Pfeffernuse

Pfeffernuse
from Karen Shelton

1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cloves 

1 teaspoon ground ginger 

2 teaspoons anise extract 

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 

1 teaspoon ground black pepper 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting 

1. Stir together the molasses, honey, shortening, and margarine in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until creamy.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
3. Stir in the eggs.
4. Combine the flour, white sugar, brown sugar, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, anise, cinnamon, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a large bowl.
5. Add the molasses mixture and stir until thoroughly combines.
6. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.    
7. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
8. Roll the dough into acorn-sized balls.
9. Arrange on baking sheets, spacing at least 1 inch apart.
10. Bake in preheated oven 10 to 15 minutes.
11. Move to a rack to cool.
12. Dust cooled cookies with confectioners' sugar.

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my wish to you...

My wish to you is that you keep Christmas in you heart all year long; that you remember the value and worth of your family and friends.  My wish to you is that you show your loved ones how much they mean to you ALL year long, and not just at Christmas.  My wish to you is that this new year will be all that you hope--DREAM BIG!!!

I am taking a break for the next two weeks.  Not tired of blogging or anything, but even doing what you love the most, you sometimes need to recharge your batteries.  What better time than when I am off work too?  Perfect timing is what it is!  Follow me on Instagram for my latest adventures!

Thanks so much for reading and supporting me!  I hope that you have felt how much I value you, my dear reader, with my many giveaways!

Have a joyful holiday, and a beautiful new year!  <3

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German butter cookies

One of my favorite holiday traditions is making Christmas cookies.  My favorite cookie?  A delicious butter cookie (although shortbread is a very close second).  During the Christmas season as a child, my family would make butter cookies.  My mom would make the dough; my dad would roll the dough out, and my brother and I would press the cookies.  Then mom would watch while they baked.

{German butter cookies}

This year, I wanted to share this recipe because this is the first time that I have made the dough myself.  I rolled the dough out, and I pressed cookie with cutters that I used as a child.  It brought back so many good memories, but I also made new ones.

 {My mom prefers them with jelly in between, but I prefer the single cookie}

{Jelly-filled and single cookies}

German butter cookies

Makes 36-48 cookies (depends on the shapes and sizes)

2 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature (250 g)
2/3 cup sugar (140 g)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups flour (500 g)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
Zest of a lemon

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. In another bowl, mix dry ingredients together and whisk until combined.
3. Once the butter and sugar are creamed, add eggs and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy.
4. Slowly add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
5. Allow dough to sit in the fridge overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 350.
7. Roll out dough until about 1/4 inch thick; cut cookies out of dough.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges just begin to turn golden.
9. Cool for 1-2 minutes on a cookie sheet and then transfer to cooling racks.
10. These can be eaten plain, with jam sandwiched in between, and/or with powdered sugar.

Does your family make Christmas cookies?  Do you have a favorite?  If you're still looking for that perfect cookie, head over to this Christmas cookie recap for some ideas!

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eggnog

One of the most famous drinks of Christmas is eggnog.  I'm not the biggest fan; usually one glass a year will cure me of the craving.  The Hubby on the other hand, can drink it in gallons.  He loves my mom's eggnog so this year, I asked her if she could teach me.  She was happy to (especially because now she'll ask me to make it from now on--love you mom!), and I couldn't believe how easy it was!

 {eggnog with spice cookies}

 {The color of the eggnog will depend on the eggs that you use--using fresh farm KY Proud eggs will result in the color above while using store eggs will make it much lighter yellow, almost white}

eggnog

Makes 2 quarts

8 egg yolks (KY Proud)
2 whole eggs (KY Proud)
3-5 cups powdered sugar (depends on how sweet you want it)
1-12 oz can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup clear vodka or rum (optional)**

1. Place yolks and whole eggs in a mixing bowl and turn to medium for 2 minutes.
2. Slowly add sugar 1 cup at a time, waiting until each cup is fully incorporated.  My family typically uses 3 1/2-4 cups.
3. Slowly add the milk and vanilla to the egg mixture.
4. Taste and adjust.
5. Optional:  Slowly add liquor and turn to low to combine.
6. Store in an airtight container like a Mason jar for up to 2 weeks (at the most!  It's best to drink it all as soon as possible)

This will definitely be a big hit with the parties and family gatherings you still have coming up!  Do you like eggnog?

