During the holiday season as the weather gets colder and the stress starts piling on consider this: baking as a fun way to enjoy the break. To escape from worries for a short while, here are three fun recipes to try to lift spirits and spread cheer in these last final weeks of school.
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S’more Bars
INGREDIENTS:
12 sheets of graham crackers
¾ cup butter
¾ cup brown sugar
3 cups marshmallows
¾ cups chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly roll pan aluminium foil, leaving a 1-inch overhang over the ends, and spray foil with cooking spray. Line graham crackers up on the foil so that the sides are touching.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and mixture comes just about to boil (about 4 to 6 minutes). Remove from heat and pour evenly over crackers. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes, or until bubbly.
Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle mini marshmallows and chocolate chips over the crackers. Return pan to oven for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the marshmallows begin to soften up and puff.
This yummy treat is easy and fast to make. It is lots of fun to bake with others and a less messy way to make the all time classic s’mores. This gooey delight is a perfect treat to share with friends and family.
“The marshmallows were really fluffy, the chocolate was very sweet, and it was so good,” Jovina Che (9) said.
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Big Cookie
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper rounds.
Make the cookie cake: Whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
In a large bowl (using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment), beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat on high speed until combined.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. With the mixer running on low speed, beat in the chocolate chips.
Divide cookie dough between however many cake pans you’re using. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes. Allow cakes to cool for 10 minutes in the pans.
These huge cookies are a perfect sharing size. When you need a long distraction, baking these from scratch will do just the trick. Whether to eat warm with ice cream, to decorate with frosting, or to eat plain with others, this cookie is a delicious treat to have after a long day.
“It was really tasty,” Hayul Lee (9) said. “I could eat a whole batch of it.”
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Food for the Gods
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1 cup coarsely chopped Medjool dates
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease and place parchment on a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan and set aside.
Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Beat eggs lightly in a separate bowl. Add sugar, butter, nuts, and dates. Fold in flour. Spread mixture in the greased pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. While warm, cut into 3 x 2-inch pieces.
A tasty snack for when you’re in a rush, this bar is a sugary delight. It originates from the Phillipines and is given as gifts during Christmas time. The nuts are the centerpiece of the entire desert and add a salty goodness.
“I like how there’s a burst of flavors in it,” Amielle Burog (9) said. “It was busting in my mouth.”
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Baking is a way to remedy any and all problems. Enjoy the happiest time of the year and reward yourself with some sweet treats for all your hard work while you celebrate the holidays.
