How to Impress a Boy by Baking
Confession: I’m a baker because cookies make me friends. I’m a baker because cakes help me out of a jam from time to time. I’m a baker because brownies attract quality men.
Let’s talk about boys and baking. Boys like cookies and pies and coffee cake with lots of crumb topping. I know. I’ve done the research.
Here’s how to impress a boy with baking.
Note: If your particular boy doesn’t like baked goods… I’m afraid I don’t understand. He’s weird. I’d question his motives.
If you happen to be interested in girls… well… that’s a whole other blog post… one that possibly includes more chocolate and how to hide a giant engagement ring in her favorite cupcake.
Boys. Baking.
You know how boys… the good ones, at least… bring flowers to a first date? I think girls should bring brownies. Easy chocolate brownies with walnuts. Wrap them in wax paper and put them in a simple box. The next day when they’re trying to play it cool and not call you back? They’ll have a brownie and pick up the phone. Guarantee.
Good boys have good friends. Don’t forget them. How about a ‘nice to meet you, friend of the boy I like’ offering? Yes. Lemon Cloud Cookies. Do this.
What happens if you wake up with a boy in your bed?
Mom, I’ve never woken up with a boy in my bed. Never. Not even once. But if I had… well. Nevermind.
If you wake up with a boy in your bed you have several options. Pay close attention.
If you like the boy next to you, hop out of bed, make some coffee, whip up some pancake batter and leave it to rest on the counter. Hop back in bed, wake up cute boy then return to the kitchen to fry pancakes. The smell of coffee and cooking dough will eventually lure him out of bed. He’ll sit at the table. You’ll sit at the table. He’ll wonder how he got so dang lucky. You’ll wonder how you got so dang lucky. If he offers to help you do the dishes… marry him, immediately.
Now… if you do not like the boy in your bed… make. nothing. And never repeat those circumstances again. The whole pretending to be asleep until he finally leaves thing… awkward.
Good boys have good moms. Good moms have hawk eyes. They notice everything. This Apple Crisp will buy you a bit of leniency. Maybe you dropped the s-bomb at the dinner table. Oops. Maybe she got a peek of one of your tattoos and thinks you’re some sort of wild hippie.
This Apple Crisp should mend all that. It’s the crumble topping. It heals all things. Even if you are a wild, foul-mouthed hippie… you’re a wild foul-mouthed hippie who can cook. Moms like girls who can cook. Be a girl who can cook.
Boys like bacon.
Boys like pink things if they taste good.
Boys like when you pull out all the stops and doll yourself up for a date. Boys like when you pull out all the stops and make fancy cakes with expensive nuts.
But really… I think that boys like it best when you just throw on some tight jeans and a cute t-shirt. No makeup. I’m also pretty sure that boys are happiest with a simple meal that involves steak, barbecue sauce, and warm chocolate chip cookies.
Now… it’s not that we need to impress boys. Oh heck no. It’s just that sometimes… we want to, and that’s not a crime.
And that’s my two cents… put that in your brain hole to marinate.













373 Comments Add A Comment
love love LOVE this post! it’s so true…and so cute!!
*giggles* this is so adorable! I’d like to think that I found a good boy, one who brought flowers to our first date and offers to do the dishes after every meal (because he can’t cook/bake, except pancakes, which I make him make ;)). And when your boyfriend’s parents’ house has a million blackberry bushes in the backyard…you bake a lot of pies, which wows said parents even more *grin*.
I smiled through the entire post…so thank you:)
As a guy who bakes and cooks, I can’t wait to try the pumpkin pancakes or banana/chocolate chip pancakes to the future girl of my dreams (red-haired or not!)
Haha. Joy, this is my favorite post you have ever, ever written! And I have adored them all. Seriously though… eating at the table??? If you wake up with an adorable boy in your bed the proper protocol is to bring breakfast on a tray. The more crumbs the better. But yes, I agree – tight jeans and chocolate chip cookies. And waffles. I wooed my husband with waffles. The fact is, boys seem to like simple. And yummy. No matter how many fancy desserts I make, my husband wants chocolate chip cookies with a big glass of milk.
you’re so right Katie… breakfast in bed… duh!!
boys and brownies made me laugh and brought back memories of Home Ec. class in the early 70′s…my kitchen group decided that we would hook a football player with brownies and we got so wrapped up in the discussion about which one each would give the brownies to that we forgot the sugar!!! Brownies with no sugar will not snag a fellow!
