Carla Hall whips up some cookie tips to avoid those cookie crumbles, interview

For anyone who has had the pleasure of speaking with Carla Hall, the warm, welcoming and vivacious persona that people see on the Food Network is her real, genuine self. In many ways, being able to spend time chatting about cookies is the perfect gift of the festive season. Even if there were no clues to which baker will win this season of Holiday Baking Championship, the sweet conversation enjoyed along the way will keep those cookie catastrophes off the plate.

During the holiday season, cookies are often the topic of conversation. While that plate left for Santa might be a tradition and the cookie exchange has returned to the calendar, not all cookies are quite as straightforward.

Partnering with Avast, Hall wanted to share a cookie conversation that happens outside of the kitchen. Anyone who does something online knows that the “accept all cookies” screen is usually the gatekeeper to the finding that perfect recipe, reading about a particular celebrity or just wanting to catch up on a favorite show.

Although some people just blindly click accept, others might want to know what is behind that acceptance. This partnership tries to find a way to make all those “accepted cookies” not quite as bad the ambrosia salad that grandma insists is everyone’s favorite.

While Hall admitted that she might not be the tech savvy expert, she appreciates that “learning to stay safe online and what that means” is as important as perfecting the most delicious holiday cookie recipe. Although not all online cookies are bad, the reality is that people need to be smart about accepting cookies. Just like people might not eat an entire plate of cookies at one meal, people need to be thoughtful about their internet cookie usage.

For Hall, part of her learning to stay safe was getting a little help from Avast. As she explained, she wants someone with “30 years of experience and have helped millions of people on her side.” With the Avast team’s help, those “internet cookies” become less daunting than working off all those dessert calories come the beginning of the year.

Hall wants to be very clear though and said, “not all cookies are bad.” The most important part is for people to be thoughtful when being online. She firmly believes that “people should have a better understanding of what is put out there, especially on social media.”

Even though many people want the world to see their best cookie recipe, that kitchen renovation or that cookie inspired holiday tablescape, the reality is that sharing all that information with strangers might come with an unwanted holiday gift. While you can share that perfectly baked cookie with the world, you might want to keep your personal information off the plate.

These tips and many more can be found via the Avast website. And, there might be a few other cookie inspired treats that Carla Hall has shared via the company’s website.

This year don’t let some cookie crumbles ruin the sweetness of the season. Just like mom doesn’t want crumbs on her couch, don’t let internet cookie crumbs be left in the wrong place.