Merry Christmas! Rugelach and Holly Wreaths

Well the countdown begins! As I stand in my kitchen doing the last of my baking, I can only think how this holiday can be both joyful and stressful at the same time. I love the hustle and bustle of the season. The get togethers with friends and family. However, trying to accomplish all that is expected can be a bit challenging. I have finally finished my wrapping and the stockings are hung!! My family usually comes and spends Christmas Eve with us.  I have one last run to the grocery store. All those last minute things that I forgot to get and some kid friendly food for my grandchildren. I always do some appetizers early in the day. For dinner, I will be serving a Seafood Thermidor, in a puff pastry shell, and a big spinach salad. Then we gather around the tree and exchange gifts. The very excited children will get to open a gift from grandma and grandpa. Then with the anticipation of Santa coming….they will be off to bed!!  They will be up very, very early! While the kids are opening their santa gifts I will serve coffee, tea and juice, then a big breakfast to start the day! I baked a beautiful Christmas bread a few days ago and froze it for Christmas morning. I also serve a hot fruit bake, eggs and turkey sausage. We will enjoy the morning watching the kids opening their gifts and enjoying each others company. Then my daughter and her family will be going to her in-laws for dinner. 

However you and yours spend the holidays I'm wishing you all the love and warmth of the season! 

Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful healthy New Year!

My beautiful Christmas bread

Rugelach so delicious! 

Cream cheese spritz…one of my favorites! They look so festive on a cookie plate.





Cream Cheese  Rugelach

1/4 lb butter
1/4 lb cream cheese
1 cup flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
sugar to taste
cinnamon to taste
raisins and chopped nuts
apricot jam (optional)

        Prepare dough in advance. Soften butter and cream cheese. Mash together. Add flour gradually with sugar. Dough will be stiff. Chill in refrigerator a minimum of 2 hours. Separate dough into 4  balls.  Preheat oven to 350º.

Roll out each ball into a circle. Cut into wedges . Sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon, raisins and chopped nuts. If desired,

place a dab of apricot jam at the wide end of triangle.  Roll each wedge from wide end to the point.  (Can be frozen at this point.)  Place point down on baking sheet. Bake 18 to 20 minutes. 

Holly Wreaths

1/2 cup butter

1/2 of 3 oz. pkg. cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar

1/ tsp. vanilla

1 cup sifted flour

few drops of green food color

Preheat oven to 375º

Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar well. Beat in vanilla and green food coloring. Gradually blend in flour. Fill cookie press. Form cookies on ungreased cookie sheets using star plate. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.

This recipe came with my Mirro cookie press. My mom gave it to me when I was first married.  My mom and Aunt made these at Christmas time since I was a small child.  It would not be Christmas without them.  I actually have several cookie guns but my favorite is my Mirro press.