Ashburnham Senior Center

06/19/2026

Perfect Summer Sides!

06/19/2026

Empanada Dough

Ingredients

* 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
* 1 tsp salt
* ½ cup (115 g) cold butter, cubed
* 1 egg
* ½ cup (120 ml) cold water

Method

1. Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly.
3. Add the egg and water.
4. Mix until a dough forms.
5. Knead briefly until smooth.
6. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
7. Roll out and cut into circles.
8. Fill and seal as desired.
9. Bake at 190°C (375°F) for 20–25 minutes or until golden.

Tips

* Keep ingredients cold for a flaky crust.
* Do not overwork the dough.

Soft Pretzel Dough

Ingredients

* 4 cups (500 g) bread flour
* 1½ cups (360 ml) warm water
* 2¼ tsp (7 g) instant yeast
* 1 tbsp sugar
* 1 tsp salt
* 2 tbsp butter, melted

Baking Soda Bath

* 8 cups water
* ⅓ cup baking soda

Method

1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Add warm water and melted butter.
3. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
4. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
5. Divide and shape into pretzels.
6. Boil each pretzel for 20–30 seconds in the baking soda bath.
7. Place on a baking tray.
8. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
9. Bake at 220°C (425°F) for 12–15 minutes.

Tips

* The baking soda bath creates the classic pretzel crust.
* Brush with butter after baking.

Bagel Dough

Ingredients

* 4 cups (500 g) bread flour
* 1¼ cups (300 ml) warm water
* 2¼ tsp (7 g) instant yeast
* 1 tbsp sugar
* 1½ tsp salt

For Boiling

* 2 liters water
* 2 tbsp honey or sugar

Method

1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Add warm water and knead into a firm dough.
3. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth.
4. Let rise for 1 hour.
5. Divide into 8 portions and shape into bagels.
6. Rest for 15 minutes.
7. Boil for 30 seconds per side.
8. Place on a baking tray and add toppings if desired.
9. Bake at 220°C (425°F) for 20–25 minutes.

Tips

* Boiling gives bagels their chewy texture.
* Bread flour works best.

Focaccia Dough

Ingredients

* 4 cups (500 g) bread flour
* 1¾ cups (420 ml) warm water
* 2¼ tsp (7 g) instant yeast
* 2 tsp salt
* ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil

Method

1. Mix flour, yeast, salt, water, and olive oil.
2. Stir until a sticky dough forms.
3. Knead briefly or perform stretch-and-folds.
4. Let rise until doubled.
5. Transfer to an oiled baking tray.
6. Stretch gently to fit the tray.
7. Dimple the surface with your fingertips.
8. Drizzle with olive oil and desired toppings.
9. Bake at 220°C (425°F) for 20–25 minutes.

Tips

* A wetter dough produces a lighter texture.
* Rosemary and flaky salt are classic toppings.

Pita Bread Dough

Ingredients

* 3 cups (375 g) bread flour
* 1 cup (240 ml) warm water
* 2¼ tsp (7 g) instant yeast
* 1 tsp sugar
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 tbsp olive oil

Method

1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Add water and olive oil.
3. Knead until smooth and elastic.
4. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
5. Divide into 8 equal pieces.
6. Roll into thin circles.
7. Rest for 15 minutes.
8. Bake at 250°C (480°F) on a hot tray for 3–5 minutes.
9. Cool under a towel to keep soft.

Tips

* A very hot oven helps pitas puff.
* Do not over-roll the dough.

Croissant Dough

Ingredients

Dough

* 4 cups (500 g) bread flour
* 1 cup (240 ml) cold milk
* 2¼ tsp (7 g) instant yeast
* ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
* 1 tsp salt
* 2 tbsp butter, softened

Butter Layer

* 250 g cold unsalted butter

Method

1. Mix dough ingredients and knead until smooth.
2. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
3. Flatten the butter into a square between parchment sheets.
4. Enclose the butter inside the dough.
5. Roll and fold the dough into thirds.
6. Chill for 30 minutes and repeat folding 3 times.
7. Roll out and cut into triangles.
8. Shape into croissants and proof until puffy.
9. Brush with egg wash and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 18–22 minutes.

