A Taste of Woodloch: "Make That Bread!" | Woodloch Resort

Woodloch’s Blog

Keep up-to-date with all things Woodloch on our blog featuring exclusive recipes, heartwarming stories, lifestyle content, contests and more.

A Taste of Woodloch: “Make That Bread!”

We will go ahead an agree with Oprah Winfrey- we also LOVE BREAD.

We love it so much, in fact, that we have our own on-site bakery here! Every morning at 2 AM, our team arrives at The Inn at Woodloch, fires up our ovens and gets right down to baking up a storm! Muffins, cinnamon buns, cookies, our world famous crumb cake, and of course, all of our favorite breads are prepared in-house and delivered fresh to our dining room, ready to be enjoyed by our guests!

With such a wonderful response from our friends to our recent soup recipe blog, we thought it would only be appropriate to “serve” up some of our favorite bread recipes as well!

Raisin Bread

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 c. sugar
  • 2 c. skim milk
  • 1 c. raisins
  • 1/4 lb. shortening
  • 1 tsp. cardamon
  • 2 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast
  • 7 c. flour

Directions:

Heat ingredients except the flour to 120 degrees and put in bowl. Add 2 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast. Then add 7 cups white flour and mix until dough leaves side of bowl. Let rise until at least 1 1/2 times original size. Divide into 3 equal parts, then pound and form into loaf. Place in greased pans. Let rise one hour until double in size and bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 30 – 40 minutes until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Yields 3 loaves.

ICING: Mix small amount of water and confectionary sugar to make a thick paste. When bread has cooled, paint top of loaf with icing and serve.

Rye Bread

Ingredients:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/3 c. sugar
  • 1 tbs. shortening
  • 3/4 c. milk
  • 5 tbs. caraway seed
  • 1 3/4 c. hot tap water (110 degrees)
  • 2 tbs. dry yeast
  • 4 c. white flour
  • 4 c. dark rye flour

Directions:

Place egg, salt, sugar, shortening and dry milk in a mixing bowl. Add hot water (not boiling) and mix on low speed. Add the yeast, followed by flour, adding flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Turn out on lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes). Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise until double in size. Punch down and divide into 3 parts, let rise for 10 minutes. Shape in loaves and place in greased bread pans. Cover and let them rise until double in size. Bake at 400 degrees about 30 – 35 minutes until golden brown. (Bottom of loaf will have a hollow sound when tapped.) Yields 3 loaves.

White Bread

Ingredients:

  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. shortening
  • 1/2 c. sugar
  • 2 c. hot water
  • 1 c. powdered milk
  • 1 package of yeast
  • 7 c. white flour

Directions:

Place egg, salt, sugar, shortening and dry milk in a mixing bowl. Add hot water (not boiling) and mix on low speed. Add the yeast, followed by the flour, adding flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Turn out on lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (5 minutes). Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise until double in size. Punch down and divide into 3 parts, let rise for 10 minutes. Shape in loaves and place in greased bread pans. Cover and let them rise until double in size. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 – 35 minutes, until golden brown. (Bottom of loaf will have hollow sound when tapped). Yields 3 loaves.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

  • 3 c. all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 2 c. cooked or canned pumpkin
  • 1 3/4 c. vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour into two greased 8 inch x 4 inch x 2 inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Yields 2 loaves.

Let us know if you give one of these recipes a try by taking a photo and tagging us on social media with the hashtag #ATasteOfWoodloch!

Filed Under: food, Recipes, Uncategorized

Holiday Rentals: Discover Pennsylvania's "North Pole" | Woodloch Resort

Woodloch’s Blog

Keep up-to-date with all things Woodloch on our blog featuring exclusive recipes, heartwarming stories, lifestyle content, contests and more.

Discover Pennsylvania’s “North Pole” | Woodloch’s Holiday Rentals

The holiday season is just around the corner. Where did the time go? It seems like only yesterday we were gearing up for spring’s arrival, but 2020 effectively threw us all a head-high curveball. Despite COVID-19, Woodloch remains stronger than ever thanks to its “resort responsibly” wellness standard

Photo of a Group of Employees at Woodloch, Dressed as Elves. Click Here for Info on Our Holiday Rentals.

In fact, Woodloch’s holiday rentals have never been more enticing for large families in desperate need of a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s escape into the Pocono Mountains. Today, we’re going to focus solely on Pennsylvania’s “North Pole.” Hint: It’s located along the northeastern banks of Lake Teedyuskung.

