Everyone has recipes handed down from generation to generation. Whether rolls, cookies, or cakes, family recipes are more than just recipes: they’re holiday experiences. Standing with your parents in the kitchen, mixing the ingredients, pouring the batter into the trays and watching it bake in the oven is something that many will remember for years to come.

Beyond the holiday experience, family recipes also represent rich cultures and traditions. For example, my grandma’s recipe for Kropsu, a traditional Finnish pancake was passed down from her mother who was a Finnish immigrant. This recipe was passed down to my dad and then to me; I make it every year for the holidays as it not only tastes amazing, but also reminds me of waking up in the morning at my grandma’s house and eating breakfast.

The memories associated with favorite holiday recipes are important for people, especially to remember those experiences with family members who may have passed away or are too sick to do anything anymore. Family recipes carry so much value in a person’s heart and head. One of my favorite and longest time recipes is my great grandma’s crescent rolls. It is a special recipe that my great grandma made and passed down to her daughter and so on. Both my mother and my grandma have fond memories of making it with their mothers and I do as well.

In today’s world it is easy to forget how important family and memories are. The holidays can be tough, but family recipes are a way to escape that feeling and experience a sense of calm.