Apple Pie (c)2011 LaDomestique.com

This past week at la Domestique I’ve been recovering from Thanksgiving and ramping up for the winter pantry to begin on Monday. Baking is my way of slowing life down and getting into the holiday spirit. Pictured above is a Martha Stewart recipe for Double-Crust Apple Pie I baked for Thanksgiving. I also baked my first pumpkin pie using this Martha Stewart recipe for Easy Pumpkin Pie. Even at an altitude of 5,280 feet it came out perfectly. Baking a custard pie hot and fast helps at altitude, so I increased the temperature by about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Rather than using the shortbread crust called for in the recipe, I made a graham cracker crust. The grainy texture of the graham cracker crust was a nice contrast to the creamy pumpkin filling.

Instagram Photo of Pumpkin Pie (c)2011 LaDomestique.com

Cookies are essential for conjuring up Christmas cheer, and Smitten Kitchen’s Gingersnaps filled my home with a spiced aroma that would soften any grinch. I’ve got a tray of the cookies in the freezer, ready to pop into a hot oven on a moment’s notice. Though delicious on their own, I enjoyed the gingersnaps for ice cream sandwiches as well. I like my cookies soft rather than snappy, so I just baked them for a bit less time.

Instagram photo of Gingersnaps (c)2011 LaDomestique.com

I’ve enjoyed a change of pace and feel excited to begin a new season here at the la Domestique pantry on Monday. Life is busy and time passes so quickly. This December, my focus is on slowing down and being present in the moment. For me, taking time out to bake is calming and restorative. I hope you have a happy and restful weekend!

What are you up to in the kitchen to savor the holiday season? Let me know in the comments section. Click Here.