Holiday Baking Time

I know I am about a month early…but, if you are like me and you wait until holiday baking time, you might not have all of the equipment or tools needed to prepare holiday recipes.

Does that happen to you? If so, just sit right here with me. OR, begin planning with me today, won’t you?

Holiday Baking

What does that mean to you?

Is it a special day where family members or friends gather to bake all of the seasonal goodies? Cookies, bars, fudge, treats, gifts? With family members planted literally across the nation from Alaska to Florida…or others with busy schedules, I miss having that luxury.

I DO always have a planned baking date with me niece and great nieces and nephews each year. Treasured laughter, interaction and a house full are always the BEST.

Planning for Equipment and Tools needed begins…

First, everything I need for each recipe begins. So, make a list of recipes that you want to make this year for holiday baking.

Tiny Gingerbread Houses

For those tiny gingerbread houses we make we try and do something different with them each year.

From adding to mugs, Christmas place settings, Christmas ornaments and even added to Dollar Tree Jars…they are the perfect addition to the kitchen decorating.

Kids make the gingerbread, roll out and cut the dough and add them to baking sheets (with sides so they don’t slide off easily) and then put them together and decorate after they cool.

So, what does this recipe need? Planning ahead so that everything is ready is important…stress removed!

• measuring cups/spoons
• mixer
• parchment paper
• rolling pin
• tiny gingerbread house cookie cutters
• baking sheets with sides
• potholders
• cooling racks
• piping bags
• tips for icing
• decorations- sprinkles
• paper plates to use to set houses while building
• things to use for finished houses – mugs or covered jars

Here are a few items that I need to make these. Although I have an Ankarsrum mixer for my bread…my Kitchen Aid is ALWAYS my go to for smaller batters, doughs, and canning. So many great attachments that make great gift ideas for those who love to cook, too.

Cookies

Most of us have favorite cookies that we make for Christmas each year. Molasses cookies HAVE to be made here. My daughter in law began this tradition and it’s for certain a favorite.

In addition to items already listed, these are items needed for these cookies:

• a great scoop
• tins for storing cookies

Rolled Cookies

We love a great rolled cookie here…especially a great sugar cookie. Those often require seasonal cookie cutters. Here’s what’s is needed for these in addition to some of the items already shared:

• cookie cutters

Nuts & Bolts Party Mix

Among the list of holiday baking is the family recipe for nuts and bolts party mix. A huge roasting pan passed down from my mother in law is always used for this recipe. If you make a party mix, this may be perfect for you to use to make it this year.

Then there’s the famous glass cookie jar that has been filled each year with this mix for decades.

Holiday Baking for Thanksgiving

Now, if we prepare for holiday baking, we need favorite Thanksgiving recipes.

My menu for Thanksgiving is complete, so thinking through what I need for each recipe and how to serve is how this list helps. Here are a few of my favorites on the blog that are a part of my Thanksgiving menu.

If these sound good to you, simply click on them to see what I use for each of these:

• hash brown potato casserole
• green bean bundles
• dressing
• cranberry orange relish
• buttermilk pecan pie

Even if you do nothing other than make your menu, create a shopping list and buy ingredients ahead if you can, you have helped ease the holiday rush.

Think ahead…

That’s what I’d love to emphasize today.

Think ahead.

Create your menu. Make your shopping list. Buy ingredients ahead if you can for nonperishable things.

Look over what tools and equipment you need for each recipe on that menu.

Plan your schedule after your menu.

This year I have a whole crew of nieces, nephews, and spouses along with kids that will be helping with prep cooking on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Doesn’t that sound fun?

I have already decided what I have to prepare on Monday and Tuesday to make Wednesday ready.

• prep turkey.
• bake bread for the dressing.
• make the orange cranberry relish.

Organization of what things to make with the family on Wednesday goes much easier when I plan ahead…here’s an example.

• Make and refrigerate hash brown casserole.
• Prepare green bean bundles and add to fridge.
• Bake pies.
• Put dressing together and add to the refrigerator.
• Hard boil eggs and make deviled eggs and add to the fridge.
• Add unbaked corn casserole to fridge.
• Bake sweet potatoes for sweet potato biscuits and orange sweet potatoes.
• Hollow out oranges and create sweet potato mixture for orange sweet potatoes.
• Make apple cake.
• Dry out turkey for grilling on Thursday.

See what I mean?

This eliminates SOOO much stress in having a great planning process—

Menu made; equipment & tools needed; grocery list complete; time schedule created.

Nobody needs more stress because of a lack of preparation ahead of time.

Which brings me to the last thing to create memorable moments with feet under your table.

Thoughts about serving…

Yep. Think ahead of time…

How many people will have their feet under your table? Do you have enough dishes, silverware, glasses, napkins?

You may be on team paper and plastic for holidays…but, I’m on team real deal dishes, clothes napkins and glasses here. Linens, candlelight, low centerpieces to have conversation over…yep, I’m on that team! Not stuffy, just special.

You know what? Conversation during clean up happens here. Someone always pushes me out of the way to load the dishwasher, add leftovers to smaller containers and add to the fridge.

There’s always plenty of to go containers and storage bags to send abundance back home for guests to share the bounty of leftovers. Whole pies may leave, extra rolls (ziplock bags needed), and containers of all the sides will leave to be enjoyed by all of them. Plan for that, too, on your list.

Why serve by buffet?

Because our house has had as many as 40 for a holiday meal, a buffet just makes better sense. That leaves room at the table for guests, place settings, and decorations. The only thing added to the seated table is salt and pepper and butter to share. The night before the event, the table gets set with plates, silverware and napkins. The glasses I leave at the beverage serving station for easy filling as they go through the buffet.

What I have found out is that it’s much easier in a large group for individuals to make their way back to the buffet for seconds rather than interrupting conversation for refills and passing of dishes. Some people may find it difficult to handle size of serving dishes to “pass” them, too. And the heat of the dish may make it impossible to pass at the table…all considerations of how to serve.

The night before an event, I set up that buffet area–linens down, serving pieces labeled with a post it for each item it will hold, and the order each will be placed.

Don’t forget what you will be using to carve the turkey, slotted spoons for things that need them, spoons or tongs to easily lift food out of each serving piece. Even hot pads in place when I know the surface of the serving area needs protection.

Think about how to arrange the buffet.

Although that photo doesn’t show it…my home economics classes won’t let me do anything less than grouping salads and cold items together first, sides next, then meat and ending with rolls. My mind runs that way and makes it easier to arrange the placement of food items. I have to also think of the size portions in arranging everything, as well.

Fun tip on buffets–don’t be afraid of elevating different foods and levels. It adds memorable interest.

A designated area for drinks and refills. Think how you are serving ice and drinks.

Place all of your desserts together with serving pieces to help cut/serve each, along with dessert plates and forks together.

However you serve, make it warm, welcoming and inviting.

Many people simply add food into disposable aluminum pans. I get it. Less cleanup and tossing when finished…but, you know me…I’m not team disposable! But, you do you…right?

Do what works for your gathering. Create a flow in how you arrange things. Keep things warm that need to be warm and cool things that need to stay cool. There are great heating pads that make serving look a little nicer than crock pots for holidays.

Now you are ready for that holiday baking!

Don’t wait to remove the stress by waiting until the week before Thanksgiving, won’t you? Hope my lists have helped you!

Sharing with you has helped me focus and plan better, too.

Hope it’s your BEST holiday baking season ever. Thanks for sharing your tips in the comments, won’t you?

Thanks for joining me,

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