When making your list of holiday preparations, baking is probably somewhere on that list. What is the lure of baking that drives us to spend extra hours in the kitchen this time of the year? Certainly, it's not for the nutritional value. I once heard someone say, you bake with your heart. That statement rings true, considering the amount of baked goods eaten at Christmas. Baking is a sentimental endeavor, as Christmas is a heartfelt holiday.
Giving away baked gifts takes us back to when we were an agricultural society. When December arrived on the calendar, the ingredients had been harvested, stored, and available for use. Considering the lack of money and goods available at the time, this tradition was practical. Families worked together to produce and deliver their gifts, and I imagine it created a bonding experience. I fondly remember my children covered in flour from making cookies. It always created a mess, but the fun we had is a memory that made the effort worth it. It was indeed a bonding experience!
Baking satisfies an emotion that softens our hearts and makes us happy. It makes us feel as if we are doing good for others, and for a person who enjoys baking, it relieves stress. I am one of those who enjoys baking. The traditional sugar cookie is one of my favorites. I have a special recipe (shown below) that I have dubbed my family recipe because it came from my grandmother's Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. Although the pages of this old book are brown and frayed on the edges, I continue to use the sugar cookie recipe straight from her cookbook; I love the idea she once turned its pages. Orange zest is the special ingredient that sets it apart from other sugar cookie recipes. The flavor of the zest gives it a subtle taste that you probably won't recognize as orange, but it will leave a refreshing, light flavor in your mouth. The dough is sturdy, easy to manipulate, and, when baked, perfect for decorating.
There is a joy in baking. If you plan to bake this holiday season, set aside time. Immerse yourself in the process and give it a heartfelt effort. Baking from the heart makes better-tasting treats and brings a sentiment of love that reflects the true meaning of the Christmas season.
Cooky-Jar Sugar Cookies
2/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
4 teaspoons milk
2 cups sifted enriched flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Thoroughly cream shortening, sugar, orange peel, and vanilla. Add egg; beat till fluffy. Stir in milk. Sift dry ingredients; stir in, blend. Divide dough in half; chill 1 hour.
On floured surface, roll half of dough to 1/8 inch thick. (Keep remaining dough to chilled till ready to roll.) Cut in shapes. Bake on greased cooky sheet at 375° 6 to 8 minutes. Cool slightly; remove from pan. Cool and decorate. Makes two dozen. This recipe is not my own. It is copied from my grandmother's Better Homes and Gardens new Cook Book. I have searched for a copyright date but could not find it. I am guessing this cook book is from the 1950's.
