Classic Sugar Cookies:
Ingredients: Flour, sugar, butter (or vegan butter substitute), baking powder, vanilla extract, egg replacer (such as flaxseed meal or applesauce).
Method: Cream together the butter and sugar, then mix in the egg replacer and vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients until a dough forms. Roll out the dough, cut into festive shapes, and bake until golden brown. Decorate with icing or sprinkles for added flair.
Gingerbread Cookies:
Ingredients: Flour, molasses, brown sugar, spices (such as ginger, cinnamon, and cloves), baking soda, butter (or vegan butter substitute).
Method: Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until a stiff dough forms. Chill the dough, then roll out and cut into gingerbread shapes. Bake until firm, then decorate with icing or candies for a festive touch.
Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Ingredients: Flour, sugar, brown sugar, butter (or vegan butter substitute), chocolate chips, baking soda, vanilla extract.
Method: Cream together the butter and sugars, then mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients, then fold in the chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet and bake until golden brown and chewy.
Pies:
Apple Pie:
Ingredients: Apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour (or cornstarch), butter (or vegan butter substitute), pie crust (store-bought or homemade).
Method: Peel and slice the apples, then toss with sugar, spices, and flour. Arrange the apple mixture in a pie crust, dot with butter, and cover with a second crust. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Pumpkin Pie:
Ingredients: Pumpkin puree, sugar, spices (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves), eggs (or egg replacer), evaporated milk (or coconut milk for a vegan option), pie crust.
Method: Mix together the pumpkin puree, sugar, spices, and eggs until smooth. Gradually stir in the evaporated milk until well combined. Pour the mixture into a pie crust and bake until set.
Pecan Pie:
Ingredients: Pecans, corn syrup (or maple syrup for a vegan option), sugar, eggs (or egg replacer), butter (or vegan butter substitute), vanilla extract, pie crust.
Method: Arrange the pecans in a pie crust. In a separate bowl, mix together the corn syrup, sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour the mixture over the pecans and bake until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
More Treats:
Fruit Crisp:
Ingredients: Mixed fruit (such as apples, berries, or peaches), sugar, flour, oats, butter (or vegan butter substitute), cinnamon.
Method: Toss the fruit with sugar and flour, then spread in a baking dish. In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then sprinkle over the fruit. Bake until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.
Holiday Bread:
Ingredients: Flour, sugar, yeast, milk (or non-dairy milk), butter (or vegan butter substitute), dried fruit (such as raisins or cranberries), spices (such as cinnamon or nutmeg).
Method: Mix together the yeast, sugar, and warm milk, then let it sit until foamy. Gradually add the flour, butter, dried fruit, and spices until a dough forms. Knead the dough, then let it rise until doubled in size. Shape into loaves or rolls, let rise again, then bake until golden brown.
