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Farm Kitchen:  It just isn't Christmas without....  |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 06:47:10 AM
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What?
I was thinking about this yesterday when my daughter called asking questions about her gingerbread cookie recipe. She's making a batch for her boys, and for her it just isn't Christmas without them.
Do you still bake Christmas cookies? To eat or give away, or both? Do you have traditional recipes you love to continue to make, year after year? How about pies, or Christmas dinner? |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 07:05:04 AM
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Every year I bake dozens of cookies and then fill up baskets and give them away. Each year it is to someone different. Sugar cookies are always in there, as well as Snickerdoodles and Chocolate Sparkles. (My kids' favorite! I have to make extras.) I love the look of surprise on people's faces when we deliver the baskets. It makes all those floury hours worth every minute.
Karin |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 07:07:56 AM
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It just isn't Yuletide without Russian Tea Cakes, decorated sugar cookies and Gingerbread People (yes, people....we make them Wimmin and Men LOL)
Karin, we do the same thing but just for the neighbors (well....the people who live nearest to our home) and the post lady...Throw in a card and a few candy canes and it's a pretty little present!
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://frugalwitch.wordpress.com |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 07:21:07 AM
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The nephews' favorites are double stuff oreos, dipped in chocolate or white chocolate and rolled in crushed candy canes.
They also do a variety of other dipped cookies and snacks, like pretzel logs or mini pretzels, peanut butter cookies dipped in chocolate and rolled in crushed peanuts, etc... Super easy to make and very quick. No baking needed!
My grandmother did the whole cookies from scratch deal and usually sent us a box of cookies with homemade fudge and peanut brittle, and then a selection of citrus from her many citrus trees. It was the most anticipated box EVERY YEAR!
For me, it's not Christmas without some grapefruits, oranges and tangerines in the stocking.
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 08:09:20 AM
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Rumballs! and my moms christmas punch!
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowtreecreek.com |
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celebrate2727
True Blue Farmgirl
989 Posts
Beth
MJF
Farmgirl
989 Posts |
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Nance in France
True Blue Farmgirl
1438 Posts
Nancy
St. Laurent de la Salanque
France
1438 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 08:55:34 AM
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| Love this thread; thanks for starting it! I always make Cowboy Cookies from a recipe my mom used every year. Usually make truffles, too, and cheesecake. It isn't Christmas dinner without my mom's awesome stuffing, and my grown sons would call me a grinch if I didn't make broccoli casserole. We always take the leftover turkey and make a batch of soup to share, too. And I give my mailman some of the cookies I make on Christmas Eve, and usually a Starbuck's frappucino to sip along the way. When my boys were young and jumping around the living room on Christmas Eve like live wires, begging for just one present to open, I started the tradition of "Christmas Eve underwear". I host a Christmas Eve dinner every year, and a few presents are always being handed out after the dessert. My boys are 25 and 27 now, and every year they still get their package to open.....a snazzy pair of drawers... Nance |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 08:58:15 AM
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P-nut butter kiss cookies. I baked two batches the other night for the church Christmas tea, and there were some left over. I can feel those extra pounds coming already! We are going to bake more - decorated iced ones of trees and stars and angels.....and bourbon balls with powdered sugar......and chocolate halfway bars......mmmmm
Ephesians 1:17 |
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Beemoosie
True Blue Farmgirl
2077 Posts
Bonnie
New York
USA
2077 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 10:22:14 AM
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Let's see, I always search out those colorful hard candies with the fillings in them this time of year. And the kids and I bake sugar cookies to frost and decorate. My grandmother makes her stuffing into patties and bakes it on a cookie sheet, so that is definately something I have had every Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner.
...she is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
Prov 31:10
www.beequilting.blogspot.com |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 10:54:55 AM
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Bonnie, you make me think of ribbon candy, too! My mom always got some of that for us, in addition to the filled candies you describe. They're so good! She also made the bourbon balls that JPBlueSky talks about. I loved them!
Nancy, we used to make truffles, too! And the Christmas Eve underwear is hysterical!
Beth, we used to make sugar cookies to decorate too! The kids would make such a mess, but the cookies that rose out of the mess were wonderful.
I'm with you, Tasha; I love the Russian Teacakes! And they hold well in a nice tin, and are always ready to serve.
Erin, hearing about your grandmother's box makes me smile. My mom used to send boxes and boxes of different things at Christmas, and it was more fun to open than anything else combined. Now I get to do that for my grandkids, and I know the joy your grandmother used to feel when she'd pack these things up with love and tie them with heartstrings.
Karen, you have me wondering. What are Chocolate Sparkles?
You ladies are bringing back some wonderful memories; thanks!  |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 1:46:17 PM
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This is going to sound so silly, but Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls on Christmas morning....it was something my mom (who wasn't a cook) did every Christmas morning for us. I would wake up to that yummy smell and know it was time to see what Santa brought!
Since I married, we spend Christmas morning with my in-laws eating strata and turkey bacon--which is good, but not the same as those gooey sticky rolls. :)
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
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CutiePatootieFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
75 Posts
Tess
Vancouver
WA
USA
75 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 3:19:32 PM
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| My mom's Bourbon Balls!!! I made them for the first time last year with my cousin/best friend Diane and we had a BLAST!!! We also made Candy Cane Peppermint Cookies and my Grandma Paul's Sugar Cookies. This year Diane called me and talked while she made her own cookies. I'll be calling her when I make mine!! |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 3:24:54 PM
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Sometimes I feel left out when someone responds to everyone but me on their posts!