Holiday Season Packages and Festivities

While Christmas may look and feel a tad bit different this winter, we’ve never been more excited about welcoming back Santa Claus and re-introducing a bevy of our holiday-themed activities, such as the annual Festival of Lightsyule log hunt, and reindeer races. Combine an extended stay in one of Woodloch’s luxurious holiday rentals with a seasonally-inspired package, including the Christmas Breaklate-autumn midweeks, and an “Olde Fashioned Holiday.” Every year, we wholly embrace winter’s arrival by munching on Christmas cookies, sipping on eggnog, and caroling throughout campus. Meanwhile, the whole family can join the “gingerbread wars” and embark on the brand new holiday scavenger hunt before sharing secrets with Santa and observing the dazzling Festival of Lights display.

Woodloch’s Spacious, Modernized Holiday Rentals

Photo of One of Woodloch's Luxurious Holiday Rentals.

Christmas, much like Thanksgiving and Independence Day, is a time for family, fellowship, and generosity. We wholeheartedly understand that many families are going to need ample space for homemade dinners, presents, and long-standing traditions. Thus, we present a bevy of on- and off-campus holiday rentals, all of which are equipped with multiple bedrooms, newly-updated kitchens, spacious living areas, cozy fireplaces, and private acreage (for those who want to build a snowman and create snow angels). These modernized holiday rentals were crafted with special events and outings in mind, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. These homes offer the warm secluded atmosphere that many families are actively seeking this winter.

To book a well-deserved holiday getaway to the number one family resort in the U.S., please check availability online (or call us directly at 800-966-3562). Click the links below to learn more.

Filed Under: holiday, Uncategorized, Winter

Woodloch: A Culinary Voyage Amid a Family Adventure

Woodloch’s Blog

Keep up-to-date with all things Woodloch on our blog featuring exclusive recipes, heartwarming stories, lifestyle content, contests and more.

Woodloch: A Culinary Voyage Amid a Family Adventure

Culinary indulgence remains one of the most important aspects of a vacation, whether it’s in Venice, Italy, or Venice Beach, California. It’s a vacation, after all. While budgeting should play a role in every family adventure, it’s never been more critical to treat the kids (and your significant other) to a rich, semi-decadent delight from time to time. To many travelers’ surprise, Woodloch has quickly evolved into a culinary paradise for adults and children alike, thanks in large part to its crowd-pleasing cooking demonstrations, on-site restaurants, and hearty, family-style meals.

A Taste of Woodloch

Most adult travelers polled note that food plays an integral role whilst selecting a getaway destination, a simple fact that Woodloch takes very seriously. Thus, our skilled culinary team often crafts “A Taste of Woodloch”—recurring blog entries that provide a behind-the-scenes look at some of our favorite recipes. Over the months, we’ve curated a fall soup guide, a collection of pumpkin-spiced eats, and gameday dishes, as well as several recipes, including a berry breakfast smoothie bowl and pasta bolognese (to name a few). Collectively, these recipes provide a mouth-watering glimpse into our kitchen’s many seasonal creations.

Family Adventures and Culinary Surprises

Woodloch cleverly incorporates food into several homegrown activities, many of them cooking-related. The Bakery Wars—as well as loose spin-offs Cupcake Wars or Halloween Wars—encourage the entire family to put on their chef de cuisine hats for an afternoon. We also offer midweek cooking demonstrations, led by the always charismatic Activities Director Joey and skilled Chef Dave. Meanwhile, The Lodge at Woodloch hosts adult-oriented cooking demos and wine tastings. It’s also important to note that no two family adventures are alike at Woodloch, as we’re always coming up with new ways to dazzle the kiddos through the culinary arts. During the early stages of COVID-19, the marketing team created a couple of “home videos” for those who want to join the fun from afar: Pantry Wars and the Woodloch at Home Cooking Class.

Kids Eat Well at Woodloch

Photo of the Large Dining Area at Woodloch, the Ultimate Family Adventure.

Woodloch is the largest employer in two counties (Wayne and Pike). So, as you can imagine, we have to feed thousands upon thousands of guests per year (approximately 50,000). This effort takes a small village of chefs, waiters, and general kitchen staff. And the dining experience at Woodloch has always played a critical role in the overall success of this award-winning family adventure resort. We have several restaurants to choose from, including Woodloch Springs’ Grille Room and TREE Restaurant at The Lodge at Woodloch. Most guests enroll in our all-inclusive meal plan, which includes three family-style meals daily. Some of the best eats in the Poconos are custom-made right here along Lake Teedyuskung!

To book a well-deserved family adventure to Pennsylvania’s beloved Woodloch, please click the Book Now button (or browse through our seasonal vacation packages).

Filed Under: food, Uncategorized

October ROCKS At Woodloch! | Woodloch Resort

Woodloch’s Blog

Keep up-to-date with all things Woodloch on our blog featuring exclusive recipes, heartwarming stories, lifestyle content, contests and more.

