Bake your christmas : sweets for family and friends

Christmas for me, means BAKING! If the house doesn’t smell of warm butter and sugar it’s simply not the season - you know what I mean? This year, I’m in particular need of some festive cheer, but I will confess…it’s definitely its been a bit of a push to get it all done. I’m dragging my face. Literally I want to say what’s the point but then when I get it done I’m ssssoooo pleased with myself.

Despite all my inner turmoil about being slothful and curling into the fetal position in despair, I’ve met my weekly baking and giving quota.

As I contemplate my next baking extravaganza, (Christmas Eve in office will mean a luminous three tiered spice cake with lashings of cream cheese frosting and cranberry and pistachio biscotti dipped in dark chocolate) I’ve thought of my dad (aka my best buddy) a lot.

You see… when it comes to baked goods my dad and I have developed a special bond. When I’m fortunate enough to be with my parents for the holiday, (or anytime I’m home for that matter) I can count on my dad to appear from around a corner when he’s absolutely positively sure that my mother (with her supersonic hearing) is out of earshot, to ask,

“Can you bake a cake or something?”

“ ‘Course Dad” I respond (If too loudly he will make a gesture with his hand to quiet me).

“Okay! Good!” he replies, barely containing his excitement.

Before the commencement of baking, I go riffling through my moms beautifully organized pantry to see what is to hand for the sweets and what I need to add to my shopping list.

Suddenly, he (my dad) appears again, shuffling down the stairs.

“Wait! No! Can you make it with real flour and sugar and everything? SHE doesn’t use that stuff, its all flax and barley and things that taste like grass.”

I laugh and close the cabinet. My mother is only trying to keep his greedy self alive. I mean it’s not like we are getting away with anything. He’s not going to eat a slice of bundt cake his car in the middle of the night. I know once my mother sees the cookies or cake or whatever I come up with there will be a minor (but long and medically detailed) lecture - something about how my dad’s weight is out of control, a stroke is imminent and my dad will end a burden to her and impede her fabulous life. I empathize with my father… but I am my mother’s daughter.

Shrug - I figure I’m only home once in a blue moon so my baked goods won’t do too much harm…I mean the man has money, I’m sure he’s buying crap left and right. Sigh.

Christmas is the ONLY time my mother doesn’t kick up a fuss (too much) about baking while my dad is within eating distance. Mainly because, most of the Christmas baking is for sharing with neighbors, family and friends. Gingerbread, sugar, spritz, lemon squares, brownies, triple chocolate chunk etc. etc.

There is nothing better than baking and giving.

Remember my friend Adele? My Lebanese sister/friend is a married lady of a little over one year and while on the phone recently we were discussing our Christmas baking production. On my end, I’ve down batches every week in December for my office colleagues. Adele dazzled me with her presentation (check out the absolutely stunning and personalized tins above that Adele gifted to her neighbors) filled with her absolutely perfect Everything Oatmeal Cookies.

Adele has been generous enough to share her recipe below. Give these chewy, delicate, versatile cookies a try and add your favorite treat to them. What’s your favorite Christmas sweet to share? Leave your favorite and a recipe (if you feel so inclined) in the comment box below.

Happy Holidays

Adele’s Everything Holiday Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cups oatmeal
Assorted chocolate chips of your liking.

Directions:
Cream together sugar, brown sugar and softened butter until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla and salt and mix. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Add dry mixture to the wet in turns. Once your dough is uniform, slowly add the oatmeal.

For your chocolate chips, I personally like to add Heath bits, butterscotch, salted caramel, dark chocolate and espresso chips! You could also make this oatmeal recipe with raisins or cranberries if you like (a secret is to add a splash of OJ to bring out the dried raisins). Make it your own with your own mix of special treats!

Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour. I recommend when not baking, that the dough stay in the fridge between baking times. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375. Roll the dough into 1 inch round balls. Bake for 9-10 minutes for soft chewy cookies.