This time of year is chock full of fond memories and special traditions. Whether it’s baking timeless treats that have become beloved favorites, taking time off to settle into the slow rhythms of winter, or gathering with loved ones to celebrate that for which we are most grateful, there’s a true magic to the holiday season. This is time to pause, take stock of all the good that has been, and fortify ourselves for the possibilities that lie ahead. And, perhaps there’s no sweeter way to do this than through some good old-fashioned baking with the people we love.
One of my favorite holiday activities involves baking with my mom. Not one mediocre baked good has come out of that woman’s kitchen. Ooey gooey cookies? Check. Mouthwateringly moist breads? Yep[1]. Phenomenal bars? You betcha. Mom is a master at what she does, and everything she touches magically turns to baking gold. There’s truly no shortage to the wonder that is Mom’s abilities, but perhaps my favorite memories are tied to our time spent together baking her famous rollout sugar cookies.
Using my grandmother’s recipe, Mom lovingly makes these cookies for every holiday she can justify, cutting out little shamrocks for Saint Patrick’s Day, pastel bunnies for Easter, and a potpourri of fun festive shapes for the Christmas season. I’d be lying if I didn’t say these treats epitomize everything that is good about the world, and while I appreciate the mini tastebud explosion I experience with every bite, my favorite thing about these cookies is actually the baking process itself. I love how delightfully slow and labor intensive the experience is: Baking these cookies is truly a process that requires equal parts patience, commitment, and crisp attention to detail. I deeply appreciate the opportunity this process invites and the feeling of spaciousness it provides for conversation, connection, and storytelling. Amidst the ample flour, generous mounds of sugar, and colorful holiday sprinkles, this time is filled with warm engagement and melodious laughter. As we prepare our space, flour the counter, and knead the tough dough, we aren’t merely baking cookies but solidifying our foundation and shaping lasting memories. Indeed, this is the season of making magic in the kitchen, the least of which has to do with actual baked goods.
Holiday baking, like many things, will look inherently different this year. Instead of gathering with loved ones and losing ourselves in the typical thrills of this tradition, many of us remain isolated in our homes in an effort to safeguard our health and keep coronavirus at bay. Yet, despite the change in circumstance, we are tasked to keep the magic of the season alive and spread love, sweetness, and warmth in whatever creative ways we can. Maybe this involves video-conference-baking with loved ones. Perhaps it means celebrating the fact you can unapologetically hoard all the sweet goodies to yourself. Or maybe this is just the catalyst you need to get creative, test out some new recipes, and incorporate a few unconventional baked goods into this year’s holiday lineup.
This season I plan to pursue all the above, but I’m starting by baking a couple holiday staples with unique, unexpected twists. I’m a huge proponent of trying new things, and if 2020 has taught me anything it is to lean into new opportunities and experiment whenever possible. So, this Thanksgiving I decided to bake Joanna Gaines’ Orange-Walnut Sweet Rolls for breakfast and Spiced Pecan Pie for dessert. Both recipes take a slightly unconventional approach to classic favorites and delight indulgers with tantalizing pairings that are guaranteed to solidify these treats as future holiday staples.
Magnolia Table’s Quick Orange-Walnut Sweet Rolls
The best part about these sweet rolls is they are so quick and seemingly effortless to make. As Joanna points out, one of the most frustrating parts about making homemade cinnamon rolls is perfecting the yeast rising process. I have a track record of botching this fundamental step, and I love that this recipe bypasses that frustration entirely by utilizing pre-made crescent rolls. However, you still get to experience the best of both worlds by mixing the sweet, messy ingredients with your fingers and hand-wrapping your rolls to form perfect little doughy spirals. While baking, these little mamas omit a scent that is utterly decadent, and I promise this winning combination of cinnamon, walnut, and orange is exactly what you need in your life right now.
Magnolia Table’s Spiced Pecan Pie
Because there’s no such thing as too much sugar during the
holiday season[2], this
Thanksgiving you can have your cake pie and eat it too. And, while you’re at it, feel free to mix
spicy and sweet for a shockingly perfect marriage of flavors. With this pie Joanna proves even a small
tweak to a classic recipe can completely reinvigorate your tastebuds and help
you reimagine that which you thought was possible. She writes, “I’m not saying traditional pecan
pie needs improving, but adding a bit of ground ancho chile creates a sweet-and-heat pairing that sends
this pie into another stratosphere.” And
she’s not wrong: This easy-to-make dessert
is quite simply out of this world. Who
knew simply mixing things up a bit could prove so decadently rewarding? Plus, that rich, warm “burnt sienna” brown
hue? Served with a piping hot cup of
coffee? Can’t be beat.
True, holiday baking will inevitably look a bit different this year. But that doesn’t mean it has to be dull, unimaginative, or removed from the ones we love. Sometimes the best, most rewarding things in life are those that prove to be a little challenging along the way. Sometimes even our best intentions and most valiant efforts become “burnt,” charred, and seemingly inedible. But these moments—the ones forged amidst fire and hardship—are often the ones that most formatively shape us. These are the moments we can choose to emerge from the flames transformed and more brilliant than ever.
This season, challenge yourself to explore new ways of recreating the moments that matter most with the people that matter most. Slow down, enjoy something delicious, and savor the process. Revisit a tried-and-true classic tradition or discover a new unconventional favorite. Lose yourself in the magic of the season and give yourself permission to experiment and see what sticks. And don’t forget to express gratitude every step of the way.
Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!
[1] And yes, I just said “moist.” You’re welcome.
[2] …Right?
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