once we head into november it seems like we all begin spending much more time in the kitchen. as the weather cools, our thoughts turn to cooking up warming homemade soups and hearty baked bread. holiday dinners are on the horizon, and cookie-making is upon us, too. i’m honestly a much better cook than i am a baker (all that science!), but i can pull off a few cookie recipes, and one in particular that my mum passed on to me from her mother. it’s her shortbread cookies, and i even have her recipe box with the original handwritten recipe card, faded and splotched with all the ingredients that go into this melt-in-your-mouth shortbread. i’ve given my version an update — once they come out of the oven, i add a tiny bit of broken chocolate and a sprinkle of maldon sea salt — a fun, modern twist on the traditional family recipe if I do say so myself, and quite addicting. grab a glass of milk and go!

i like to get together with a friend or two every year, get our cutest aprons on, and have a bit of a cookie bake-off — perfect for gifting and holiday party hostess gifts. i thought i’d round up a few of my favorite cooking and baking accouterment for you since that season is impending, and i like to get the kitchen cleaned up and organized for fall cooking — check what spices i might be missing, add some vessels like weck jars for storing (and giving) small baked goods, and perhaps add a few new cookie-cutters and baking tins. i hope this gets you in the mood for some cozy holiday baking. and for some delicious holiday recipe ideas, you might like to check out a few other substackers: julia turshen’s keep calm & cook on, edible living by sarah copeland and the bittman project from mark bittman.

clockwise, l to r: wood-handled measuring cups set of 8 from inside style co. on etsy; terrain plaid stoneware measuring cups; my mum’s recipe box; kohl’s nordic ware brilliance bundt pan; how to organize your baking pantry by emma duckworth bakes; anthropologie coppermill kitchen vintage-inspired measuring cups set; terrain marble & glass serving cloche; anthropologie old havana pie dish; williams sonoma bread baker’s dream 4-piece set; nordic ware gold nonstick baking sheet sets from food52; gold goddess flour sifter from pepper and vetiver; tea drawer via heather bullard; anthropologie cottage egg crate; the future kept wildflower linen tea towel; chase vintage french reclaimed breadboards; h & m linen-blend black apron; anthropologie coppermill kitchen vintage-inspired cake pan.

clockwise, l to r: rustic kitchen from the book the scandinavian home: interiors connected goods brass mixing bowls; crate & barrel berry garcia colander by leanne ford; gold goddess whisk from pepper and vetiver; weck mold jar set from terrain; anthropologie connected goods wild olive wood pestle and mortar; anthropologie trudy apron; anthropologie farmhouse pottery traditional ash rolling pins; modern minimalist pantry and organization labels from the dwelling company; cb2 keep it exact walnut wood measuring spoons; lulu & georgia baker's dozen assorted wood spoons; le creuset stoneware shallow square covered baking dish; anthropologie connected goods wild olive wood sugar spoon set; anthropologie forest floor cake stand; elsie green re-tinned copper pots; le creuset craft series utensil set; elsie green round stoneware baker; anthropologie snowy day cookie cutter set; h & m black & white striped apron.

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