My kids have been calling to get the recipes for our family’s favorite holiday cookies. The one I have been making for years, I have never had a recipe for — so, this is the way I have always made the cookies I baked for Mom (she was a diabetic). I always told my kids that they couldn’t have them as they were for my Mom, so they always called them “Grandma’s Cookies.” They will, literally, melt in your mouth! Of course, I always made some extra, otherwise, how would my kids know how good they are?
Grandma’s Cookies
1 lb. butter, 1 lb. cream cheese or neufchâtel, 1 lb. flour (4 cups)
Blend the butter and cream cheese together, then add the flour, about 1/2 c. at a time, until well blended. Split the dough into two or three parts, wrap the parts in Saran Wrap and place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Set the oven on 325 degrees. Take first pack of dough from refrigerator and place on bread board (marble or granite works best). Try to handle as little as possible, as you want the dough to stay cold because it gets very sticky when it warms up. The traditional cookie called for dusting a small amount of powdered sugar on the board but, as Mom was diabetic, I used a little bit of the Wonder flour that comes in the shaker container. Use rolling pin and roll out about 1/4 inch thick. You can then cut into whatever shape you want but keep the shapes small as the dough rises like puff pastry. I always put a drop of jelly in the middle of the cookie. Bake 7 to 8 minutes (just as the edges start to tan) and cool on a wire rack. You should store these cookies in an airtight container. They shouldn’t be made more than a week or so in advance of serving them because they will lose their poof!
Larry’s mom, Mary, was a wonderful cook! Especially when it came to desserts!! She made Peanut Butter Balls that, not only her grandchildren loved, but everyone at Marquardt (where Grandpa Bill worked) eagerly looked forward to every year. One of the best parts of this delight – it is No Cook!
Grandma Mary’s Peanut Butter Balls
2 c. chunky peanut butter
3 c. Rice Krispies (rolled fine) I use a heavy plastic bag and my rolling pin.
1 stick butter or margarine
Combine the above ingredients, then roll into 1-inch balls and place in refrigerator for 1 hour.
In double boiler: melt together, 1 8 oz. baking chocolate, 6 oz. chocolate chips, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 slab of paraffin.
Dip the balls in the chocolate mixture and place on wax paper to cool. ( I put mine in the refrigerator to make hard).
I hope you all have a Blessed Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.
Cheryl
3 comments
Merry Christmas to you Cheryl.
Christmas to me is about love, family and sharing. Your sharing Christmas cookie recipes is like family. My grandma’s recipes passed down to my mom and her siblings and now to me and my siblings. I even have some recipes in grandma’s handwriting. Treasures to me. Will be trying both of the recipes you posted if not right now but soon. Hustle and bustle of the holidays. Thank you so much. A very Happy New Year to you and Larry.
Merry Christmas Cheryl. I hope you and your family have a wonderful time together enjoying Grandma’s Cookies.
Never knew Dale was a diabetic. She must have taken care of herself to have stayed so healthy. I had a friend who was the longest living diabetic in Canada or maybe the world. She was diagnosed when she was about 17 years old. She overheard a friend of her father’s say “there is no sense giving educating Gen because she won’t live long enough to use it.” She decided then and there that she would prove that man wrong and she did. She became a good x ray technician on Haida Gwaii, former Queen Charlotte Islands off the B.C Coast and lived to be over 80 years old.
Why I told you this I don’t know but it may help other diabetics who may be giving up. Don’t give up, yes it can be hard keeping track of your blood sugar3-4 times a day but with diligent and faith you can do what Gen did.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Dale’s cookies are for me! Those little puffs will be great with brunch!
Thank you Ms Cheryl, Merry Christmas! You give a lot all year long, it makes a big difference!