There are a lot of ways to celebrate this time of year and I want to be as inclusive as possible! With the holidays being so close and us trying to muster enough energy just to put up our Yule tree, it is not looking good that I am going to be doing much holiday baking and cooking. As a result I thought I would some of my favourite holiday treats with you:
Hot Toddies!
Crockpot Apple Cranberry Cider: As much as I enjoy the expensive store-bought mulled ciders, if you are looking for a less expensive version with a cranberry punch, I love this one and will be making it on Christmas Eve.
Soothing Hazelnut Baileys Milk: My first time making nut milk and works fantastic with Baileys! Yum…
My First Grog! What a treat this drink is and perfect for hanging out in front of the fireplace.
Hanukkah
Potato Latkas for Hanukkah: I grew up on these in my old neighbourhood in Toronto and think I did them justice and added my own Latvian touch to them!
Matzah Ball Soup: So glad I had some matzah so I could make my own soup and take away the winter blues!
Homemade Rugelach: This was a first for me and believe it or not I made these with my own roasted chestnuts!
Christmas
My Breadmaker Version of My Mom’s Pīrāgi (Latvian Bacon Buns): Oh man, just looking at these makes me hungry and homesick!
Crazy Easy and Fast Holiday Chocolate Fudge: If you are not a baker and want to make something absolutely delicious in no time at all, this is the recipe for you.
Canadian Living’s Really Good Rum Balls: These always remind me of my mom who used to get one from my brother Jason every year!
Merry Christmas Meringues: They look like just plain snowy pillows but surprises lie inside!
The Ridler Family Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies: Reg helped me decorate these cookies which I have made since I was a little kid with my siblings.
Caramel Pecan Treasures: If you want a challenge for Christmas that pays off in the end, these are the cookie for you!
Winter Solstice
Lemon Thyme Cookies: My friend Tammy helps me recreate one of my favourite cookies to celebrate the return of the sun!
Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze: For those who want a break from winter and need some tropical flavour, check out my version of this recipe!
Claire Robinson’s Lemon Pie Cookies: Although I had issues with the recipe, these did taste great with tea and took me back to the summertime.
Lemon Sunshine Thumbprint Cookies: Make your life a little sunnier and shinier by these mini lemon-curd-filled cookies.
What I will be making…
Breadmaker Cinnamon Buns: I will be making these even though I no longer have a breadmaker and will go old school with the recipe. This is one of our favourites and if there is any left over makes fantastic French toast and/or bread pudding.
Happy holiday baking, cooking & eating everyone!
So many delicious looking photos, so many terrific recipes. What a gorgeous display you have here!
Awesome collection of recipes and ideas. I REALLY need to make Rum Balls soon! Just made my Rugelach yesterday, somehow I was only able to freeze about 28 cookies and I made 48, I guess they turned out pretty good 🙂
Everything looks SO yummy!
Yes everything looks great! Now to choose a few, meringues for sure, love them : )
Why did I have to read this post right before bed time?! Now I want to make some of these delicious treats! I’ll be saving these for sure.