Family, Food, and Togetherness
This time of year as we prepare for the festivities, these are the things that come to mind. Family sees us through, keeps us focused on what matters most. Food sustains us and holiday treats bring a special kind of contentment. When you add them both together it’s a sure recipe for a Winter Holiday full of family fun.
In, “The First and Last Thanksgiving”, I share one of my family's special holidays. a true story of embracing generations and holiday pandemonium, of food, family and friends. Holidays together bring us closer and create wonderful memories.
You can find it here
To help bring your family together this season try some festive treats, like these Hidden Mickey Linzer Cookies sure to be a favorite for the kids.
To help bring your family together this season try some festive treats, like these Hidden Mickey Linzer Cookies sure to be a favorite for the kids.
Mickey Snowflake Linzer Cookies
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 Cup sugar
1 Tsp vanilla extract
3/4 Cup flour
1/4 Tsp salt
Raspberry preserve
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Snowflake cookie cutter
Mini Mickey cookie cutter (or small and large piping tip)
1 Tsp vanilla extract
3/4 Cup flour
1/4 Tsp salt
Raspberry preserve
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Snowflake cookie cutter
Mini Mickey cookie cutter (or small and large piping tip)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Using a bowl attached to a stand mixer (with paddle attachment), cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add vanilla.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour and salt together.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
Dump dough onto a floured work surface and shape into a flat disk.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Roll out dough to 1/4″ thick. Then use snowflake cookie cutter to cut out cookies. With half of the cookies, cut out the middle of each with a mini Mickey cutter. (You could also use a large piping tip for the head and a small piping tip for the ears.) Place cookies onto a lined baking sheet. Chill for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Spread raspberry preserve on the flat side of each solid cookie. Dust the tops of the Mickey cutout cookies with powdered sugar. Then place the Mickey cutout cookies on the cookies with preserve. Serves 12 Original Recipe Here
Perhaps you want an extra special holiday cookie, these sweet fairy wing meringue cookies inspired by Tinker Bell are sure to sparkle and shine.
Roll out dough to 1/4″ thick. Then use snowflake cookie cutter to cut out cookies. With half of the cookies, cut out the middle of each with a mini Mickey cutter. (You could also use a large piping tip for the head and a small piping tip for the ears.) Place cookies onto a lined baking sheet. Chill for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Spread raspberry preserve on the flat side of each solid cookie. Dust the tops of the Mickey cutout cookies with powdered sugar. Then place the Mickey cutout cookies on the cookies with preserve. Serves 12 Original Recipe Here
Perhaps you want an extra special holiday cookie, these sweet fairy wing meringue cookies inspired by Tinker Bell are sure to sparkle and shine.
Tinker Bell’s Meringue Cookies
4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
Piping bag
Large coupler
Large star piping tip
Clear sprinkles
Directions
Preheat oven to 200° F.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Whip 4 room-temperature egg whites in a mixer. Add cream of tartar, then continue whipping on high until stiff peaks form.
Lower to medium and add powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Whip on high until stiff peaks form.
Place meringue in a piping bag (with coupler and tip), and pipe onto your parchment paper-lined cookie sheet into a wing shape. Using the large star piping tip, form the shape of each side of the wing starting from the bottom to the top — one wing at a time.
Then add sprinkles on top.
Place in the oven for 3 hours, or until they’ve dried. Check on them throughout to make sure they remain white. Let cool. Serves 36 Original Recipe Here
If you prefer something a bit simpler these Dipped Pretzel Rods are quick and festive. The kids can even join in dipping the pretzels for a night of family fun.
Ingredients:
1 (10 oz.) bag pretzel rods
1 (24 oz.) package white chocolate bark coating or 1 (1 lb.) bag white candy melts (you'll only use about 10 or 12 oz.)
1 to 2 T. shortening
Assorted sprinkles
Preheat oven to 200° F.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Whip 4 room-temperature egg whites in a mixer. Add cream of tartar, then continue whipping on high until stiff peaks form.
Lower to medium and add powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Whip on high until stiff peaks form.
Place meringue in a piping bag (with coupler and tip), and pipe onto your parchment paper-lined cookie sheet into a wing shape. Using the large star piping tip, form the shape of each side of the wing starting from the bottom to the top — one wing at a time.
Then add sprinkles on top.
Place in the oven for 3 hours, or until they’ve dried. Check on them throughout to make sure they remain white. Let cool. Serves 36 Original Recipe Here
If you prefer something a bit simpler these Dipped Pretzel Rods are quick and festive. The kids can even join in dipping the pretzels for a night of family fun.
Christmas White Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods
1 (10 oz.) bag pretzel rods
1 (24 oz.) package white chocolate bark coating or 1 (1 lb.) bag white candy melts (you'll only use about 10 or 12 oz.)
1 to 2 T. shortening
Assorted sprinkles
Directions
In a tall skinny container (such as a pottery cup or perhaps even a small glass vase), melt bark coating or candy melts and shortening together in the microwave per package directions (typically in 30 second intervals, stirring in between).
Dip each pretzel rod in the candy coating, letting excess coating drip off back into the container. Sprinkle with sprinkles, as desired.
Place on waxed paper and let stand for coating to set up.
Store in a sealed container at room temperature.
TIP: Pour the leftover white chocolate coating into a plastic storage container and save it for another use later. All you have to do is heat it back up in the microwave, omitting the shortening (since it's already in there). Enjoy!
Source: The Kitchen is My Playground
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a warm new year!
Looking for the perfect gift? “The First and Last Thanksgiving” makes a wonderful gift, appropriate for the season. “A lovely, enjoyable quick read.” according to Gail Crockett on Amazon.
Her full review reads: “Loved this story of a special gathering of folks at Thanksgiving. I loved even more following up on their lives the years after the meal. Woven into the book are wonderful asides about the Bay area as well as humorous asides about the Kube family growing up and Dianne's original family of origin. The story goes to the center of what makes families great, heart, humor and caring!!! There is caring here in spades, along with the ability to laugh at what life throws at you and then deal with it. A lovely, enjoyable quick read.” http://www.firstandlastthanksgiving.com/
Seasonal gift, ideal story as you prepare for the holidays, great as a swag gift, holiday parties, office grab bag, teacher gift, secret Santa.
