Pies!

Pies!, originally uploaded by colmmcsky.

Today I made cranberry pecan fudge pies, using a recipe featured on the King Arthur Flour blog. One of them is a belated birthday gift and the other is the first part of my holiday baking for the week. The pies have a graham crumb crust, with a base of chocolate ganache, a layer of toasted pecans and a topping of candied cranberries.

Nothing makes me feel so French and so accomplished in the kitchen as making ganache. Something about that magical moment when the cream just begins to bubble and the chocolate whisking begins is perfect.

I also had the sweetest email from my Yuletide candy exchange person that began "Oh you dazzling Texas bluebonnet." I think everyone should address me this way from now on. But the best part was that the candy packages were spot on choices and provided joy. What a productive, satisfying day.