Makin' Dough.

As a child, I was obsessed with creating cookies and other baked goods. The passion continues to this day - I've actually somewhat seriously entertained the idea of becoming a full-time baker, but when I discovered I needed to be up at 2 or 3 in the morning in order to do so I quickly retreated to my puny little mixer and spatula in my compact apartment kitchen, condemning that plan to the realm of fantasy.

So, when I got the opportunity to photograph behind the scenes at a bakery up in De Pere, Wis. a couple of weeks ago (at a reasonable hour, of course!), I jumped at it. The employees were absolutely wonderful about having a foodie/slightly-clumsy photographer in their inner sanctum as they were pouring, sifting and mixing up a frenzy.

Enjoy, and try not to drool too much. :)

P.S. - Yes, all of the baked goods pictured below taste as good as they look!