THE SECRET HISTORY

Holiday appreciation post for @readwithjenna !! As I was reflecting on what was a truly spectacular reading year, I marveled at how many of my favorite, totally unique narrative voices - a young boy trying to cross the U.S. border, a Caribbean woman with a secret cake recipe, an octopus (!!!) - were introduced to me by Read With Jenna. Thank you for making daring choices every year, championing debut authors, filling my shelves with new favorites, and reminding me of modern classics like The Secret History - I’m starting my re-read this week! I can’t wait to see what’s next for RWJ and @jennabhager in 2023!
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Of all the holiday cookies, gingerbread is hands down my favorite. I dream of one day hosting a gingerbread house decorating holiday party - or maybe gingerbread made to look like the best book covers of the year? But I have a “secret history” of my own: my gingerbread is semi-homemade, not from scratch. (Shh don’t tell!)
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Here’s the best recipe for perfect gingerbread cookies:
One 16.5 oz roll of @pillsbury sugar cookie dough
1/3 cup of flour
2 T molasses
3/4 t cinnamon
3/4 t ginger
1/4 t allspice
1/4 t cloves
Combine ingredients into a disc and chill for half hour. Roll out on floured surface, cut into shapes, chill in freezer on a tray with parchment paper for 10 min, bake at 375 for 10-12 min, let cool completely and decorate. Perfect every time - they smell like spices and snow and holiday deliciousness. Enjoy!