Unwinding via Baking: Engaging Your Senses for a Mental Reset

Baking is more than just making something delicious—it’s a therapeutic experience that engages all five of our senses (sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste). When we focus on the present moment through baking, our mind gets a much-needed break from the endless to-do lists, daily stressors, and overwhelming emotions like anxiety, sadness, anger, or fear.

In this post, I’ll walk you through two comforting recipes: blueberry crumble top muffins and honey chocolate chunk cookies. But before we get started, here are a couple of quick tips to make your baking process smoother:

Quick Baking Tips for an Easier Experience

✔️ Use silicone muffin liners – They make cleanup a breeze, are reusable (less waste), and are more cost-efficient in the long run. I bought mine on Amazon
✔️ Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper – This simple step saves time on cleanup and prevents cookies from sticking.

Now, let’s dive into these delicious, sensory-rich recipes!

Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients for muffins (makes about 12):

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ⅓ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)

• 1 large egg

• ⅔ cup milk (whole or buttermilk for extra tenderness)

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries

For the Crumb Topping (Optional):

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar

• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).

   • Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly.

2. Make the Crumb Topping (optional):

   • In a small bowl, mix flour, sugar, and cinnamon.

   • Stir in the melted butter until crumbs form. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Muffin Batter:

   • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

   • In another bowl, whisk together oil, egg, milk, and vanilla extract.

   • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy—do not overmix.

4. Fold in the Blueberries:

   • Gently fold the blueberries into the batter using a spatula. If using frozen blueberries, coat them lightly in flour before adding to prevent color bleeding.

5. Fill the Muffin Tin:

   • Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.

   • Sprinkle crumb topping over each muffin if using.

6. Bake:

   • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

   • Let muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.

7. Enjoy!

   • These muffins taste best fresh but can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Honey Chunk Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients (makes about 24):

• ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon local honey (optional, but helps with texture and flavor)

  • Or 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • Don’t have baking soda? Use 1 tablespoon of baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 ½ cups semisweet or dark chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. If using honey, mix it in at this stage.

3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.

6. Fold in the chocolate chips.

7. Drop tablespoon-sized scoops onto the prepared baking sheet.

8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

As your blueberry crumble muffins and honey chocolate chunk cookies come out of the oven, take a moment to pause. Notice the golden tops, the rich aroma filling the air, and the warmth in your hands. When you take that first bite, let yourself be present—tuning into the flavors, textures, and the simple satisfaction of creating something from scratch.

Baking isn’t just about the finished product; it’s about the process. The rhythm of measuring, mixing, and waiting encourages us to slow down and step away from the rush of daily life. It’s a small but meaningful way to reset, giving our minds the space to breathe.

So the next time you need a break, consider spending some time in the kitchen. Engaging your senses in something creative and hands-on can be a simple yet effective way to find a moment of calm.

Enjoy the process, and happy baking! ♡