Tips

* Keep the dough and butter cold throughout the process.
* Chill between folds to maintain distinct layers.

06/19/2026

Japanese Soufflé Pancakes

Ingredients (2–3 Pancakes)

* 2 eggs, separated
* 2 tbsp milk
* ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
* ½ tsp baking powder
* 2 tbsp sugar
* ½ tsp vanilla extract
* ½ tsp lemon juice or cream of tartar
* Oil for cooking

Method

1. Mix egg yolks, milk, vanilla, flour, and baking powder until smooth.
2. Beat egg whites and lemon juice until foamy.
3. Gradually add sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold the egg whites gently into the yolk mixture.
5. Heat a lightly greased nonstick pan over very low heat.
6. Spoon tall mounds of batter into the pan.
7. Add 1 tbsp water to the pan and cover.
8. Cook for 4–5 minutes, flip carefully, and cook another 4–5 minutes.
9. Serve immediately with powdered sugar, fruit, or syrup.

Tips

* Use very low heat for even cooking.
* Fold gently to keep the batter airy.

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Ingredients (8 Pancakes)

Pancake Batter

* 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
* 3½ tsp baking powder
* 1 tbsp sugar
* ¼ tsp salt
* 1¼ cups (300 ml) milk
* 1 egg
* 3 tbsp melted butter

Cinnamon Swirl

* ¼ cup (55 g) melted butter
* ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
* 1 tsp cinnamon

Method

1. Mix all pancake batter ingredients until just combined.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the cinnamon swirl ingredients.
3. Pour the swirl mixture into a piping bag or zip-top bag.
4. Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium heat.
5. Pour pancake batter onto the skillet.
6. Pipe a spiral of cinnamon mixture onto each pancake.
7. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface.
8. Flip carefully and cook until golden brown.
9. Serve warm with cream cheese glaze or syrup.

Tips

* Keep the heat medium-low to prevent the cinnamon swirl from burning.
* Do not overmix the pancake batter.

Banana Pancakes

Ingredients (8–10 Pancakes)

* 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
* 1 tsp baking powder
* ½ tsp baking soda
* ¼ tsp salt
* 2 ripe bananas, mashed
* 1 egg
* 1 cup (240 ml) milk
* 2 tbsp melted butter
* 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, mix mashed bananas, egg, milk, butter, and vanilla.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
4. Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium heat.
5. Pour batter onto the skillet.
6. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface.
7. Flip and cook until golden brown.
8. Repeat with the remaining batter.
9. Serve warm with syrup, honey, or fresh bananas.

Tips

* Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor.
* Avoid overmixing to keep the pancakes fluffy.

06/19/2026

06/18/2026

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT: 2026 Classic Car Show & Open House at Sterling Senior Center. Updated to include NEW sponsors!

06/18/2026

The Gardner Senior Center is looking for LGBTQIA+ seniors and allies who are interested in helping create a new community group!

✨Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+, have experience facilitating groups, or simply want to help create a more inclusive and supportive environment, we would love to hear from you.

📞 Interested in getting involved? Contact the Center at 978-630-4067.

06/18/2026

Barbara's been busy planning some fun! Give her a call at 978-582-4166 for more information or to register stop by the LAAC any Wednesday or Thursday.

06/18/2026

You're Invited! to the Third Annual Patriotic & Summer Sing-a-Long🦅

🎶With music accompanied by THE GARDNER AREA STRUMMERS AND FRIENDS

Bring your voice, your instrument, and your love of patriotic songs as we sing and celebrate together! 🎤 Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 1:30 PM
@ the Gardner Senior Center, Charles P. McKean Building, 294 Pleasant Street, Gardner

Let us know you're coming! RSVP today by visiting the Gardner Senior Center or calling 978-630-4067.