I know you are wondering what I am talking about. Am I about to become deep and political? Not really. Philosophical? Nope. I am just trying to decide which goodies to make this Christmas. Is that lame or what?
The problem is that I have too many options. When I was a very young adult, fudge was the only tried and true recipe in my repertoire. Its not like it was even my own recipe. I got it from a close friend of mine in High School, and it was the melt like butter fudge recipe that her Grandma made every year. It was also easy for the most part except for 10 tortuous minutes of stirring over a hot stove. That fudge became a family tradition in our family, and expanded from simply chocolate to include Peanut Butter, and occasionally white chocolate fudge. Then I met my future husband, and the Christmas we were engaged I was exposed to one of his family traditions. English Toffee, also exceedingly simple and easy, and delicious...And strangely enough, also involving standing over a hot stove stirring while waiting for the mixture to reach "just the right color". Okay, so fudge and toffee, that's not so bad. But wait...We have to make Chex Muddy Buddies (referred to by some as People Puppy Chow-which I find to be offensive as a title for anything I am going to consume). I can hear you already...Yes, its true! Chex Muddy Buddies are easy to make! Is there a trend here or what? Last year I even expanded those for the first time to make Peanut Butter Buddies, since I have friends that don't eat chocolate and I wanted to include something for them in my traditional holiday foods. So we are up to three easy to make, and yet oh so delicious and fattening foods. Is there more? Of COURSE there is! I can't remember how many years ago, but probably at least 6, my Mom gave me this recipe book for Christmas. It had a recipe in it for mock cinnabon rolls. Now, I will say that they are not just like cinnabon rolls to me (though some people try to claim they are) but they ARE very good. They have been a Christmas morning tradition for at least five years, and possibly longer. Last year I made them ahead up to the final rising, and then froze them, vacuum sealed them and Christmas Eve we just had to leave them out to thaw and rise overnight, and toss them in the oven in the morning. Also the addition to my kitchen of a Kitchenaid mixer has taken most of the kneading out of the equation (at least I don't have to do the kneading) making this ALMOST an easy recipe. A few years ago my sister bought me The Cake Mix Doctor cookbook, where I was introduced to the wonders and glories of Ganache. Ganache that is so smooth and elegant, and yet so dang easy to make! Ganache that can also be used as the center of a great tasting truffle. Yes, truffles entered the traditional Christmas goody fare two Christmases ago. Now we are up to last year...Last year I discovered a wonderful recipe for peppermint patties. You have already guessed that its easy? You are very smart. Last year was also the advent of making our own molded chocolates including caramel filled ones.
So do you see where I have a problem? I haven't even mentioned the cookie aspect of this whole thing. There are the snickerdoodles, the sugar cookies, and the must have holiday tradition chocolate double fudge marshmallow cookies with frosting. I can't skip those...and this year also marks the previously mentioned (last post) introduction of the Krumkake and Rosette cookies to my list. So who wants to vote? Each of these is a favorite of someone in my family, so who do I snub? Here is the list again, please vote and help me decide.
1. Chocolate Fudge
2. Peanut Butter Fudge
3. English Toffee
4. Chex Muddy Buddies
5. Peanut Butter Buddies
6. Cinnamon Rolls
7. Truffles
8. Peppermint Patties
9. Caramel Filled Chocolates
10. Regular Chocolates
11. Snickerdoodles
12. Chocolate Chip Cookies
13. Sugar Cookies
14. Gingerbread houses/cookies
15. Chocolate Marshmallow cookies
16. Krumkake
17. Rosette Cookies
And hey, if you have as hard of a time deciding as I do? Please feel free to send me some recipes for YOUR family favorites and traditional Christmas goodies. Maybe I can make it to 20 goodies this year!
After looking over this list I am strongly considering writing a blog about how some evil force is using the holidays to try to destroy all of mankind through food. The sad thing is that many of the things on this list are things I only do this one time of year...Maybe I should spread the joy? Or maybe I could get rich creating Easy Bake oven versions of all these recipes so that it would come out to just one tray of treats instead of a whole banquet table full of them!
