Sour Cream Sugar Cookies!

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
(File Photo)

Add Sour Cream to your grocery list if you do not have it in your fridge! It is one of the ingredients in Sour Cream Sugar Cookies! Nutmeg is too! These Sugar Cookies are prepared in a 2 step process. On Day 1 the dough is prepared and placed in the fridge to use the next day. On Day 2 find your rolling pin, rolling mat, favorite cookie cutters and colored sugars. Day 2 is the day to have fun rolling out, baking and yes sampling these yummy light cookies. They are so good!!

After the cookies are baked/ cooled they can be packaged and placed in your freezer. Defrost the needed amount to share for the upcoming holiday. Your family and guests will enjoy biting into this cookie and taste the hint of Nutmeg. These are the best sugar cookies!!

*****I use Unsalted Butter and Fat Free Sour Cream when preparing the dough. If Margarine is used the dough is sticky and difficult to roll out.  

Click here for my recipe for Sour Cream Sugar Cookies. Delicious!! 

Enjoy!
Yummy!

~Best Sour Cream Christmas Sugar Cookies~

Best Sour Cream Christmas Sugar Cookies
(File Photo)

It's the time of year to add unsalted Butter and Sour Cream to your grocery list!  You just might think that these ingredients are some of the ones used to make a special dessert.  You are correct and it is special!  The dessert is Best Sour Cream Christmas Sugar Cookies!

Imagine holding a pretty cut out sugar cookie and then taking a bite of it.  The taste of Nutmeg pops out while you are chewing this cookie.  It's delicious!  Now, imagine that you will be baking a batch of these wonderful light yummy cookies and enjoying them with your family and friends during the holidays.       

These cookies are made in 2 steps! 

Day 1- Prepare the dough and refrigerate it.

Day 2- Take out your rolling pin, rolling mat, cookie cutters, colored sugars for decorating and remove the dough from your fridge.

On Day 2 the fun will begin deciding which cookie cutter to use first.  The aroma in your kitchen will be so good while these cookies are baking!  A "taste test" always takes place when I bake these treats!

Rolling out the dough!
(File photo)

An added plus to baking these cookies before the holidays is that they freeze very well!  When you plan on serving them, take the cookies out of the freezer to defrost and enjoy.

Bake a batch of Best Sour Cream Christmas Sugar Cookies! Click here for my recipe! 

Just remember to add unsalted Butter and Sour Cream to your grocery list!  Add decorative colored sugars and Nutmeg, too, if you do not have these ingredients.  These cookies are so delicious!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

 

Merry Christmas!!

"Santa Consulting Globe"
by Norman Rockwell

The Saturday Evening Post Cover
December 4, 1926
courtesy of
Norman Rockwell Museum

Merry Christmas
to all who celebrate!!

 

 

 

 

Bake a Batch of Hermits!

Hermits
(File Photo)

Got Raisins?  Got Molasses?  Got Ground Ginger and Ground Cloves??  If not add them to your grocery list!  You will be on your way to baking a batch of Hermits! The delicious molasses flavored bar cookies that are filled with raisins are a great choice for your holiday cookie tray.  Three "logs" of dough are placed on a large cookie pan.  Then, they are baked in your oven.  All at one time!

Ready to be placed in the oven!
(File Photo)

After the three logs of dough are baked each log is cut diagonally into serving pieces.  Then, after the bar cookies cool, one is ready for a "taste test".  It is not necessary, because of course it will taste scrumptious!  But, who can resist a taste test of a homemade cookie??

Which Hermit should I "taste test"?
(File Photo)

Hermits have been a favorite cookie for so many years! Click here for my recipe and the complete easy directions!  

These bar cookies also freeze well!  Place 4- 6 of them in a freezer bag and pop in the freezer.  Freeze more if you are able to do so.  We enjoy most of them after I bake them.  What a special treat to find a package of Hermits to defrost in about 1 month.  Bake a batch this week!  Don't forget the taste test!

