Christmas Strufoli

1. In large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In small bowl, using wire whisk or fork, beat egg, milk, butter and vanilla to blend well; stir in grated orange and lemon peels. Stir egg mixture into flour mixture to make smooth, soft, pliable dough.

2. In deep 12-inch skillet over medium heat, heat 2 inches of oil to 375. While oil heats, on lightly floured surface roll dough by tablespoonfuls into 6 inch long ropes; cut each rope into ¼ inch pieces.

3. Cook dough pieces in three or more batches, in hot oil about 1 minute until puffed and golden. Using slotted skimmer or spoon, remove fried dough balls to paper towels to drain. Allow oil to return to 375 between batches.

4. In 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, bring honey to a boil; remove from heat. Stir in fried dough balls to coat thoroughly. Spoon honey-coated balls onto serving platter; with hands lightly oiled to prevent sticking, arrange balls in cone shape. Decorate with nonpareils.

Makes 8-10 servings.

Snow Flurry Brownies

In a bowl, whisk together sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; add to sugar mixture and mix well. Stir in vanilla chips and nuts.

Spread into a greased 8 inch square baking pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake).

Cool on wire rack. Cut into diamond shapes.

On plate, place fresh strawberries in center and arrange the brownies in a star-like pattern.

Icy Holiday Punch

In a 4-quart freezer-proof container, dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water. Stir in pineapple juice and cold water.

Cover and freeze overnight. Remove from the freezer 2 hours before serving. Place in punch bowl; stir in ginger ale just before serving.

Makes 32-36 servings (5-3/4 quarts)

Candy Cane Coffee Cakes

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water and milk. Add eggs, sugar, butter, salt and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; Turn one to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1 ½ hours.

For filling, combine nuts, brown sugar, raisins and cinnamon; set aside. Punch dough down and divide into fourths. Roll one portion into a 12 x 7 inch rectangle. Brush with some butter; sprinkle with 2/3 cup filling. Roll up, jelly roll-style, starting with a long side; pinch to seal. Place on a greased baking sheet. Shape to form a cane. Repeat with remaining dough, filling and butter.

Cover and let rise until doubled, about 35 minutes. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Combine the first five glaze ingredients (everything but the nuts); drizzle stripes over loaves. Sprinkle with nuts.

Makes 4 loaves

Nutmeg Meltaways:

In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Gradually add flour; mix well. Stir in almonds. Shape into 1 inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 300 for 18-20 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. Combine confectioners’ sugar and nutmeg. Gently roll cooled cookies in sugar mixture.

Makes about 5 dozen.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Mix together flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.

2. Beat together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.

3. At low speed, beat in flour mixture until blended. Fold in oats and chocolate chip. Cover with plastic; chill for 1 hour.

4. Preheat oven to 350. Grease 2 baking sheets.

5. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Flatten each cookie slightly.

6. Bake cookies until lightly browned around edges, 10-12 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to wire racks to cool slightly. Transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.

Makes 4 dozen cookies.

Holly Berry Cookies

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. In a small bowl, beat egg and milk. Add to crumb mixture just until moistened.. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with a 2 inch round cookie cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. Spread jam on half of the cookies. Top each with another cookie. In a small mixing bowl, combine sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth; spread over cookies. Decorate with 3 red hots each grouped together, off center, before the glaze is set. Let dry. Using a small new paintbrush and green food coloring, paint 2 holly leaves on cookies around the “berries”.

Makes 2 dozen.

Spiced Tea
(Wassail)

Poor Man's Cake
NeoDinian's family recipe

By popular demand, I will be posting my mom's recipe for Poor Man's cake, which my sister still make every holiday season, just as she did, and give it to everyone as a holiday tradition. She have also start making these in cupcake tins, which everyone seems to like, just remember to cut the cooking time down. You have to judge for yourself.

Directions: Preheat oven at 325 degrees.

Sift together and put aside (dry).
3 cups floor
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Boil for 20 minutes at high temperature.
2 cups brown sugar
5 teaspoons margarine
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups raisins

Set aside to cool down, but not until cold, when cool enough to handle, mix in the Dry ingredients, add in the nuts (hint- if the wet mix is too dry while adding the floor, I have added a little more brandy or water, in order to be able to mix it well, but the mix should have a thickness to it, not runny) prepare 2 bread pans (margarine and floor bottom and side well covered, to prevent sticking) cook for 40 to 45 minutes, check inside, should be dry when tested with toothpick. (depending on your oven)

Number Of Servings: 2 bread loaf pans--enjoy and Happy Holidays