For some strange reason, the holiday season gives everyone an open chance to play with their food. Whether it’s a ginger bread house, or a candy landscape, or a cookie Christmas tree, it’s okay to get in and get sticky.
Every year I promise myself that my kids and I will make a ginger bread house. I have visions of ginger bread mansions dancing in my head. But we already make our Christmas cards AND we already make goodie plates for everyone in the family and in the neighborhood. It just seems that time always runs out.
Traditions are important, especially when it comes to holidays. I think it’s amazing that families take the time to share the food adventure that comes with building some of these great, sweet masterpieces. I’m beginning to think that maybe it’s not just about playing with your food that makes these buildings so great.
This year doesn’t look like it will be our year for Christmas, but who knows what the other holidays will bring. We may just make a gingerbread turkey or a ginger bread Easter basket. There is no reason one holiday should get all of the food playing fun over all those other great holiday seasons.
There is something about baking cookies that makes a home inviting and pulls a family together. Every Christmas, my children and I gather in the kitchen for two days of nothing but cookies. All the meals are leftovers and eaten off paper plates. We don’t won’t to make any more mess than the cookies will make.
Each of us has that one cookie that makes Christmas complete, but we are still always looking for new recipes or a twist on an old favorite. During the holidays, the magazines are always packed with new options or fun varieties.
Although I would venture to say that my twist on the chocolate chip cookie (using real milk chocolate AND white chocolate chips) is by far the best variety I’ve ever had, I still look over the ingredients and prep of new recipes to see if it stands a chance.
The great thing about trying a variety of recipes for the same cookie is that the kids learn how one ingredient can make the whole thing taste different. I’m training up bakers in this house. I want them to be able to make up their own recipes (someone in this family has to win the Pillsbury Bake Off).
The holidays aren’t too far away. If you have a favorite cookie recipe that you think would make a great addition to our Christmas tradition, please pass it on. We’ll give the new recipes a try and let you know how it comes out.