A Sweet Day in La Feria

Updated: December 19, 2024

By Mike Villarreal

Recently, La Feria Independent School District (ISD) students joyfully celebrated National Cookie Day, indulging in delicious cookies paired with cold glasses of milk. This festive event brought the school community together, allowing students to enjoy sweet treats and share in the fun of the occasion.

On Saturday, December 7, the La Feria 4-H Club organized its inaugural fundraising event for the 2024-2025 season. This event aimed to raise funds to cover the necessary fees and dues associated with the upcoming Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, a significant event for local 4-H members. In addition to supporting participation in the livestock show, the funds generated will be allocated toward scholarships for active senior members of the club, helping them pursue further education.

This fundraising initiative is crucial for maintaining the 4-H Club as a non-profit organization. By reinvesting all earnings back into the active members, the club aims to provide ample opportunities for young individuals to engage in educational and agricultural programs, fostering personal growth and community involvement. Despite the chilly morning, the kids were undeterred, thanks to the support of their parents and the tempting top-notch pastries available for those with a sweet tooth.

National Cookie Day, celebrated every year on December 4, is dedicated to enjoying sweet treats.
Across the country, bakers fired up their ovens for holiday baking, preparing goodies to share with friends and family this festive season. The word “cookie” originates from the Dutch word “koekie,” which means “little cake.” While cookie-like wafers have been part of baking for centuries due to their ability to travel well, modern cookies require sweeter variations.

Cookies in the form we recognize today first appeared in Persia around the 7th century, coinciding with the regular use of sugar in that region. They spread to Europe following the Muslim conquest of Spain. By the 14th century, cookies became common across all levels of European society, ranging from street vendors to royal tables.

In America, cookies were introduced in the 17th century, with macaroons and gingerbread being among the most popular early varieties. Outside of North America, the term “biscuit” is commonly used to refer to cookies, and in some places, both terms are utilized interchangeably.

The oldest recorded cookie recipe in America dates back to 1796, found in a cookbook by Amelia Simmons called “American Cooking.” These early cookies were simple, made with basic ingredients like flour, butter, and sugar. Cookie cutters were invented in the 19th century, allowing bakers to create cookies in various shapes and sizes.

One of the most popular American cookies, the chocolate chip cookie, was invented in the 1930s. A baker who ran out of baker’s chocolate decided to substitute pieces of broken semi-sweet chocolate, thinking they would melt into the dough. Instead, the chunks retained their shape, resulting in the creation of the chocolate chip cookie.

Today, there is a wide variety of cookie types around the world, including bar cookies, drop cookies, filled cookies, molded cookies, no-bake cookies, pressed cookies, rolled cookies, sandwich cookies, breakfast cookies, low-fat cookies, raw cookie dough, skillet cookies, super-sized cookies, vegan cookies, and cookie cakes.
No matter what type of cookie you prefer, there’s sure to be one that satisfies everyone’s sweet tooth!