Christmas Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Christmas Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Ingredients :
2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions :
1. Sift together the flour, cocoa, soda and salt.
2. Cream together the sugar, mayonnaise, water and vanilla.
3. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture; stir until well blended.
4. Pour batter into greased and floured layer cake pans (or a 9- x 13-inch pan).
5. Bake at 350°F. for about 25 minutes.
6. Top with your favorite frostings and holiday sprinkles when cool.

Source : Christmas4Home

Christmas Dump Cake

Christmas Dump Cake

Ingredients :
1 (16 oz.) can whole cranberries
1 (21 oz.) can apple pie filling
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cube of butter
1/2 c. chopped walnuts, almonds or granola

Directions :
1. Heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Dump cranberries into an ungreased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
3. Dump apple pie filling into pan.
4. Spread mixture evenly and spread dry cake mix on top.
5. Cut up butter and dot top of cake.
6. Sprinkle nuts and/or granola over cake.
7. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Source : Christmas4Home

Christmas Rum Cake

Christmas Rum Cake

Ingredients :
1 c. chopped nuts
4 eggs
1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1/2 c. cold water
1 (3 3/4 oz.) pkg. vanilla instant pudding
1/2 c. dark rum
1/2 c. salad oil

Glaze :
1/4 lb. butter
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. water
1/2 c. dark rum

Directions :
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Grease and flour a 12- cup bundt pan.
3. Pour nuts only in bottom of bundt pan.
4. Mix all other ingredients together.
5. Pour over nuts.
6. Bake 1 hour and cool.
7. Invert on serving plate.
8. Prick top.

Glaze :
1. Melt butter.
2. Stir in water and sugar.
3. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Remove from heat, add rum, and drizzle over top and sides of cake.

Source : Christmas4Home

Pistachio Christmas Cake

Pistachio Christmas Cake

Ingredients :
1 box white cake mix
3 eggs
1 c. vegetable oil
1 c. 7-Up
2 oz. chopped walnuts
1 pkg. pistachio instant pudding mix

Frosting :
1 pkg. instant pistachio pudding
1/2 pt. whipping cream1 c. milk


Directions :
1. Mix all cake ingredients together.
2. Bake in bundt pan at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. Do not over bake.
3. Cool cake and remove from pan.
4. Mix frosting ingredients and frost cake.
5. Add cut cherries (red and green) to make wreaths on top of cake.


Source : Christmas4Home

Christmas Plum Cake

Christmas Plum Cake

Ingredients :
2 cup self-rising flour
2 cup sugar
1 cup cooking oil
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
2 jars plum baby food
3 eggs

Glaze :
1 cup confectioner's sugar juice of one lemon

Directions :
1. Beat sugar and oil together.
2. Add eggs one at a time.
3. Then add plums and vanilla.
4. Finally, add flour, cloves, and cinnamon.
5. Pour into tube pan or bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Glaze :
Mix confectioner's sugar and lemon juice together and pour over warm cake.

Source : Christmas4Home

Stollen

Stollen

Serving Size : 1 large loaf

Ingredients :

1/4 oz Yeast (dried), active 1 package
3 1/2 c Flour
3 lg Eggs
1 Egg yolk
1/2 c Butter,soft
1/2 c Sugar, granulated
1 T Lemon peel, grated
3/4 c Water, warm
1 c Almonds (blanched), chopped
1/2 c Citronat (candied lemon peel), cut into small pieces
1/2 c Orangenat (candied orange peel), cut into small pieces

1/2 c Raisins

Directions :

1. Dissolve the yeast in the water and proof it.
2. Add the eggs, egg yolk, sugar, butter and half of the flour.

Beat for 10 minutes.
3. Blend in the remaining flour, fruits, nuts, and peel.

Let rise about 1 1/2 hours, until doubled. Punch down,

cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. Knead the dough. Roll into one or two rectangles,

butter it, and fold over the edges to make a rolled loaf.

Place on a greased cookie sheet with the folded edges down.
5. Spread with a combination of 1 egg white and

about 1 T water. Let rise until doubled in size

(45 to 60 minutes).
6. Bake 30-35 minutes at 375 degrees F. until golden brown.

