Love and Sugar
There’s something happening in my email inbox. I’ve gotten lots… and I mean LOTS of emails from you about what to bake for boys.
Boys in the dorm room down the hall from you, boys that you work with, boys that live far away from you, boys boys boys.
You people are crushin’ hard. I like this. I say thumbs-up. I say dive in, head first!… as long as you’re not diving into the shallow end, and you’ve waited an hour after eating, and you’re wearing your floaties… other than that… dive in!
Or just slip n slide it… but go for it. It’s Spring, why not love somebody!?
You come to me with your boy and baking questions… you know I’m no expert, right? I mean… clearly. I’ve addressed this issue before, but I think it’s worth revisiting. I’d like to answer all of you boy/baking questions in one fell swoop (I love that expression. It makes me feel like Braveheart… but prettier).
Ship these Oatmeal Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies to a boy that you like that’s far away. Cool these cookies completely. Wrap in plastic wrap. Place in a zip lock bag and package in a shoe box (scratch off the shoe size if you have gigantic feel like I do). Stuff with tissue and other packing supplies. Include note that says something to the effect of: hey. obviously I like you… like a lot. I baked you cookies and shipped them to you in a box that I decorated with crayon-drawn hearts. Ask me on a proper date. Like a gentleman. Please bring flowers. Love, (your name)
For a boy that you work with… brownies.
Add peanut butter and pretzels. That boy will think you’re a genius. If he doesn’t, he’s a nutcase and you should stand clear. In the very least, your boss will probably love them and give you all the days off you’ve requested. True fact.
Boys in school probably want something that their mama used to make. What do you think about this apple crisp? Too much? How do you show up at a boy’s doorstep with a tray of apple crisp? That might be awkward.
Maybe you should stick with banana bread. Wrap it up nice. A little bow doesn’t hurt. Don’t tell him it’s vegan. That’s none of his dang business… unless he’s actually a vegan, then he’ll probably want to make-out with you. No biggie.
Lunch date? Hm… is he too cheap to buy dinner? Chocolate chip cookies.
… and there’s nothing wrong with a lunch date, unless the guy is a jerk… then there’s everything wrong with a lunch date.
Dinner date? That’s more like it. Brown Butter Blueberry Muffins. He can have them the next morning for breakfast. It’s a nice touch. Do not, however, offer to spend the night and share your breakfast gift. Not classy. Keep it (classy).
He’ll think of you the next morning… and he will text. He’ll also tell his mom about you. I promise.
A boy wants to bake with you!? Holy cow. He must like you. Or he’s a pastry chef and he wants to show off… which also means that he must like you. Make doughnuts. Make something with yeast. You’ll both get your hands dirty, you’ll have time to chat while the dough rises, you’ll see how he deals with stress. If he protects you from hot frying oil… that’s a nice touch. And if the doughnuts totally fail (which they won’t because he’s a secret pastry chef), then you can just shrug your shoulders and go out for french fries.
Yea… I’ve got it all planned out for you.
Want to make him fall in love with you? Careful with this one…. don’t go throwing these dishes around.
Shrimp and Grits. Cheddar Black Pepper Biscuits. Biscuit Pot Pie.
This is boy food. Careful. They won’t even know what hit em.
Now go put some love and sugar in the world. Knock em dead.
I love you.
Love,
Joy
I read your blog all the time (like for years) but I have never left a comment before! That said, I LOVE this, I’ve often thought that if I could just carry around a plate of cookies, or brownies, or anything delicious I would already be married. But i’m in no hurry :)
thanks for finally leaving a comment! i don’t mind the silent readers at all… but it’s nice to hear from you!
Aww these suggestions are so cute. I have a few of these bookmarked already!
get baking!
I LOVE this post!!! This makes me want to work hard to woo my husband all over again:) And I have no idea why I haven’t seen those oatmeal pecan chocolate chip cookies before!! I need to make those immediately!
sweet sweet!
Aww, what a perfect post! My boo and I love to cook and bake together, but he’s gone for three months doing reforestation work and my kitchen’s feeling very empty. Shipping some oatmeal cookies sounds perfect–he loves my recipe with citrus zest, dried cranberries, chopped almonds, and white chocolate chips.
I used to bake chocolate chip cookies for my now husband while we were dating. We were on the quest for the the perfectly chewy, slightly crispy edged but not cakey chocolate chip cookie. I think we tried every variation that there was. I’m not sure we ever found the perfect cookie, but we did find a diamond ring, wedding, and now a baby on the search. :o)
love!
Oooh, new post! Goodie! I’m baking right now, actually, so I’d better not get butter or flour in my keyboard. I’m lucky enough to have a boyfriend, and he loves it when I bake or cook – he’s very pleased and impressed whenever I whip anything up, really. There is a Norwegian saying which goes something like “the way to a man’s heart goes through his tummy”, and if that makes sense at all in English, I’d like to say that I think there’s some truth to it. Those cheese and pepper biscuits look perfect for a picnic! Thanks, Joy! You’re the best!
“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” is also common here in the US. Only in my relationship, it’s more true for me than my husband! : )
As I was scrolling through your post, my husband saw the peanut butter pretzel brownies and said “YUM!” I think those will have to be made soon in my house!
Love your blog!
lucky husband!
You make me smile. Muchly. I think my boy would love and appreciate everything on this page :)
Oh Joy you have really done it now! They will be lining up at the doorstep in no time! Have a LOVELY weekend!
Wins them over every time. Chocolate chip cookies and brownies are fail safe! Cute post, Joy!
Brilliant! The amazing guys in my life would scarf everything on this page down in a heartbeat (come to think of it, so would I, yes, yes I would do that…not all at once, of course). You have a way for words, Ms. Joy! :D This was a fantabulous post.
Interesting. Would love to see a post on what a girl would like to receive
i like the way you think!
Joy, your posts are so cute. You are so cute :D
I made my boy the biscuit pot pie and there was love to be had (only, we haven’t said the L word yet, but there was LOVE present I tell you). He loved it in any case, and we both had full, happy stomachs.
hahaa!! this is genuinely incredible – when I do find THAT boy, I’ll sure as hell be making him choc chip cookies, and he will fall in love with me damnit! x