Baking Therapy: My Way To De-Stress and Feel Better

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Want some exam munchies or little midnight holiday treats? We got you!

December arrives quietly at first. One moment the SSU spaces on the campus are filled with the last traces of autumn, and then suddenly the air turns crisp, bright holiday lights appear, and the world feels just a little softer. It is the month where everyone is stretched between finishing those last assignments, preparing for exams, and trying to hold on to the small joys that make winter feel magical. 

As a little self-proclaimed baker, that magic has always lived in the kitchen! Baking has been my way of slowing down and taking a breath, even when life feels unpredictable and chaotic. While I highly recommend the ritual of baking something slowly in the oven, exam season does not often doesn't leave enough time or space for such a luxury. 

So here are a few of my favourite no-oven comfort bites that can help you calm your exam hunger pangs, or even for those late-night movie marathon munching sessions during the holidays! These recipes are quick, cozy, and perfect for anyone who needs a little sweetness and warmth in between study sessions or during the holiday movie binge-watch marathon! 😍

1. Melty Midnight Mug Brownie 

When the clock strikes midnight and the study pressure peaks, this tiny mug creation feels like a secret escape. In a cup, whisk together a little milk, a spoonful of sugar, cocoa powder, a drizzle of oil, and a pinch of any flour of your choice until the mixture becomes velvety. Microwave it for about a minute until it rises softly. The result is warm, fudgy, and comforting, almost like a chocolate sigh of relief during finals. 

Pro tip: If you like your brownies extra chocolatey, sprinkle it with a few extra dark chocolate chunks!😋

2. No-Oven Cookie Dough Bites

This is the kind of treat that feels mischievous, comforting, and indulgent all at once. Mix softened butter, sugar, vanilla, mini chocolate chips, and heat-treated choice of flour (just microwave it for safety), and you’ll have a bowl of edible cookie dough ready to roll into little stress-relief bites. Keep them in the fridge for whenever the study slump hits! These little treats are cold, sweet, and so satisfying that it almost feels like cheating…but in the best way. 😉

3. Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips  

When your sweet tooth starts whispering at 11 P.M., these crispy cinnamon tortilla chips step in like a festive miracle. Cut a tortilla into triangles, brush lightly with butter, sprinkle generously with cinnamon, white sugar, and toast them in a pan until crackly and fragrant. These treats taste like a cinnamon roll, and a churro had a holiday baby. It is warm, toasty, and perfect for dipping into chocolate spread or just plain yogurt. 

4. Caramelized Banana Toast  

This is a dessert disguised as a study snack. Butter a slice of bread, layer it with sliced bananas and sprinkle cinnamon with a hint of brown sugar. Toast it slowly in a pan until the bananas turn golden and the sugar melts into a delicate caramel. It is sweet, warm and incredibly soothing, especially when the day has felt heavier than usual. 

5. Brown Sugar Butter Popcorn 

There’s something poetic about a bowl of warm popcorn during exam time. It is simply lovely, soothing, nostalgic. Toss freshly microwaved popcorn with a quick stovetop blend of bubbling butter, caramel-like brown sugar, and a whisper of salt, and suddenly you’ve transformed humble kernels into a cozy sweet-and-salty snack that tastes like winter evenings and study playlists. It’s quick, it’s resourceful, and it feels like a reward in every handful. 

6. Sweet and Salty Pretzel Clusters 

This is a delightful little treat that comes together in minutes. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave until glossy, dip mini pretzels into the chocolate, and arrange them on parchment. Pop them in the freezer briefly (20-30 minutes) until they set. The result is a crunchy, sweet, and salty treat that lifts the mood almost instantly. 

7. Pan-Fried Mozzarella Sticks (cheat version) 

Not everything has to be sweet. Sometimes you need something salty to balance those flavours, and these golden, gooey mozzarella sticks feel like a warm hug for your brain. All you need are string cheese sticks, a quick dip in beaten egg, a toss in seasoned breadcrumbs, and a shallow pan sizzling with just a touch of oil. The magic happens fast…within minutes, you get crisp, crackly exteriors and molten, stretchy cheese that pulls like your favourite café treat. Pair them with marinara or ketchup for an instant comfort win. 

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…And for the days when even these feel like too much 

That is when Jingle Bites steps in to bring holiday comfort straight to campus. 

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From December 8th to 12th, you can enjoy the following: 

• Keep yourself fueled with the hearty Festive Turkey Meal during the final stretch of classes. 
  And all through the month until the last day of class, brighten your mornings with the Coffee and Pastry Combo, a perfect pick-me-up on chilly days. 

💡Final tip for surviving exam season 
Pair these warm, no-oven comfort bites with Jingle Bites for the ultimate exam-time food fuel to boost your productivity. 
A homemade moment of comfort combined with a festive treat from campus creates the perfect balance to keep you energized, motivated, and merry throughout December.

Check out our other food-related blogs to continue your reading streak!

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