Yogurt Pumpkin Pie

Yogurt Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients :

1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
15-oz canned pumpkin
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
5 egg yokes
1/8 tsp salt
9-inch frozen pie shell

Instructions :

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth.
3. Pour batter in the pie shell and place on a cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 50-55 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and cool for 1 hour.
6. Cover and refridgerate for 2 hours before cutting.

Source : Christmas4Home

New Orleans Pralines

New Orleans Pralines

Ingredients :

1 1/4 cups of Sugar
3/4 cups of brown sugar
1/2 cup of evaporated milk
1/2 stick butter
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups pecans

Instructions :

1. Put sugars and milk in heavy bottom pan.
2. Cook to soft ball stage.
3. Take off stove and add butter, vanilla and pecans.
4. Stir until shine leaves mixture.
5. Spoon on waxed paper. Cool it well.


Source : Christmas4Home

Snowball Cookies

Snowball Cookies

Ingredients :

2 cups butter
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 cups flour
1 cup confectioner sugar

Instructions :

1. Cream butter. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
2. Drop on cookie sheet (1/2-1 inch balls).
3. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 20 minutes.
4. Cool and then roll in confectioner sugar.


Source : Christmas4Home

Double Chocolate Cookie Bars

Double Chocolate Cookie Bars

Ingredients :

24 chocolate oreo type cookies, finely crushed
1/2 cube butter or margarine, melted
2 cups semi-sweet choc. chips, divided
1 14 oz can SWEETENED condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla1 cup chopped nuts

Instructions :

1. Mix cookie crumbs and melted marg.
2. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9 x 12 inch baking dish.
3. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips, sweetened milk, and vanilla over low heat.
4. Pour evenly over cookie crust.
5. Top with remaining one cup chocolate chips and nuts.
6. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.
7. Cool it completely and then cut into small squares.

Source : Christmas4Home

Chocolate Fudge

Chocolate Fudge

Serving Size : Makes 5 pounds

Ingredients :

1 lb. milk chocolate Hershey bar
2 pkg. chocolate chips
1 7-oz jar marshmallow creme
1 lb. walnuts
4 1/2 c. white sugar
1 12-oz can evaporated milk
1/3 cube butter


Instructions :

1. Break chocolate bar into small pieces.
2. Put chocolate bar pieces, chocholate chips, marshmallow creme and nuts into mixing bowl.
3. In small pan put sugar, milk and butter and cook 4 1/2 minutes.
4. When a rolling boil has been reached (watch closely for burning), pour mixture over
ingredients in mixing bowl. Stir throughly.
5. Pour about 1 inch thick in several greased pans.
6. Sit for 24 hours before cutting.


Source : Christmas4Home

Eggnog Bread

Eggnog Bread

Ingredients :

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup eggnog

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

2 tsp. rum extract

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/4 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

Instructions :

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of bread pan.

2. Beat eggs. Add the sugar, eggnog, butter, rum and vanilla and blend well.

3. Add the flour, baking powder and nutmeg. Stir until just moistened and pour into greased pan.

4. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

5. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool bread completely before slicing.

Source : Christmas4Home

Chocolate Pizza

Chocolate Pizza

Ingredients :

1 (12oz) pkg real semi- sweet chocolate chips
1 lb white almond bark, divided
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup crisp rice cereal
1 cup peanuts
1 (6oz) jar red maraschino cherries, drained, cut in half
2 Tbsp green maraschino cherries, drained and quartered
1/3 cup angel flake coconut
1 tsp oil

Instructions :

1. Melt chocolate chips with 14 oz almond bark in large pan over low heat.
2. Stir in marshmallows, cereal and peanuts.
3. Pour onto greased 12" pizza pan.
4. Top with cherries, sprinkle with coconut.
5. Melt remaining 2 oz almond bark with oil over low heat, stir till smooth.
6. Drizzle over coconut.
7. Chill until firm.Store at room temperature.

