From October to December, daylight gets shorter, the leaves shed their vibrant greens and fully fall off the branches, the air gets chillier and everyone pulls their thick sweaters from the back of their closets. As the holiday season approaches, students are excited for the time off, as well as the delicious holiday treats that come with it. These ingredients and foods won’t be around all year, so make sure to make all the exciting, winter-inspired recipes when possible.
From savory dishes to sweet treats, everyone has a special recipe, whether passed down through generations or a new creation that has recently become a fan favorite. Some restaurants also feature staple holiday treats, such as gingerbread cookies, hot chocolate and cookies and milk. Holiday recipes bring comfort and joy to tables everywhere, warming friends and families up for the winter season.
Some recipes passed down through generations are family traditions, just like Teiglach. Teiglach is a small, knotted pastry boiled in honey syrup. “My great-grandmother made it and gave the recipe to my grandma who gave it to my mom to make and eventually I will make it for my kids. It’s a Jewish tradition,” junior Gabrielle Stephenson said.
Similarly, latkes are potato pancakes typically eaten with applesauce or sour cream. Latkes have roots in an old Italian Jewish custom, documented as early as the 14th century. “My favorite winter holiday tradition is latkes. My Bubby and I enjoy them together. We spend hours before the eighth night of Hanukkah, frying the potato pancakes,” junior Isabel Triandafilou said.
Other recipes can be newfound loves such as s’mores bars, gingerbread pudding, eggnog cupcakes and Rice Krispies treats in the shapes of Christmas trees. Many students discover their new favorite treats through parties and traditions with friends, such as Friendsgiving and Santa Secret. Not only do holiday treats taste delicious, but they also help create long-lasting memories with friends and family.
Starbucks has inspired many holiday recipes because students don’t want to continue to spend money on treats when they can make them themselves. “I have perfected the recipe of the Cranberry Bliss Bar. It has graham crackers, cranberries, cream cheese and is topped with brown sugar,” Stephenson said. “There’s no reason to keep spending money when I can make it myself.”
In addition, many students learn to make things themselves when bored over winter break. While winter break is amazing, not traveling means it’s easy to get bored watching Elf and Home Alone repeatedly. “When I have nothing to do over winter break, I typically make brownies with holiday sprinkles or red frosting. It cures my boredom and it tastes amazing,” Triandafilou said.
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