Cooking up memories, the joy of baking with my granddaughter. The holiday season at our house has its traditions. Traditions that were made with my grandma and now with my granddaughter. We started baking our holiday goodies when she was three she is now fifteen, and Grandma has almost become obsolete. It doesn’t matter how old they are they always need you in some way.
Why Cooking Together Matters
There is so much more to us cooking together than just cooking. It’s about building memories, as I had with my grandma. While baking Maddie learns about every family member’s favorite and why it’s so special to us. She even made individual goodie bags for the teachers at her elementary school. Her favorite teacher was made to feel special, with the peanut brittle she loved. Plus, it’s a great way for her to pick up skills like following instructions and being very patient. She has so much patience when it comes to baking. We both like to try new recipes for the holiday season which is an adventure. It’s amazing conversations and stories from the past, it is what both she and I enjoy.
Building a Strong Connection
When we started baking Maddie wasn’t even tall enough to see the counter. She would get the chair and stand on it to mix, which was an adventure. She made the biggest mess and we just laughed. It wasn’t about the mess or the measuring it was about learning and the experience. Each year it was less than the last with the mess, measurements were correctly done and our recipes became more complex. As the years went by we went from just cookies and me making peanut brittle to fudges, candies, specialty cookies, peanut butter balls, and even little popcorn balls. With her also doing the more complex recipes.
Exploring New Recipes
We always decide on the recipes together, from my cookbooks or cookbooks that were my grandma’s, or looking at recipes on the internet. Sometimes we take an old recipe and put a modern twist on it, sometimes it was a success, and sometimes not so great. But that never stops us from trying.
Getting Things Done in the Kitchen
In the kitchen, Maddie learned so much more than baking, she learned to organize and be prepared. I taught her the importance of cleaning as we go, and now it’s second nature to her. I taught her to check all the ingredients to make sure we had it or had enough. Planning our shopping was often a learning experience, after careful planning, we would head to the grocery store, which is always an adventure. We bring out all our old and new cookware, but for some reason, we never have enough pans.
Embracing Mistakes and Learning
In our kitchen, it’s okay to make mistakes. Every spilled ingredient and the over-cooked cookie is a lesson learned and a memory made. With each year that passes, her skills improve, but it’s the laughter and time spent together that matters the most.
Creating Memories That Last
The memories we’ve made in the kitchen are priceless. They’re not just about the food; they are about the moments we’ve shared. As I grow older I know that she will cherish these memories. I still remember being in the kitchen with Grandma, and I’m so glad I have them. These simple moments are what family is all about—the love and laughter that make life sweet.
In the end, it’s not just about cooking; it’s about spending time together and creating memories that will last a lifetime. So, let’s put on our aprons, gather our ingredients, and make more memories together.
Our Favorite Receipes
Almond Cookies–2 1/4 c of flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 egg, 1 tsp (we always add more), 1 cup butter softened 1/2 c sugar. cook at 400 for 8 to 10 minutes. Can put in a cookie press or roll out and cut with cookie cutters or make regular-shaped cookies. makes about 5 dozen (but not for us we like them bigger).
Divinity–Heat 2 2/3 c sugar, 2/3 c light corn syrup, and 1/2 cup water over low heat sitting all the time until sugar is dissolved. Do not stir until 260 F on a candy thermometer or very cold water to form a hard ball when some are dropped. Remove from heat. Meanwhile beat 2 egg whites until stiff peaks form, continue beating pour slowly into egg whites, and add 1 tsp of vanilla, then beat until it becomes dull. This will take a while depending on your mixer, don’t think you did anything wrong just be patient. then add 2/3 c of broken nuts. Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper and let dry.
Zucchini Bread– Mix 2/3 c shortening or butter (we use applesauce) and 2 2/3 c sugar, mix well in a mixer add 2/3 c water and 4 eggs, mix then add the dry ingredients. 1 tsp cloves, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp baking soda, and 1 1/2 tsp salt into 3 1/3 c flour mix together the mixture will be thick. then add 3 cups shredded zucchini and 1 tsp ground cloves with 2 tsp vanilla. Heat oven to 350 and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. This will make 2 large loaf pans or three smaller ones, we use the little individual ones or muffin pans.