Community Corner

Just Holiday Desserts: Taste and Swap Christmas Goodies

From cookies to cakes, those passed on and new traditions.

The Frost the Snowman in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library could have been renamed Frosting the Snowman.

The creation of eight-year-old Lea Newport from Arlington, Frosty consisted of three round gingerbread sections, lots of white vanilla frosting with sweet decorating that became his face and accessories like his scarf.

And his hat?

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"Those are Kit Kat candy bars," she said.

"You could not bake that with the gingerbread because it would melt and you'd lose the hat," she noted.

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Newport joined a number of bakers at the inaugural Belmont Public Library's first ever Holiday Dessert Tasting and Recipe Swap where anyone had a chance to share their recipes and also discover new ones.

And the best part was that everyone got to sample what was brought. All recipes will be posted at the library afterwards for those who missed out.

Organizer and Belmont Librarian Corinne Chan had heard that Burlington's library has an annual holiday dessert tasting for the past three years.

"And we thought, 'what a wonderful idea,'" said Chan who brought her own brown sugar bars and Lake Como biscotti.

About seven residents and those from neighboring towns participated – "It was a little difficult because it was so close to Christmas and people had shopping to do," said Chan – bringing and talking about their desserts which included Ricotta cookies and brandy chocolate cake. 

"We are so happy with the turn out," said Chan. "It just shows that people love to bake."

One of those included 12-year-old Serena Laing from Belmont who brought her grandmother's Ellen's icing cookies, which consist of ground pecans and flour.

"What makes them special is a butter-cream dollop on top," the Shady Hill seventh grader said.

"I'm continuing the tradition," she said.


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