Source : Christmas4Home

Bacardi Rum Cake

BACARDI RUM CAKE

Ingredients :

Cake:
1 cup chopped or ground pecans or walnuts
1 18 1/2 oz. pkg. yellow cake mix
1 3-3/4 oz. pkg. Jell-0 Vanilla Instant Pudding
4 eggs
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup liquid cooking oil
1/2 cup Bacardi dark rum (80 proof)

Note :
* If using yellow cake mix with pudding already in the mix: Omit instant pudding, use 3 eggs instead of 4, 1/3 cup oil instead of 1/2 cup.
* If you want a cake that has a lighter rum taste, use less rum.

Glaze:

1/4 lb. butter

1/4 cup water

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup Bacardi dark rum

Instructions :

Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Grease and flour 10 inch tube or 12-cup Bundt pan. Sprinkle nuts over bottom of pan.

3. Mix all cake ingredients together using mixer, for 2 minutes. Pour batter over nuts.

4. Bake for 1 hour. Cool and then invert on serving plate.

5. Prick top to spoon and brush glaze evenly over top and sides. Allow cake to absorb glaze. Repeat till glaze is used up.

Glaze:
1. Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar.

2. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in rum.

Hint: For faster preparation - you may split cake horizontally, and spoon 2/3 of glaze evenly over both cut halves. Spread seedless raspberry jam over bottom half. Put top half back on. Brush top and sides of cake with remaining glaze.

Source :

Bacardi Pineapple Rum Torte

BAKER'S AND BACARDI PINEAPPLE RUM TORTE

Ingredients :

1 (2-layer) yellow cake mix

3 eggs

1 cup Bacardi Amber Rum

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup oil

2-2/3 cups (7 oz)

Baker's Angel Flake Coconut

1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice

1 package (4-serving size) Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

3-1/2 cups (8 oz) Cool Whip Topping

Instructions :

1) Combine cake mix, 3/4 cup of the rum, eggs, water and oil in large bowl.

2) Beat the mixture at medium speed of mixer for 2 minutes.

3) Stir in 2/3 cup of the coconut.

4) Pour into greased, floured 15-by-10 inch pan.

5) Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

6) Cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan.

7) Cool on rack and cut into 3 10-by-5 inch pieces.

8) Drain pineapple, reserving 1/3 cup of the juice.

9) Combine pudding mix, 3/4 cup of the pineapple, reserved juice and remaining rum; stir to

blend. Fold in whipped topping.

10) Place 1 cake layer on plate; spread with some of the topping mixture; top with half the

remaining pineapple. Repeat layers, ending with cake.
11) Frost cake with remaining topping mixture. Cover with the rest of the coconut.

Source : Thanks to Natasha Nalley &

American Indian Cold Christmas Cake Recipe

American Indian Cold Christmas Cake Recipe

Ingredients :

1 lb. pecans or walnuts, chopped

1 lb. shredded moist coconut

1 lb. raisans

1 lb. vanilla wafers

1 regular can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions :

1. Combine dry ingredients well.

2. Pour in sweetened condensed milk and work through with hands so that dry ingredients are

thoroughly saturated.

3. Press into spring foam pan.

4. Refrigerate for 2 days.

5. Use hazelnuts, dates and thick goats milk and then wrap the cake in watertight leaves bound

with vine and placed in cold running stream for several days.

Source :

Turkey Potato Salad

TURKEY POTATO SALAD

Ingredients :
2 cups cooked, diced turkey
2 stalks celery, chopped
2/3 cup diced water chestnuts
3 green onions, cut up
2 red potatoes, cooked and cut into cubes
1 cup lowfat plain yogurt, (or light or fat free mayonnaise)
2 tablespoons parsley flakes (or to taste)
2 teaspoons dill weed (or to taste) pepper to taste

Instructions :
1. Lightly mix the turkey, celery, onions, parsley, water chestnuts, potatoes and dill.
2. Add the yogurt or mayo and mix.
3. Add pepper to taste.
4. Serve with a roll or on a bed of lettuce with bean sprouts.


Source : Natasha Nalley &

Hot Spiced Christmas Punch

Hot Spiced Christmas Punch

Serving Size : Serves 12

Ingredients :
3 cups Pineapple juice
4 cups cranberry juice
2 cups apple cider
1 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
6 cinnamon sticks
1 orange, studded with cloves
1 apple, cored and sliced

Instructions :
1. Mix all ingredients in a large saucepan.
2. Add cinnamon sticks, orange studded with cloves, and one cored, sliced apple.
3. Simmer mixture for 4 hours.
4. Serve hot.

