Thursday, December 4, 2008

Christmas Traditions Part 1

Jared is a HUGE fan of cookies but for some reason the only time I crave cookies is Christmas time. I finally figured out why. Mom didn't make cookies often but when Christmas rolled around there were about 7 or 8 recipes that were ABSOLUTELY necessary to have. I love this tradition so much that I decided to share the recipes and memories with all.

This first one wasn't really a tradition with our family but was a tradition in my mom's family. Now whenever make them, I think of my grandma. They're so sweet I can only handle about one of these babies but they are so yummy!

The recipe is for Divinity. Warning: if you don't have an electric mixer this one takes patience and quite a bit of arm strength. I just found out my grandma used to make it by hand...YIKES!


DIVINITY (directions using a kitchenaid)

Place 3 C of sugar, 3/4 C light corn syrup, and 1/2 C water in a heavy saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat to hard ball stage (248). Remove from heat and let stand until temperature drops to 220, without stirring.
Place 2 egg whites in a mixer bowl. Attach bowl and wire whip to mixer. Turn to speed 8 and whip about 1 minute, or until soft peaks form. Gradually add syrup in a fine stream and whip about 2 minutes longer.
Turn to speed 4. Add 1 t Vanilla (or Almond!) extract (this is where you can add food coloring to make it fun). Whip 20 to 25 minutes, or until mixtures starts to become a little dry and dull colored (Keep an eye on it, it only took mine 15 minutes this last time!).
Drop mixture from spoon onto waxed paper to form patties.

Yield: about 40

1 comment:

  1. Dude!!! I am making those almond bark ritz cracker peanut butter things for a friend gathering tomorrow! Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!

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