I am an expert on all things sweet. I love cookies. I like anything that says "Limited Edition" or "New." At Christmas there are a few things that I like to make sure are on hand. Since I don't live in California or Connecticut anymore I cannot get my box of Christmas JoJo's. Like Oreos but with peppermint...and they are yummier. From Cracker Barrell I like Crispeez. They are HARD to find. I tried to find a product picture to show you but I was unable to find the company that makes them, let alone a picture of the treat. They are these little squares, like little rice crispy treats, covered in white chocolate and candy cane pieces. They are delightful. I always have hot cocoa on hand (I drink a cup every morning, year-round, whether it is cold or hot outside!) My preferred cocoa is Ghirardelli Chocolate Mocha. Sometimes I like the plain chocolate. A slice of sourdough bread, toasted and slathered in butter along with a cup of cocoa is perfect. Simply per.fect.
As far as baking. I have to make wedding cookies at some point. Candy Cane cookies are a must. That yummy dough twisted into the familiar cane shape, in red and white of course. Yum. Toffee of some sort is a nice addition. I love making traditional toffee with nuts on top. My Grandpa, Max, was known far and wide for his delicious fudge. I don't make fudge. Too sweet. Though my Grandpa has been gone since I was 6 (1976) tales of his famous fudge are still heard. Near strangers regale our family with stories of the fudge. My Aunt has come close to duplicating it but says she is close but not quite right. Something magical happens when you find that "thing" that you can make. That recipe that becomes yours no matter who came up with it in the first place. What is your "must" at this special time of the year? Food-wise. Tell me. I'd love to hear. Though I may short my computer with all the mouth-watering I'll be doing.
7 comments:
Growing up I always looked forward to the treats our cleaning lady Yolanda made for us every year. They were shortbread sandwich cookies with dulce de leche in the center and they were the best the first day she brought them. They were covered in powdered sugar, too.
My neighbor in West Jordan made Christmas Crack every year (graham carckers or saltines covered in crackly toffee, dark chocolate and nuts). I'm making that for neighbor gifts this year. Smittenkitchen.com has the recipe. I miss my Grandma S's Swedish Creullers. We make Orange Rolls for St. Lucia Day bfast every year and again for Christmas Eve. Shortbread dipped in dark chocolate and pistachios.
Now I am really craving a cup of Steven's Hazelnut cocoa and sourdough toast. Mmmmmmm.
My entire den is wet...I had to wipe my mouth before I could respond! (I seriously considered a ticket to Utah) My southern years were filled with Divinity! I still have my grandmother's recipe (over 100 years old) is like the fudge you mentioned, has to be the perfect weather, the perfect temperature (forms soft ball in water, forms hard ball in water, forms string when leaving water, all of those specifics but relative to the water temp, the cook and the perception of what is which) Mema'a was always white with hand chopped pecans and a perfect *meat half* she called it, on top! My Mother liked to be fancy and produce pink and green versions, same flavor. I just like to EAT it!!! I may have to make some now that you have me motivated!
Brenda--divinity is my Mom's favorite! She used to make it but now just looks for it. A good divinity is hard to find though!
As a child my favorite were my mom's shortbread cookies. She made them with mint chocolate chips and then when they were cool coated them in powered sugar. Sadly, I can't make them minty b/c the only mint chips you can find on occasion are the green ones and it looks like your cookie is moldy it's just not the same. The chips as a child looked like a regular chocolate chip but were mint flavored. Yum!
Kim, I totally remember those chips and so wish I could find them again!!
Speaking of treats, I really need that recipe for the potato chip cookies!
Kim, that is hilarious!
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