I love to bake… I do. But, I’ve noticed over the years that what I enjoy more than simply baking is baking for others. I rarely make a batch of cupcakes or a loaf of bread for myself. While I certainly shouldn’t eat an entire batch of cupcakes on my own, I also find that baking loses its luster when I remove the “people” component.
I do quite a lot of baking for my family and friends, which is fine and good. I enjoy baking for them, and I’m pretty sure they usually enjoy eating whatever I whip up. However, even more satisfying is the ability to bake for someone who may need a bit of a pick-me-up. Something as simple as a batch of cookies or some fresh muffins can really brighten someone’s day and change their whole outlook.
In the past you’ve seen me jump at the chance to participate in some great blogger-organized events to help spread some baking cheer (like Frosting for the Cause). One of the things I really love about the food blogging community is the way everyone pulls together for a good cause.
More recently I had the privilege to participate in Desserts for the Deserving, a project organized by Amanda of i am baker (along with two amazing helpers – Rebecca and Shanna). The idea is genius… Amanda encouraged her readers to nominate friends, family, and other acquaintances who they thought could use a home baked treat to brighten their day. She received hundreds of nominations and then she and her devoted helpers matched each heart wrenching story up with someone who was willing to send a small care package of baked goods. See? I told you it’s brilliant.
As one of the bakers, I received a story about a woman who has struggled with migraines and seizures. As a result, she has had to quit her job and even give up her dog. While a package of some decorated sugar cookies and a handful of Caramel Stuffed Mexican Chocolate Cookies certainly won’t make everything OK, I am hoping that they at least brought a smile to her face for a moment or two.
Unfortunately, this round of Desserts for the Deserving is coming to an end in a few days… But, I hope that won’t stop you from putting your love of baking to good use. I am confident that all of us can come up with ways to bake for the better and do something for someone who may be going through a rough time. So, for this week’s Works for Me Wednesday post, I thought I’d share a few of the ideas that I came up with. And, I’d encourage you to share any additional ideas you have in the comments on this post!
A few ideas to get you started baking for better…
- Leave a small bag of cookies on the desk of a co-worker who you know is having a tough time.
- Consider taking a cake or another freshly baked dessert over to a family who is grieving the loss of a loved one.
- Drop off some cupcakes or other goodies at a local hospital for patients who are fighting cancer or other terminal illnesses. (You may want to check with the hospital ahead of time to make sure there are no restrictions preventing you from doing this.)
- Put together a care package with some homemade cookies to send to someone deployed overseas in the military.
- Can’t think of anyone? Ask around at your church or a community center to find out if there is a family that they know of who is going through a rough time. Consider taking some fresh muffins or biscuits over to the family and getting to know them a bit better!
I know this list of ideas is just scratching the surface… But, I hope it will get you thinking. Have other ideas you’d like to share? Please feel free to leave a comment with your ideas on how to bake for better!
These cookies are adorable. Your heart and desire to give to others is amazing. You are such a blessing Jen!!
Amanda, Rebecca and Shanna together with all the wonderful volunteers are doing a fabulous good deed for so many others. Receiving a box of homemade goods shows friends and strangers alike that they are thought of and cared about in a way that truly speaks from the heart. Beautiful gesture Jen and beautiful cookies.
The cookie decorations are adorable! I love the colors, especially the flowers and the stripes. Very cute, and will certainly brighten someone’s day.
You cookies are beautiful. Without sharing my baking, there is no point to it. I loved participating in FFTC. What wonderful tips on baking for better.
Jen, This is such a wonderful idea! Your cookies are beautiful and would surely brighten someone’s day!
I love to bake also, and do it almost exclusively for friends and family, including my church family. Every now and then a neighbor will get an unexpected treat. I do have some friends that are diabetic, so I try to come up with treats for them as well as for the friends that need gluten-free.
For this week end, I am baking a coconut cheesecake for a friend to surprise her husband with for his birthday, an eight layer Reeses cake(as well as a few meals)for a friend who’s husband is away for a month, homemade Oreos for her four year old son, a five layer Neapolitan Cake for a friend just back from a month in China, and about eight dozen assorted cookies for a quarterly gathering of associated churches held at out church this Sunday.
I love the project Amanda headed, but wasn’t quick enough to become a baker for it. Maybe next time… Your cookies would brighten anyone’s day. Thanks for drawing attention to the project and to sharing our talents.
Your cookies are always so gorgeous, Jen! How wonderful of you to make them for someone who could really use a smile. I missed out on Amanda’s project this time around, but will definitely keep my eyes open if she does another one…and in the meantime, I’ll make some cookies for someone I know who could really use them. :-)
I love baking cookies especially for the Holidays, to give out to as many elderly people possible who live alone. But I work alone have no help, so if you love baking too and want to spare some of your cookies and send them to me, it would help me greatly so I make more cookie bags to give out to the elderly who live alone and others in hospitals, etc. If you want to help me, contact me for my address at Mafchel@yahoo.com Any kind of baked cookies will do. I want to make this year 500 cookie gift bags. I also put in the gift bag a candy cane, a packet of hot chocolate and anything else I can find.