11th Day of Christmas with Melissa Taylor
It is day 11 in our 5th annual 12 Days of Christmas giveaways.
Each day I am featuring a different Proverbs 31 Ministries gal offering an idea, recipe, memory or story of Christmas.
Today’s guest?
The fabulous online Bible teacher and encourager-in-chief:
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Hey everyone! Who can’t use a new tried-and-true recipe at the holidays? Here are a few of my favorite Christmas recipes, the name of the item and where I got them from:
Hay Stacks (Little Granny)
I remember my husband’s grandmother, Little Granny, making this easy, crunchy candy. It’s made with chow mein noodles, peanuts, and butterscotch chips.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup peanuts
- 2 cups chow mein noodles
Preparation:
Microwave the butterscotch chips and peanut butter on 50 percent power for 3 to 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and blend to coat noodles thoroughly. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Traditional Home-made Chex Mix~ (My Mother in Law)
| 3 | cups Corn Chex® cereal |
| 3 | cups Rice Chex® cereal |
| 3 | cups Wheat Chex® cereal |
| 1 | cup mixed nuts |
| 1 | cup bite-size pretzels |
| 1 | cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces |
| 6 | tablespoons butter or margarine |
| 2 | tablespoons Worcestershire sauce |
| 1 1/2 | teaspoons seasoned salt |
| 3/4 | teaspoon garlic powder |
| 1/2 | teaspoon onion powder |
| 1. | In large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated. |
| 2. | Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container. |
| Oven Directions Heat oven to 250°F. In large bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container. | |
I get real creative with this adding just about whatever my family loves. Like Cheetos, cheerios, and cheez-its.
Home-made Crispix Mix~sweet (My Beautiful Mama, who I really miss a lot!)
This is the note card from my mom’s recipe box in her handwriting. How precious and special! My mama wrote that y’all! That alone makes this Christmas treat extra special!
Jesus’ Birthday Cake (Southern Living)
This is the cake we bake for Jesus each year. It is from the Southern Living Annual Recipes Cookbook, 20th Edition. Of course you know that Jesus likes any cake baked for Him. We used to do chocolate cake until I found this one. It’s so delish! I make this when I need to take something to a Christmas brunch or gathering. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t LOVE this!
Nutty Orange Coffee Cake ( Happy Birthday Jesus!)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1/2 (8 oz.) pkg reduced fat cream cheese
2 (11 oz.) cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
*Combine 1st 3 ingredients in a small bowl; set aside
*Place about 3/4 teaspoon cream cheese in center of each biscuit; fold biscuit in half over cheese, pressing edges to seal.
*Dip biscuits in melted butter, and dredge in sugar mixture; place biscuits, curved side down, in a single layer in curves of a lightly greased 12-cup Bundt. Place any remaining biscuits around center tube of pan, filling in spaces, if necessary. Drizzle any remaining butter over biscuits; sprinkle with any remaining sugar mixture.
*Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until done. Immediately invert onto a serving plate.
*Combine powdered sugar and orange juice, stirring well; drizzle over warm coffee cake. Serve immediately.
Peppermint Sticks and Candy Canes (Grammy)
These are completely store bought. We get the soft peppermint sticks because they remind us of Grammy. She was my grandmother and every Christmas she handed out peppermint sticks. She was such an influence on my life spiritually. Jesus was her best friend. When we share our peppermint sticks, we also share a story about Grammy.
The candy canes, we place in a small Christmas bucket and keep them where guests can take one on the way out. Attached to each cane is the “Legend of the Candy Cane, Jesus Edition.” Just another way to share Jesus during His birthday season.
A few days before Christmas, my kids and I set aside a day to bake lots of fun cookies, candies, etc, etc. We keep some and give some away. Christmas Eve we make Jesus’ Birthday Cake and build a Gingerbread House together.
Now, I’d love to hear about the food you love at Christmas. Maybe it’s part of the meal or maybe some kind of yummy treat. You pick. Just make sure to share the recipe with us! This will be like having our own little 12 Days of Christmas Recipe Book!
