Holiday Baking, Time Honored Traditions and Memories

In keeping with this week’s apparent theme, I will share a couple of time honored favorites from our kitchen as well.  My Mom was a great cook and baker.  I don’t know if her recipes were her own or handed down or from other family members.  But Christmas time at our house was nothing short of a cookie factory.  She had maybe 10-12 of her favorites to make, my sister had 2-3 of hers, and I had mine (though some of mine were breads).  And there were NEVER enough containers to put them all in until ready to be given away.  (did I mention that each recipe was at least doubled and sometimes tripled?)   It was almost like “take a number” to reserve your time in the kitchen.

Well, here are a couple of her favorites.  I wish I had some photos to share, but I don’t.  So here is the first one:

Bon Bon Cookies

(this gives Reeses a run for their money on taste ~ IMHO)

1 lb, 2 oz jar of peanut butter (I prefer chunky)

1 lb confection sugar                              

1-1/2 cubes of melted butter

3 cups rice krispies

Mix and form into small balls.  Refrigerate for 2 hours.  Meanwhile, melt ½ slab paraffin and a 12 oz package of chocolate chips.  Dip the refrigerated balls in the melted mixture and place on wax paper.  (she always used a skewer)  When set, keep in the refrigerator or a tightly closed container until ready to serve.  These are very yummy!  (haha, her words not mine ~ but I totally agree)

I know this next cookie is gonna make you say “no way”, “gross”, “I don’t think so” or some other phrase of questionable thought.  But trust me, until you try them, don’t knock them.  They are a very delicate cookie so once made, handle with care.  (or break them on purpose so you can sample more)

Potato Chip Cookies

2 cups margarine                     4 cups sifted flour

1 cup sugar                              1 cup crushed potato chips

2 tsp. vanilla                            1 cup chopped nuts

Cream margarine, sugar and vanilla.  Add flour and mix well.  Stir in potato chips and nuts.  Combine thoroughly.

Form into 1 inch balls, roll in colored sugar (or sprinkle later).  Place on ungreased cookie sheets and flatten with fork or bottom of glass dipped in sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 14 – 16 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes 6-8 dozen

From my kitchen to yours ~ enjoy all your Holiday baking.  Bakers privilege in our home:  baker gets to sample each new batch just to be sure they’re good enough to share. 

If you have little ones at home, let them help with decorating.  You’ll be creating some Christmas traditions and memories that will last a lifetime.  That’s how I learned to cook/bake!  And the memories made with my Mom and sister will be treasured forever.

“Duuude”