Enjoy!
Yummy! 

~Best Sour Cream Christmas Sugar Cookies~

Best Sour Cream Christmas Sugar Cookies
(File Photo)

Imagine biting into a soft sugar cookie that's decorated with colorful sprinkles and you taste a hint of nutmeg.  The nutmeg is not overpowering, it's just a hint. The cookie could be in the shape of a star, a reindeer, a tree, a wreath, a snowman or some other shape.  It's so yummy you want to take another bite, so you do!  If  I've offered it to you, it's a Best Sour Cream Christmas Sugar Cookie!  This is the time of year when I bake a batch of these delicious cookies during the beginning of December. 

These yummy cookies freeze very well!  Later in the month it's great to reach into the freezer and take out the needed amount to defrost.

They are made in 2 steps.  On Day 1 you prepare the dough and refrigerate it overnight.  On Day 2 take out your rolling pin, rolling mat, cookie cutters and colorful sprinkles.  Cookies will be baked! 

Rolling out the cookies!
(File Photo)

 After these Best Sour Cream Christmas Sugar Cookies are baked there is always "taste testing" going on!  At least that is the reason given for enjoying 2 or 3 of them while they are still slightly warm.  Who can resist a freshly baked slightly warm homemade cookie??  Click here for the recipe for these yummy cookies!  

Add Sour Cream to your grocery list this week.  Ground Nutmeg and colored sprinkles also if you do not have any.  You will be on your way to bake a batch of the Best Sour Cream Christmas Sugar Cookies!  

Enjoy!
Yummy!

         

Merry Christmas!!

"Santa Consulting Globe"
by Norman Rockwell

The Saturday Evening Post Cover
December 4, 1926
courtesy of
Norman Rockwell Museum

 

Merry Christmas
to all who celebrate!!

Enjoy!
Stay safe!

 

~Hermits~

Hermits
just waiting for a "taste test"
(File Photo)

It's time to bake a batch of Hermits!  That yummy bar cookie that has Molasses, Cinnamon, Ginger, Ground Cloves and Raisins as ingredients!  Hermits are baked in three rows in a cookie baking pan.  Especially in the winter months I see these cookies in grocery stores.  They usually do not have many or any Raisins.  Hermits with Raisins are just the best!

This bar cookie is easy to prepare!  They taste so good!  After they have baked and come out of the oven and cool a bit, each row is cut into diagonal pieces.  Usually after cutting them into the diagonal bars, there is a "taste test".  I mean, who can resist biting into a warm cookie with Molasses and Raisins?  I never can.

Bake a batch of Hermits to enjoy over the holidays!  Click here for the recipe!

These cookies also freeze well.  It's always a great surprise in January or February to look into our freezer and find a small package just waiting to be defrosted and enjoyed.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
(File Photo)

It's the time of year to find your cookie cutters and rolling pin!  Colored sugar sprinkles are needed, too!  Add unsalted  Butter and Sour Cream to your grocery list.  It's time to bake a batch of the Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies!  I'm talking about cookies that are usually baked for special occasions.  It's not that they cannot be enjoyed at other times of the year, but they are so good that we always enjoy them at Christmas.

After taking a bite of this cookie, suddenly a hint of Nutmeg is recognized.  That spice gives these cookies a special flavor along with Sour Cream and unsalted Butter. 

***I always use (unsalted) Butter in this cookie batter.  If you use Margarine, the dough is difficult to roll out.***          
These cookies are made in 2 steps: 
    On Day 1 the dough is made, wrapped and refrigerated.

    On Day 2 it's time to use your rolling pin, cookie cutters and colored sprinkles.

The weekend is a great time to bake these, because we all know that when you roll out dough and you also use cookie cutters it takes a little more time than just dropping a spoonful of dough on a baking pan/ sheet.  But, it is a special occasion and these cookies are really good!  They are the best Sugar Cookie I've ever tasted!

