Christmas is almost here. The kids aren’t quite here yet. There is traffic and snow over the Grapevine, and long drives ahead, and cats to join the car rides.
My brother Aaron is traveling this year to see his grown children. That just seems so weird. Our children are grown. It isn’t weird, but I guess just different. We both knew our children would grow up. That is what they do. They have their own homes, even if home is a small apartment. They have their own Christmas trees. They hang vintage Christmas lights they purchased at the local flea market. They make their own traditions.
I packed up favorite ornaments to send to my daughter. I packed up a well read copy of “The Christmas Carole” to send to my son.
Today I’m picking up a case of spiced Poet’s Blood from Dave’s Bottle Shop, and making Mexican Wedding Cookies for my Werewolf friends. Cookies with Werewolves go a long way. Most people don’t know that every Werewolf has a sweet tooth after a full moon. My friends Adam and Brandy always look forward to them.
In case you haven’t had Mexican Wedding Cookies yet, they are easy to make and oh so good (if you eat sweet things.) Traditionally they are rolled in powdered sugar. I use colored sprinkles. The powered sugar tends to soak in and, at least on the cookies I make, looks kind of like Zombie skin. So please, use sprinkles.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter or margarine softened
2 teaspoons vanilla (feel free to use other flavors if you feel like it, but skip the peppermint on these, rum, maple, almond, lemon, or orange extract are delightful)
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped almonds or pecans
1/4 teaspoon salt
Multicolored sprinkles
Heat oven to 325F
In a large bowl beat powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Make sure it is fluffy to get the best results. Stir in almonds, flour, and salt. Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll the balls in the sprinkles.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until set. I tend to go closer to 15 minutes, but it all depends on your oven. There is no change for high altitudes.
If you DO decide to roll them in powered sugar, roll them one time right after you take them out of the oven, let them rest a bit then roll them in powdered sugar again.
My your Christmas and Holiday season be merry and bright, with the sweetness of love mixed in. Take time to relax and have that cup of tea, glass of wine, and a cookie.
xoxo
~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman
Vampire Maman 