Ohio State University, one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the United States, has a rich history of traditions that bring its students, faculty, and alumni together. Among these traditions, there are some sweet ones that involve cookies! In this article, we'll explore 7 sweet Ohio State University cookie traditions that are sure to make your mouth water.
1. The Buckeye Cookie Tradition
The buckeye cookie is a classic Ohio State University tradition that dates back to the 1960s. These peanut butter and chocolate cookies are shaped like buckeye nuts, which are a symbol of the university's athletic teams. According to tradition, buckeye cookies are good luck charms that can bring success to the university's teams. During football games, it's common to see fans eating buckeye cookies to show their team spirit.
How to Make Buckeye Cookies
If you want to try making buckeye cookies at home, here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup melted chocolate
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and melted chocolate in a bowl.
- Add the butter and vanilla extract to the mixture.
- Roll out the dough into small balls and shape them into buckeye nuts.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they're lightly browned.
2. The Ohio State University Cookie Decorating Tradition
Every year, Ohio State University's student union hosts a cookie decorating event where students can decorate their own cookies with OSU-themed designs. This tradition is a fun way for students to show their school spirit and get creative with their baking skills.
How to Decorate Cookies like a Pro
If you want to decorate cookies like a pro, here are some tips:
- Use royal icing to decorate your cookies. Royal icing is a type of icing that hardens when it dries, making it perfect for decorating cookies.
- Use a piping bag to pipe the icing onto your cookies.
- Practice makes perfect! Don't be discouraged if your first attempts at decorating cookies don't turn out perfectly.
3. The OSU Football Cookie Tradition
During Ohio State University football games, it's common to see fans eating cookies to show their team spirit. One popular tradition is to eat cookies shaped like footballs or buckeye nuts. These cookies are often decorated with OSU-themed designs and are a fun way for fans to show their support for their team.
How to Make Football-Shaped Cookies
If you want to make football-shaped cookies at home, here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix the sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the mixture.
- Roll out the dough into a football shape.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they're lightly browned.
4. The Ohio State University Holiday Cookie Tradition
During the holiday season, Ohio State University students and faculty come together to bake and decorate cookies. This tradition is a fun way for the university community to get into the holiday spirit and show their school pride.
How to Make Holiday Cookies
If you want to make holiday cookies at home, here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Holiday-themed decorations (e.g. sprinkles, icing)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix the sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the mixture.
- Roll out the dough into a variety of holiday shapes (e.g. trees, stockings, bells).
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they're lightly browned.
- Decorate the cookies with holiday-themed decorations.
5. The OSU Spring Cookie Tradition
In the spring, Ohio State University students and faculty come together to bake and decorate cookies to celebrate the arrival of warmer weather. This tradition is a fun way for the university community to welcome the new season and show their school pride.
How to Make Spring-Themed Cookies
If you want to make spring-themed cookies at home, here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Spring-themed decorations (e.g. sprinkles, icing)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix the sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the mixture.
- Roll out the dough into a variety of spring shapes (e.g. flowers, eggs, butterflies).
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they're lightly browned.
- Decorate the cookies with spring-themed decorations.
6. The Ohio State University Fall Cookie Tradition
In the fall, Ohio State University students and faculty come together to bake and decorate cookies to celebrate the arrival of cooler weather. This tradition is a fun way for the university community to welcome the new season and show their school pride.
How to Make Fall-Themed Cookies
If you want to make fall-themed cookies at home, here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Fall-themed decorations (e.g. sprinkles, icing)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix the sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the mixture.
- Roll out the dough into a variety of fall shapes (e.g. leaves, acorns, pumpkins).
- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they're lightly browned.
- Decorate the cookies with fall-themed decorations.
7. The OSU Cookie Exchange Tradition
One of the most popular cookie traditions at Ohio State University is the cookie exchange. During the holiday season, students and faculty come together to exchange cookies and share their favorite recipes. This tradition is a fun way for the university community to get into the holiday spirit and show their school pride.
How to Host a Cookie Exchange
If you want to host a cookie exchange at home, here are some tips:
- Invite friends and family to participate in the cookie exchange.
- Ask each participant to bring a batch of their favorite cookies to exchange.
- Set up a table with a variety of cookies and decorations.
- Encourage participants to share their favorite cookie recipes and traditions.
In conclusion, Ohio State University has a rich history of sweet cookie traditions that bring its students, faculty, and alumni together. From the buckeye cookie tradition to the cookie exchange, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a student, faculty member, or alumni, these traditions are a fun way to show your school pride and get into the holiday spirit.
What is the history of the buckeye cookie tradition at Ohio State University?
+The buckeye cookie tradition at Ohio State University dates back to the 1960s. The tradition is believed to have started as a way to bring good luck to the university's athletic teams.
How do I make buckeye cookies at home?
+To make buckeye cookies at home, you will need peanut butter, powdered sugar, melted chocolate, butter, and vanilla extract. Simply mix the ingredients together, roll out the dough into small balls, and shape them into buckeye nuts. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they're lightly browned.
What is the significance of the cookie exchange tradition at Ohio State University?
+The cookie exchange tradition at Ohio State University is a fun way for students and faculty to get into the holiday spirit and show their school pride. The tradition involves exchanging cookies and sharing favorite recipes.