Holiday Baking

Today I made cookies with Justin.

First batch were the ready make stuff you can buy at the grocery store.

Simply FUN for a four year.
to open a package, to put the cookies on the sheet in whatever way you want until you ask mommy how for apart they can be and then you learn that your finger is two inches long and that's the distance you are supposed to put them! WOW!!!! "I can measure with my finger mommy!"

Lots of fun.
So we have...ah...rather we had four dozen chocolate chip cookies....we have less now. :) We also have some sugar cookies bunnies and such like as well. WELL decorated with sprinkles...AGAIN lots of fun for a four year boy child. :) Could I make them cheaper from scratch ... yes...but could I replace the sheer fun value for a four year learning stuff on his own and me being confident in his discovery abilities to just let him be? NO. So this worked for me.

Then I made banana bread while he played with his lego. Banana bread....in the eyes of a four year NOT fun to make. :)

First... preheat oven to 350.
Then cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 c. white sugar until light and fluffy.
To that add two eggs, ONE at a time and beat well.
Then mix in a separate bowl:
1 c. flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 c. whole wheat flour

Add to creamed mixture.
Fold in three large mashed bananas, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
AND if you so desire (but not required) 1/2 c chopped walnuts. (I don't add this)

Place into a greased bread pan.
Cook for 50-60 minutes. Takes 55 minutes in my oven.

let cool for 10 minutes and then let cool completely before storing or serving. :)

Enjoy!

Then papernouten (not sure on the dutch spelling). In english..Peppernut cookies! YUMMY!!!

Here's how to make them.

Beat three eggs until frothy
add 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup brown sugar (packed) Beat until very light and fluffy about 5-6 minutes. Set aside.

Mix together the following: (if you don't want them as strong tasting, cut the spice ingredient amounts in half)
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp pepper
1.5 tsp grated lemon rind ...or add some lemon juice to the eggs and sugar mix
1/2 cup ground almonds

Mix together the wet and dry ingredients. It is a VERY dry mix.

What I find works best is to ball different amounts together until it kinda sticks together. Then take 1/4 of each ball, dip it in a wee bit of water and play with it until it becomes really pliable. Then form it into a thin rope about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut into bite-sized chunks (about 1/2 inch) and then cook in preheated 325 degree oven for 15 minutes (until lightly browned)

This recipe filled a whole square tupperware container for us.

These DO NOT last in our household.