Monday, December 15, 2014

Sugar Plums




I AM TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO MY CHRISTMAS BAKING this year. Rather than baking one batch of cookies from start to finish one by one, I have had a few days of mixing doughs. Some are refrigerated, some frozen.

I have rolls of dough to use as slice and bake cookies. I have balls of dough which would traditionally be drop cookies. Some will be pressed into sheet pans for bar cookies. Also, my husband gave me a beautiful shortbread pan last month for my birthday, so I will be baking those too.

I feel much more productive this year and I don't have to worry if my cookies will be fresh when the time comes for sharing. We will see how this approach works when it comes to baking days.

Meanwhile, here is a no-bake goody that is actually pretty healthy.

Sugar Plums
4 cups rice krispies cereal
2 cups toasted pecans
15 oz. golden raisins
10 oz. pitted dates
3/4 cup honey
2 tsp. orange zest
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Pour cereal into a large mixing bowl.

Finely chop the pecans, raisins, and dates. (Or grind in food processor if you have one).

In a small bowl, combine the honey, orange zest, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.

Pour the fruit mixture and the honey mixture into the bowl with the cereal. Mix all together with a wooden spoon. Roll into 1 1/2" balls with greased hands.




4 comments:

  1. My husband would really like these, he is a big fan of dates. They sure look pretty. I also like to have dough made up, and have even had a cookie exchange where we brought dough ready to bake instead of baked cookies, that was fun. Then each person could bake when needed/wanted.

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    1. Melynda, I love dates too. Maybe, if he has been a good boy, you will make him some Sugar Plums? They last well in an airtight container. Thank you for your comment, Rocquie

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  2. Your cookie baking scheme sounds very sensible. And these sugar plums? Delish. And pretty healthy, as you say. Really creative -- thanks. And I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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    1. John, I'll find out how practical this approach turns out to be starting tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the aromas of cookies baking. Thank you for your comment and Merry Christmas, Rocquie

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