Holiday Baking for Two

Practical tips when baking for two.

The holidays are here! I wish I didn’t have such a sweet tooth. Why is it we wait all year to bake the best cookies? I do not know! I just know I will eat them all. Here are some practical ways I found to carry on the traditions of holiday baking, while still managing my waist line.

1. Extend the baking season. This is a very easy way to enjoy all of my favorites. In the past I only made the holiday treats in December. Now those delicious cookies are spread out from November to January.
2. Bake only for those in the household (or able to be home for the holidays). In my case it cuts my baking list by 1/3! There is no need to bake a type of cookie that nobody at home likes.
3. Bake one extravagant dessert. It’s usually just my husband and me for the holidays. I dive into my cookbooks to find something that the kids would not have appreciated. Baking something fancier is a perfect way to splurge when it’s just the two of us.
4. Freeze them. This keeps things as fresh as possible. A single layer of wax paper in between the layers of cookies, keeps them from sticking to one another. Store those layers in a gallon freezer bag. Once sealed, they stack nicely on top of each other. Have a cookie craving? I just pullout out a portion, defrost, and enjoy.
5. Throw out. I have learned over the years that neighbors, coworkers and extended family members are in the same predicament… too many treats. I want to share but there are so many dietary restrictions and allergies that tossing them is best. Also eating those leftovers due to over baking,“so they don’t go to waste” just makes you sick. And then upset with yourself for over indulgence. Trust me I know. And this is the main reason why I had to learn to only bake a few of our family favorites.

My house has been smelling wonderful these days. My Christmas tin is full of my favorite cookies. I have rekindled my love for baking and I look forward to finding something extra special to make for the Christmas season. I don’t think I can ever skip the baked goods altogether. Baking and holidays go hand and hand. I just need to make sure I do not dip into the cookie tin too often.

I hope these practical tips will help you to enjoy your holiday baking.

There are so many things to make! How do you make sure you do not bake too much?