The Cornerstone December Issue | Page 33

ENTERTAINMENT HAPPY HOLIDAY BAKING December 2016 Reasons and Recipes to Get You Started BY JILLIAN ASH I remember my first time baking during the holidays. I tried to guess what Santa’s favorite cookie was and thought that would influence him to get me the bike I wanted so badly. The only thing I was good at in the kitchen was eating the cookie dough and telling myself that salmonella was a lie made up by the Grinch to stop kids from being happy. inexpensive cooking classes that are specific for baking during the holidays. Eat Street Culinary is a series of classes located in Anaheim that are open to the public. I have never personally tried a cooking class there, but a few people in my family tried the “Christmas Desserts for the Holidays” class, which consists of making gingerbread cakes and different types of festive cookies. My grandma met some of her closest friends in this cooking class, and they attend it annually. As I got older, I realized that there was way more to baking than making food and having to clean up a ginormous mess. Baking is a key part of a lot of people’s holiday traditions. Getting into the kitchen with family or friends and whipping up classic treats or exotic new ones is an effective way to spread holiday cheer. Take a Deep Breath. Nothing can be rushed while in the kitchen. Baking can be relaxing and it shows us that is important to slow down and savor the moment, especially during the already hectic season. When someone tries to make shortcuts or guess measurements in cooking, things go wrong. Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone. This simple activity is also a festive way to get to know more people. Baking doesn’t always have to be done in your own kitchen. There are many Make a Necessity Amusing. Everyone loves food. No matter who you are, I know that you WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO BAKE OVER THE HOLIDAYS? Caroline Schaffer Benjamin Cunningham Junior Sophomore “I like to bake gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies so I can decorate them.” “My mom likes to bake these chocolate cookies with powdered sugar. ” !33