Rosie Daykin - Butter Celebrates!: A Year of Sweet Recipes to Share with Family and Friends

Copyright 2015 Rosie Daykin
Photography copyright 2015 Janis Nicolay

All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication, reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or stored in a retrieval system without the prior written consent of the publisheror in the case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, license from the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agencyis an infringement of the copyright law.

Appetite by Random House is a registered trademark of Random House LLC.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication is available upon request.

Print ISBN: 978-0-449-01686-2
e-book ISBN: 978-0-449-01687-9

Cover design: Kelly Hill
Cover and author photograph: Janis Nicolay

Published in Canada by Appetite by Random House,
a division of Random House of Canada Limited,
a Penguin Random House Company

www.penguinrandomhouse.ca

v3.1

This book is dedicated to
Butters wonderful customers.
Thank you for including us in
your lives and celebrations.

When I set out to write this cookbook, the first thing I did was look up the definition of the word celebrate. Its always a good idea to get your facts straight. It read, To observe (a day or event) with ceremonies of respect, festivity or rejoicing. Oh dear. I think I might be busy that day and have to miss the celebration because it sure doesnt sound like much fun. I mean, they didnt even mention the baked goods! What kind of celebration could it be without baked goods?

Im not sure if Websters Dictionary is still taking submissions, but, Mr. Webster, if youre out there and you read this, might I suggest that you add a little something about family, friends, laughter, love, witty toasts, good music, general chaos and delicious food? Oh, and baked goods, lots and lots of baked goods.

When I really break down the idea of a celebration, I think it is about so much more than just a date on the calendar. To me it is like a little holiday from day-to-day life. Imagine were traveling on a train and, like life, that train is moving fast. But every so often something wonderful happens, the whistle blows and the train has to stop. It pulls into the station and lets us all off. Maybe the station is called Halloween or Mothers Day or First Day of Summer. It doesnt matter. Weve got time to explore. The next train wont be by for at least 24 hours.

I know many holidays and special events can be stressful as we wade our way through the madness of life, but theres that moment when we gather, whether we are a group or a pair, that all the duties and expectations of daily life fall away. Who cares about deadlines and carpools when the turkey needs to be carved? The laundry can wait until tomorrow, for today there is cake to be sliced. The train will get us back in time. For now, lets just enjoy. We may have to wait a whole year to share this moment again or we may only get the chance to share it once. This is what makes it special; this is what sets it apart.

I remember the day it really hit home for me what an important and privileged role Butter plays in so many peoples lives and celebrations. The moment when I stopped and realized this thing called Butter was a little bigger than me and my mad desire to bake. It was Thanksgiving 2007. Having only opened the month prior, this was our first big holiday and I was more than a little nervous. I had barely gotten my sea legs and was just trying to keep my balance while I learned how to run a bakery. Thanksgiving weekend was fast approaching and the pumpkin pie orders were piling up. I stayed up most of the night, determined to get the job done. I was so engrossed in my task, I couldnt think beyond the moment those pies would leave the shop. As the day rolled on and our customers arrived to pick up their orders, I had an epiphany. A pumpkin pie epiphany. The first of its kind, Im sure. I pictured all those people having just finished a big turkey dinner but knowingly saving room for just a little dessert. I could hear the chatter, the arguments, the bad jokes and the laughter. I could see the piles of dirty dishes painted with remnants of cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes, candles burning low and just a few gravy drippings on the good tablecloth. All over the city, families would be eating pie from Butter! Suddenly I saw myself as a guest at so many tables. They took a chance on a new little bakery and invited me into their homes and for this I will always be grateful.