Xopher in the kitchen baking macaron stuffed cookies and pie stuffed cookies for UniCookies orders.
Hi, I’m Xopher. And let me start by saying this: I do not bake. Not that I can’t bake, but it’s just not something I ever signed up for. My wife, Stevie, she’s the real cookie artist behind UniCookies. She’s a master in the kitchen, but this story isn't about her—it’s about how I found myself up at 2 AM, apron on, baking 75 macaron-stuffed cookies. No, pie-stuffed cookies! Spoiler: it wasn’t by choice.

The Great Vacation Underestimation

It all started when Stevie decided to take a much-deserved vacation. We thought we had everything covered for her time away—ingredients stocked, orders accounted for, and everything running smoothly. But it turns out, we severely underestimated how many cookie orders would roll in. With the business growing, someone had to step in to bake, package, and ship these cookies. And that someone...I was looking for them. I texted my wife and told her to turn the plane around. She couldn't so it was me.

Grocery Hunt: The Pre-Baking Adventure

I figured, "How hard could it be?" After all, I’ve seen Stevie do it hundreds of times. So I grabbed the list of ingredients, and off I went on a grocery hunt. (Btw I hate grocery shopping!) Navigating the aisles, I was in way over my head. (As always.) Who knew there were so many different types of flour? After a couple of phone calls to Stevie (which I’m sure she enjoyed from her Latin getaway), I finally gathered everything and headed home to start the real challenge.

The Midnight Baking Saga

The clock struck 8 PM, and I was just getting started. Armed with Stevie’s step-by-step instructions—sent via text, with an added phone call for clarification—I set out to bake 25 of our Pecan Pie cookies, the Southern Belle; 25 Peach Cobbler cookies, dubbed Peach-liscious; and 25 of our Apple Pie creation, Appy Daze.

Now, I’m a man of many talents, but baking? Let’s just say it’s not my chosen patience. Stevie insisted I send her photographic proof every step of the way. “Pre-baking photo?” Check. “Post-baking shot?” Check. “Decoration close-ups?” Check again.

Each batch of 25 cookies felt like running a marathon, and I wasn’t even halfway through. The Southern Belles needed to be pecan-packed and buttery. The Peach-liscious? Sweet and cinnamon-y with just the right amount of peach. And Appy Daze? Don’t even get me started on those—making them look “rustic but not messy” was an art form that left me in a daze.

The Post Office Run

Before I even began baking, I had to drop off four packages at the post office—no small feat when you're rushing to get everything done. I packed the orders into my car, which quickly turned into a cookie-crumbed disaster zone, knowing I’d be dealing with the mess later. With the clock ticking, I hit the gas and barely made it to the post office with 10 minutes to spare. I’m pretty sure the staff is starting to wonder what's in those party-striped boxes. 

via GIPHY

 

The Final Hour

Back home, the kitchen was spotless, but I still had some packaging left. By 2 AM, the last cookie was sealed and ready. I sent one final photo to Stevie as proof: my baking mission was complete.

Her response? "Good job, Xopher. You might just have to take over kitchen duties from now on."

A Sweet Success (And a Kitchen Takeover)

In the end, the cookies were done, the orders were fulfilled, and Stevie got her vacation without a single complaint about the quality of my work (well, maybe one or two decorating issues, but who’s counting?).

Did I learn anything from this experience? Yes: Baking 75 cookies at 2 AM is no joke, and Stevie is truly the queen of the kitchen. But at least I know that if the situation ever arises again, I'll be on vacation.

Lohv, if you're reading this, "Leave the business of the business to me! Leave that kitchen to you! Love ya." - Xo

QUESTION

What has been your baking accomplishment?
A feat in life that you felt underprepared for yet saw it through.

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DAY IN THE LIFE