Making the Cookies!
(File Photo)

After baking the cookies and they have cooled, I freeze them in Ziploc Freezer Bags.  Oh, that is not to say that there is not sampling going on.  Of course there has to be a taste test! 

The only time I can remember being limited on the amount of cookies used in the taste test was when I baked them for our younger son's and DIL's Welcome Bags for their wedding guests.  Four batches of hearts and bells were prepared and baked.  We needed 250 cookies.  They were packaged and frozen.  Two days before they were needed, they were defrosted and packaged to be included in their guests' Welcome Bags.

This year I have not been in a rush to bake them, because we will be celebrating a "Zoom" Christmas.  It has been challenging enough sending/ mailing gifts.  I'll wait on mailing special cookies to our family.  The cookies will be waiting in our freezer for a future time.  Did you notice the (File Photo)?  :)  However, this weekend I will be baking them! 

Plan on baking a batch, too!  Click here for the complete recipe and directions!  It is worth the click.  Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies are so delicious!  Remember to add Sour Cream and unsalted Butter to your grocery list this week!  Colored sprinkles, too, if you do not have any in your pantry.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

          

~Memories~

Memories are some of the sweet things in life!  Both of these ornaments on our Christmas tree bring back so many FuN memories!  Rudolph was always on my family's tree when I was a child.  The ceramic angel is a great addition from the ceramics class I took years ago.

I wish all of you who celebrate a- very 

Merry Christmas!!!

 
Enjoy!

Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies!

It's a great time of year to bake Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies!  Those yummy cookies that are in the shapes of stars, trees, bells and maybe reindeer.  For our family it would not be the Christmas season if I did not bake these cookies during the holidays!  There is a little nutmeg, here.  It has been my favorite sugar cookie recipe for- well, so many years.  The cookies are that good!

They are made in 2 steps!
On day 1 the dough is prepared using a mixer.  Then, it is wrapped in plastic wrap.  Then I wrap it in foil.  Into the fridge it goes overnight. 

The next day- day 2, the FuN begins.  The rolling pin, cookie cutters, colored sprinkles and cookie pans are set on the kitchen counters and table.  It's time to roll out the dough and use the selected cookie cutters.  I usually place about 12 cut out cookies in the cookie pan to bake.  Don't forget the sprinkles!  When the cookies are finished baking, the bottoms of the cookies will be a very light tan.  Then, they are removed from the cookie pan and cooled on a rack.  This is a great time to do a "taste test"!  An hour later, too.     

After the cookies are cool, they can be packaged and placed in the freezer until you are ready to share them!  That is an extra plus!  When the busy holiday arrives, defrost the cookies and they are ready.  Remember to save some to enjoy, now!

My Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies are now in our freezer.  The end of last week was my opportunity to bake them.  Here is the recipe!

***You do not need to wait to bake them only at this time of year!  Packaged Heart and Bell shaped cookies were included in the "Welcome Bags" for out of town wedding guests when our younger son and daughter- in- law were married.  The sprinkles were the colors they selected for their wedding.  What a great surprise for so many of their guests!!

"Welcome Bag" Cookies
(File Photo)

Add sour cream to your grocery list.  I'm sure you already have the nutmeg.  You will be able to bake a batch of them to be enjoyed for the upcoming holiday!  They are that good!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

    

Merry Christmas!!

"Santa Consulting Globe"
by Norman Rockwell
The Saturday Evening Post Cover
December 4, 1926
Norman Rockwell Museum

A great museum to visit in Western Massachusetts is the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge!  Familiar favorite works of art along with new exhibits are always so interesting.  A few years ago when we took the short "road trip" to the Berkshires to visit, we enjoyed viewing the covers of The Saturday Evening Post that were illustrated by this artist.  There were so many!  Each so very interesting to view!

Suddenly, I saw Santa Claus!  It is timeless!  Santa is holding a book titled Good Boys as he uses his globe and magnifying glass to plan his route.  It's also interesting to learn that the magazine cost 5 cents in 1926.  

