Five Reasons That Baking is So Special

When you think of baking, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it the aroma of fresh-baked bread wafting through the house, or perhaps that warm, fuzzy feeling when you bite into a gooey, still-warm chocolate chip cookie from your oven? Maybe it evokes memories of Grandma in the kitchen making pies or some other baked delight for a Sunday dinner? It seems that for the most part when one thinks of baking, it brings a special feeling that’s as comforting as snuggling up in a well-worn quilt on a chilly night.

So without further ado in a time when the world can use more joy and special memories made in the home, let’s take a look at the five reasons that we believe baking is so special.

Baking Brings Back Nostalgia and Creates Memories

One strong memory that stands out for many is when they were younger and their moms, aunts, and grandmas were in the kitchen making a delicious Sunday meal or a feast for the holidays. Maybe you have memories of baking cookies or cupcakes with your mom or grandmother? No matter what the occasion, baking is something that our ancestors, parents, and grandparents did a lot of and it has subconsciously stuck with the majority of us whether we baked with them or they baked for us. Once the smell of baking bread, dressing, cookies, or an apple pie hits you, you’re transported back in time instantly to when life felt simpler and all of the memories come flooding back.

So when you choose to bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies from scratch with your own children, grandchildren, or any special loved ones in your life, you may drift back to your childhood, but you’ll also be making some sweet new memories for others as well. Maybe next time your children, grandchildren, or another loved one mentions their favorite baked goods that you make, you could suggest making it together.

Baking Helps Us Celebrate

Birthday and wedding cakes and cupcakes are something that most plan out and anticipate either for themselves or someone else. The birthday cake and the candles have become two of the most important staples of children’s birthdays; some parents planning a first birthday party will go about planning an entire theme for their little one, right down to a special cake for the party and a smash cake all their own. Brides and grooms spend months and sometimes even years preparing for the big day, and this includes choosing a cake that will be big enough to feed their guests, as well as one that tastes good and matches their theme as well.

No matter what the occasion or whether you decide to bake the cake yourself or have a professional do it for you, a baked and beautifully decorated cake is a great way to celebrate any occasion or milestone!

Baking Gets Creative Juices Flowing

Whether you’re trying out a new recipe or tweaking an original, baking gives you the complete and total freedom to experiment with new techniques, flavors, and decorating ideas. If you want to try to bake a home-made pizza but you thought of an unusual ingredient that would kick it up a notch, go for it! Want to make a chocolate cake, but throw in some pieces of orange or orange zest and top it with an orange flavored frosting? It’s your cake, do what you want! The sky is the limit when it comes to baking.

Perhaps sometime when you’re in the kitchen and you don’t have anything going on, why don’t you take a stab at baking a recipe you’ve never tried before? It just might become your new favorite thing.

Baking Can Help Those in Need

Whether it’s a bake sale for a class of fifth graders or a cake walk for a local charity, baked goods have made a mark in the world for being excellent fund raisers, because honestly, who doesn’t like the idea of fudgy home-made brownies or a fresh baked carrot cake? Baking and selling goods helps to raise money for worthy causes, but it also allows folks to buy scrumptious home-made desserts that they normally wouldn’t get, so it’s a win-win situation for all!

Next time one of your kids, grandkids, or a niece or nephew mention their school is having a bake sale, maybe you could suggest making some cookies or some other baked goods together. You’ll make sweet, wonderful memories and help out a good cause while doing so.

Baking Can Make Someone Feel Special

It could be a simple birthday cake, their favorite pie, or a tray of fresh-baked scones, but it’s pretty much a guarantee that you’re going to make someone feel incredibly special when you step into the kitchen and bake something for them. They’ll know you put love into every bit of the ingredients and will think of you when they take off the cover and smell it or take a bite and savor the flavor. Just like a painting, baking is very much an art and those who receive something home-made with love like that means so much more than something they bought from the store.

Bake something special for someone you care about and when you present it to them, watch their eyes light up with love and gratitude. It’s really the little things that sometimes mean the most, and this is definitely true when it comes to taking the time to bake for someone else.

Baking is more than an artform; it feeds, nourishes, celebrates, creates memories, and it has the ability to show and spread love. There are many more reasons that baking is such a special, time-honored tradition, but we felt that these five were the most relevant and what our world needs more of today. Make it a point to bake something that you love, or to support a local bakery by buying your favorite baked goods, and help continue the special tradition of baking.