It’s hard enough having to socially distance ourselves right now from everyone, but to not be able to go outside and play makes this extra challenging. It’s 40 degrees and overcast, so not terribly cold, but still not warm either. We’ve managed to take a short walk around the neighborhood most days just to get some fresh air, but it would sure be nice if it was sunny and 60 and the kids could just run and ride bikes and…
Happy 3 Kings Day! The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the 3 Kings (or Magi) presenting their gifts to baby Jesus. This is usually when we take down Christmas decorations and wrap up the end of the season, but it’s also the day for making homemade donuts! Growing up, my mom and grandma always put coins in the donuts to symbolize the gifts of the 3 Kings, but with the way my kids go after donuts, I’m not taking any…
Move over pecan pie, you have competition! I love pecan pie, but it is soooooo sweet. However, I found the most delicious pecan pie COOKIE recipe that brings just the right amount of sweetness in the filling, but is balanced with a nice shortbread cookie base. It’s an odd dough and I went back to re-read the recipe a couple times to make sure I hadn’t missed anything, but it was correct ~ just very crumbly! It actually doesn’t come…
My mother-in-law makes a delicious cookie for Christmas every year. It’s one of those special recipes that only makes an appearance at Christmas, so when I see a plate of them on her table, I savor every morsel. Luckily, not too many people like them due to the anise flavoring, which means more for me 🙂 Springerle (pronounced spring-er-lee) cookies originated in Germany and are known for the intricate designs on each cookie made by using a “Springerle Rolling Pin.”…
Mincemeat – the single most misunderstood word during the holidays. I blame it on whoever came up with that name. I mean really, minced meat?? Who wants to eat that?! However, I’m here to tell you to give it a try and you might be pleasantly surprised. I was at World Market the other day leisurely strolling the holiday aisles while the kiddos were at school (so for once, I was able to really look at the unique goods!) Lo…
Thumbprint cookies are the perfect “personalized” cookie because you can fill the center with almost anything – colored icing, jam, chocolate, icing with sprinkles, caramel, lemon curd, and on and on. We’ve always used icing in the middle, so that’s what I’m giving you today, but feel free to experiment with your own fillings! 1 cup butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 eggs, SEPARATED 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans or walnuts Powdered sugar…
Today’s Christmas cookie recipe comes all the way from Germany….or at least it did at one point. I got the recipe from my grandma, who got the recipe from her mother-in-law, so at some point it was over in Germany. If you Google Harlequin Dippers, you’ll find the recipe classified as a “Vintage Cookie” but they’ve always been my favorite for the simple reason that they don’t contain eggs….which means the raw dough doesn’t contain eggs….which means nom nom nom…
Snow on the ground + Christmas music on Google = Christmas cookie time! Yes, I know it’s only November. Yes, I know there is a turkey holiday coming up before the jolly man in a red suit visits. And yet, I still don’t care that you think it’s too early for anything Christmas. Is there really a defined timeline for baking cookies?? Not in this house! (I won’t even mention that Eli and Ava both have their Christmas trees lit…