**If you are using alcohol, then please enjoy responsibly!Pin It

candied roasted nuts

Have you ever walked through the mall this time of year and smelled those roasted nuts?   Yeah me too!  Then I get some, and I can only eat a handful because they are so very sweet.  This year, I decided to try and replicate it at home.  Boy was it a success!  I took it to my family's Thanksgiving dinner to have them try it, and I was left with a quarter of what I came with!  It was a hit!

 {candied roasted nuts}

 {candied roasted nuts close up}

Candied Roasted Nuts

Makes 6 cups

6 cup pecan halves
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 egg whites
4 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 300.
2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or foil.
3. Place pecans in a bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar until well combined.
5. In another bowl, whisk together egg whites, vanilla and salt until well combined.
6. Pour egg white mixture over nuts and stir until completely coated.
7. Add about 2/3 cinnamon sugar mixture to nuts and stir until completely coated. 
8. Place nuts on baking sheet and sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
9. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until nuts are browned and crispy.
10. Cool completely.
11. Enjoy!

These are perfect for a party because they can be made ahead of time (just try not to eat them all before the party!).

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mulled wine

Christmas season means parties, families, and lots of food/drinks.  I'll be sharing some party recipes this week including this delicious mulled wine recipe that's been in my German family for years.  Germans drink this throughout the Christmas season, and I can't remember a Christmas without it!  (It's called Gluwein in German)

 {mulled wine}

 {If there is any left over (we've never had any but I made this recipe at home with just me, and I didn't feel like drinking an entire bottle of wine), cool and store in an airtight container.  Just reheat on the stove or in the microwave}

This recipe is very easy for a party in the crock-pot or on the stove, and then it just stews for a few hours. 

Mulled Wine

Makes 4 servings

1 bottle red wine
2 clementines, peeled and separated into segments
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
1/4-1/2 cup sugar (depends on your preference)

1. Pour wine into a crock-pot.
2. Place clementines, cinnamon, and cloves into the wine.
3. Heat on low for 3-4 hours.
4. Before serving, mix in sugar and taste.  The amount of sugar used depends entirely on your preference and what wine you purchased.
5. Serve in coffee mugs and segments of clementines (they are the best part!).
6. Enjoy!

This is a great after-outdoor activities like caroling, playing in the snow, decorating the house, etc.  It really warms your insides up.  Plus, your house smells amazing because of the cinnamon, cloves, and clementines.  As with any alcoholic drink, please enjoy responsibly!

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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone!  

{Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill}

I will be off Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but I will be back on Thursday.  I hope everyone has a safe holiday filled with joy, laughter, and family!!!  I would like to leave you with one of my favorite songs from my favorite Christmas movie, A Muppet Christmas Carol.

Bless Us All (watch on YouTube)

"Life is full of sweet surprises

Every day's a gift

The sun comes up and I can feel it lift my spirit

Fills me up with laughter, fills me up with song

I look into the eyes of love and know that I belong

Bless us all, who gather here

The loving family I hold dear

No place on earth, compares with home

And every path will bring me back from where I roam

Bless us all, that as we live

We always comfort and forgive

We have so much, that we can share

With those in need we see around us everywhere

Let us always love each other

Lead us to the light

Let us hear the voice of reason, singing in the night

Let us run from anger and catch us when we fall

Teach us in our dreams and please, yes please

Bless us one and all

Bless us all with playful years

With noisy games and joyful tears

We reach for You and we stand tall

And in our prayers and dreams

We ask You bless us all

We reach for You and we stand tall

And in our prayers and dreams we ask you

Bless us all"

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Tuesday Tip: Christmas Cookie Recap

I know that we all have our specific traditions every year.  My family makes the following cookie recipes every year, and I look forward to it!  So maybe this isn't a tip exactly, but some people don't have a cookie-making tradition!  So I am sharing our cookie recipes! 

Hazelnut Cookies

Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread)

The hazelnut cookies are so easy to make which is perfect for the non-bakers.  The gingerbread are a bit more involved since they are made from scratch, but nothing a only-every-once-in-a-while baker can't handle.

