Sugary Someones

Pictured: My good friend ‘Snacks"‘ celebrating with snacks.

There's a reason that the kitchen is called the heart of the home. The familiar rhythm of the refrigerator shutting, and the toaster popping, and the faucet dripping keep the beat as conversations ebb and flow. It's consistent. It's warm. It's full of life. It fuels minds, and bodies, and souls, and without it, we would slug around in grey tones, longing for the light it promises. We pass punch lines as we lean against counters, catch up on relationship statuses while shucking corn, and talk story while the prime rib rests. You don't need a Michelin Star Rating to hang out at the kitchen sink; you just need the will to have fun. 

If walls could talk, I think the ones in the kitchen would laugh. How could they not? Everyone else does when they are in there. Pay attention next time you're in your own little cookery- how does it make you feel?

There's a special kind of someone out there that can catch all those feelings found in the kitchen, measure and mix and sift 'em, bake them up at 350˚, put them in some festive Tupperware, and deliver it to your door. I have many of these someones in my life. Someones like Jackie and Bonnie and Beth and Lucile. Someones who love me with fresh bread, or soft-baked cookies, or hot soup. These simple gifts made from pantry staples make an ordinary day one worth remembering. I am always humbled and inspired by the someones who celebrate with sweets and treats. 

This month's issue is all about integrating more of the kitchen into the way we celebrate. How to box that baby up and share it with those you love. And I've got to start by introducing you to my friend Leslie Pannebaker (or, as we fondly call her around the office, Snacks). I have the privilege of working with Leslie, and I can tell you firsthand that she knows how to make things feel special. Her many talents include decorating, telling funny stories, writing, laughing at herself, and at the top of my list (as I am always the direct benefactor of this one) her ability to cook, and bake, and fry and broil with the best of them. 

She shows up 9 times out of 10 with some sort of warm and gooey treat accompanying her. I imagine her purse has no shortage of goodies inside, just waiting to be pulled out to make a skinned knee or a hard day better. She celebrates with cinnamon rolls, loves with lemon bars, heals with hot fudge sundaes, lollipops are her love language. And since I have access to such a brilliant baker, I knew I had to pick her brain and see how someone like me (who feels a little intimidated by words like 'yeast' and 'fold,' which sound even more alarming close together in a sentence) might be able to become a more confident confectioner. 

So go ahead, put on your favorite pair of sweats. Pour yourself a hot cup of tea. Find yourself a cookie or a square of chocolate or a protein bar you forgot you had in the bottom of your backpack, put up your feet, and enjoy my conversation with Leslie below. I am confident it will leave you inspired to make a meaningful morsel this May. 

You're so good at filling people's hearts by filling their stomachs. How has that become such a prominent part of your life?

I love baking for people; I love showing people I love them with their favorite goody. When I plan an occasion, I usually start with dessert and then build around that. I can't really tell you why I do that, but I think enjoying food- sweets, to be specific- kind of represents celebrating life in its most simple/physical form. So why not start there? Sugar is pretty universal for bringing joy.

Where did your interest in loving people with food come from?

Probably my mom- the smell of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies still gives me the warm fuzzies. She has always made them for people she loves. I picked that up pretty young and have always loved doing the same. Plus, I know it might not be good parenting or healthy by any means, but many bad days can at least be soothed with a warm cookie or a bowl of ice cream.

For sure, or even better- a warm cookie WITH a bowl of ice cream. Do you have any baking traditions you've picked up or passed down along the way?

We have lots of traditions that revolve around holidays. Sometimes I feel like I've created a monster because I've set the bar a little high and have to keep up with the traditions I've made! For example, my kids expect to have sugar cookies, buckeyes, peanut butter kiss cookies, my husband Josh's famous cinnamon rolls on Christmas eve- just because it's what we always do. I do have 4 kids, and everyone has their favorite things in my defense, but it does get to be a lot. 

But I do love that my kids really love baking together and for other people. Now they're the ones saying things like, "can I bake cookies for the neighbors?" So I hope that sticks. I think that's pretty cool. 

What are a few pantry staples you have on hand to ensure you've got what you need to celebrate at a moment's notice?

I always have everything to make your basic chocolate chip cookies. I think my worst nightmare would be a need (yes, a need) arising for cookies and not having chocolate chips on hand. 

If there's no time to bake, what do you grab at the grocery?

I like going for store-bought treats that make people nostalgic. If I can't bake, I'm looking for something that will light up someone's eyes. The other day I grabbed Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies- I remember loving those as a kid, and they were a huge hit. 

Oh, Little Debbie. Now that sounds like my kind of baking. Sometimes thinking of getting comfortable in the kitchen feels so daunting. Any encouragement you'd pass on to someone who wants to bake but doesn't know where to start? 

Just try and fail! I mainly learned to bake and cook from watching The Food Network, but I've had A LOT of failures. Many panicked moments with company on their way over and a failed recipe. But it always ends up okay. Just try a different recipe next time. (And always have a boxed cake mix or brownies on hand. If you're baking for company and there's no time to start over, just pop one of those babies in the oven. No one will be sad over the smell of a fresh cake coming out of the oven, even if it's not from scratch.)

Well said. Here's to trying and failing and enjoying the backup brownies before we get back up and try again!


Want to have some fun with Leslie?

You can follow her on Instagram. She’s training for a marathon right now and has lots of inspiration to share along the way.


Leslie’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here’s one easy way to love like Leslie. Mix up this batter, roll into balls, and freeze so you can always have warm cookies available in 8 to 10 minutes. Bag them up and share them with neighbors, colleagues, or friends who just had a baby like Les did with me!

Prep: 10 minutes Bake: 8-10 minutes Cool: 2 minutes Makes about 4 dozen

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar

  • 1 cup butter or stick margarine, softened 

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1 large egg

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (optional)

  • 1 bag (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

Directions:

  1. Heat oven to 350˚.

  2. Beat sugars, butter, vanilla, and egg in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. 

  3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. 

  4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool 1 to 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.