Gingerbread Cookies

Submitted by Julie Twitchell

We have to make these lovelies every year for Christmas. My boys actually ask for them all year long. This is a recipe from my hubby's aunt. They are soft and so yummy. The recipe calls for anise seed. There are some in my family (hubby) who thinks it would be a cardinal sin to leave the anise seed out, but the truth is, they are yummy either way.

• 1/3 Cup shortening
• 1 Cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 Cup light molasses
• 2/3 Cup cold water
• 7 Cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. allspice
• 1 tsp. ginger
• 1 tsp. cloves
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. anise seed(optional)

In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix shortening, brown sugar and molasses thoroughly. Stir in water. Slowly add the dry ingredients. Chill for about 1 hour. Roll dough 1/2 thick. Cut with desired cookie cutters. Place on parchment paper or silicone mat. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until no imprint remains when touched lightly. When cooled, decorate with decorative icing.

Decorative icing:

• 1 egg white
• 1 Cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1-2 drops red food coloring (optional)

Beat the egg white with the powdered sugar, vanilla and cream of tartar until the mixture is stuff and holds up in sharp peaks when the beater is withdrawn. Tint with food coloring. Use a decorative piping bag or a sturdy Ziploc bag and cut a small hole in one corner. Decorate as desired. Icing will set in about 15-30 minutes.

Yields about 3 dozen cookies

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Homemade Gravy

Submitted by Stacey Hutchings

I've been asked to share the recipe for the gravy I took to the Ward Christmas Party. Alas, I have no picture of it, so I just took a picture of the ingredients you need to make it.

This recipe is essentially Ina Garten's Homemade Gravy Recipe, minus the Cognac. She has lots of great cookbooks, and let me tell you, every single recipe I've ever tried has turned out delicious!

Ingredients

1/4 pound unsalted butter (1 stick - and if all you've got is regular salted butter, use it, but maybe start with 1/2 teaspoon salt for seasoning)
1 1/2 cups chopped Vidalia onion (2 onions - and yellow onions would be fine)
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chicken stock, hot (just measure it out and nuke it in the microwave - if you are tripling this recipe like I did for the Christmas party, I think it's easier to let it heat up on the stove top.)
1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional)

Directions

In a large skillet, cook the butter and onions on medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes. This low and slow cooking will make for a delicious gravy.


Whisk in the flour, then add the salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock and cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes, until thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in cream. (I didn't add the cream the night of the Christmas Party, but usually I do. It makes the gravy beautiful and taste even better!)

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Eggnog Bundt Cake

Submitted by Julie Twitchell

Do you like eggnog? I really do enjoy it, but I always mix mine with a little Sprite. My hubby does not like eggnog, but he thought this cake was wonderful. I got this recipe from the Sisters Cafe blog. Oh my word! It is so delicious. The caramel sauce adds a great flavor, but I bet you could serve it with just whipped cream and it would still be wonderful.

• 1 yellow cake mix (preferably with pudding in the mix)
• 3 TB flour
• 2 Cup eggnog
• 1/4 Cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1/4 tsp. rum extract
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg

Beat ingredients until smooth and creamy. Pour into greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar for presentation.

Caramel Sauce:

• 1/2 pound brown sugar (1 1/8 Cup)
• 1/2 pound butter(2 sticks)
• 1/2 pound powdered sugar (2 cups)
• 1/2 TB cinnamon
• 1/2 qt. rich vanilla ice cream--that's right, we are melting ice cream :)

Melt together over medium heat. Pour warm over individual servings immediately before serving.

Cook's Note: I halved the caramel sauce recipe and still had plenty.

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Cinnamon Hard Candy

Submitted by Julie Twitchell

I got this recipe from the Taste of Homes website. I had forgotten how much I love cinnamon candy. My family would make this stuff every year for Christmas. And my kids love it too.

2 Cups sugar

1 Cup water

1/2 Cup light corn syrup

1/4-1/2 tsp cinnamon oil(I used just under 1/2 tsp.)

1/2 tsp. red food coloring

1. In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, water and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Uncover and cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 310 degrees (hard-crack stage). Remove from the heat; stir in oil and food coloring, keeping face away from the mixture as the odor will be very strong.
2. Immediately pour mixture onto a greased baking sheet or silicone liner. Quickly spread into a 13 inch by 9 inch rectangle. Using a sharp knife, score into 1 inch squares. Re-cut rectangle along scored lines until candy is cut through. Let stand at room temperature until dry. You might need to use the knife after cooled to keep the square shapes.

Yields 1 pound

Cook's Note: Cinnamon oil can be hard to find. After searching 3 stores, I finally found some at Hobby Lobby with the sucker molds.

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Double Chocolate Cake with Fudge Sauce

Reviewed by Julie Twitchell

This recipe is from Jamie Cooks It Up. It is really yummy. I made it for book club this week. You should give it a try. I think next time, I will do half as much chocolate chips or try the mini chips. My chips kind of all melted together while baking. But boy, it was delicious!

Cake

• 1 Devil's Food cake mix
• 1 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding
• 1/3 Cup flour
• 1/3 Cup oil
• 1 1/2 Cup water
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/3 Cup sour cream
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 Cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 Cup milk chocolate chips

1. In a large mixing bowl, or in your stand mixer, add the cake mix, pudding and flour. Stir it all around to combine.


2. Add all other cake ingredients, except the chocolate chips. Mix on low for about 1 minute. Then mix on medium speed until the batter is nice and smooth. This should take about 2 minutes.


3. Spray a bundt pan generously with cooking spray. Pour batter into the pan. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the cake batter.


4. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes.

Fudge sauce

• 2 TB unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 TB cornstarch
• 1 Cup sugar
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 2 TB butter(divided)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• dash of salt

1. In the bottom of a medium sauce pan, combine the cocoa, cornstarch and sugar.


2. Pour the can of milk over the top of the dry ingredients. Add the vanilla, salt and only 1 TB of the butter.


3. Stir mixture over medium heat. After it comes to a boil, cook for 3 more minutes while stirring. The sauce should thicken as it boils.


4. Remove it from the heat and add the remaining butter. Stir the butter around until incorporated. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before pouring it on the cake.

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