DBE Support Services Program Manager
As the holiday season arrives, many of us start thinking about familiar winter flavors — cookies, cocoa, maybe even the occasional fruitcake. And while concrete might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you picture festive treats, a few creative industry colleagues recently reminded us that construction materials and holiday goodies have more in common than you’d think.
One clever comparison shared by Greg Mulder (Executive Director at Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association) likens concrete to fruitcake — and let’s be honest, the similarities are there. Both are dense, packed with “mix-ins,” and not always fully appreciated by the general public. Even so, fruitcake and concrete share an important trait: when made properly, they’re incredibly durable!
But the award for the sweetest construction analogy goes to Wade Greiman, P.E. (Transportation Business Unit Leader at Snyder & Associates, Inc.), who found a delightful way to explain concrete to his daughter’s preschool class. During a classroom visit, Wade read a children’s book on roadway and bridge construction and helped the students understand concrete by comparing it to something every kid loves: chocolate chip cookies.
Cookies → Concrete: A Delicious Comparison
Wade shared that concrete is really just a recipe, much like baking cookies:
- Chocolate Chips → Large Aggregate
- Sugar → Fine Aggregate (sand)
- Flour, Baking Soda & Salt → Cement
- Eggs & Vanilla → Water
There wasn’t enough time for the kids to mix up a batch themselves, but Wade made sure the lesson still ended on a sweet note. After storytime, the students were treated to a bunch of baked cookies to enjoy — a perfect pairing with their brightly colored safety vests and pint-sized hard hats.
A Light Lesson for a Heavy Material
These playful analogies remind us that even the most technical topics can be made approachable — especially when cookies are involved. In a season filled with celebration, deadlines, and planning for the year ahead, a little creativity (and humor) goes a long way.
So whether you’re preparing batches of concrete or batches of holiday treats, remember: it’s all about finding the right mix.
Contact Mary Zimmerman to learn more about the DBE Support Services Program.