History is fascinating!  Viewing "Santa Consulting Globe" has reminded me that we need to make the yearly visit to the Norman Rockwell Museum and enjoy dinner at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA, soon.

Enjoy!

Cranberry Bread

Cranberry Bread

A family favorite recipe came from a very unexpected source.  It was not from a magazine, a newspaper, a friend or another blog.  I never would have guessed that "my" Cranberry Bread recipe would/ could be found in a children's book!  It is true!  Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin is a treasured story that was written in 1971.  Quite a few years ago, in November, one of my son's brought a copy of the recipe home from elementary school.  His school librarian had read the story and also had given him and his classmates the recipe- just in case someone "might" want to bake it at home with a parent's help.

We were up for the challenge and baked a loaf.  The original recipe called for Raisins and Cranberries, but it was November.  We lived in Massachusetts.  For us Cranberry Bread needed to be all Cranberries!  It was and oh, it tasted so good!  Since baking that first loaf I have never used another recipe.  It is that good!  Fresh Cranberries flavored with Orange Juice taste so yummy!

This year before Thanksgiving I didn't have the opportunity to take out this recipe and bake a loaf.  However, yesterday I did.  The cranberries were cleaned and chopped.  The recipe was used again.

Cranberry Bread
     Adapted from Cranberry Thanksgiving 
             by Wende and Harry Devlin  

Ingredients:  
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Sugar
1 and 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Butter/ Margarine- softened
2 Egg Whites (or 1 Whole Egg), beaten
3/4 Cup Orange Juice
1 pkg. fresh Cranberries- rinsed in cold water and chopped

Method:

1.  Preheat oven to 350°F.
2.  Spray a 9" x 5" loaf pan with PAM.
3.  Rinse Cranberries in cold water (using a colander).
4.  Chop Cranberries coarsely.
5.  In a large bowl combine Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder, Salt and Baking Soda.
6.  Using a pasty blender (or 2 knives) cut Butter/ Margarine into combined dry ingredients- until  mixture is crumbly.
7.  Add Egg Whites (or Egg) and Orange Juice and stir until moist.
8.  Add chopped Cranberries to batter.  Fold in.
9.  Spoon batter into loaf pan.
10.  Bake at 350°F for 1 hour and 5 Minutes or until cake tester or toothpick comes out clean  when inserted in middle.
11.  Cool on cooling rack for 10 Minutes.
12.  Remove from pan and continue cooling on rack.
13.  After cool, wrap in foil.

*Extra Hints 

• Wait at least 5 hours after baking to eat.
•  Use fresh Cranberries- not frozen.
• This bread does not freeze well.

I will be baking another Cranberry Bread before the New Year!  Will you be baking one, too??

Enjoy!
Yummy!

  

"Yuletide at Storrowton"

Storrowton Village Museum
with Storrowton Tavern in the background.

On Saturday afternoon we drove over the river, around the rotary and down a street.  That was the path to "Yuletide at Storrowton"!  Storrowton Village is located in West Springfield, MA- on the other side of the Connecticut River.  It's always a treat to visit and go back to the 19th century.  There are 9 antique buildings around a Town Green at Storrowton Village.  These original buildings were all saved from different towns in New England by Helen Storrow and they were moved here, to this location.  It was a time when many items were handcrafted.

Behind the gazebo is one of our favorite restaurants in Western MA- Storrowton Tavern!

A Little History

A walk down the Town Green led us to the Gilbert House.  Inside the first room was a basket of fruit sitting on a table.  Oranges studded with Whole Cloves were some of the pieces of fruit.  This aroma was so good!  The lady of the house was waiting for our arrival!      

Gilbert House
West Brookfield, MA
~1794

Turning another direction in the room was another great view!

Inside Gilbert House

The tablecloth, the train under the Christmas Tree and the wallpaper were all so interesting!  Then, we turned again and enjoyed the decorations above the fireplace.

Another view inside Gilbert House

After leaving the Lawyer's Office we visited Potter Mansion.  An old piano inside caught our attention!

