Tis the Season...

to head out of town! My love arrived in town on Friday and we're heading up to his mom's for a few days before coming back home to celebrate the season with my family.

I just wanted to wish all my fellow bloggers a very Merry Christmas!

Grandad's Pick: Mince Tarts.

Grandad loves Mince Tarts and Nanny really wasn't into baking them for him this year! I used the same pastry recipe as Dad's butter tarts, and filled them with premade mincemeat. Grandad thouroughly enjoyed them!

Dad's Pick: Butter Tarts.

My dad loves Butter Tarts so naturally, he wanted me to attempt to make them. When I asked him what made good butter tarts, he said "they need to be creamy." As someone who doesn't enjoy this particular baked good, it's hard to know what exactly he means by creamy. I figured I had to start somewhere, so here we began. They got two thumbs up, although I have yet to get feedback as to whether they are, in fact, creamy.




Butter Tarts
makes approx. 16

Ingredients:

Filling

1 cup raisins
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Pastry

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. icing sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening
1 Tbsp. white vinegar
2 Tbsp. ice water
1 egg

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To make the pastry, sift flour, icing sugar, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Pinch shortening into small cubes and rub lightly into the flour mixture until broken into crumbly pieces. Whisk vinegar, ice water, and egg with a fork in a separate bowl. Pour around edges of flour mix and pull together to form a ball. Flatten into 2 disks and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Roll out to 1/8" thick and cut 4" round. Form circles into small muffin pan.

For the filling, combine raisins, butter, sugar, syrup, and salt in a heavy saucepan. Heat on the stove at low heat until butter is melted and the mix is warm. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and eggs. Fill the muffin pan 2/3 full. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Childhood Desires.

I always received amazing presents from Santa my parents, but regardless of how blessed you are, there is always something you didn't get. While shopping down in the States on Sunday, I was ridiculously excited when I came across the Candy Land game. I never had it as a child but always wanted it! Now as a 24 year old adult, here I am purchasing a game for those 3+. Go figure.

I remember my favourite toy, which I received from Santa, was an Ariel doll. She sang and was the greatest thing ever, at that time. I noticed that year, that my Santa present was wrapped in the same paper as another gift under the tree, so I think my believing Santa started to falter around then. He did good on his last year though!

Was there a toy you desperately wanted as a child? Have you fulfilled your want? What was your favourite present ever as a child?

Mom's Pick: Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies.

Mom requested Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies which got my Christmas baking off to the right start! They are delicious!




Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
Makes approx. 20

Ingredients:

1 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup chocolate chips

Method:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour until it forms into a ball. Add chocolate chips. Roll into 1" balls and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy!