Growing up, our kitchen was always stocked with delicious Christmas goodies the weeks preceding Christmas. Shirt boxes filled with sugar cookies, Russian tea cakes, peanut brittle, peppermint bark, nut goodies, peanut blossoms, turtles and other delectable delights were stacked up in our refrigerator and freezer. Whenever a snack was needed, one could be found. And every Christmas Eve we would proudly leave our plate of carefully made sugar cookies for dear old Santa.
My mother, a wonderful baker, has maintained this annual tradition by inviting my brothers and I, and our loved ones over for an all-day baking extravaganza. There are baking stations, and boxes and baggies and wax paper and more chocolate, butter, sugar and other so-bad-for-you-but-so-yummy things than you could ever consume.
In a span of about 5-6 hours, collectively we made homemade caramels (new recipe addition this year), sugar cookies, peanut blossoms, peppermint bark, turtles, and popcorn balls. A busy afternoon it was, but an enjoyable one as well.
Anna watched intently as we Christmas elves worked...perhaps next year she can help a little too! Although, I think she was happy watching, studying and possibly her favorite job - taste testing.
But I can't say I blame her...could you resist?
2 comments:
What a wonderful tradition and special family time. Anna will grow up knowing this fun time comes with each Christmas and one day she will roll up her sleeves and make cookies of her own. This all looks very yummy. Look at what a few extra hands can do.
Thanks for letting us in on the fun with pictures and wonderful descriptions!
Love, Nana and Papa
Delicious!! What a wonderful tradition. Before you know it Anna will be right up there next to you mixing and rolling and dolling out instructions!
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