Share a recipe and you will be entered to win a Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study Package including:
- Our past 2 Online Bible Study books, Unglued (signed by author, Lysa TerKeurst) and Greater by Steven Furtick
- A Proverbs 31 Ministries T-Shirt
- Our next OBS, which is a mega-package~ including the Let.It.Go.book (signed by author, Karen Ehman), Participant’s Guide, DVD Series, and Conference Call Series
Please share with us your favorite recipe! I can’t wait to read all them!
If time is tight, just shre the name of your favorite holiday food. :)
Karen, thank you so much for inviting me to share in your exciting 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway!
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Remember, you have until Sunday night December 16th to comment on all the posts. One grand prize winner will be chosen from among the gals who post on all 12 days! The grand prize is:
A unique advent candle display depicting Bethlehem, Mary and Jesus, with votive holders and candles nestled inside. A $50 retail value. And, along with it, a copy of my new book LET. IT. GO. How to Stop Running the Show & Start Walking in Faith.
EGG CUSTARD PIE
3 eggs
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 pt. milk
Unbaked crust
Brush pie crust with unbeaten egg whites to prevent custard from soaking into pastry. Beat eggs until foamy, add all other ingredients, stir well. Pour into crust. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 325 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. Custard is done when a knife stuck through comes out clean
My favorite recipe is frosted nuts these can be done several ways but this is how I have changed them
1 Pound of nuts ( what ever you like shelled of course) I like almonds
1 Egg beaten
1/4 cup each sugar ( I use brown but others use white) and 1/4 cup Cinnamon( mix the two ( sugar and cinnamon together)
Use parchment paper to cover 2 cookie sheets
Set oven to 200 degrees
Coat nuts with eggs ( only do a handful at a time)
Cover in sugar cinnamon mix
lay out flat on cookie sheet( try not to over lap)
cook 2 hour turn mixture over once half way through.
These are great on cookie plates or for gifts go to dollar store and get a nice little shaped plate and fill then cover with clear wrap. This is great tasting and a brilliant gift with little cost.
Anything chocolate or mint!
Sounds crazy but any Christmas Cookie – YUM!
-Colleen G.
I am banned from any and all kitchens :) so I will have to share my favorite holiday food….drum roll please……Pumpkin Spice Cookies made by my one of my best friends!!! I seriously CRAVE these cookies from from February – November! Oh my they are thee best cookies ever! :)
Every Christmas morning my granny makes biscuits and chocolate gravy. Since becoming a mom I’ve started the same tradition with my kids. It’s a special treat that everyone loves.
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2-3 tbsp cocoa
1/4 cup flour
Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl. Put water in saucepan to boil. When boiling, slowly pour dry ingredients into saucepan while stirring. The trick is to never stop stirring! Turn heat down to medium or so after mixing. Should have a thick syrup or “gravy” consistency. :)
My mom used to make those “hay stacks” I loved those things. This year I have missed my MOM a lot. She has been with Jesus since June of 1986,but this year I seemed to think of her and have more reminders of her than every.
Thanks for sharing that recipe.
Homemade fudge (made by my Dad), and eggnog (I found a great recipe a few years ago and will be making it every Christmas! …but I can’t share because we recently moved and I can’t find it…hope I find it soon!). I haven’t had this for quite a few years now, but every Christmas my Grandma would make homemade pineapple candy. It was kind of like pineapple fudge, if you can imagine that. It wasn’t my favorite treat, but it was from Grandma, it was tradition, and I loved it!
Amish friendship bread is a favorite in my house. I was given a starter over 15 years ago and am still unsung and giving away “daughters” every year. The bread is versatile and can become so many different flavors. Made pupmkin for the first time and recently found a caramel apple variation.
The kids and I have fun making and eating these every Christmas
Santa’s Surprise Cookies:
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup Sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 packages (11-1/2 ounces each) miniature Snickers candy bars
GLAZE:
1 package (9-1/2 ounces) Dove dark chocolate candies
1 teaspoon shortening
Directions
In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
Roll dough into 1-1/4-in. balls. Press a candy bar into each; reshape balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake at 325° for 10-14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate candies and shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Let stand until set.
cranberry bliss bars with cream cheese frosting!
of course I love green chile chicken with cheese tamales. a house favorite!!! but I can’t share recipe.. but I do like hot chocolate with peppermint bark sticks, lots of whipped cream and cinnimon sprinkles.
