Christmas Countdown Day 26: Plan Holiday Baking!
Holiday baking. For many of us, kitchen creations are integral to the holiday spirit. We love the feeling of family connection as we tuck pie crust into grandmother's pie dish, or when we follow a candy recipe written in a great-grandmother's spidery hand.
But when is enough enough? Under the influence of Christmas magazines and You-Know-Which Domestic Dominatrix, grandmother Mim's simple plate of pralines has exploded into six kinds of cookies, four kinds of candies and some powdered cocoa mix for good measure. Like other areas of holiday prep, expectations for holiday baking have exploded in the last generation or two--and just when we're struggling with increasing time pressure and stricter diets.
Holiday baking should be a pleasure, not a chore. Think smaller and simpler when planning holiday baking. Double up on drop cookies, and forget the tedious rolled-and-cut out creations. Opt for no-cook candies instead of hard-to-beat fudge. Replace elaborate cookie trays with mini-loaves of tea bread, or go whole hog and buy your Christmas goodies from your local baker.
You'll spare your teeth. You'll spare your waistline. Most of all, you'll give yourself the truest of all Christmas gifts: time and energy to experience the joy of the season. Dare to downsize!
to do today ... plan holiday baking
Start planning holiday baking with the Baking Planner Form, and be alert for supermarket specials. Try to buy nonperishable holiday foods this week and next week for all upcoming holiday meals.
to print today ...
Baking Planner
to read today ...
Help for holiday baking: a six-day assembly line plan from cookbook author, Mimi Cummings:
Hassle-Free Holiday Baking: 6 Easy Days to Perfect Christmas Cookies
today's recipe ...
Recycle holiday meal leftovers into freezer entrees for busy nights. This hearty dish makes good use of leftover ham.
