Holiday Favorites

We are less than 1 week from both Christmas and Chanukah.  Today I am not going to talk about planning events but want to talk about these holidays.  Both of them evoke feelings of family and friends, traditions and memories (old and new ones to be made), laughter and tears, hugs hello and goodbye, familiar foods and traditional/favorite foods, songs and music, candles and more candles, warmth and cold, 1^st Christmas/Chanukah for wee little ones and the last Christmas/Chanukah for those whose life on this earth is nearing.  Christmas for me, brings out all the emotions that go with the above.  Besides being with family and friends at this time of the year, my favorite thing to do is bake.  So I thought today I would share with you some of my favorite family recipes that I always make at the holidays.

The first recipe comes from my Grandma Jones.  From the time I can remember, she always made fudge at Christmas.  She would put fudge out in her living room and dining room.  Wow was it tempting every time I walked by those fudge dishes to “just pick up a piece”.  As a younger girl not a problem for the ol’ figure – oh how things change, not something I can do now!!  But who doesn’t love chocolate!! Her recipe came from the Red Cross (at least that’s what’s written on her recipe card).  This is a smooth, melt in your mouth chocolate treat. It is a Christmas staple for our family and my aunt and cousins.  Every time I make a batch, I think of my Grandma and those wonderful Christmas memories of being with her and my Grandad.

Here is the recipe:

Grandma’s Fudge
Ingredients:
1/2 lb butter
4 1/2 c sugar
1 TBL vanilla
1 13oz can evaportated milk
2 c miniature marshmallows
18oz chocolate chips
2 c chopped walnuts

In a large heavy pot combine the butter, sugar, vanilla and milk. Over medium heat bring to a boil.  Time exactly 11 minutes, stirring constantly.  Turn off the heat.  Add marshmallows and stir until almost completely blended.  Add the chocolate chips and nuts.  Stir until completely blended.  Pour into a buttered 10×15 glass dish (or a 9×13 and a 8×11 dish).  Cool.  Cut into small pieces and enjoy!! Makes 5 lbs.

The next recipe comes from my other Grandma, Grama Thompson.  She made the best peanut butter cookies in the world! Sometimes peanut butter cookies can be heavy or dry, but not hers.  The dough tastes like the peanut butter cream filling of Girl Scout cookies.  I have to admit that it is tempting to just take a spoon and eat the dough!  Try me on this one!! When I make her peanut butter cookies I am taken right back into her small kitchen, her special tin full of these wonderful treats, and seeing her smiling face of love and joy as we enjoyed her baking.

Here is the recipe (which I usually double)

Grama’s Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients:
1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
1/2 c peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 375°, Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add beaten egg and beat well.  Mix in peanut butter and vanilla.  Add flour and baking soda.  Drop by teaspoon on a cookie sheet 1” apart.  Use a fork dipped in cold water to flatten.  Bake about 8 minutes.  Makes 75 cookies.

The last recipe comes from my Mom.   I am not sure where she got the recipe – but I think of her and my Norwegian heritage every time I make this recipe.  Now they were originally called Dutch Butter Cookies, but we affectionately changed the name to Norwegian Butter Cookies. These cookies melt in your mouth, but who doesn’t love a cookie that has “butter” in the name.  I also challenge you not to eat all the dough before you bake the cookies! When I make these cookies it takes me back to the house I grew up in, and making these cookies every Christmas with my Mom.  This cookie is so popular in my house that I always double or triple the recipe and Mom I think of you each batch!!

Here is the recipe:

Norwegian Butter Cookies
Ingredients:
1 c sifted flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp butter flavoring or vanilla (when I double the batch I use both)
1 egg yolk
1/2 c butter
1/2 c sugar

Preheat oven to 350° Cream the butter and sugar. Add egg yolk and flavoring.  Sift flour with baking soda and add to first 4 ingredients.  Make balls about the size of a large marble and flatten with a floured fork. Dip or sprinkle tops in colored sprinkles or decorations. Bake 7 1/2 – 8 minutes.

How blessed I am to have had these great women in my life.  All 3 of these great ladies have passed on, but their love, baking skills, and recipes will live on for generations.  I hope their love and my love comes thru in my baking. And whatever you make that is a family recipe, I hope that your love and passion comes thru your baking or cooking too!  I would love to hear your special family traditions or recipes.  Wishing you and yours a wonderful and “full” Christmas or Chanukah.

May your heart be filled with the joy of giving, as it is the expression of the love in your heart and the kindness in your soul.