Christmas baking is a Christmas tradition we all love to share. CHER's staff members are sharing some of their Christmas family traditions with you below. Watch for more tried & true Christmas recipes coming soon. Enjoy!

 

Wendy, says that this recipe is one of her family favourites. We hope you can enjoy baking them with your family this Christmas! Shortbread cookies are a definate favourite at Christmas.

 

Wendy's Whipped Shortbread

 

1 c. icing sugar

3 c. flour

1/4 c. cornstarch

1 lb. butter, softened

1/2 tsp. vanilla

 

Preheat oven to 325° F. Whip all ingredients together in a stand mixer until very light and fluffy. Use pastry bag to pipe swirls approximately 2" in diameter. Sprinkle with red or green coloured sugar sprinkles and bake 15 minutes.

 

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Ellen's Cinnamon Buns are nice to get ready the night before, and bake in the morning. Who doesn't love the aroma of fresh baked cinnamon buns on Christmas morning - or anytime over the holidays?

Ellen's Easy Cinnamon Buns

 

20-24 frozen unbaked buns

1 c brown sugar

¼ c instant vanilla pudding mix

1-2 T cinnamon

¼ - ½ c melted butter

 

Arrange buns in 2 greased bundt pans.

Sprinkle with sugar, pudding mix and cinnamon.

Pour melted butter over all. 

Cover with a hot wet kitchen towel. 

Let rise 8 hours/overnight. 

Bake for 25 minutes at 350.

 

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Ellen's Spinach Dip isn't a Christmas baking recipe, but it's a recipe her family will often make if having what her kids call a 'munchie meal' (i.e., veggies & dip, crackers & cheese, deli meats, shrimp, grapes, etc).

Ellen's Spinach Dip

 

8 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

8 oz can water chestnuts, drained and diced

2 green onions, finely sliced

1¼ c plain yogurt

½ c peppercorn ranch dressing

⅓ c mayonnaise

1 large round artisan loaf

 

Combine dip ingredients.  Chill for 2 hours or more. 

Hollow out loaf, cube removed bread. 

Fill the hole with dip and serve with cubed bread pieces.

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Deb's Mom's Marzipan Squares recipe looks delicious!  She made it a bit easier for people to follow from her Mom's instructions.

Deb's Mom's Marzipan Squares

First Layer 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1/3 Cup Shortening
½ TSP Salt
1 ½ TBSP Water
- Cut shortening into flour & salt
- Drizzle in water to make a pastry bottom
- Line a 9” pan with the pastry

 

Second Layer

- Spread raspberry jam over pastry (a thin layer)

Third Layer 1/2 Cup Butter
2/3 Cup White Sugar
2 Eggs
2/3 Cup Rice Flour (no substitute)
1 TSP Almond Extract
- Beat with a mixer the butter & sugar
- Add eggs and beat well
- Then beat in rice flour
- Pour over second layer
- Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until firm

 

Four Layer ¼ Cup Shortening
1 Cup Icing Sugar
1 ½ TSP Milk
1/4 TSP Almond Extract
½ TSP Vanilla
Pink food colouring (can change to red or green food colouring for Christmas)
- Ice the top of the cooled square

TSP = teaspoon
TBSP = tablespoon

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Brenda's Mulled Christmas Apple Cider

The delightful scent of mulled apple cider and cinnamon are great for filling your home with warmth during those cold winter days and Christmas celebrations.

Ingredients:

2 L Apple juice

1/2 L Cranberry juice

1 Mandarin orange peeled and sectioned

3 Cinnamon sticks

4 whole cloves

4 cardamom pods

1/4 cup (50 g) fresh cranberries

1 Tsp (6 g) fresh ginger, thinly sliced

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a crock-pot two hours ahead of time. Heat on high until warm. Lower heat to low.