The problem is that I have too many options. When I was a very young adult, fudge was the only tried and true recipe in my repertoire. Its not like it was even my own recipe. I got it from a close friend of mine in High School, and it was the melt like butter fudge recipe that her Grandma made every year. It was also easy for the most part except for 10 tortuous minutes of stirring over a hot stove. That fudge became a family tradition in our family, and expanded from simply chocolate to include Peanut Butter, and occasionally white chocolate fudge. Then I met my future husband, and the Christmas we were engaged I was exposed to one of his family traditions. English Toffee, also exceedingly simple and easy, and delicious...And strangely enough, also involving standing over a hot stove stirring while waiting for the mixture to reach "just the right color". Okay, so fudge and toffee, that's not so bad. But wait...We have to make Chex Muddy Buddies (referred to by some as People Puppy Chow-which I find to be offensive as a title for anything I am going to consume). I can hear you already...Yes, its true! Chex Muddy Buddies are easy to make! Is there a trend here or what? Last year I even expanded those for the first time to make Peanut Butter Buddies, since I have friends that don't eat chocolate and I wanted to include something for them in my traditional holiday foods. So we are up to three easy to make, and yet oh so delicious and fattening foods. Is there more? Of COURSE there is! I can't remember how many years ago, but probably at least 6, my Mom gave me this recipe book for Christmas. It had a recipe in it for mock cinnabon rolls. Now, I will say that they are not just like cinnabon rolls to me (though some people try to claim they are) but they ARE very good. They have been a Christmas morning tradition for at least five years, and possibly longer. Last year I made them ahead up to the final rising, and then froze them, vacuum sealed them and Christmas Eve we just had to leave them out to thaw and rise overnight, and toss them in the oven in the morning. Also the addition to my kitchen of a Kitchenaid mixer has taken most of the kneading out of the equation (at least I don't have to do the kneading) making this ALMOST an easy recipe. A few years ago my sister bought me The Cake Mix Doctor cookbook, where I was introduced to the wonders and glories of Ganache. Ganache that is so smooth and elegant, and yet so dang easy to make! Ganache that can also be used as the center of a great tasting truffle. Yes, truffles entered the traditional Christmas goody fare two Christmases ago. Now we are up to last year...Last year I discovered a wonderful recipe for peppermint patties. You have already guessed that its easy? You are very smart. Last year was also the advent of making our own molded chocolates including caramel filled ones.
So do you see where I have a problem? I haven't even mentioned the cookie aspect of this whole thing. There are the snickerdoodles, the sugar cookies, and the must have holiday tradition chocolate double fudge marshmallow cookies with frosting. I can't skip those...and this year also marks the previously mentioned (last post) introduction of the Krumkake and Rosette cookies to my list. So who wants to vote? Each of these is a favorite of someone in my family, so who do I snub? Here is the list again, please vote and help me decide.
1. Chocolate Fudge
2. Peanut Butter Fudge
3. English Toffee
4. Chex Muddy Buddies
5. Peanut Butter Buddies
6. Cinnamon Rolls
7. Truffles
8. Peppermint Patties
9. Caramel Filled Chocolates
10. Regular Chocolates
11. Snickerdoodles
12. Chocolate Chip Cookies
13. Sugar Cookies
14. Gingerbread houses/cookies
15. Chocolate Marshmallow cookies
16. Krumkake
17. Rosette Cookies
And hey, if you have as hard of a time deciding as I do? Please feel free to send me some recipes for YOUR family favorites and traditional Christmas goodies. Maybe I can make it to 20 goodies this year!
After looking over this list I am strongly considering writing a blog about how some evil force is using the holidays to try to destroy all of mankind through food. The sad thing is that many of the things on this list are things I only do this one time of year...Maybe I should spread the joy? Or maybe I could get rich creating Easy Bake oven versions of all these recipes so that it would come out to just one tray of treats instead of a whole banquet table full of them!
3 comments:
You need to make Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls, Pinwheels, Christmas Crunchies, and jumbo molasses cookies. I have great recipes and I'll trade for your fudge, toffee, and peppermint patties recipes. I think I might make peanut brittle but since I can't eat it myself, I'll be pawning it off on other people, so maybe not. Email me soon!!
Heidi
Hmmmm... I'd have to vote for your pb muddy buddies, pb fudge, and the classic sugar cookie. I think I nearly dies and went to heaven when you made me some last year!
Nothing says "I love you" better than a veggie plate. Maybe salmon does since all of the good fats show that you want your friends' hearts to be healthy. But vegetables have antioxidants that also say I love you. I can't decide. That peanut butter chex stuff that you made last year was really good
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