December 26

Tree - Bethlehem, PA

Date Balls

More Christmas cookies... this one is kind of a pain to make, but they're my favorite!

1/2 C butter

1 C sugar

1/2 lb chopped dates

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp milk

1 tsp vanilla

12 tsp salt

2 C rice krispies

1/2 C chopped nuts

Coconut

Combine the butter, sugar, and dates and set aside. Bring the egg, milk, vanilla, and salt to a boil. Important: stir constantly being very careful not to let the egg scramble. Add the date mixture to the egg mixture and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the rice krispies and chopped nuts. Cool the mixture until you can handle it without burning your hands, then form into little balls and roll in coconut. 

Toffee Nut Bars

Another from the Rowe family Christmas cookie archives.

1/2 C butter

1/2 C brown sugar

1 C flour

1 tsp vanilla

1 11 oz chocolate bar

3/4 C chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter and sugar, add the flour and vanilla. Press and flatten in to the bottom of an ungreased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Melt the chocolate bar and spread over the cookie. Sprinkle the chocolate with the chopped nuts.

December 25

Merry Christmas from Aprons and Apertures!

Kyle's Expert Wrapping - Bethlehem, PA

Thumbprint Cookies

I'm hoping to post a few of our family's christmas cookie recipes here. I don't remember where this one came from (mom?), probably a grandmother, but it's a staple every christmas. Very easy to make!

Thumbprint Cookies
Yields 1 dozen


1/2 C butter
1/4 C brown sugar
1 egg yolk (retain the whites)
1 tsp vanilla
1 C flour
1/4 tsp salt
Crushed walnuts (or other soft nut)
Your favorite jelly (I use raspberry)


Heat oven to 375. Mix together the butter, brown sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla. Sift the flour and salt into the mixture, and combine until incorporated. Beat the whites. Roll about a tablespoon of dough into a ball, dip in whites, and then roll in the nuts. Place cookies on a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Read to bake

Bake for 5 minutes, take the sheet out of the oven and use something (I used the bottom of an ice cream scoop handle) to create an impression in the center of each cookie. Bake for 8 more minutes, and allow to cool on a drying rack.

Cookies baked and with impression

When cool, fill the holes with jam, enjoy!