Throughout Kinnelon’s community, holiday treats are more than something sweet to eat; they help mark the season. Many families bring out special recipes they only make once a year, and the smells, flavors, and traditions connected to these desserts create a sense of comfort and holiday spirit. For students, these foods often signal that the holiday season has officially begun.
For sophomore Cayla Patel, she believes apple pie is the best holiday treat. “Definitely apple pie,” Patel said. She explained that she loves the filling, and adding vanilla ice cream makes it “so comforting.” Patel’s family also has a tradition of baking sugar cookies each year. She said they are special because “they are so delicious and fun to decorate, which really makes the holidays feel more significant.”
Patel believes gingerbread cookies deserve more attention. “Everyone talks about cookies but never gingerbread ones,” she said. She added that holiday food feels exciting because it is different from what people eat during the rest of the year. “Everything tastes amazing, and you get to eat stuff you don’t have the rest of the year, so it makes it even better.” She loves the nostalgic flavors that make each bite memorable, and she thinks more people would appreciate gingerbread cookies if they gave it a chance during the holiday season.
Sophomore Carly Nowatka also said cookies are her favorite holiday treat, especially sugar cookies with frosting. “Decorating them is so fun, and they always taste better when you make them yourself,” she explained. Every Christmas morning, her mom makes cinnamon rolls, a tradition Nowatka looks forward to. “We only ever really have it on Christmas morning, so it is something to look forward to, and they are so delicious,” she said.
Nowatka also thinks cannolis deserve more hype. For her, the best part of holiday food is the way it brings her family together. “My family hangs out in the kitchen all day,” she said. Her family mostly makes homemade treats, and Nowatka enjoys being part of the baking process. “It feels like part of the tradition.”
Sophomore Ashley Tumminia said her favorite holiday treat is snickerdoodle cookies. “My mom makes them really, really good,” she said. “I also love buying the winter menu cake pops from Starbucks; they’re so cute and add fun to the festivities.” Although buying treats is exciting, Tumminia’s family loves cooking and baking, so they usually make homemade treats by following recipes they find on Pinterest. Even though she likes baking, Tumminia said she sometimes prefers it when others make the treats for her. “I get really busy in the winter, and it makes it more special to receive something you know a person puts a lot of time into,” she said.
Even though each student has different favorite treats, they all agree that holiday desserts help bring people together. Whether it’s apple pie, sugar cookies, cinnamon rolls, or something homemade from a family recipe, these treats help make the holiday season feel warm, fun, and memorable for many KHS students.
