Anyone who knows me knows I love to bake. Nothing says “I love you” like making a fresh batch of cookies, muffins, or anything other sweet treat for the people in your life.
I’ve been known to bake when life stresses me out. Back in 2020 during the first lockdown, I was baking so much I started selling my treats.
Unfortunately, since coming to university, I don’t bake as much as I did back home. My kitchen is smaller, and I don’t have all the same cool baking appliances my mom does (shoutout to your stand mixer, mom). I still try to make yummy baked goods for my housemates at least a few times a semester though, when procrastinating from completing assignments.
People ask me why I bake all the time and my answer is always the same: baking is quite literally the best stress relief. The attention to detail when following a recipe is a perfect way to get your mind off all the assignments you should be working on. Baking is also relaxing, and the yummy smells that fill your home while muffins rise is aromatherapy at its finest, if you ask me.
Baking is also a relatively inexpensive hobby. While yes, initially buying all the ingredients is a dent to the pocket, a bag of flour lasts for several recipes. Most recipes cost in the two-to-three-dollar range.
Finally, the best part about baking is I don’t care if I absolutely butcher a recipe. I’m happy to keep trying recipes until I perfect them, and I can laugh at my baking failures (shoutout to the muffins I made a few weeks ago that were hard as a rock).
While I could go on about all the reasons you should take up baking this exam season, I’ll share a few of my favorite cozy baking recipes for these cold, stressful months instead.
Banana bread
I know, banana bread isn’t exactly a fall or winter baked good. If anything, it reminds me more of spring. But it’s so damn good and it’s such a classic, I couldn’t not include it. So, here’s my favourite banana bread recipe:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease your bread pan with whatever you have on hand—butter, oil, et cetera.
In a medium-sized bowl, mix one and a half cups of flour, one teaspoon of baking soda, a sprinkle of salt, and a couple shakes of cinnamon. In a larger bowl, whisk together three ripe bananas, six tablespoons of butter, margarine, or melted coconut oil, two thirds of a cup of white sugar, one large egg or egg replacement (I’m vegan so I use flax seeds), one teaspoon of vanilla extract,
Add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined. Fill your bread pan and pop it in the oven for 25 minutes or until your fork comes out clean.
Ginger molasses cookies
The much-needed upgrade from a classic gingerbread cookie, in my opinion. Classic gingerbread is overrated—ginger molasses is where it’s at. These soft, chewy cookies are fabulous on their own, or make the perfect afternoon snack paired with a coffee. They’re also a great option to leave out for Mr. Claus.
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and then sifting two and a quarter cups of flour into a medium-sized bowl. Add two teaspoons of ground ginger, one teaspoon of baking soda, three quarters of a teaspoon of cinnamon, half a teaspoon of cloves, and a pinch of salt.
In another large bowl, whisk together three quarters of a cup of margarine and one cup of sugar until fluffy. Next, beat in one egg or egg replacement. Add one tablespoon of water and a quarter cup of molasses, and then gradually stir in your dry ingredients.
Once everything’s been mixed, shape the dough into one-inch balls and roll them in two tablespoons of sugar. Next, flatten your dough balls on lined cookie sheet and evenly space them out, one and a half inches apart from each other.
Now you’re ready to put them into the oven for eight to 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Not only will they taste amazing, but your house will smell like heaven. You can thank me later.
Peppermint brownies
Finally, a festive twist on a classic brownie. As a lover of peppermint mochas—the best holiday drink—peppermint brownies are quite literally the edible version. They’re super easy too, and work with any brownie recipe. I won’t drop my recipe here because I’m sure your mom has one, but if not use a box mix.
For some vague instructions on how to make this treat, start by crushing up a couple of candy canes before adding them to your favourite brownie batter. Bake the brownies, and about five minutes before they’re ready, take them out of the oven and sprinkle some leftover crushed-up candy cane onto them. Put them back in the oven—preferably on broil—for two to three minutes to get the perfect, mint-chocolatey treat.
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Now you have my favourite recipes, go bake something tasty, and fill your home with sweet treats instead of finals-season tears. Happy holidays!
Tags
baking, exams, Mental health, stress
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Shaz
Love the addition of the recipes! Thanks