Strolling back down the Town Green and brought us to the Schoolhouse.  Walking in, we saw the stern Schoolmaster.  There were chalkboards on 3 sides of the room.  It's always fascinating to step into an old schoolhouse to take another look at the desks and chairs.    

North Center School
Whately, MA
~1810

Next door to the Schoolhouse is the Meeting House.  It was the building used for Town Meetings and also for worship.   

Union Meeting House
Salisbury, NH
~1834

It's always interesting to take a step back in time.  On Saturday we stepped back and enjoyed our Yuletide visit.   It was great!!!

     

~Best Ever Sour Cream Sugar Cookies~

Best Ever Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
(File Photo)

Today I made the batter for my traditional Christmas Cookies!  They are just so good.  For years I've baked these cookies.  Well, the years all add up to over 40 years, now.  The dough contains a hint of nutmeg and also sour cream.  As I write this, the double wrapped cookie batter is in the fridge.

These cookies are not only "just the best", they are an easy 2 day process.  On Day 1 the dough is prepared and refrigerated.  Then, on Day 2 a rolling pin, mat and cookie cutters are given a workout.  On baking day find your colored sugars for decorating.

Rolling out the dough!
(File Photo)

***I always use unsalted Butter when preparing the dough.  The dough is much easier to roll out when using Butter.        

There's always a little "taste test" going on after the first tray of these cookies have been taken out of the oven and they've cooled a bit.  Most of the batch will be packaged/ labelled and frozen for next week.  Yes, these cookies freeze very well.  I usually also place 6 in a small Ziploc Freezer Bag to freeze.  It's a great treat on a cold winter day to find this treasure in our freezer.

This recipe makes about 5 dozen Best Ever Sour Cream Sugar Cookies.  Click here for the recipe.   Look no more for a tasty sugar cookie recipe.  This one has a hint of nutmeg and sour cream.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

      

~2017 Yuletide at Storrowton~

Admiring the beautiful Christmas Tree!

Yuletide at Storrowton is a great event in my area of Western MA!  We went last weekend!  The weather was co-operating, so we drove over the Connecticut River to West Springfield (in MA).  Walking onto the grounds of this 19th century New England village brings us back in time to a period of our American history when so many every day items were hand crafted.  The buildings on the grounds are original and moved to their present location at Storrowton Village.

The Meeting House was our first stop!  A Meeting House was used for Town Meetings and also for worship.  It was our first stop!  The fruit decoration above the doorway was beautiful and not often seen these days.

Once inside sitting down, we had the opportunity to listen to Folk Music from the 19th century!

19th century Folk Music Performers

 Then, onto the Blacksmith Shop!

Needed tools the Blacksmith had crafted.

 

 

 

 

He stopped his work to answer the numerous questions we all had.  

Pounding the red hot metal to a needed shape.

Inside the Lawyer's Office we saw simple, yet elegant tree decorations.  The trees were made of folded gold paper with a dowel in the center.  I took note of this easy, beautiful decoration.  Local area garden clubs create the floral arrangements.  These arrangements are on view for all of us to get new decorating ideas.  :)

Visit to the Lawyer's Office

Walking a little further down the path, we visited the Gilbert House.  There was a candle in the window!

  

Once inside, we visited with a lady spinning yarn.  The Kitchen was in the next room.  Then, we enjoyed the Parlor.  

There were so many beautiful decorations to admire while visiting Storrowton Village!

 

Beautiful Decoration!

Once inside the Schoolhouse a gentleman described the education during this time period.  In this Schoolhouse the blackboard was on 3 walls.

  

The Schoolhouse!

Our last stop on this wonderful journey back to the 19th century was to chat with a craftsman who made paint brushes.  

Craftsmen Making Paint Brushes!

It's always fascinating to visit Storrowton Village!  This week there are tours and special "Lantern Light Tours" of the Village taking place.  This is an event we always put on our calendar!  I know you have enjoyed this tour back to 19th century New England!

Enjoy!