Source : Lisa Jane Morwald &

Christmas Rum Balls

Christmas Rum Balls

Serving Size : About 5 dozen

Ingredients :
1 pkg (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup rum
3 tbsp light corn syrup
2 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
Powdered sugar

Instructions :
1. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave.
2. Stir in the rum with corn syrup and set aside.
3. Combine vanilla wafer crumbs, powdered sugar and pecans.
4. Mix well then stir into chocolate mixture. Let it stand for 30 minutes.
5. Shape into 1" balls. Roll in powdered sugar.
6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Source :

Peppermint Cocoa Mix

Peppermint Cocoa Mix

Ingredients :
3 (4 1/2") peppermint sticks
1 c powdered sugar
1 c powdered non-dairy creamer
3/4 c Unsweetened cocoa

Instructions :
1. Place the peppermint sticks in a sealed plastic bag and beat them into a powder with a
hammer.
2. Mix the peppermint powder with powdered sugar, creamer and cocoa.
3. Store in a jar or plastic bag.
4. When you're ready to drink cocoa...
Add about 1/4 cup of this mix to 1 cup of boiling water for a serving. (Adjust this to your own
taste.)

Source :

Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Pie

Ingredients :
3 eggs, separated
1 (14-oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lime juice
2 drops green food coloring (optional)
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/3 cup sugar

Instructions :
1. Preheat the oven to 325 deg.
2. With a mixer, beat the egg yolks in medium-sized bowl.
3. Gradually beat in the sweetened condensed milk and the lime juice. Stir in food coloring.
4. Pour into the pie crust. Bake for 30 minutes and remove from oven.
5. Increase oven temperature to 350.

Preparing Meringue :
6. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar to soft peaks.
7. Beat in sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat 4 minutes longer or until stiff, glossy peaks form
and sugar is dissolved.
8. Immediately spread meringue over hot pie, carefully sealing to edge of crust to prevent
meringue from shrinking.
9. Bake 15 minutes and Cool for about 1 hour.
10.Chill at least 3 hours before serving. Store left-overs covered in the refrigerator.

Source :

Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake !!

Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake

Ingredients :

1 (7-oz.) package caramels
1/4 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup chopped pecans,
divided1 (9-inch) chocolate crumb piecrust
2 (3-oz.) packages cream cheese,
softened 1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cups milk
1 (3.9 oz.) package chocolate instant pudding mix
1/2 cup fudge topping


Instructions :
1. Place the caramels and evaporated milk in a heavy saucepan.
2. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until smooth (about 5 minutes).
3. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped pecans and pour into the piecrust.
4. Combine cream cheese, sour cream, and milk in a blender. Blend until smooth.
5. Add the pudding mix and blend for about 30 seconds longer.
6. Pour the pudding mixture over the caramel layer in the pie shell.
7. Loosely cover the pie and chill at least 15 minutes.
8. Drizzle the fudge topping over the top of the pudding layer in a decorative pattern.
9. Sprinkle the top of cake with the rest of the pecans.
10. Loosely cover pie and kept in the refridgerator until ready to serve.

Source : Home4Christmas

Easy Fruit Cake !!

Easy Fruitcake

Ingredients :

1 pound candied cherries,
halved5 candied pineapple slices
6 cups golden raisins
1 1/2 cups candied mixed fruit peel
1 cup pecans
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups butter,
softened2 cups white sugar
6 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup orange juice
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 pecans


Instructions :

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
2. Line the bottom and sides of two greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans with greased brown paper.
3. In a large bowl, stir together cherries, raisins, 1 cup pecans, pineapple, mixed peel, and 1 cup
flour.
4. Mix until the fruit is coated with flour.
5. In another large bowl, cream the butter or margarine and sugar together.
6. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in orange juice and vanilla.
7. Combine 5 cups flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture.
8. Stir in floured fruit and nuts. Mix. Spoon batter into prepared pans.
9. Fill each pan 3/4 full. Arrange pecans over tops.
10. Bake for about 3 hours, until toothpick comes out clean.
11. Cover with foil if top gets too dark while baking.

