Fare
Tasty Traditions
By Gray Bennett | Photography by Kristina Armstrong
What could be sweeter than dessert? For some, beloved sweet treats often go hand in hand with a special tradition shared with family and friends. From family game nights to birthday celebrations, a nostalgic dessert always adds more meaning to the memories. Here, we spoke with four locals to learn more about what makes their tasty traditions so sweet.
For Amber Mueller, snickerdoodles are a special part of the Christmas season. While enjoying the cookies – fresh from the oven, of course – her family has made it a tradition to gather together after dinner, play a game, and talk about life. She shares that traditions like these act as a “stabilizing force” in her life, “providing a sense of comfort, security, and belonging.” The snickerdoodles she has shared with her loved ones over the years are much more than just delicious cinnamon cookies. They are cherished moments of laughter, love, and fun. The cookies not only bring back childhood memories for Mueller, but they also serve to strengthen family bonds and create new memories for her family today. Whether shared over a competitive card game or a nostalgic board game, warm snickerdoodles have made her life sweeter to savor. “Nothing beats the smell of these cookies coming out of your oven,” she says. “I remember that every post-dinner family gathering turns into game night, suddenly, any previous worries are forgotten!”