October ROCKS at Woodloch!

Change is in the air. Beautiful colors are about to burst from the picturesque Poconos canopy. Crisp morning air and dew give way to comfortable afternoon temperatures, perfect for just about any type of outdoor activity. And best of all? The mischievously delightful spirit of Halloween is burning bright in all of our hearts!

There may not be a better place to embrace this fun-filled season than Woodloch Resort. Partake in a plethora of activities indoors and out, including go-cartingarcheryrock climbingindoor poolsboating and “Woodloch original” trivia of all sorts. Additionally, the month of October brings a memorable Halloween experience to all visitors! Guests visiting the resort can expect some real “treats” this season, including:

Plus, always a Woodloch staple, great nightly entertainment returns! Weekends will feature a brand new 2020 musical revue “Rockin’ Through the Decades” featuring a live performance from “Nowhere Slow!” Package everything together, and you have one truly special autumn vacation in line for you and yours!

Filed Under: Activities, fall, Uncategorized

Kids’ Night Out at Woodloch Resort: Fun After-Dark Activities

Woodloch’s Blog

Keep up-to-date with all things Woodloch on our blog featuring exclusive recipes, heartwarming stories, lifestyle content, contests and more.

Woodloch-Style Kids’ Night Out: Fun After-Dark Activities

We’re rapidly approaching Jack Frost’s inevitable arrival here at Woodloch, the country’s most beloved family resort. Soon enough, the Pocono Mountains will shed its autumn skin, and winter will subtly greet the land with fresh powder, crystalline hoarfrost, and oodles of holiday spirit. The fun never ceases at Woodloch, even in the heart of winter. And the midwinter savings are impossible to ignore, especially if you’re looking for a discounted midweek stay. Once the sun dips behind frozen Lake Teedyuskung, droves of families flock indoors for a warm family-style meal and some live, late-night entertainment. However, there are several other after-dark activities if the family feels the need to explore our massive indoor complex, including movies, games, crafts, and more. It’s the kids’ night out that your little ones never knew they needed!

A Kids’ Night Out in the Pocono Mountains

Every kiddo is different. It’s not easy to find an after-dark activity that everyone can agree upon. Thankfully, Woodloch’s all-inclusive packages allow the whole gang to find suitable activities that will leave a lasting impression on your long-awaited escape. We’ve pieced together unique nighttime pursuits that will assuredly lead to wide smiles during your next Woodloch-themed kids’ night out.

  1. Live entertainment – You don’t want to miss the night’s entertainment, ranging from themed shows to magicians and comedians.
  2. Horse races – Win prizes by selecting the victorious “steed.” These wooden horses may run at a snail’s pace, but the lively atmosphere is palpable.
  3. Woodloch Forest – Get “lost” in Woodloch’s indoor playground forest or play arcade-style games nearby.
  4. York Room movies – Grab some popcorn, find a seat, and let the movie magic begin! The York Room shows two movies nightly, ranging from Pixar hits to Marvel blockbusters.
  5. Ice skating – Lace up your skates and hit the ice inside our four-season rink. The 9,000-square-foot synthetic surface is an idyllic place to learn how to skate.
  6. Arts and crafts – If the littlest ones still have some energy after dinner, slip into the arts and crafts room. Sit back, relax, and watch their creativity soar!
  7. Arcade bunker – Hours upon hours of gaming awaits inside Woodloch’s “bunker,” home to various pinball machines, racing games, classic arcade systems, pool, and ping pong.
  8. Trivia contests – It’s always trivia night here in the Poconos. We take a wide variety of traditional trivia contests, such as Cash Cab, Name That Tune, Family Feud, and put a Woodloch spin on them.
  9. Silent DJ party – Woodloch’s staff-led, three-DJ silent party is a hit! There are enough headphones for everyone, including Mom and Dad. It’s the perfect exclamation point to a long-awaited kids’ night out.

Award-Winning, All-Inclusive Family Resorts

Hopefully, these 9 late-night activities give you a “taste” of what a Woodloch-style kids’ night out could look and feel like. Don’t forget that the Woodloch experience is all-inclusive, as all meals, accommodations, and (most) activities are included in the packaged price. We highly recommend keeping your eyes peeled for money-saving specials, especially during the cozy wintertime season. When the sun’s shining, the whole family can partake in dozens of homegrown activities, such as the Winter Olympicssnow tubing, and ice skating on Lake Teedyuskung. Please check availability online at your earliest convenience by clicking the “Book Now” button on the top right corner of your screen.

Filed Under: Activities, reunions, Uncategorized