A Baking and Books Post with Adrienne Mason

This Baking and Books post comes from Adrienne Mason, who is an awesome writer as well as the editor of Know: The Science Magazine for Curious Kids. 

Every Christmas we read Kevin Major's House of Wooden Santas. We love the wood carvings that are unveiled throughout the book and it's fun that you read a section of the story every night in December. It is the first book that comes out of the Christmas book box! But my absolute favourite is The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, written by Susan Wojciechowski and illustrated by P. J. Lynch. This book is beautifully illustrated and the story is so heart-warming. It makes me weepy almost every time I read it even though I know how it's going to end. I won't tell you much more than that. Run out and find yourself a copy! (For writers, this is a book that demonstrates the "show don't tell" technique of great writing.) 

There is food in The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, including gingersnaps. Here is our family's favourite gingersnap recipe. They are very yummy and easy to make. 

Adrienne's Gingersnaps

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup molasses

2 cups flour

1 tablespoon ginger

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

granulated sugar

Cream shortening, then add sugar, egg and molasses. Mix in flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Form teaspoonfuls of doug into round balls, roll in granulated sugar and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes. 

Have a great Christmas!

Adrienne http://www.knowmag.ca/