Springerle cookies – My family recipe takes 3 days to make and my grandmother burned up a mixer almost every year making them since the recipe calls for 3 hours of mixing the dough. But in looking on the internet I have found some recipes that don’t take that long. Haven’t tried any yet, but may.
This is such an easy “shortcut” toffee and very yummy!
Toffee Cracker Candy:
Line a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan with foil or parchment paper and top with soda crackers. Melt 2 sticks butter, add 1 cup brown sugar and boil 3 minutes. Pour over crackers. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Remove and sprinkle 1 bag chocolate chips over top; spread evenly. May also sprinkle chopped nuts on top if desired. Place in fridge to set.
My favorite is probably the green Christmas wreath cookies made with marshmallows/butter, cornflakes and green food coloring with red hots for the berries!
Blackberrycobbler
1/4 cup each of sugar, self rising flour, milk. 1/4 tsp salt. Mix and pour into veggie sprayed 8 x 8 dish. Add can of blackberries (don’t drain). Bake 40 minutes at 350.
We love Chex Mix, Haystacks, Snickerdoodles, and Wedding Cookies at our house! Hoping we’ll be able to make them this year!
Favorite Christmas tradition are our family Swedish Tea Rings(coffeecakes)….they are now a third generation family tradition. Also Chex party mix…can’t get enough. A new family favorite sweet are made by my nephew….Luscious Apricot Squares
water
2/3 cup dried apricots
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
all-purpose flour
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped California walnuts
1/2 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
confectioners’ sugar
1. In covered 1-quart saucepan over low heat, in enough water to
cover apricots, cook apricots 15 minutes; drain and finely chop.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Grease 8″ by 8″ baking pan.
In large bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat butter, sugar and
1 cup flour until well mixed and crumbly; pat into pan. Bake 25
minutes or just until layer is golden.
3. Meanwhile, in same bowl at medium speed, mix well apricots,
brown sugar, 1/3 cup flour and remaining ingredients except
confectioners’ sugar.
4. Pour over baked layer; bake 25 minutes longer.
5. Cool in pan; cut into squares. Sprinkle with confectioners’
sugar.
I love Christmas cookies: Chocolate Crinkles and Peppermint Candy Cane cookies are two favorites!!
All the recipes are reminding me of so many holiday favorites. My top three – Grandma’s Cheesecake, jello salad with cream cheese in the middle and corn soufle.
love tamales for christmas.. i order them. made them once and didnt work out.
enchiladas, rice and beans would be next.
my grandma, mothers spanish rice.
put some oil in pan and put on med heat.
add 1 cup of rice.. cook it down it golden.
then add 8oz tomatoe sauce and 2 cups of water..
salt, (pepper, paprika, orango) whatever u like. if u like cilento, add now.
start boil..
then turn down the heat to low.
cover rice and cook for 20 mins without disturbing it.
if you want, at the rice cooking stage, my mom would also add onions and celery.
.
One of my favorites is so simple…they taste like Nutty Bars.
1 box of Ritz crackers
1 jar of peanut butter
1 pkg of almond bark
Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Put peanut butter on Ritz crackers. Dip the cracker sandwiches in the chocolate. Leave them to set up and enjoy. Simple and one of our favorites. :)
Sausage balls
Christmas Easy Fudge
My son found this recipe and has been using it for teacher’s gifts ever since.
1 can store bought frosting (usually vanilla or chocolate)
1 bag (10-12 oz) chips (peanutbutter, butterscotch, mint ect)
Put both into a microwavable bowl. microwave approx. 1 minute. once melted stir together. Pour into a greased(Pam) glass 8×8 pan and refrigerate. Wait for at least 1 hour. Cut into pieces and serve (or put into container, and refrigerate and hide from others in household- sometimes you need a chocolate fix during the holidays!)
It’s not Christmas without my mother’s chocolate and peanut butter fudge!