Holiday baking

[perc-o-prince]

Let's see what everyone's made or making! We had a party for Rich's work and a few other folks this past Saturday, and I had some time so I made a few things. Hummus, shrimp dip, smoked sausage in bbq sauce, but then did a little baking. Anise biscotti, cranberry-walnut biscotti, and Wuchidati (Sicilian fig cookies, and spelling likely not accurate).

For those who haven't made them, you bake the biscotti in loaves.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Then you cut them and bake again to dry them out. The loaves were the anise ones, and these are the cran-walnut ones.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Then the fig cookies. You have to roll out the dough, then run a strip of the filling and fold the dough over it and seal. Then cut into pieces before baking. When my mother first started making them she would make each cookie individually, sealing each side so no filling ran. She learned the "right" way quickly!

 

[perc-o-prince]

And finished, frosted, sprinkled, cooled and ready to put away. I used a good jarred fig filling, but the original is more spiced. Next time I make them I'll use the filling but doctor it with the spices.

 

[xraytech]

Unfortunately I don't have pictures if my holiday baking, but so far I've made the following:
Sugar cookies
Mrs. Sunyog's apricot cookies
Snicker doodles
Chocolate chip
Mini cheesecakes
Pizzelles
Lady locks
Peanut butter fudge

I will however remember to take pics of my Christmas Eve spread

 

[yogitunes]

my mother makes those fig cookie types.......

but actually she uses poppyseed, apricot, raspberry, from a jar.... and a walnut mixture she does herself...

she usually does an egg wash over top and sprinkles with sugar, but I like the frosting and sprinkle ideas.....

right now I have been doing cookies, not actually a xmas cookie, but I love chocholate chip, and recently have done sugar and ginger snaps.....mainly because I like these the best, and they wont go to waste...most times theres an abundance of xmas cookies that no one eats, and goes to waste...so I stick with a few that everyone likes....

 

[iheartmaytag]

I didn't take pictures

But this weekend I did the baking for Teacher's gift boxes and Neighbor's plates.

 

2 batches of sour dough bread

8 Loaves Banana Bread

8 Loaves of Pumpkin Bread

8 Loaves of Cranberry Bread

Kris Kringle Cookies

Ginger snap cookies

Peppermint Melt aways

1 Oreo Cheesecake

 

The boxes were put together with the 14 lbs of fudge that was made in November so it could age.  

 

All has been delivered and I have one Loaf of sour dough we had with potato soup for dinner tonight and one loaf of Pumpkin bread, two (2) ginger snap cookies.    I'm tired, and still don't have the tree up. 

 

 

 

[kevin313]

Those fig cookies look SO GOOD - I could eat the whole box!

 

[angus]

No time for holiday baking this year or for the past few years - way too much overtime and having to work on weekends on additional "developmental projects". Anyway, love those fig cookies and they are a bear to make especially when you make the filling yourself. Grinding dried figs, nuts, orange peel, honey etc... I remember one of my secretaries was Sicilian and her family spent days making hundreds and hundreds of those at Christmas - definitely not a one person job. But well worth it. I believe the correct name for these is "cuccidati".

 

[washdaddy]

For those of you who have done or are currently doing your holiday baking I am truly envious of your talents and compassion for taking on that arduous task. I remember while growing up how everyone use to do "holiday baking" but for many these days that age old tradition is no longer what it use to be. Everybody is always in a constant rush these days.

The smells and aromas of all those baked goods wafting thru the house brought such a warm heart felt feeling to that time of year. My mouth is watering just thinking about all the different fresh baked holiday delectables.

Anyhow, Happy Holidays to one and all.

 

[chachp]

My Mom makes the fig cookes every year

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Hers look like yours with the frosting and sprinkles.  After seeing your post I was telling her that you made yours with a filling from a jar and she was very interested in knowing the brand of filling.  She has always made hers from scratch because she said she didn't think there was a filling to use that she (actually we ) would like.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Would you mind sharing the details on the filling you use?  Yours look really good.  She sends a box of all these goodies every year and I understand mine is on the way.  Since we can't do a cookie exchange here I wonder if we could do something like a Christmas Cookie Recipe exchange?  Has that ever been done here?  It would be fun to see recipes of families favorite recipes.</span>

 

[frigilux]

The biscotti and fig cookies look wonderful, Chuck! Thank, everyone, for sharing.

Me? I'm craving old-fashioned filled date cookies that are folded over into half-moons. Haven't had them for years...and there are two boxes of chopped dates in the pantry. (Photo found on Google)

 

[perc-o-prince]

Ralph- it was Grandmother's. Not true to the original, but I had it and have been threatening to use it nearly forever! As Angus said, the proper filling is a bear with the grinding, waiting, etc. Maybe next time.

And thanks for the correct name of them, Angus! I've been doubting the name on the index card for many years!

Chuck

 

[chachp]

Thank you Chuck.

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">I looked up Grandmother's Fig Filling and ironically it looks like they carry it at the Giant Eagle by her house.  She lives in Ohio.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">She told me she has been making hers the past few years in her Food Processor and she doesn't do it every year she says because it's so much work.  She'll make a double batch one year and save half for the next.  The ones she made this year are from filling she had in the freezer from last year.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">I'll let her know to give this a try.  The way you make yours is exactly how she does her sprinkles and all.  It was my Grandmother's recipe who was originally from Italy.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">My Mom is 92.  I really should learn how she does some of these things before she leaves us and takes the recipes with her.  I have tried over the years to duplicate things she makes, and we can do it side by side and they still don't come out the same way hers do.  Especially her Pizza.  ARGH!  It's the best and I can't get it to come out like hers.   Close but not quite the same.  She says it the pans.  LOL</span>