Christmas Goodies

Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies

4 scant cups sugar
2 scant cups Crisco
4 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons soda
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons vanilla
8 cups flour
Cream sugar, shortening. Add eggs. Add remaining ingredients. Must refrigerate - preferably overnight. The secret to this dough is keeping it chilled, it’s a very soft dough.
Take a little out of the bowl and place on floured sink top or pie board. Treat it similar to pie crust as far as handling goes, you may need to sprinkle with a little flour and roll to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut with a floured cookie cutter. Work with small amounts in order to keep dough chilled. Have patience and you will be rewarded with beautiful cookies. Bake 350 degrees - watch - do not brown (only lightly on bottom). Can freeze and frost later.

Christmas/Pineapple Cheese Ball

2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese
1 (8 1/2 oz.) can crushed pineapple - drained
2 cups chopped pecans
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped pimiento - alternative
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
Beat softened cheese with a fork. Stir in well drained pineapple, 1 cup pecans, pepper or pimiento, onion and salt. Shape into 1 or 2 balls and roll in remaining pecans. Wrap and store in refrigerator for 24 hours. Serve with assorted crackers.

Christmas Cauliflower

1 head cauliflower
4 oz. can sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup diced green pepper
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
2 tablespoons chopped pimento
Break cauliflower into medium size flowerets. Cook in boiling water until crisp-tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain. Saute mushrooms and green pepper in butter in medium saucepan until tender. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir until smooth and thickened. Stir in cheese, salt and pimento. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Put half of the cauliflower into a buttered casserole dish. Cover with half of the sauce. Then add remaining cauliflower and remaining sauce. Bake until hot and bubbly, about 15 minutes. Serves 8 to 10.

Christmas Morning Brunch Egg Bake

3 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz. can sliced mushrooms - drained
8 oz. cooked ham - cut into fine julienne strips
1/4 cup margarine - melted
1 3/4 cups milk
8 eggs - beaten
1/3 cup sliced green onion
2 tablespoons fresh snipped parsley
1/2 cup flour
In a large bowl, lightly toss cheeses together. Sprinkle half of the cheese mixture in an ungreased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In medium skillet, cook mushrooms and green onions in the margarine, until onions are tender. Arrange vegetables over cheese. Arrange ham strips over vegetables. Sprinkle remaining cheese over ham. (To make ahead, prepare to this point, cover and refrigerate.) Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl using a wire whisk, blend flour, milk, parsley and eggs; pour over layers in baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until mixture is set and top is lightly browned. Let stand about 10 minutes. Cut into squares and garnish with fresh parsley. Serves 12.

Colors of Christmas Cake

1 (3 oz.) pkg. red gelatin - (raspberry, strawberry or cherry)
1 (3 oz.) pkg. orange gelatin
1 (3 oz.) pkg. lime gelatin
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup butter
8 oz. pineapple juice
2 tablespoons sugar
1 (3 oz.) pkg. lemon gelatin
2 pkgs. whipped topping mix
Mix red, orange and lime gelatins by instructions on box. Pour gelatin into 3 shallow pans (9 x 14 inches) and let set. When set, cut each pan of gelatin into 1/2 inch cubes and mix together in bowl. Return cubed gelatin to refrigerator for later use. Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter or margarine together and press into bottom of rectangular cake pan (9 x 14 x 2 inches). Bake in 350 degree oven for 5 minutes or until brown. Remove and let cool. Dissolve sugar in pineapple juice and bring to a boil on stove. When boiling, add lemon gelatin and dissolve stirring frequently. Remove from stove and allow to cool until it forms a syrup. Prepare 2 packages of whip topping according to label directions, add pineapple-gelatin mix to whip topping and fold in well. Fold in your cubed mixed gelatin into your whip topping, and then spoon completed mixture into your pan with graham cracker crust. Sprinkle a little graham cracker crumbs on top of your cake and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours before serving.

Danish Christmas Cake

1 cup margarine
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon orange juice
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lb. chopped dates
2 cups chopped pecans
1 sm. bottle maraschino cherries and juice
1 tablespoons grated orange rind
1 cup buttermilk
Flour the dates, nuts and cherries with one cup and mix so fruit doesn’t go to bottom of pan. Cream sugar and margarine and add unbeaten eggs one at a time. Vanilla goes in buttermilk. Soda goes in with salt and flour. Alternate flour mixture and liquid. Add fruit and nuts. Pour batter into well greased angel food tube pan or 3 loaf pans or salad rings. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until cake tests done. Have sauce ready and while cake is still warm, pour sauce over cake.
For the Sauce:
1 cup orange juice - (or orange and lemon juice-mixed)
1/2 to 1 cup sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
Mix together and pour over cake.

Hot Cranberry Spiced Tea

3 quarts water
Bring to a boil. Add:
3 family size tea bags - (or 9 sm.)
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
Cover and steep 30 minutes.
Add:
2 cups sugar
2 cups orange juice
3 cups cranberry juice
3 drops red food color
Strain spices. Refrigerate leftover tea.

Holiday Dip

1 cup mayonnaise
1 (8 oz.) pkg. sour cream
1 (8 oz.) can water chestnuts - drained, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped pimiento
1 tablespoon sliced green onion
2 teaspoons beef flavor bouillon
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Fresh vegetables and chips
In medium bowl combine all ingredients except vegetables and chips; mix well. Cover. Chill. Stir before serving. Garnish with additional green onion if you wish. Serve with vegetables and chips. Print this post