Holiday Preparing Ahead
It would be wonderful if we all had a warm cozy grandmother's house to go to for the holidays. But, we know that "home for the holidays" is not really about a place, but about being with family and friends. In the South, we are all about planning what we're going to eat, but the food represents so much more to us. It's about the long-standing traditions of gathering to share the bounty of the table and reconnect with loved ones.
Big holiday dinners get most of the attention, but don't forget to plan for leisurely visits around the kitchen table, too. Some of our best memories come from those moments when we can relax and have a quiet conversation, tell stories or reminisce about the past. At times like that, it's nice to have a few treats hidden away to pull out and serve.
Stash Holiday Treats in the Freezer
Many cookies, cakes and breads freeze well and will be nice to have on hand during the holidays. Family favorites are always a good choice and simple baked goods without frosting, glaze or decorations are easiest to pack up and freeze. Some frosted and decorated cakes and cookies may also be frozen, but require a little more preparation. (See freezing tips.)
Aunt Lois' Banana Nut Bread is a Martha White® Kitchen all-time favorite and perfect to have on hand during the holidays. Always moist and flavorful, this recipe is easy to stir up and good served plain or with a cream cheese spread. Delicious with mid-morning coffee or for brunch, Sour Cream Coffee Cake is similar to a pound cake except each slice reveals a ribbon of cinnamon sugar streusel. And you can never go wrong with bar cookies. Easy Chocolate Chip Blondies are so rich and delicious no one will ever guess you started with a chocolate chip muffin mix.
Tips for Freezing
Quick loaves, like banana bread - Cool completely. Wrap in foil or heavy duty plastic wrap pressing out all air from the package. Freeze up to 3 months. To thaw, let stand, wrapped at room temperature about 1 1/2 hours.
Cookies – Cool thoroughly. Pack in any suitable sturdy freezer container. If fragile, cushion with crumpled waxed paper. If cookie is frosted, place on clean cookie sheet and freeze; then pack. Freeze up to 6 months. To use, unwrap and thaw about 10 minutes at room temperature.
Cakes and Coffeecakes – Cool completely. Place on foil wrapped cardboard, wrap in foil or heavy duty plastic wrap pressing out as much air as possible. If glazed or frosted, place in freezer to harden before covering. (Butter cream frostings freeze best. Do not freeze egg white frostings or custard fillings.) Freeze unfrosted up to 6 months, frosted up to 3 months. Thaw unfrosted cakes, covered for 2 to 3 hours at room temperature. Thaw frosted cakes loosely covered in the refrigerator overnight.
And remember, those delicious treats you have in the freezer make thoughtful gifts for friends, co-workers and teachers, too.