~Coated Nuts~ This recipe makes an excellent hostess gift!

I thought I would share with you a few pictures from my hometown of 

Bethlehem, PA

It is known as the Christmas City, USA.   Founded by the Moravians in 1741 it has become a very quaint and artsy community.   Rich in its Moravian History, they have embraced it as you will see with some of the photos here of the Central Moravian Church.   Moravian College is one of the oldest colleges in the USA founded in 1742.

The largest employer Bethlehem Steel shuttered its doors years ago and in its closing left huge empty industrial buildings.   Eye sores to some.   Due to the art and education influence

ArtsQuest

was founded and has created a wonderful art and education center on the grounds on the former Bethlehem Steel.   It is best known for its free 10 day music festival Musikfest

held each year in August.

Central Moravian Church on Main Street

Central Moravian Church and part of Moravian College on the right.

To the left of the Church is the Moravian Book Shop, the oldest continually running book shop in the world !

Horse and Buggy Rides during the holiday on Main Street

Main Street during the holiday season  

I guess you can tell, that I am proud of my hometown.  I am very fortunate, that even though I live in New Jersey,  I am only 30 minutes away from Bethlehem.

Okay now that I bored you to death with the brief history of Bethlehem, here is my recipe for today!

Coated Nuts

Beat one egg white with 1 tablespoon water until foamy. 

 Mix in 1 pound of pecans or walnuts in the egg white  mixture, completely coating the nuts (or 2 pounds of peanuts, or a combo)

  In another bowl combine 1 cup of sugar, 1 teaaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.  

 Combine nuts and sugar mixture.

  Spread on rimmed baking sheet and bake at 250 for 1 hour. 

 Stir every 15 minutes.  

 Cool in pan

Who would like some "Butter Horns"

Here is a easy to make version of the Hungarian Kipfels using a ground walnut filling.    I have never tried to use Lekvar or Apricot filling in these, but I may try this year.

BUTTER HORNS

2 cups flour

1/2 pound margarine or butter

Cut the margarine into the flour.  Add to it, 1 egg yolk and 3/4 cup sour cream.   Blend until smooth.   Wrap the dough in a floured sheet of waxed paper.  Chill at least 4  hours.   Once chilled, divide the dough into 3 equal balls.  Keep the dough chilled so it is easier to work with.    Take one ball out and roll into a large circle.  Sprinkle with nut filling.   Cut into "pie wedges"   Roll up starting with the wide end.   Place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 350 for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Nut filling

3/4 cup chopped nuts

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup sugar.

Enjoy!!

**Hungarian Pastry **

As a child I remember my Hungarian Grandmother and Aunt making this for the holidays.  This is done in layers.  There is a bit of work involved, but so worth it.   Use any flavor fruit preserve that you and your family likes.

HUNGARIAN PASTRY

1 cup soft butter

1 cake of yeast

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 cup lukewarm milk

6 eggs - separate all

3 cups flour

2 cups fruit preserves

1 pound finely chopped walnuts

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Dilute the yeast in the sugar and warm milk and stir until dissolved.

Stir in egg yolks and butter.   Add flour to form a soft sticky dough.  Divide the dough into 3 balls.

Roll out 1 ball and place in a jelly roll pan or cookie sheet.   Sprinkle 1 cup of the walnuts over the layer of dough.  Roll out the second layer and place on top of the walnuts.   Top with the 2 cups of preserves and then another cup of the walnuts.   Roll out third layer and place on top of walnuts again.   Press the edges together and set aside in a warm place to rise 1 hour.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  

While baking, beat your egg whites until soft peaks form.  Spread on top, finish with more walnuts.

Bake additional 15 minutes.

ENJOY !!

Christmas Cookies **French Fancies**

These cookies are delicate.   A surprise greets you when you bite into it.

FRENCH FANCIES

Jar of well drained Marachino Cherries

1/2 cup margarine

3/4 cup confectioners sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon milk

Cream together margarine and sugar.   Blend in vanilla.   Add the dry ingredients alternating with milk.

Take approximately 1 tablespoon of the dough and shape it around one marachino cherry.  Place on un greased cookie sheet.  

Bake  350  for 12-15 minutes and until lightly browned.

When cool, dip into glaze

1 1/2 cup sifted confectioners sugar

2 Tablespoon milk

Christmas Cookies ~ Hazelnut Balls ~

Today's recipe is one that practically melts in your mouth.  These are easy to make and you can substitute Walnuts for the Hazelnuts.  They are flaky, light and crunchy.

Hazelnut Balls

1 cup flour

1/2 cup margarine

1 cup pecans, finely chopped

2 Tablespoons sugar

1/8 Teaspoon salt

1 Teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients and mix well.   Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.  Form into 1 inch balls or crescents.   Bake on un greased cookie sheet.

Preheated 350 oven for 15-20 minutes.

When ready to serve, take a baggie of Confectioners sugar and drop the cookies in for a light coating.

ENJOY !!

Christmas Cookies ~ Coconut Cherry Drops

My second recipe of family favorites.  The marachino cherries added give these cookies a very festive color.

COCONUT CHERRY DROPS

Sift together:  1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon backing powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Set aside

Cream together:  1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup shortening, 1/2 cup sugar.   Cream well

Then add to creamed mixture:  1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. 

Slow blend in the dry ingredients.

Add:  1/2 cup chopped marachino cherries, 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1 cup coconut.

Drop on greased baking sheet and bake at 375 for approximately 10 - 12 minutes.

ENJOY !!

Christmas Cookie recipes !! **Refrigerator Cookies**

As many of you know, we belong to a wonderful professional Etsy team called 

Folkart and Primitives.

The basis of this team is friendship, learning, support and helping each other grow our business.

We just completed a very long and demanding promotion.  The ladies that participated had outdone themselves with treasuries on Etsy and it brought in the sales for all!

Afterward a discussion between us ensued and the topic of increasing our blog followers began.  One member mentioned that she started to post recipes on her blog.  Her followers then increased, so I am going to give it a try.

Here is a recipe that has to be at least 40+ years old.  I can remember my Mother making these at Christmas.  They have become one of my families most requested.   I hope you enjoy it and that it may become a favorite with you as well.

REFRIGERATOR COOKIES

2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt 

2/3 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup walnuts, chopped

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together, set aside.   Beat the butter till light.  Gradually add sugar.  Add the egg and vanilla at low speed.   Beat in half of the flour mixture.  Mix rest of the flour mixture in with your hands until it forms a stiff dough.  Add walnuts.

On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into 7 inch long logs, about 2" in diameter.

Lightly dust waxed paper with flour.  Place one log onto one piece, of waxed paper.   Roll up and place in refrigerator over night. 

Remove one log at a time and cut into 3/8 - 1/4" thick slices.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.   Cool on wire rack.

Enjoy!!

PS:  Thank you Karen Barbera  from Buttons in the Attic

:)