Coffee time with Auntie E - A Look back..

Looking back at holiday's past I had a thought of Germany and the Fruit breads. these are the one just made for Christmas time. Oh I remember the Panettones and Stollens, those wonderful flavors mingled together. That got me thinking of this weeks Thursday Holiday Flare links. How about those special Breads, the ones your family had only on this special holiday season. Holiday Breads are so much fun to make.
I am digging out the recipes this week. I'll be making a few and deciding with one I will post. Probably a German one for sure, since I have fond memories of being there during Christmas seasons of past.

Now to my coffee, I tried a different one this morning. A Christmas blend from Starbucks, not my favorite. Will have to do some adjusting to the strength. What are you drinking this day? Is it a holiday flavored one?

Thursdays Holiday Flare- Appetizers

We need to prepare for those Holiday parties coming up. The next three weeks will be filled with them. Our schedules will be filled with Family and Friends party time. Now we must always bring a little something, for you know it is always nice to have something we know you will eat!
So for today's entries we will link up our... Favorite Appetizers.
Here is one I like to bring.
Just think 1920's and the Great parties and food there were. Now let's step back in time and make a....

Vintage Cheese Ball.

We will need:

1(8oz) package of Cream cheese,Room temp.
1 cup Vermont Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Mild cheddar cheese,shredded.
1 Tablespoon minced Onion.
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Dash of Garlic powder
Dash of Tabasco Hot sauce.
1/2 cup chopped Pecans
3 Tablespoon Fresh Minced Parsley

1. Beat all cheeses in mixer on Medium speed until smooth and creamy.
2. Stir in Onion,Worcestershire, Garlic powder and hot sauce, mixing evenly
3. Divide mixture in half. Shape each one to your desired shape ( trying a bell, Holly ball or snowman)
4. Combine Pecans and Parsley, mix together well.
5. Roll the cheese shapes into Pecan mixture
6. Chill for several hours.
7. Serve with associate Crackers.

Recipe Printable View(without graphics)


You can still link up your Desserts, Side Dishes, Breads,Main Meats, & Cookies.Just click on the category you wish to link a recipe. All entries will be taken until 25th December. voting starts on the 26th and last through the 31st of December 2010. winners will be notified by e-mail. Be sure to check out the Contest rules so you will not miss out.

Thursday Holiday Flare- Cookie time

It is time to link up your favorite cookie recipe.
We are still in the contest phase. You can still link up your desserts, main dishes, side dishes and bread. Just choose the appropriate colored link above and link it up. You will be able to come back until December 25th to link up, Then on the evening of the 26th voting will begin. Oh I hope you will come back to vote. for more info on the contest see the side bar "Holiday Flare Contest Rules".

I think you will love this recipe. It has become the holiday cookie in our family. As I stated before this is the one in the 1992 SouthenLiving Annual Cookbook. I sent it in the they published it that same year I created it.


Almond Snaps
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup Almond paste
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Firmly Packed Brown Sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoon Milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup All-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 cup Sugar

Beat shortening and almond paste at medium speed with an electric mixer. Add 1/2 cup sugar and the next 4 ingredients, beating well. Combine Flour,Soda, and Salt: Gradually add to shortening mixture, mixing well.

Roll into 1-inch balls; Roll in 1/4 cup of sugar, and place 2-inch apart on lightly grease cookie sheets (Nowadays I use a silicone mat-no greasing necessary).
Bake at 375 Fahrenheit for 12 to 14 minutes or until lightly browned; cool about 2 minutes on cookie sheets. Remove to wire racks to cool.
(We have a hard time letting them cool! They get eaten warm in our home).