppings like these. It’s a dessert that deserves more love — even if it occasionally gets mistaken for a dip.
Garlicky Chicken with Sugar Snap Peas, Pecorino, and Lemon by Melissa Clark
from her book, Dinner in One
After the NYE festivities, I was ready for some low-key cooking to ease back into post-holiday life. This is when I reach for a Melissa Clark recipe. She has several simple, go-to weeknight meals that are flavorful and easily adaptable. I swapped the sugar snap peas for green beans (thanks to a lackluster fridge situation) and used my favorite small Staub baking dish. If you often cook for one or two people, these dishes are a must! It’s not that pretty, but this bright, garlicky dish is exactly what I needed to reclaim a little routine after the holiday chaos.
On the Backburner
Here is what I have planned for next week. Feel free to cook along and let me know what you think!
Thanks for reading, sweeties! 🍎
Ooh! Love this idea, I’ll definitely be jumping in a few times
Hmm... interesting... I'll try to jump in if I see anything in my talent range...