Reasons Why Baking is relaxing:
- Baking requires your full attention. Baking takes your mind off of stressful thoughts that you may be worrying about.
- Mindful rhythm. The repetitive actions and gentle rhythms you carry out when mixing or kneading can be a grounding and therapeutic experience.
- A feast for the senses. With the ingredients giving you something to taste, feel, smell and touch, it keeps you mindful about your environment and away from the thoughts in your head. The aromas of baking create a cozy and comforting environment for you to unwind.
- An escape from devices. Getting your hands messy with dough and flour creates a physical barrier, so you can be distant from your stressful emails or intrusive social media notifications.
- Baking is rewarding. Baking is an activity that has visible, quick and simple results. Making something from scratch can be very rewarding and the experience can be joyful.
Easy-to-follow Recipes:
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep TIme: 10 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes Total Time: 3 hours, 22 minutes Yield: 16 cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 and 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 and 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks or 170g) unsalted butter, melted & slightly cooled
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/4 cups (225g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks
Prep TIme: 10 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes Total Time: 3 hours, 22 minutes Yield: 16 cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 and 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 and 1/2 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks or 170g) unsalted butter, melted & slightly cooled
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/4 cups (225g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks
Peach Lemon Butter Cake
Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Servings: 5-8 slices
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups peaches (fresh without peel or frozen)
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 2/3 cup flour
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Powdered sugar
Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Servings: 5-8 slices
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups peaches (fresh without peel or frozen)
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 2/3 cup flour
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Powdered sugar