Contributed photos Grace Thomas, a high school student entering her senior year, loves to make baked goods for people. Thomas’ favorite things to make are pies and other sweet treats.

Grace Thomas, a home schooled student about to enter her senior year, loves to bake sweets for people. Though she fills her time with school, babysitting, church activities and spending time outdoors, she manages to squeeze in time in the kitchen.

Thomas’ interest in baking and cooking began at a young age and has only grown from there.

“I have always helped my mom in the kitchen since I was little and as I got older I started doing it on my own,” she said.

Thomas’ inspiration for making food comes from a desire to serve others.

“I wanted to start baking and cooking just because I simply love to feed people!” she said

Along with this, Thomas said it allows her to learn new things.

 “I love baking and cooking because it is fun to make new things, and I also enjoy feeding people to learn some of their likes and dislikes,” she said.

Thomas said she has not had any terrible kitchen disasters, but a few times she has tried new recipes that her family did not like.

Her baked goods are always a hit, though.

“My favorite thing to make is whole wheat bread. But I am best at making chocolate covered cherries, which I only make during the Christmas season, or pies,” Thomas said.

The teen’s love for baking has brought out an entrepreneurial spirit in her. 

Thomas started her own business, Grace’s Baking, in 2017.  She offers an assortment of baked goods.

“I sell a variety of things such as bread, pie, cookies, bars, and a few seasonal things such as the chocolate covered cherries,” Thomas said.

For those interested in ordering any tasty treats, she can be contacted at graceanne.t2003@gmail.com.

Chocolate Lassies

3/4 cup butter (softened)

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup molasses

1 1/2 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 1/2 cups flour

1+ cup(s) chocolate chips

Directions:

Mix butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and molasses. Mix until fully incorporated. Next, stir in soda, ginger, cinnamon and flour stirring just until combined. Finally add as many chocolate chips as you like! Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes or until set. Don’t over bake!

Whole Wheat Bread

5 cups warm water

3 tablespoons yeast

2/3 cup oil

2/3 cup sugar or honey

2 tablespoons salt

15-18 cups whole wheat flour

Combine ingredients in Bosch mixer. Knead dough 5 minutes. Let rise in bread pans. Bake 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool and enjoy. Makes five loaves of bread.

Strawberry pie

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoon cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

1 cup water

2 tablespoons corn syrup

3 tablespoons strawberry flavored Jello

Boil all ingredients except Jello. Add jello. Chill. Put in strawberries and put in pie crust. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Crust

1 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup oil

2 tablespoons milk

Mix together and press in pie pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

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Contact Anna Shearer at ashearer@timesrepublican.