So ... anyone in holiday baking mode? I like baking ... mostly cookies and cakes or other things as recipes intrigue me. I read lots of recipes. Here are some of my supplies:

 

 

And then I will do a total of 16 batches of these:

 

 

Pebernodder ... translated pepper nuts. They are as big around as a dime or penny. Packed in tins or bags, they make great gifts. They are little tiny short bread like cookies with a zing of white pepper.

 

I’ve also been doing some bread baking. Made two loaves of rosemary peasant bread today ... big yum! I have a couple vegan friends so anything with dairy in it is a no.

 

I’ve already made a large batch of nut goodie bars, and will be making some almond bark and some peppermint bark. I vary it up year to year based on time and helping hands.

 

What are your ovens producing? What are things you like to bake?

I'm more of a cook, than baker. Tonight we made Bolognese sauce and polenta. We will do some kind of fancy meat on Christmas, with creme brulee. Making hors d'oeuvres for Christmas Eve.

 

I do like a good cookie.... We'll see

 

So ... anyone in holiday baking mode? I like baking ... mostly cookies and cakes or other things as recipes intrigue me. I read lots of recipes. Here are some of my supplies:

8977F40A-1F1D-4C63-98DD-0056D6E29790.jpeg

And then I will do a total of 16 batches of these:

5538DE4D-1EE6-4DF2-875D-7CA4F77FE11A.jpeg

Pebernodder ... translated pepper nuts. They are as big around as a dime or penny. Packed in tins or bags, they make great gifts. They are little tiny short bread like cookies with a zing of white pepper.

I’ve also been doing some bread baking. Made two loaves of rosemary peasant bread today ... big yum! I have a couple vegan friends so anything with dairy in it is a no.

I’ve already made a large batch of nut goodie bars, and will be making some almond bark and some peppermint bark. I vary it up year to year based on time and helping hands.

What are your ovens producing? What are things you like to bake?

That is awesome. My family is Danish. We have been making pepper nuts my whole life.  I ate about 30 tonight. Doesn't look like you roll them though. We roll every single one into a ball before baking.

That is awesome. My family is Danish. We have been making pepper nuts my whole life.  I ate about 30 tonight. Doesn't look like you roll them though. We roll every single one into a ball before baking.

Wow! You are the first person outside of family who knows these! And yes, my family is Danish. We roll them into long snakes (for lack of a better word), about the diameter of a dime, then slice them into little discs, about 1/4-1/3” thick, and out those little penny/dime-sized pieces on the cookie sheet. But yeah, one canNOT eat just one. This year I’ll make 16 batches.

I'm more of a cook, than baker. Tonight we made Bolognese sauce and polenta. We will do some kind of fancy meat on Christmas, with creme brulee. Making hors d'oeuvres for Christmas Eve.

I do like a good cookie.... We'll see

Shrimp dip was always part of our appetizer tray. Another family favorite. And of course, herring, too.

That is awesome. My family is Danish. We have been making pepper nuts my whole life.  I ate about 30 tonight. Doesn't look like you roll them though. We roll every single one into a ball before baking.

Do you have goose for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner?

 

I'm more of a cook, than baker. Tonight we made Bolognese sauce and polenta. We will do some kind of fancy meat on Christmas, with creme brulee. Making hors d'oeuvres for Christmas Eve.

I do like a good cookie.... We'll see

 

yeah, me too. I suspect I'll be doing my home made seafood mac and cheese since at some point over the holidays I won't be low carb... if we can make it to Meijer (only place I can get them), I'll like do my salmon mignons with a home made béarnaise sauce as well.

 

No plans on smoking anything though. Christmas will probably be a turkey. 

yeah, me too. I suspect I'll be doing my home made seafood mac and cheese since at some point over the holidays I won't be low carb... if we can make it to Meijer (only place I can get them), I'll like do my salmon mignons with a home made béarnaise sauce as well.

 

No plans on smoking anything though. Christmas will probably be a turkey.

I'm considering smoking prime rib

 

yeah, me too. I suspect I'll be doing my home made seafood mac and cheese since at some point over the holidays I won't be low carb... if we can make it to Meijer (only place I can get them), I'll like do my salmon mignons with a home made béarnaise sauce as well.

 

No plans on smoking anything though. Christmas will probably be a turkey. 

 

I'm considering smoking prime rib

 

You two are getting way off topic!

 

And now I'm hungry ... 

 

Do you have goose for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner?

We don't generally have it anymore. But it used to be every Christmas Eve.

 

We don't generally have it anymore. But it used to be every Christmas Eve.

Yeah ... my Mom refuses to make it anymore ... too greasy. It was almost always my Aunt who made it.

 

Yeah ... my Mom refuses to make it anymore ... too greasy. It was almost always my Aunt who made it.

Do you have Frikadeller ever? That's another of our favorites. 

 

And Junket. Those were the big ones my mom would make anytime. Delicious.

 

You two are getting way off topic!

 

And now I'm hungry ... 

That's because I cannot eat anything you'd bake...

I’m not much of a baker but I’m a pretty decent cook.

 

And I recently discovered the magic of Kerrygold butter. I will not go back to generic American butter (though there are plenty of fancy American butters that rate well).

 

Yes, it’s that big of a difference. I made buffalo sauce last night and it was super creamy and extra delicious thanks to the butter.

 

Do you have Frikadeller ever? That's another of our favorites. 

 

And Junket. Those were the big ones my mom would make anytime. Delicious.

No, we never have had that. But red cabbage at every holiday meal is a requirement. The way the Danes make it is on the sweeter side than the Germans.

 

My aunt made plenty of other things throughout the years ... leverpastej ... not one of my favorites. (It's a liver pate, or sorts, sort of). And plenty of kringle!

I made another batch of rosemary peasant bread on Friday night. There’s nothing like fresh baked bread. And this recipe is so easy.

Just drank the homemade eggnog I made. . .. yummy.

 

Just drank the homemade eggnog I made. . .. yummy.

 

Egg nog makes great French toast batter ... 

Egg nog makes great French toast batter ...

Yes, but I drank it all. I'll be making more...

 

Yes, but I drank it all. I'll be making more...

 

Do you spike yours with brandy? bourbon? rum? Cognac?

Do you spike yours with brandy? bourbon? rum? Cognac?

I tried to make this one with tequila and Sherry, but the type of Sherry I need is sold out in Portland! So I did rum and brandy.

My wife made peanut butter balls, but ignored part of the recipe. They are more like peanut butter cups, but even creamier. I actually think I like them this way more.

 

My wife made peanut butter balls, but ignored part of the recipe. They are more like peanut butter cups, but even creamier. I actually think I like them this way more.

 

Sometimes baking mistakes are happy mistakes.