By Staff Writer: Julia Simmons
There is always space to bake, whether you live in fifty square feet or five thousand. When you get a craving for something sweet, do not let the size of your kitchen deter you!
In a dorm, you can always make a mug cake or brownie. Most mug recipes list ingredients that can be kept in a dorm if a mini fridge is available. Usually, all you need is butter, vanilla, salt, sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips. If it is too much of a hassle to keep these items in your squished dorm, grocery stores carry mug cake- kits, which only require water and oil to make in a microwave.
If you live in an apartment or dorm that has a kitchen (looking at you, Eddy Hall) you can make something a little fancier. Chocolate chip cookies are an easy treat you can start with, or if you are a little more advanced, impress your friends with a layer cake. You will be surprised with what you can accomplish in a little kitchen!
Finally, if you have access to a full-size kitchen, the world is your oyster. This may be your parent’s kitchen or a friend’s, but with access to a mixer, a pastry blender, and more counter space, you may find yourself never needing the Wal-Mart bakery again! Breads, pastries, or elaborate cakes are at your fingertips!
Your living situation should not affect your ability to do what you love or learn a new skill. Baking is available to you no matter where you are at in life!
This is my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, by Rosanna Pansino!
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, room temperature
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
1 teaspoon course sea salt
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch and salt. Set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar.
Add in the vanilla extract and eggs. Mix until well combined.
Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients at a time and continue mixing until well combined, scraping the sides as needed.
Using the spatula, fold in the chocolate chips.
Chill the dough in the fridge for 1-2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Scoop three tablespoons of dough and roll into tall balls. Place onto the baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
Bake until barely starting to turn golden brown, about 11-13 minutes. Cookies may look undone but will settle and flatten as they cool.