Holiday Baking

Ah, the holidays. It's the time of year that thoughts turn to sweat goodies baked with love and waist sizes start to grow. Does anyone know why the world turns to baking this time of year? Maybe it's because there is still time to get back into those summer clothes after eating goodies galore. Baking can be easy no matter how much there is to do with a few easy tips.

As with any project, big or small, the best place to start is deciding what the project will be. In the case of baking that would choosing what to bake. After pulling out the recipes that will be needed for every item to be made it's time to decide how many batches will be baked and do some math. Try not to go overboard if this is a first time bake-athon, choose only a few items and do a couple batches each. Now it's time to make a shopping list, it would be bad timing to run out of butter in the middle of a baking session.

Take one recipe and write each ingredient on a list along with the amount needed, and then take the next recipe and quantities to the existing list with new items at the bottom. When all the numbers are there, total them up and go shopping. On baking day, mix dough’s requiring refrigeration first. While the dough sets up, other items such as quick breads can be made. Remember to stay organized, clean as you go and don't eat too many cookies straight from the oven.