Oh well.....I love cinnamon rolls from Pillsbury too,Jonni. My daddy worked for Pillsbury Mills for over 35 years (and it fed our family and kept us safe and sound) so that brand was bread and butter for us. And we loved all of it. Especially the cinnamon rolls. I made them for my girl, too.
Ephesians 1:17 |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 4:27:40 PM
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I always make little snowball cookies. I think they are the same as russian teacakes. I never get around to making them any other time of year. I always make little jelly thumbprint cookies too.
Hey Jeannie..what are chocolate halfway bars..that sounds wonderful!
I do cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning too..we usually have a crowd over for that. I SHOULD make the pillsbury type but never do. I get up early to make the "real thing" but my husband loves the pillsbury orange rolls and brings them home for weekend breakfasts all the time...yum!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 6:07:37 PM
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Tangerines, not Christmas w/out them.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 6:17:51 PM
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quote:
Sometimes I feel left out when someone responds to everyone but me on their posts!
I'm sorry, girlfriend! I didn't mean to do that. Sometimes I feel pretty invisible on this board too; I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
(((((HUGS))))) |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2006 : 7:03:12 PM
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MaryAnn and Jeannie- I always notice your posts! Someone usually beats me to answering though! My son is the Pillsbury lover and now he is making them with orange juice and pecans (as if he invented this recipe!) but we just let him carry on!
For us we have always made gingerbread houses(look for another post regarding kid friendly versions), almond shortbread, chocolate chips, springerle, linzer tarts and sugar cookies. The rest sort of varies by what new recipe sounds good! Mincemeat is a must for the hubby though cookies, tarts and pies! Last year I made mincemeat ice cream and it was surprisingly spicy and good!
with a happy heart |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Dec 05 2006 : 06:01:24 AM
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Mornin' JPBluesky! I'm glad to hear that your a PB fan, too. What a great childhood memory for you as well. I think (aside from them being so good) I just love that my mom made the effort--she certainly knew her limitations when it came to cooking, and, well, it was the 70's when box mix everything was out, and this was something memorable for her. This also sounds silly, but it was really hard for me to tell her that we wouldn't be coming over for Christmas day breakfast anymore, so no more cinnamon rolls. She still bought them the first year (sob):)....
Thanks for sharing your Pillsbury memories with me.
I forgot to mention clementines. I'm on my second crate already. Last year my fingers turned orange from eating them all by myself!!!!
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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ponyexpress
True Blue Farmgirl
320 Posts
Sandy
Kirkwood
Missouri
USA
320 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2006 : 8:40:17 PM
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Amen to Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls...and the little Poppin' Fresh guy! I got up extra early one Christmas morning to make the "real" thing, and the response was, well, lukewarm. They were good, to be sure, but tradition counts for more than taste, and tradition commands Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls!
I followed an old saying I read once when filling the stockings..."Something to eat, something to read, something to play with and something you need." When the kids were little, it was easy - a comic book, a little puzzle, hand lotion, etc. Now that the kids are 34 - 22 years old (and still expecting their stocking gifts) it is a little more difficult to fill the requirements! Creative thinking to the rescue! |
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Beemoosie
True Blue Farmgirl
2077 Posts
Bonnie
New York
USA
2077 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2006 : 02:20:03 AM
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Oh I thought of another one last night...those melty mints...they are the shape of a Hershey's Kiss, pastel colors with the little white sprinkles on the bottom...I LOVE those at Christmas time!
...she is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
Prov 31:10
www.beequilting.blogspot.com |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2006 : 04:54:02 AM
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| Bonnie, are they the little round ones about the size of a quarter, and the sprinkles are those little white balls? I'm having trouble picturing them. |
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Beemoosie
True Blue Farmgirl
2077 Posts
Bonnie
New York
USA
2077 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2006 : 05:00:43 AM
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They are shaped like a Hershey's kiss, I think they are called melty mints...I am going to have to find them when I go get groceries this weekend. I haven't bought any yet this year. You really must like mint flavor to enjoy them!
...she is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
Prov 31:10
www.beequilting.blogspot.com |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2006 : 06:24:08 AM
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Ah! Thanks, Sandy--the stocking "mantra" was what I've been trying to think of for so long....I did that for my husband when we were first dating. It's a victorian tradition, and I thought it was really neat. Lord only knows what I put in there, though....
I'll have to get myself together and do that again this year--I could spend a gazillion dollars on stocking stuff alone!
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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FarmGirl~K
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Kelly
TX
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2006 : 5:09:28 PM
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Hi everyone! I liked the little stocking ditty too! Makes sense.
My mom used to always make sugar cookies & we would decorate them. The difference in her cookies was the frosting... she added anise flavoring to it. YUM! I haven't made them in a long time. Maybe it's time to dig out that recipe again.
My tradition is to make pumpkin roll. My daughters dont mind helping make this. (it takes 5 min. just to beat the eggs) so I don't mind the help & my DH & DS don't mind eating it. We also got a cookie press & will make those every year now too. My DH's mom used to make those when they were young. Those are fun to make. Everyone wants to use the press at the same time.
I love this time of year. Baking & making the house smell great.
Thanks for sharing.
Kelly
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2006 : 5:58:34 PM
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Nobody makes shortbread cookies?? You gotta have shortbread!! And mincemeat...even though I don't care for the taste of it much, the smell of it in the house so reminds me of my Gramma's at Christmas time. So I usually make a half dozen tarts or so as my Mom likes them. And buttertarts are a must. I also make thumbprints. Oh, and homemade cabbage rolls and perogies are a Christmas Eve tradition.
Bramble...I would love your recipe for linzer tarts.
Di |
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Farm Kitchen: It just isn't Christmas without.... |
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It just isn't Christmas without....
