Comfort foods of all kinds can remind one of a time period filled with less stress.
“Whenever you were a kid and your mom or dad would make [that food], back when you had nothing to worry about, [well] it takes you back to that,” said Kellen DeLaney.
Typically made around autumn, this pumpkin dessert can act as a reminder of family and the holidays.
For DeLaney (sophomore–chemistry), pumpkin roll makes her think of Thanksgiving.
“It’s like pumpkin pie, it has the spices which are warm and comforting. It’s got that traditional home flavor to it,” she said.
A less complicated version of the classic pumpkin roll, this dessert is made as a sheet cake instead of a log. The process is simpler, because there is no rolling involved.
PUMPKIN CAKE SQUARES
6 eggs large
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 ½ cups brown sugar – packed
1 ½ c vegetable or canola oil
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 ½ t. baking powder
3 + cups pure pumpkin
3 cups unbleached white flour
1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon cloves
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon allspice
Beat eggs; add oil, sugar and pumpkin. Blend salt, soda, baking powder, flour and all spices in a separate bowl. Gradually add to the liquid and beat at a medium speed. Pour into a greased and floured 11x15 Texas sheet cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Check the center with a toothpick to make sure it is done, but do not brown.
ICING
2–8 ounces packages of Philadelphia regular cream cheese
1 tablespoon pure vanilla
2 tablespoon heavy cream
2–3 cups powdered sugar – It will be the consistency of regular icing, but not hard. If it’s not thick enough, add more powdered sugar.
For a stress-free homemade meal, Lauren Wasmuth (sophomore–communications sciences and disorders) said that baked macaroni and cheese is “an easy thing to make that reminds you of home.”
Jessie Balogh said macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food that is perfect for when the weather gets colder.
“I think it’s seasonal, [it] reminds you of what time of year it is,” Balogh (junior–business management) said.
This family recipe serves at least 10, and is great as leftovers, so be prepared to put some in the fridge or freezer.
HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
Cook 2 boxes of elbow pasta and drain
In a separate bowl combine 4 eggs with 4 cups of milk and mix.
Grate 10–12 ounces of Colby cheese and 10–12 ounces of white sharp cheddar cheese
Spray a 9”–13” pan with cooking spray and layer pasta and cheese in the pan until almost full
Pour milk and eggs over the pasta and cheese
Bake at 350–375 degrees until brown on top and bubbling
Cut and serve.