I just love this post. Too. Cute. I seriously think you may be on to something there with the tight jeans, t-shirt, steak and cookies…
Woh. I’ve been following and enjoying for a while but that one, that one was awesome. Mostly because I’m a wild, foul-mouthed hippie who thankfully can cook. Thanks for understanding :-)
g’day from sydney!
all very true.
my husband agrees.
Joy, I love this post. I would also like to know where you’re meeting these boys who bring flowers on the first date- when I find one of those he will definitely get brownies!
I may be guilty of doing a few of these things myself…
This post made me smile, but that’s not at all unusual!
this is so cute! Yes chocolate = boys! that’s how i got my boyfriend for sure =) love this post joy… =)
I made the mistake of reading parts of this out loud, and now my own cute boys (49, 14, & 12) want brownies! LOL
oh, this is the greatest post! i won my boy over by forcing him to try new things with some brownies and cookies sprinkled in for good measure.
i’m still trying to win over his parents (i’m a girl with tattoos AND opinions). i’ve cooked every major holiday meal from scratch with at least one showstopper dessert for them for the last 4 years…i’m hoping diligence and a good amount of butter will help me out there.
This is so true! I love baking and I won my BF over with it ;)
Unfortunatly I married a guy much more interested in steak, samami, and pizza than cake, cookies, and pies. Dude loves his browines though so I will have to try out your recipe.
Side note: I seriously love that cup with the pig on it, I would be every so appreciative if you could let me know where to find something that awesome!
I’m marinating and I like it :)
You’ve written some great posts in the past, but I have to say…this one is my Favorite!!!
And you are SOOOOO right…mom’s like a girl who can cook.
Love it! This post is so wonderfully funny and at-many-times spot on. Thanks for sharing a clever twist to cooking here.
My friend just introduced me to this blog today, and she was right… I LOVE IT! Can’t wait to continue reading!
I think even just sweatpants and a cute t-shirt work when you have warm chocolate chip cookies. I really loved this post. It was so fun to read.
Hi Joy! I’m sure you don’t have time to read every single comment, but I just wanted to let you know that I ADORE your blog. You are so cute, and such an inspiration. This was such a darling post!! I’m a 16 year old college student who lives in New Mexico and I bake to keep myself from going crazy. I also love baking special things for the people I care about, it tends to make them smile, which in turn makes me smile. :)I made your Macaroons from your last post today for my (substitute) father because he had a bad day, and he told me they made him feel a million times better. Thank you so much for this amazing blog!! Never stop, you are incredible!!!
Thanks, Carolyn
I live with six girls, four of whom have boyfriends and one who umm, well she never sleeps at home, if you know what I mean. Every morning I wake up and make coffee for us. On weekends I make apple crisp (my grandma’s recipe but I will be sure to try yours– it looks scrumptious!) and a different kind of cookie. We all make dinner, eat together and watch something or go out for drinks but when we come back they all go into their rooms with their hunky super duper nice boyfriends and I go into mine and dream of baking and pies and the hunky super duper nice boy out there for me. Your post is inspiring but is there any way to do it in reverse? To make the baked goods and then get the man? Maybe I should post flyers…
You made me laugh – I was talking to this guy the other day about what I did on the weekend, and when I said I made cookies he asked me to bring one in – he absolutely loved it and asked if there were any more. He hasn’t asked me on a date, but I’m hoping more cookies will lure him in – but then I’ll be wondering whether he’s just in it for the food. :)
I’m so glad that after Joy’s hilarious and amazing post, the little insight into my life could get such a lovely response. Also, whether he’s in it just for the food or not is definitely a worry. I mean how can my personality compare with triple chocolate cupcakes with chocolate fudge frosting (my last boyfriend’s favorite). However my friends’ boyfriends have told me a guy will not talk to a girl unless he’s at least a little bit intrigued and asking for more baked goods…he’s definitely interested. Not that I’m an expert or anything but, I’m sure the cookies will do the trick, if he’s smart!
Brownies on a first date. Why didn’t I think of that? Love the post, love the blog! It improved a remarkably bad day.