Source : Home4Christmas

Chocolate Orange Truffles !!

Chocolate Orange Truffles

Ingredients :
1/4 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons heavy cream
4 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
4 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions :
1. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine butter and cream.
2. Bring to a boil, and remove from heat.
3. Stir in 4 ounces chopped chocolate, orange liqueur, and orange zest; continue stirring until
smooth.
4. Pour truffle mixture into a shallow bowl or a 9X5 in loaf pan. Chill until firm for about 2
hours.
5. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
6. Shape chilled truffle mixture by rounded teaspoons into small balls. (a melon baller also
works well for this part).
7. Place on prepared baking sheet. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
8. In the top of a double boiler over lightly simmering water, melt remaining 4 ounces chocolate
with the oil, stirring until smooth. Cool to lukewarm.
9. Drop truffles, one at a time, into melted chocolate mixture.
10. Using 2 forks, lift truffles out of the chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into
the pan before transferring back onto baking sheet. Chill until set.

Source : christmas.allrecipes.com

Jingle Bell Fudge !!

Jingle Bell Fudge

Serving Size : 64 servings

Ingredients :
12 oz Butterscotch chips
1/2 c Chunky peanut butter
2/3 c Sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c Walnuts (chopped)


Instructions :
1. Combine butterscotch chips and peanut butter in top of double boiler.
2. Place over, not boiling water until butterscotch melts; remove from water.
3. Stir until blended;
4. Add milk and stir just until blended.
5. Spread in foil-lined 8-inch square pan.
6. Press chopped nuts into surface, if desired, and chill until firm.
7. Cut into 1-inch squares

Source : Home4Christmas

Traditional Christmas Pudding With Brandy Sauce !!

Traditional Christmas Pudding With Brandy Sauce

Serving Size : 8 servings

Ingredients
8 oz Currants
4 oz Sultanas
4 oz Raisins
4 oz Chopped candied peel
1 oz Skinned & chopped almonds
4 oz Wholewheat flour
1/2 ts Salt
1/2 ts Grated nutmeg
1/2 ts Ground ginger
1 1/2 ts Mixed spice
8 oz Brown sugar
4 oz Wholewheat breadcrumbs
8 oz Vegetable suet
1 ea Lemon, juice & rind
1 tb Molasses
5 tb Water & rum mixed


Instructions
1. Grease a 2 pint pudding basin & use a large saucepan to hold the basin.
2. Wash currants, sultanas & raisins in warm water & pat dry.
3. Put fruit in large bowl with candied peel & almonds.
4. Sift flour, salt & spices into bowl & add sugar, breadcrumbs & suet.
5. Mix well then stir in lemon juice, rind & molasses with enough of the water & rum mixture to
make a soft mixture.
6. Turn into the basin, cover with waxed paper & aluminum foil & put basin into pot.
7. Pour enough water into the pot to reach halfway up the side of the basin.
8. Bring to a boil, cover saucepan & let pudding steam gently for 4 hours, watching the water
level & topping up with boiling water if necessary.
9. When cooked, cool the pudding & store in a cool dry place for up to 2 months.
10. Before serving, steam pudding again for 3 hours. Turn out onto a serving platter & flame
with brandy if you desire.

TIPS :
(1) The pudding can be cut in half & make 2 smaller puddings.
(2) Keeps up to 3 months in the fridge.

Source : iChef

Yummy Oatmeal Cookies !!

Oatmeal Cookies

Serving Size : About 3 dozen

Ingredients & Instructions :

Mix the following in a large bowl. Beat well.
3/4 cups cooking oil
1/2 cups subar
1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs

Mix the following in a second large bowl.
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 cups oatmeal

After both bowl are mixed, mix them together. Then add :
12 ounces of choc. chips
1-3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

(1) Blend together.
(2) Put tablespoon size lumps on a greased cookie sheet.
(3) Bake at 375 for 14 minutes.

Source : John & Lisa Gardner &

Delicious Apple Pie !!

