Snowshoe Through The Woods

Some of my treasured memories in the early winter, were waking up to the first snowfall. Peering out behind the curtains only to see out of the frosted window a glorious surprise below was always a delight. The first snowfall blankets the farm with an ethereal stillness and peace. The sight feels like the warm recognition and familiar embrace of a loved one you’ve missed. The glistening snow and crisp air are invigorating and soul cleansing, snapping me wide awake.

With the official arrival of winter heralded the start of our traditional sledding and skating parties. My mother used pull all three of us on our old wooden toboggan to the hill behind our horse pasture. We would spend the whole day out there until our cheeks were rosy, boots falling off, and snow in our socks. But we didn’t care; we were glowing with the thrill of it all, run after run. We would only come in to warm up quickly or bring out some hot muffins to the hill to warm our hands. Our neighbors put on annual sledding parties with lanterns and torches that lit the packed path to the hill making it look like a runway. We packed our sled with all sorts of comforting treats and a hot drink. When our mugs were empty and the chili pot scraped dry, we took our last few runs to top off a magical night and then followed the moonlit path back home to a blazing fire that awaited us. Winter outings can have just as much laughter, joy, and lightness with a delicious picnic, of course, as the warmer months of the year.

People always give me a curious look in Hawaii when I say we have winter picnics and parties outside in Vermont. I assure them that being properly dressed solves half of the problem but the truth is that Vermonters will find any excuse to be outside and know how to come prepared. Although, I too love to cozy up to the fire with a good book and hot tea in winter, That hill in your backyard or the park around the corner is beckoning to you—whether it’s snowy or not—to pack up a picnic to enjoy in the outdoors on a winter day. A hot thermos of chili and freshly baked cake will be sure to tempt even the most reluctant of one in your company to come along!

December Spiced Gingerbread

A winter picnic or the entire season for that matter, wouldn’t be complete without spiced gingerbread. Every year our family bakes some form of gingerbread, be it a cake or cut out cookies. For a snowshoe in the woods, these moist little cakes are quite substantial that bring some coziness while taking a rest under snow covered pine boughs. Even the squirrels may poke out to sneak a crumb.

Serves 6-8

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses

8 tablespoons (1 stick) of unsalted butter, melted

1 egg

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup hot black coffee

powdered sugar for dusting

Preparation tip: These little cakes can be baked the night before and wrapped up and dusted with powdered sugar the next morning.

Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease 6 or 8 cup mini-Bundt pans with a nonstick spray. Add a touch of flour in each tin and lightly tap the flour around to fully coat every crevasse.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, molasses, melted butter, and egg until it is a smooth and even consistency.

Add the flour, spices, baking powder, and salt and slowly stir together with a rubber spatula.

Pour in the hot coffee slowly while gently stirring together until the batter is a smooth and even consistency.

Fill each Bundt tin evenly, leaving 1/4” space from the brim of each tin. Gently smooth the top with the back of a spoon if necessary.

Bake for 20 minutes or until when an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Let the cakes sit in the tins for 5 minutes before removing them on a wire rack to cool.

When the cakes are completely cool, lightly sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

Transportation tip:

The easiest way to pack these little cakes without crushing them is wrapping individually with parchment paper and kitchen twine. They can tuck right into a backpack for a spicy treat in the woods.