You had me at “I’m a baker because cookies make me friends”… typed as I finished up the cupcakes that I’m taking to work in the morning. Mostly for a bunch of boys :)
OMG, have you met my husband? You nailed him with the bbq/choc chip cookie part. So true. And he does the dishes. I’m a lucky gal. :)
I love your post. I think if you brought those brownies on a first date the guy might propose right there. Well I have been waking up with the same boy in my bed for a long time now, a.k.a. my husband. Maybe, I should make him some of those pancakes.
i’ve read this post like 3 times today, i love it, i love all the recipes in it, i love the idea in it… in spain we say that you win a man by his stomach… how darn true
Love it! Thanks
I tried to woo with brownies a while ago. Unfortunately though, they had to be mailed overseas and the nasty people at the customs department REFUSED them and mailed them back to me. i don’t know who was more upset, him or me. LOL It wasn’t a typical box of “goodies”, that is for sure.
I am hoping one day to deliver them in person. That way I KNOW I will have made my way “in” and on my way to making pancakes soon after. LOL
okay first of all, i’m never much of a commenter to anything.. but i HAD to comment for this post! it’s adorable and reached out to me cause i agree with you on every bit. how do you think i got my boyfriend? peanut butter blossoms, snickerdoodles, and chocolate chip cookies, of course! :)
LOVE this post.
This post makes me so happy.
Oh, wait… this blog makes me so happy!
Thank you!
Oh my gosh, this post is cute and hilarious at the same time. It sums up the situations in life with boys we all have and people in their lives !! I love it.
Dear Joy,
I love you.
Sincerely,
Heather.
I’m new to your blog. And I have to say I’m addicted! Everyday I wonder what you’ll wriite today and everyday you put a smile on my face. Love, love, love today’s post ;)
looove this post. I read parts out loud to my husband, who is a non-sweet eater. I was suspicious while we were dating because this is not normal. Normal people would never have a family or friend get together without a dessert. His family does though, weird I tell ya.
OMG I just found your blog and I LOVE YOU! (ok, not THAT way, I am married and have two lil ones…not that you arent hot enough though!) you are so funny and cute it is actually a little bit painfull to read thru your blog! but painfull in a good way, no a GREAT way! thank you, cant wait to have your fun rambling emails rolling into my inbox! (ok, that sounded dirty, unintended sorry…lol!)
Jenn Post
ps, cant wait to attend one of your classes or events! love the On the Lamb page too!
You are just my favorite. This post was so splendid and hilarious.
You are a baking goddess.
Much love,
Brie
OH. By the way, Im am going on tour with a van full of boys… any suggestions as to what baking suits musicians and long van rides?
Again,
Much love,
Brie
Love it! You are my mentor. I’m gonna call you Obi-Wan.
As a boy who is easily swayed by baked goods, I must say that this entire post is entirely true, in its entirety.
Apple crisp? That’s a woman I’ll wash dishes for anytime.
Finishing with chocolate chip cookies nailed it.
I must say I never write comments.. don’t know why. This time however I just couldn’t resist! This post is so cute and sweet that it just made me smile all day (and send my best friends a link to it)
Oh, if i’m already here, let me add that i’ve been reading your blog for a while now and fell in love with it and with you! You are very special Joy. Thank you for sharing the love for life and baking.
“brownies attract quality men”
How I LOVE your sense of humor :) But you’re absolutely right!
I love this post! The truest (and funniest) words of woman wisdom.
Truly adorable.
I might go and bake some of those brownies for myself now…forget about the boys!
Danni
xxx
Great stuff once again. As a guy, I can totally relate to the Brownie treatment. It got me hook, line, and sinker!
This is one of my favorite posts I have ever read. And its so true! You made me laugh and smile, I am definitely saving this to re-read all the time!
Oh Joy ~ How you brought me so much “Joy” with this post :) Now I’m glad I asked you on twitter. The brownies look deslish and so does that strawberry cake, I’m allll over it :) Thanks again for takin the time to answer my post and with such class!
And here was me thinking the last blog I visited had a lot of people leaving comments. You, however, break that record.
I saw you mentioned at Jennifer’s Just Add Water and thought I’d drop by to say hello.
Nice to have met you, best wishes.
Love it!!!