Apple Pie

Ingredients:
A.
1 home made crust or use a pre-made one
1 large egg white (slightly beaten)

B.
5 cups fresh peeled apples
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

C.
3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
Bit over 1/3 cup melted butter


Instructions :
1. Brush egg white on crust, bake until light brown for about 6 minutes.
2. Combine B ingredients and mix well, spoon into crust.
3. Mix C ingredients and put on as the top of the pie in thin sheets.
4. Bake at 375 for about 50 minutes5. Cool for about 4 hours.

Tip : Goes well with vanilla ice cream and hard sauce.

Snowballs for Christmas !!

Mint Snowballs

Serving Size : 4 dozen

Ingredients :
1/2 Cup Icing Sugar
1/2 Cup Shortning
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Tsp Peppermint Flavoring
2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1/2 Tsp Salt


Instructions :
(1) Cream sugar, shortning, butter, and extract thoroughly.
(2) Measure flour WITHOUT sifting into wax paper,
(3) Add salt and blend well.
(4) Now add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Mix well and form into one inch balls.
(5) Place on cookie sheet and cook in 400F oven 8-10 minutes.
(6) Cool on rack. Dip tops in icing, pink and green, then in coconut.

Rich Christmas Cake for Christmas Time !!

Rich Christmas Cake

Ingredients :
450 g Sultanas
450 g Seedless raisins
230 g Currants
230 g Mixed peel
230 g Glace pineapple
230 g Glace apricots
4 tbls Brandy
4 tb Sherry
230 g Prunes
450 g Butter
450 g Brown sugar
12 eggs large
450 g Plain flour
115 g Rice flour
1 ts Parisian essence (caramel - will give a darker color)
2 tb Ultra-strong coffee.

Instructions :
Clean and prepare all fruit except the prunes. Pick over vine fruit and remove any stems. Chop the larger fruit into small pieces. Mix the fruits in a bowl and add brandy and sherry. Cover tightly and leave overnight or longer.

Prepare one deep 25 cm (10") square cake tin (OR one 20 cm (8") square tin and one 15 cm (6") square for one cake to keep and one to give). Grease the interior of the tins with butter. Line with two layers of brown paper cut to fit and to project above the sides of the tin by about 5 cm (2").

Inside the brown paper, fit a layer of grease proof paper, projecting similarly. Butter the inside of the grease proof. Pit and chop the prunes. Cream the butter and sugar well. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing each in thoroughly. Add prunes. Sift flours together and add the butter-sugar mixture alternately with the fruit. Add the essence and coffee.

Put the mixture into the prepared tins(s). Dip one hand in cold water and pat the surface of the cake flat. (The thin layer of water keeps the surface moist for a long time and lessens the chance of the cake rising in the middle.) Bake in a preheated 150 C (300 F) oven for 1 hour, then reduce the heat to 135C (275 F) and bake for a further 2 1/4 hours. Take the cake from the oven and fold the extra paper layers over the top of the cake, tin and all, while still hot in at least 4 layers of newspaper. Place on a rack and leave overnight. (This process keeps the cake moist and prevents it cracking on top while it cools.) In the morning, remove from the tin, peel off the paper and store the cakes(s) in an airtight tin.

Rocking Horse shaped Cookies !

Gingerbread Cutouts

Serving Size : About 2 dozen

Ingredients :
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 to 2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions :

Take a mixing bowl and cream the butter and brown sugar.

Beat in molasses and egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and salt;

Mix well to the creamed mixture alternately with water.

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.

On a well-floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with a rocking horse cookie cutter or cutter of your choice dipped in flour. Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.

Bake at 350 F for 9-11 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to wire racks to cool

Source: PastryWiz Food Resource Center

Chewy & Nutty Cookies

Leckerli

Serving Size : 5 dozen cookies

Ingredients :
3/4 cup acacia honey
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of ground ginger
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of freshly ground white pepperScant
2/3 cup finely diced candied lemon and orange rind
1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sliced almonds (4 1/2 ounces)
1/4 cup kirsch (unsweetened cherry liquor)
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar)
1 1/2 tablespoons water

Instructions :

Take a medium saucepan, combine the honey with the granulated sugar, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, lemon zest, nutmeg, ginger, and white pepper. Stir occasionally while cooking over low heat, until the honey and sugar are melted for about 3 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and add the candied citrus rind, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the almonds and 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of the kirsch. Sift the 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons of flour and the baking soda over the mixture and stir to incorporate.

Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Scrape the dough onto the plastic and flatten into a disk. Wrap and refrigerate until firm for about 2 hours.

Liberally flour a work surface. Roll out the dough to a 12-inch square about 3/8 inch thick. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and slide the dough onto it.

Prick all over with a fork. Scatter the remaining 1/4 cup of almonds on top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 400 F. In a small bowl, mix the confectioners' sugar with the water and the remaining 2 teaspoons of kirsch. Bake the cookie square for 14 minutes, or until golden. Immediately brush the glaze on top. Slide the parchment onto a rack and let the cookie cool completely. On a work surface, using a large, sharp knife, trim the edges of the square, then cut it into four 3-inch-wide strips. Cut each strip into 3/4-inch bars.

Tip : The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 2 months.

Source: PastryWiz Food Resource Center

Christmas Punch

Christmas Punch

Makes about 6 quarts.

Ingredients

1> 2 Quarts Cranberry Juice Cocktail
2> Juice of 4 Lemons (about 3/4 cup)
3> 1 Quart Orange Juice
4> 1/2 Cup Sugar
5> 2 Quarts Ginger Ale, Chilled
6> Thin Orange Slices
7> Halved Maraschino Cherries

Instructions

1) Mix juices and sugar.
2) Pour into punch bowl over ice.
3) Add chilled ginger ale, pouring slowly down side of bowl.
4) Place slices and cherries as floaters on surface of punch.

Christmas Pears

Christmas Pears

Christmas Pears is very easy to do. No cooking is required. It's very colorful and delicious.

Serves between 4 to 6 people (depends on size of pear halves)

Ingredients

1> 1 Can of Pear Halves
2> 1 Can of Crab Meat
3> 1 Apple
4> 2 Celery Stems
5> 4 Walnuts
6> Mayonnaise
7> Pepper
8> Lettuce Leave

Instructions

1) Crush all Walnuts into tiny bits.
2) Dice Apple (keep peel) and Celery.
3) Take a bowl and mix the diced apple, diced celery, crab meat with mayonnaise.
4) Slightly pepper.
5) Keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.
6) Scoop mixture into the hollow of each pear.
7) Serve on top of 4 lettuce leave.

Wassail - Christmas Holiday Refreshment Recipes...!!!

Wassail

Serving size - 4 8-oz cups

Ingredients

1 qt Apple Cider
4 Cinnamon Sticks
1 Whole Nutmeg
1/2 c Honey
1/4 c Lemon Juice
1 ts Lemon Peel, Grated
3 Oranges
3 ts Cloves, whole

Instructions

1> Poke 1 ts cloves into each and every orange for "Floating Cloved Oranges".
2> Add seasonings, cider and Floating Cloved Oranges to crockpot, heat at least 1/2 hour, the longer the better.

Orange Stars
3> Cut oranges neatly into 1/2" slices.
4> Stick 5 cloves around slice with equal intervals, cut out wedges between cloves. The end result looks like a star.

Source: PastryWiz Food Resource Center

Christmas Eggnog - Christmas Holiday Refreshments...!!!

Christmas Eggnog

Serving Size - 8 servings

Ingredients

6 Large Eggs
3/4 c Sugar
1/2 c Rum
1 1/2 c Brandy
4 c Cream
4 c Milk
1/2 c Icing sugar
Nutmeg to sprinkle

Instructions:

1> Separate all the eggs.
2> Beat the yolks slowly and gradually, mixing the sugar while beating until they are pale and golden.
3> Slowly beat in the rum and brandy, then beat in the milk and half the cream.
4> Just before serving, whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold them into the eggnog mixture.
5> Whip the remaining icing sugar and cream until thick.
6> Top each glass of eggnog with whipped cream and a shake of nutmeg.

Source: PastryWiz Food Resource Center