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I used to work in a bakery.

Actually, I worked in two, simultaneously: one franchise and one local. Working at the local bakery was awful (you can read all about it here, if you like). I would only do it again, if: 1) I owned the bakery, or 2) see #1.

It wasn’t all for naught. I really learned a lot (forgive my faux rhyming skills).

Just a few lessons I learned while working at the franchise bakery

1) First impressions are a real thing. Don’t be that person who didn’t immediately wash her dishes the first time around. The stigma will stick and spread like wildfire. Further attempts to be a fastidious dishwasher will be unanimously ignored.

2) Always wear the long oven mitts. Burning you forearm on a super hot baking sheet may be a rite of passage, but that shit hurts…and bulbous scar tissue is about as sexy as an adult wearing a onesie.

3) Quality is key. I don’t care if your business is “circling the drain”, baking with imitation vanilla is not only gross, it’s deceitful. Plus, if you do, you will lose the respect of your employees which is just almost as important as the quality of your product.

Perhaps, my experience would’ve been pleasant if baking orange chocolate chip shortbread were part of my duties. This shortbread is simple, but heightened by the addition of orange zest.

To obtain the most flavor from the orange zest you must grind it with the sugar, until it’s moist and fragrant.  The result is a light, crispy cookie with a smooth, citrus finish. It pairs nicely with your afternoon tea or have it alone, as a bedtime snack.

And if you break one or two, don’t worry about it. I promise they’ll still be just as good.

 

Recipe for Orange Chocolate Chip Shortbread

Recipe for Orange Chocolate Shortbread slightly adapted from Shop Girl which she adapted from Ina Garten.