By Morgana RavenTree
I’m not much of a cook, but I enjoy baking, especially around the holidays. For the past 3 years, I’ve baked a pistachio crust pumpkin pie with whipped cream and a pistachio brittle (https://www.redbookmag.com/food-recipes/recipes/a35139/pumpkin-tart-pistachio-crust-brittle-recipe-rbk1112/ ) at Thanksgiving and the December potlucks and feasts. This year, I had no reason to bake anything so elaborate. There were no potlucks, ritual feasts or any other occasions to show off my baking skills.
Holiday baking is something my mother did every year. Some of my fondest memories were of making Xmas cookies out of a Betty Crocker cookbook. In my 20s, I even baked holiday gifts for friends. I stopped baking for a while, then took it up again around 2013. I had some health issues in 2012 and baking was a kind of therapy for me. Unfortunately, I was also diagnosed with Diabetes type 2 and a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with liver disease. Needless to say, I’m not supposed to eat what I bake. In fact, I mainly enjoy baking for others and often don’t eat what I bake. In 2020, that is no longer possible (for now).
Nevertheless, holiday baking is something you can still do. Those of you with families can still enjoy this activity together. Its a great way to get the kids involved in holiday preparations, regardless of which holidays you celebrate. For those of us who live alone, we can still bake in moderation and freeze our baked goods. Someday you will be able to share them again.
If you’re wondering why so many of these sites are for Xmas-themed baked goods, don’t be put off by that. Almost all symbols associated with Xmas were originally Pagan, before they were appropriated by Xtians.
Here are some of my recommended favorite baking sites, including diabetic-friendly and Vegan:
JOY OF BAKING (https://www.joyofbaking.com/breads/FruitBread.html)
BROWN-EYED BAKER (https://www.browneyedbaker.com/yule-log-buche-de-noel-with-espresso-mascarpone-filling-and-ganache-icing)
My favorite baking site! Recommended: a step-by-step guide to making a simple “Buche de Noel” or Yule Log (it’s really just an iced jellyroll).
SALLY’S BAKING ADDICTION (https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/gingerbread-house) or 75 recipes for Xmas cookies. https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/75-christmas-cookies
My second-favorite baking site! Recommended: step-by-step guide to making a gingerbread house (something you can do with the kids!)
YOUR CUP OF CAKE (https://www.yourcupofcake.com/easy-christmas-wreath-cookies) or (https://www.yourcupofcake.com/easy-to-make-snowman-cupcakes)
Originally a site devoted to cupcakes, it now covers other baked good as well. Recommended: Snowman Cupcakes or Xmas wreath cookies.
SPECIAL NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Diabetic Friendly – EATING WELL (http://www.eatingwell.com/gallery/11564/diabetes-friendly-christmas-cookie-recipes)
For those of you with diabetes of other health issues, check out Eating Well, but look over the ingredients carefully. Eating Well is also published as a magazine. While it claims to be diabetic-friendly, sometimes their recipes contain some sugar, so feel free to replace that with the sugar substitute of your choice.
If you’re Vegan, finding holiday recipes can be a bit challenging. While there are many Vegan baking sites, I am rarely able to make those recipes work. Here are some sites to try:
MINIMALIST BAKER https://minimalistbaker.com/20-vegan-holiday-dessert-recipes
GATHERING DREAMS https://gatheringdreams.com/vegan-christmas-cookies/
THE GREEN LOOT https://thegreenloot.com/vegan-christmas-desserts-treats-recipes-egg-free/
Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit. I’m going to try some of the cookie recipes, replacing sugar with monkfruit (a natural sweetener), applesauce or Vegan butter for dairy butter, and maybe even try a Vegan egg substitute.
Morgana RavenTree is the current President of Pagan Pride Los Angeles, Inc. (aka Pagan Pride LA/OC).
Southland Pagan Press Contributors 