The Christmas Cookie Cook-Along
Over the month of November families from across Canada (and even the UK!!!) came together for Season 4 of the Day Camps Cook-along. This season we focused on recipes for Christmas cookies and the family traditions that make them so special. In each session our young cooks learned how to make a different cookie and were also sent a “challenge” activity to work on during that week.
For Episode 1 Chef Jessica shared her recipe for Gingersnaps along with this story :-
These gingersnaps are one of the ways that Jessica’s Christmas traditions help connect people who are far away from each other! The recipe originally belonged to Jessica’s grandmother’s best friend – who was herself the grandmother of one of Jessica’s best friends. Both grandmothers passed away a few years ago, but both grandchildren still make these cookies every Christmas, even though they now live in different countries, to remind them of the beautiful gift of friendship.
That week’s challenge activity was Danish Paper Hearts
For Episode 2, Chef Geneviève taught our young cooks how to make a Sugar Cookies and shared this story :-
When Geneviève was 16, she raised money for the Children’s Wish Foundation by selling boxes of baked goods, and her most popular cookie was the Christmas Sugar Cookie, Since then, she’s made many batches every year to give to family and friends for the Holidays.
The week 2 challenge was “Better than Salt Dough” for making Christmas Tree Ornaments.
And finally, for Episode 3, Mariejoy brought to us her Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe along with her story:-
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are yummy brownie-like cookies, covered in powdered sugar. This delicious dessert is a staple in Mariejoy’s Filipino household during the holidays. In Filipino culture, ‘the holidays’ is marked by the beginning of the ‘-er’ months (i.e. September, October, November and December), which means many of these cookies have been both baked and consumed throughout her life. Though not originally a recipe from the Philippines, this beloved cookie has become something of a new traditional confection during the Christmas season. It is a little treat made with much love, and Mariejoy hopes that you share the love with those around you.
Our last challenge activity was Cocoa Bombs
In total 12 young people, ages 2-13 participated in this series and families are already asking when we will be holding Season 5. All in all the Christmas Cookie Cook-Along was the best season yet, as you can see by all the happy faces 😊.
