The first few times you make these cakes, use them as a practice in remaining present. Bake the full moon cake two to three times before moving on to the other cakes. You may forgo the timer and the notepad once you learn the rhythm, but perhaps you will enjoy it, bringing the ritual of goal setting and journal writing with you into your baking.
This is the practice I suggest:
Pull all ingredients ahead of time and group them together.
Pull any tools you’ll need and set them in place.
Read the whole recipe start to finish.
Make the Full Moon Cake first, before any other.
Incorporate all ingredients quickly and efficiently.
While it’s baking, sit next to your oven with a clock, a pen, and a notepad.
Do not open the oven door for the first twenty minutes of baking.
Make notes when the cake becomes golden brown and pulls away slightly from the edges, when the smells of the cake change, and to describe how it’s baking in your pan.
Take the time to do some deep breathing and reflect on your recent days.
Poke the center of the cake with a knife. When it comes out clean, make a note of the time and pull the cake from the oven.