Baking is nostalgic for me. When I was a little girl, I remember sitting at one of my aunt’s houses baking a bunch of tasty holiday-inspired treats, so when I moved back to Minnesota in 2014, I immediately implemented and hosted an ugly sweater holiday baking day. It brings new recipes to the mixing bowl, but it also brings family favorites like chocolate mint swags, a favorite holiday treat of my mom and aunts when they were growing up. It also tends to bring up a lot of memories for all of us baking throughout the years. Even though some of the stories are on repeat, we always enjoy a good laugh. Especially the one about my mom and Aunt Sally eating most of the batter (for pretty much every baked good), so the baked product would be so thin, leaving barely anything to enjoy.
The tradition continued until 2020…for obvious reasons. However, I was pregnant and needed to pass the time. So I continued baking 1-3x weekly with my son as the gestational weeks passed by-which we all know is really 3,000 days in the last few months of pregnancy. So now, at 9 months old, when the mixer turns on, it’s like music to my daughter’s ears, but instead of Beethoven, she’s bopping to the beat of gingerbread cookies.
The Party Details
What is a baking party?
It’s just that, a party where everyone brings their favorite recipes and bakes together. The best part is leaving with a few tasty treats from everyone.
Who is in charge of what?
Attendees: bring their specialty ingredients like butterscotch chips, mint, etc., their own baking pans, to-go containers, and anything else they think they may need extra of.
The host: provides the basics like flour, sugar, brown sugar, butter, eggs, measuring cups and spoons, and sets up the space for optimal baking and sugar cookie decorating.
When?
I love to host over brunch because I enjoy a good mimosa bar, but it’s also the perfect time to spend baking the day away.
Where?
You can have a small house or a big house to host. Just move things and add tables. The first year I hosted, our space was small, and our oven was straight out of the 1960s. We baked all day. We all take turns hosting because it usually involves a bit of cleanup after the guests have left. Those who come to just enjoy conversation over sugar and not to bake usually spend a lot of time scrubbing bowls in the sink.
Food and Beverages
Since it’s a baking party, I recommend having savory food and snacks on hand for guests. My family always takes a potluck style for these parties. If potlucks aren’t your thing, head to Costco and grab a few options or make something easy like spaghetti for everyone to enjoy while they wait for the oven to be free.
Theme
This part is optional, but we have just really enjoyed the ugly sweater or ugly apron theme…or both. Other ideas would include coming as your favorite holiday movie character or showing up in your favorite holiday jammies. Just be prepared to get a little merengue on them.
This year, The Great Holiday Bake-Off may continue to look a little different. However, as things start to resemble something closer to normal, my heart is looking forward to getting together with family and laughing with flour in our hair and chocolate on our faces. As the years pass by, I can’t wait to hear the memories my littles will share about baking with me in the kitchen.