Unfortunately, we haven't been able to get together to make cookies.  Our schedules just didn't lend to it this year.  My waistline is happy, but it doesn't feel like Christmas to me until you make Christmas cookies!  Right?  Maybe I can convince my family to make cookies on Christmas.... 

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Christmas: Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

I prefer spiced oatmeal cookeis to a plain oatmeal cookie--so much more flavor!  Spices like cinnamon, cloves and ginger just seem to warm you and the house up when the days and nights are so cold.  Everyone should have a great spiced oatmeal cookie in their recipe book espeically for the holidays!

{Fresh baked spiced cookies!}



Nothing says 'holidays' like a spiced cookie with a hint of orange zest!  This recipe is very easy, and the cookies are delicious!

{Zesting a clementine}

{Cookie dough!}

{I always try to make a tower o'dry ingredients--this is one of my best!}

{Add dry ingredients until JUST COMBINED!}

{Embarrassing---I forgot to get raisins so I used chocolate chips instead!  Delicious anyway LOL}

{Ready for the oven!}

Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

Makes 24 cookies

Ingredients

1 stick butter, room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 orange, finely zested
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground clove
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup raisins or chocolate chips (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cream butter, sugar, and orange zest until light and fluffy.
3. Add salt and eggs and beat for an additional 3 minutes on medium high speed.
4. Combine flour, baking soda, and spices in a separate bowl.
5. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and turn the mixer on low; stir until just combined.
6. Add oats, nuts and chocolate chips or raisins (or both!).
7. Drop cookies on greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

Baking these easy cookies while guests arrive is sure to make you home smell wonderful and festive!  Bonus--they are not overly sweet, just spicy!

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Christmas: Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread)

In Germany, around Christmas time, cookies called Lebkuchen come out.  They are usually chocolate covered, some with jelly filling, little cookies of delight.  They are one of my favorite Christmas cookies, and the fantastic part: they get better and better the longer they sit!  Seriously, don't eat them until about a week after you make them.  They will taste 10 times better!

{German Gingerbread}

I had a chance to make them in culinary school which is where I got the recipe.  My German mother is in love with them.  Although we don't have small children, this recipe can be chilled overnight and rolled for a shaped cookie.

{Molasses is the secret to a good gingerbread}

{Add flour until just combined}

{Pre-flattened cookies--they do not spread so you can put them closer together!}

Lebkuchen

Makes 32 cookies

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground ginger

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 pound butter, room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg, room temperature

1 lemon, zested

1 tablespoon ginger, grated

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Sift all dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.
3. Cream butter, sugar, and molasses until light and fluffy; add egg, and then add lemon zest and ginger.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
5. Chill dough for 10 minutes or overnight if rolling out the next day.
6. Drop cookies on greased baking sheet, flattening a bit with a spatula.  Cookies do not spread much.
7. Baked for 15-20 minutes.
8. These can be eaten immediately but taste best after 4-5 days.

Does your family make gingerbread for Christmas?

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Christmas: Hazelnut Cookies

It's that time of year!  We make Christmas cookies, and then eat them all before Christmas.  When families get together to laugh and have a great time while listening to Christmas music.  My family is definitely no exception!

{Delicious hazelnut cookeis}

Something that always reminds me of Christmas is hazelnuts--it's the only time of year that I eat them in cookie form.  I remember growing up, we would make these and use a cookie press to make fun shapes.  However, being older, I just use a cookie scoop to make beautiful uniform cookies.

{This recipe couldn't be easier--sugar cookie mix and hazelnuts!}

{Make sugar cookies according to the instructions on the back}

{Add 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts per bag of mix}

{My hand-dandy cookie scoop (LOVE it!!!)}

{Cookie balls!}

Hazelnut Cookies

Makes 32 cookies medium/50 small

Ingredients

3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup butter, melted

2 eggs, room temperature

3 cups hazelnuts, ground finely

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix dry ingredients together.
3. Scramble eggs in melted butter until combined then add vanilla.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients until combined.
5. Add hazelnuts.
6. Scoop cookies out onto baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes (8 minutes for soft cookie but 10 minutes for a firmer cookie).
7. Cool for 1 minute on baking sheet then transfer to wire rack to completely cool.

Easy but soooo good!  What kind of Christmas cookies do you make with your family?

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