Trimming the Christmas tree is more bittersweet every year.
Not only is it a fun family tradition laced with cookie baking and egg “nogging” but it is a reminder of how fast time flies.
My teenagers are hanging ornaments which I bought when they were babies. And I remember each trinket and the point in our lives when it was aquired.
As look at the tree and different ornaments I am transported to another place and time and memories that we made there.
A Christmas tree is not just a holiday decoration but a piece of living art that catalogues years of history; some good, some not so good, but truly the legend of a family.
No matter what was going on there was most certainly eating!
Lots of cookies mark every Christmas for us and I have included some more of my favorite holiday cookies for you and your family.
Almond Pine Nut Cookies
Makes 28 cookies • From the kitchen of Allie Virgilio
Ingredients
7 ounces almond paste(cut into small pieces)
1/3 cup sugar
2 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons all- purpose flour
1/2 cup pine nuts
Directions
Heat oven to 325. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat together almond paste, sugar,and 1 egg white in medium-size bowl until smooth. Beat in second egg white, then vanilla extract. Stir in flour until dough forms. Drop batter by teaspoonsful 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Cover each cookie with pine nuts, about 1/2 teaspoon each. Bake in top third of 325 oven until edges are golden, 15 minutes. Cool cookies on sheet on rack.
Butter Nut Balls
Makes 3-1/2 dozen balls • From the kitchen of Charlotte Chambliss
Ingredients
1 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups mashed pecans
powdered sugar
Directions
Cream butter thoroughly. Add balance of ingredients except powdered sugar. Roll into balls about walnut size. Place on ungreased cookie sheet for 35 minutes in 300 degree oven. Roll in powdered sugar immediately and cool on waxed paper. (Cookies may be made in advance and frozen.)
Coconut Bars
Makes 15 bars • From the kitchen of Megan
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
6 tablespoons white sugar
6 tablespoons brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1c +2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup shredded coconut
Directions
Mix first five ingredient together.Then add last four ingredients together.Mix completely and press in 9×13 greased pan.Bake at 375 degrees in over for fifteen minutes.Cut into squares.ENJOY!!!!!!
All Recipes Copyright 2009 Northpole.com, LLC
