Co-workers benefit from her many baking projects
Paula Waldoch of Milwaukee is no stranger to the Holiday Cookie Contest. She had two runner-up cookies last year, and at least one other recipe of hers has been included in our contest collections. This year her Coconut Lime Layer Bars placed fourth overall and won the Tropical Christmas category.
Question: Tell me how you came up with your winning cookie.
Answer: I love coconut! When I saw the Tropical Christmas category I knew that coconut was going to be the main ingredient. I just didn’t know what I was going to pair it with…chocolate, pineapple, mango. The song “Coconut” kept swirling in the mind…”she put the lime in the coconut.”
Q: What do you think makes it so special?
A: The simplicity of the recipe paired with abundance of coconut and lime. I really liked how the lime curd worked and formed a distinct layer.
Q: Is there any trick to making it?
A: Follow the recipe, but take your time with the layering of the lime curd and coconut layer. Be sure not to damage the crust layer. Stirring up the lime curd before using makes it easier to spread.
Q: Do you do a lot of baking? What are your specialties?
A: I try to bake every week. My coworkers have gotten used to some sort of indulgence on Monday mornings.
I will usually bring a dessert for family functions and potlucks or parties. A favorite is my Peanut Butter and Jelly Crumb bars, which was my first blue ribbon winner. My Bourbon Indulgences (bourbon balls) are a frequent request for the holidays.
Q: Who taught you to bake/or, how did you learn?
A: My mom is a big influence when it comes to baking. (I come) from a large family (six siblings); (and) my mom frequently filled the cookie jar with homemade cookies. Cakes were a frequent dessert in our household.
The kitchen is my Mom’s domain, though, so all of us learned on our own, with Mom as a good resource.
Q: How many kinds of cookies do you make at the holidays, and do you keep them for parties and family gatherings, do you give them as gifts — or both?
A: I frequently make 10 to 20 different kinds of holiday treats. This not only includes cookies but also fudge, brittle, bark, candied pecans or bourbon balls, etc. Family and friend gatherings include a platter or container of treats given as gifts.
I have a tendency to bake wa-a-ay too many cookies for the holidays. Since I work several blocks from the Rescue Mission downtown, I like to deliver a platter or two as it gets closer to the holidays
Q: Do you enter a lot of recipe/ cooking contests?
A: I started entering baked goods with the Wisconsin State Fair in 2013. I started that year with a 4th-place pink ribbon with a mocha brownie entry. I was hooked! I focus on the cookies, bars, brownie, muffins and quick breads. To date, I have received 21 ribbons.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: From time to time someone will ask about opening a bakery or business. My dream would be either opening a bed and breakfast or providing treats or baked goods for a bed and breakfast