Cooking Classes

13.11.13

Wonderful Day with the Hutterite Children Making Christmas Cookies


I know I have written a few times about visiting the Hutterite Colony. I am a substitute teacher and have offered to the students that rather than do art, when I come we can have a cooking class. I am a home economics teacher and love to cook with the children.

This was cooking with children like I have never experienced. These kids do not grow up with family kitchens. The Colony has a commercial kitchen that is totally kid unfriendly. Cooking small batch is a treat.

I had a couple of consecutive days and decided we could make some Christmas cookies. Day 1 we made sugar cookie and gingerbread cookie dough.

I pre-measured most of the ingredients so they only had to mix them together. I only had one hand mixer. Now, normally when I am with a group of children I am so nervous with my appliances. These kids are amazing. The boys right away noticed the mixer had a fan to cool the motor. They knew if they tilted it while in motion the dough would be flung far and wide. I only showed them once how to install the beaters. Only once did I show them the on/off button.

I had 3 rolling pins and each differently shaped. Before I even explained how to use each they shouted out the unique nuances of each. They knew how to use a pin without moving pieces. They knew that a French style pin that is fatter in the centre would have to be tilted to make an even dough.

We rolled and cut cookies. I took them home and baked them.


Unfortunately I didn't have a card in my camera and therefore have no pictures. It was also a day that my lunch from their kitchen had the most beautiful pork chop. Why? Why? Why? I really wanted a picture of that pork chop. It was delicious.

Now I am returning with their baked cookies and some prepared icing so they can decorate and package their cookie gifts.















15 comments:

  1. Emma..Jacob..Christina..

    All those cookies are delightful..

    Lovely post:)

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    1. Thanks, Nana. It took so much more time than I expected.

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  2. What a joy to cook with a group of children. I remember having a cookie making party with my daughters friends one year an she has carried on the tradition every year with her friends in Vancouver.

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    1. I bet these kids will want to do it again next year :D

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  3. Looks like they had lots of fun, I love gingerbread men :-) Have a good day Diane

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    1. They loved it. Even the older boys had a great time.

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  4. What a lovely thing to do. It always feels like children don't do that sort of a thing anymore. Nice to know they do.. and are so creative.

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    1. They loved it and never get the chance to get into the kitchen. We just did all this in the classroom.

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  5. Best substitute teacher ever! What a lovely lesson.

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  6. How wonderful of you to take the time to bake cookies with the children! Reminds me of being a Girl Scout leader. You've helped get me in the mood for Christmas cookie baking! Great post that shows your dedication to cooking and unselfishness in your giving!

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    1. Thx Roz for your kind words. It is run even in the chaos!

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  7. What a great experience - for you and for them. By the way, how did you make the words in the cookies. That looks like fun.

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    1. I bought a cookie press kit from Williams Sonoma and they have letters that fit into a slot. Slick. There are some ready made things like Merry Christmas, etc.

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