What's Baking Challenge - Try Something New for the New Year

So I skipped out on our challenge for December because of the holiday craziness and I was really excited about doing our January challenge.  Jen, from Beantown Baker, was the host for the month and and wanted to encourage us to try something new, so she chose the theme of "Try Something New for the New Year" where we would, literally, try something new!  It could be a new ingredient, a new technique, a new recipe, etc.

Well, peeps, I'm sorry to say that "Trying Something New for the New Year" turned into a BAKING FAIL!!!  I set out to make Cinnamon Spritzes....I've had the recipe for a long time and have been wanting to make them even longer but I don't own a cookie press.  But I had found another recipe to make them using a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip to pipe the cookies instead....genius!  Well, not so much!  I don't know what happened, but I could not get the darn things to pipe for the life of me!  They were waayyy too thick and certainly did not come out like the picture I had!  So, once again, I was not able to participate (but not for a lack of trying)!

But I will definitely be back for the next one; it's a special month since I've been chosen to host it!  The theme for February is "Baked with Love"....I have asked everyone to bake something worthy of being on a Valentine's menu!  I'm excited to see what everyone comes up with; there is a lot of versatility with this one and can't wait to see what turns up (maybe some fun appetizers, tasty breads, a decadent entree or a sweet treat)!

But in the meantime, definitely check out what everyone else made for January......

Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread

 Source: Carrie's Sweet Life 

 

Cheese Souffle

 Source: Pursuing Domestic Goddess-ness

Pistachio Cake

Source: The Tiny Tyrant's Kitchen

Coconut Madeleines

  Source: The Boys Made Me Do it!

Gluten-Free Breadsticks

Source: Our Share of the Harvest

Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Source: Brownies and Blondies

Warm Apple Bread Pudding

  Source: The Mess Pot

Cinnamon Chip Bread

Source: The Jey of Cooking

Cinnamon Rolls

Source: Cloud 8 1/2

Cranberry Orange Scones

 Source: Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

Mini-Whole Wheat Bagels

Source: Beantown Baker