Making Memories one cookie at at a time

I admit, I’m not much of a baker. I like the idea of baking, but once somebody calls it a science (I definitely lean toward the artsy side of the brain) I feel overwhelmed by the whole thing. Just when I consider making a run for the nearest bakery for a pre-made option, though, I remember my childhood baking experiences.

I remember the smell of cinnamon and sugar filling the house for a week before Christmas. Every day of Christmas break created new anticipation for the big day itself. One day we would make rolls and bread, one day we made muffins and sweetbreads, and one day (the best day) we spent making Christmas cookies.

We’d roll out dough and choose cookie cutters shaped like stars and candy canes, then decorate them with sugar and sprinkles. I got to place cookies carefully on a baking sheet, and playfully tell my dad to stop stealing them off the rack before they’d cooled.

There’s something magical about baking as a family. Sure, there are easier ways to get your holiday carbs in, and your cookies might not be perfect like the ones from the local bakery. But your kids will remember, like I do, how you taught them to measure and sift, how you mixed dough, and how you enjoyed fresh-baked cookies together during Christmas break. Let’s put some art back into the science of baking, and enjoy making these treats with your family.