Baking Cookies for College Kids Is an Enjoyable Act of Love

I love to bake. This love comes from my mother, who also loved to bake and was famous for her orange sponge cakes. She also baked fragrant banana bread, flaky biscuits, and gooey chocolate cake. There were no cake or cookie mixes when I was a child and everything was made from scratch.

Baking takes concentration and you should not attempt it if you are hurried. Your measurements have to be precise. The oven temperature has to be accurate and, hopefully, without hot spots. Using the right pans also makes a difference. Every home cook needs to follow these baking rules.

Cookie Bake

Craig Claibourne, food editor and restaurant critic at the "New York Times" for 29 years, thought cooking was similar to play. "Cooking is at once child's play and an adult joy," he commented. "And cooking done with care is an act of love." Baking treats for my grandchildren is an act of love for me. What kind of cookies should I bake?

Chinese Almond cookies are one of my best recipes and everyone loves them. These cookies would crumble in the mail. Fortunately, my granddaughter was stopping by for dinner on her way to Minneapolis. I could give her a bag of goodies for her brother. Determined to take my time, I started baking at 7:30 a.m. and felt like Julia Child.

I had watched her programs years ago and knew Julia loved every aspect of cooking, including baking. "The French Chef Cookbook" was based on a television series and it included recipes and comments. "The mastery of pastry dough is simply a matter of practice," she comments, "as there is a definite feel in your hands you must acquire for mixing and rolling."

I think there is also a definite feel for cookie baking, especially the Chinese Almond ones. This is a labor-intensive has several steps: rolling small balls of dough, sprinkling them with sugar, flattening them with a small glass, and pressing almonds on top. These cookies burn easily so I could not walk away from the oven. The instant they started to brown I took them out.

The smell of almonds reminded me of the times I had baked these cookies for my daughters. Though my elder daughter is deceased, it was a pleasant memory. One hour passed and then two. In that time six dozen warm cookies emerged from the oven. After they cooled I put them in plastic cartons and taped the lids closed. I put one carton in each goodie bag and added apples, crackers, and a jar of Cheddar cheese spread.

But the most important item in the bags is love. The twins know I love them and enjoy baking for them. These food gifts sent another message as well: Grandma is thinking of you and rooting for you. This is an important message -- the foundation of our family -- and I hope the twins receive it loud and clear.

Copyright 2010 by Harriet Hodgson

Baking Cookies for College Kids Is an Enjoyable Act of Love

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been an independent journalist for 30+ years. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, MD is available from Amazon.

Centering Corporation has published her 26th book, "Writing to Recover: The Journey from Loss and Grief to a New Life" and a companion journal with 100 writing jump-starts. The company is also publishing her latest book, "The Spiritual Woman: Quotes to Refresh and Sustain Your Soul," which will be available soon.

Hodgson has another new book out, "101 Affirmations to Ease Your Grief Journey: Words of Comfort, Words of Hope," available from Amazon. Please visit her website and learn more about this busy author and grandma.

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