Now that Thanksgiving is in the rear view and colder temperatures are in our near future, the winter holiday season is nearly here. This is a great time to incorporate more dairy into your loved ones’ diets, too, with so many opportunities to do so, whether it be a cheese board appetizer with some of your favorite cheeses paired with fruits and chocolate, or your favorite hot chocolate made with milk and topped with extra whipped cream.
For those of you wanting to bake some holiday goodies that aren’t necessarily cookies, there is a recipe below for one of my favorite chocolate chip breads. Not only is it just as enjoyable as a chocolate chip cookie, but it’s also packed with dairy products we all love, and it pairs perfectly fresh out of the oven with a cold glass of milk. It is the perfect after-chores snack, an appreciation gift for those close to us or a family favorite that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
This past month, I attended various events full of great conversations, individuals and, of course, dairy products.
I started off the month with the Meeker County Historical Society, where I visited with community members about my experiences leading up to and during my reign. Everyone had lots of questions about what my role looks like for the next year and what I’m looking forward to.
I continued my month with the Minnesota Farm Bureau, speaking during their convention. I had a series of media interviews and visited with many individuals over dinner and during the silent auction. I witnessed the new Farm Bureau president, Dan Glessing, begin his term after the retirement of Kevin Paap, who held the position for 16 years.
My next appearance was with the Minnesota Farmers Union during their 80th convention. I was honored to speak at this special event while visiting with members and enjoying a locally sourced meal together.
I rounded out my appearances in Austin, visiting two elementary school classes. We took a virtual tour of a dairy farm, and students asked questions throughout the presentation. They especially enjoyed learning all about what we feed our cows and how many people help us take the best care possible of our herd: our nutritionists, veterinarians and many more.
If you are looking to show your appreciation for those who work with your herd, or those you are celebrating the holiday season with, here is one of my favorite recipes that uses dairy products and is sure to please anyone. Wishing you a merry, dairy Christmas.

Chocolate chip bread
1 1/2 cups flour    
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup sugar        
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup whole milk            
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder        
1/4 teaspoon salt    
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, grease a 9-by-5 loaf pan and line with greased parchment paper. In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, add butter and sugar. Cream until pale and fluffy, add eggs one at a time and then add vanilla. Next, add half the flour mixture and stir gently, then add all the milk and mix in the remaining flour. Once incorporated, add the chocolate chips. Pour batter into the loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the pan after 5-10 minutes of cooling. Serve warm or wrap and serve later.
Princess Kay of the Milky Way Anna Euerle serves as the Minnesota dairy community’s goodwill ambassador. Princess Kay is very active doing school visits, representing dairy farmers at the Fuel Up To Play 60 activities in conjunction with the Minnesota Vikings, and sharing the importance of dairy farming and dairy foods at appearances across Minnesota.
Euerle grew up in Litchfield, Minnesota, working on her family’s dairy farm. She will soon graduate from Ridgewater College in Agribusiness with a dairy emphasis. In her free time she enjoys cooking, baking and being outdoors.