Cooking at Christmas

The warm winter scents that create a cozy atmosphere in houses overrun with red and green decorations, really top off the Christmas spirit. Although some achieve the same Christmas spirit from lighting a candle, others choose to do so by baking a warm treat that produces not only a delectable smell, but also a yummy snack. These may come in a variety of forms from peanut butter blossoms, to simple sugar cookies, however, a classic recipe that can never fail to smell and taste amazing is the classic gingerbread cookie. These holiday staples not only are favored by taste buds everywhere, but also by those who enjoy an eye-pleasing sweet.

When making gingerbread cookies there are plenty of preferred ways to make them, but molasses is recognized as a key ingredient. Molasses added into the mixture enhances the flavor of the spices in the desert itself. Unlike a lot of cookies, a gingerbread is not just a round, baked piece of sugar with frosting, it has an advanced blend of flavors creating the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Plus, gingerbread far surpasses other Christmas sweets with the creativity it brings to the (dinner) table.

Gingerbread men and houses are a holiday classic in many households and not only offer a sweet taste, but a festive activity for the whole family. Decorating gingerbread houses is a merrymaking way to bring Christmas creations to life. On top of the construction and design of a house, gingerbread men are another simple way to add a personal touch to the cookies, as long as the mouthwatering smell and taste doesn’t get in the way.

The Christmas season tends to offer a cold, winter tundra outside, but when people begin to open their doors and welcome others in, the cozy smells of Christmas grab people and wrap them in a warm blanket of tasty smelling foods. Regardless, gingerbread cookies offer a perfect balance of a sweetly spiced scent and a delicious, yet festive look for the holidays.