What do our teachers like to make for their families during the holidays? We asked them to share their best go-to recipe just for you our blog reader!
M R S . K A Y L A
When it comes to the holidays, Huntsville, AL teacher Kayla Johnson is a sucker for cut-out cookies. Her favorite recipes are these pumpkin spice cutouts and brownie roll-out cookies. But for a drop-cookie, her favorite recipe is Hot Chocolate Cookies. She loves this recipe so much she's teaching it at her Christmas Cookies Workshop this year!
M R S . H E A T H E R
Is it possible for recipe creator, cookbook author, and Boston, MA teacher Heather Farmer to really pick a favorite recipe? Yes - there is one cookie she makes every year! It is her grandma's recipe for Russian Tea Cake Cookies. It's posted on her on her blog Boston Girl Bakes along with a how-to video!
M R S . K A T I E
Ironically, Gardendale, AL teacher Katie McCreless (miles away from Boston) has a similar favorite recipe also passed down from her grandmother. In their family, they're called Moon Cookies as her grandmother would curve the dough into a crescent moon shape. Which grandma wrote it better? You'll have to test both recipes and decide for yourself! Here's Mrs. Katie's version:
Ingredients:
1 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
Confectioners’ sugar
Directions:
Cream butter and sugar; add 2 teaspoons water and vanilla; mix well. Blend in flour and nuts; chill 4 hours. Shape in balls or fingers. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 325 degrees about 20 minutes. Remove from pan; cool slightly; roll in confectioners’ sugar. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
M R S . S A R A H
Here's what teacher Sarah Eubanks had to say about her go-to holiday recipe: "My husband's birthday is a week before Christmas and this Basque Burnt Cheesecake is always his request. It ends up (if we are lucky) lasting us into the Holiday week and is the best start to our Christmas indulgences. It is hard to mess up, delicious, and looks impressive!"
M R S . A S H L E Y
Auburn, AL teacher Ashley Kauffman loves to make Homemade Chex Mix. "Our family snacks on it throughout the holidays in between big family meals. It is definitely a favorite for our family!"
Ingredients:
- 4 cups corn chex
-4 cups wheat chex
-3 cups rice chex
-3 cups skinny bite-sized pretzels
-2 cups cheerios
- 1 1/2 cups salted nuts
-10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
-3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
-2 heaping teaspoons seasoned salt
-1 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Directions:
Preheat oven to 250°.
Combine the first six ingredients in a large disposable aluminum pan.
Combine the next six ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until well combined. Pour slowly over the items in the pan, stirring as you go, to coat evenly. Continue stirring until snack mix is well coated with seasoning.
Bake for 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool, then serve or store in an air-tight container.
M R S . M A R Y J A Y N E
After raising four kids, teacher Maryjayne Herring has many favorite holiday recipes! But her favorite recipe and one her kids always count on is Pound Cake. Take a look at her tried and true recipe below.
For more awesome holiday recipes, check out the original Recipes We Love: Holiday Edition! Got a favorite of your own? Share it in the comments below. You never know, we just may feature it on our blog!