It’s the first December episode; Stefin’s singing and Andrea’s reminiscing about life-size gingerbread houses. And that’s before the Tipsy Treats start flowing! Dive right in to the festivities with your favorite baking duo to learn how to budget and plan for recipes that require an above-average amount of alcohol:
Ask for alcohol for an early holiday gift (and promise the gifter you’ll transform the bottle into something extra special);
Go in with friends. Set aside a day for holiday baking and crafting, and split the cost of a bottle;
Shop the bottom shelf. None of the recipes this month require high-end, boutique booze (or the accompanying prices). This is the time and place for neutral, nothing-special liquors, as you’ll be adding lots of sugar, fruit and flavorings.
Preheated Favorites Perfect for Gifting
As the holiday baking season really ramps up, don’t forget these Preheated favorites from past holiday episodes:
Caramel Churro Snack Mix, Episode 8
Homemade English Toffee, Episode 56
Mini Peanut Butter Cups, Episode 99
This Week’s “Brew Along”: Cherry Bounce from Cathy Barrow and the Washington Post
Then it’s on to the month’s first “brew along”: An historic Cherry Bounce from Cathy Barrow via the Washington Post. Rumored to be George Washington’s favorite tipple, this classic cherry liqueur is a straightforward blend of alcohol, cherries and sugar. Andrea’s hoping to find fresh cherries in her market, and will use a vodka base. Stefin’s committed to high-quality frozen cherries and will make two smaller batches: One with vodka, one with rum.
Don’t hesitate to use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to stir your mixture if the sugar doesn’t fully dissolve. Note that the recipes calls for the mixture to cure in the sunlight for one week, then an additional 40 days in the dark. But do use those aging times as a guideline. Part of the fun of making homemade liquor is the taste testing along the way: It’s done when you say it’s done!
A “Higher Level of Baking Excitement”: Why Holiday Baking is So Special
And speaking of gifting, the hosts take a deep dive into why so many of us are happy to add baking to our already jam-packed holiday schedules. (And what to do when it ceases to bring you joy.)
Both Andrea and Stefin love to bake up favorite cookies or gingerbread houses this time of year, and agree with the 73% of respondents to a recent poll who noted a “higher level of baking excitement” this time of year. This is the power of tradition: A ritual that helps us feel secure and calm because we expect and look forward to it. It’s also why those same beloved cookies don’t taste “right” in, say, July.
Andrea especially loves holiday entertaining because it allows her to try larger and/or more extravagant desserts. Stefin loves giving homemade gifts from her kitchen like her beloved mince pies. Research backs this up, too: Bakers reap positive psychological rewards when they bake for others, and anecdotally, it’s just more fun to share a dessert than eat it on your own!
But what happens when your beloved traditions no longer calm you down, but instead wind you up? Andrea’s taking a break from her intense “cookie decorating weekend,” this year due to some scheduling issues, and is looking forward to a new, lower-key tradition: Creating a self-styled cookie box full of non-decorated cookies like Soft and Chewy Molasses Spice, London Fog Shortbread and Blizzard Blondies. (Stefin suggests adding Bizcochito … and mince pies!)
Listeners, which other cookies should Andrea include? They need to be easy to make, easy to shape, and travel well.
Listener Feedback Requested for Upcoming Episode
Did you know that 93% of bakers will make three or more types of cookies this holiday season?! Let us know what you’re baking up (cookies or otherwise) for the sake of tradition, entertaining, or gifting (or all three!). Look for the post on our Facebook page, or drop an email to hosts@preheatedpodcast.com, and please let us know where in the world you’re baking.
Previously on Preheated …
One Year Ago: Episode 54: The Christmas Cookie Scene
Two Years Ago: Episode 5: Fruitcake and Eggnog
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