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Is part of your holiday tradition making lots of sweet treats? It was for my mom, and she had a funny little trick that made her cookies, pastries and candies seem even more special (if that was possible)...
You need to know a bit about my mom before I share her clever ploy. She raised six children, pretty much on her own. My dad died at 42 years old. I was nine, and my siblings ranged from five to eighteen years old. She was an amazing woman and one of her mottos was "Always stay one step ahead of them! (us kids)". And she did. It seemed that somehow, she knew what we were up to - before we ever were up to it!
Every Christmas, she would bake a large assortment of delicious cookies and other sweet treats, starting in early December. She'd stack them up in large, tight-lidded, metal containers and, without a word, they would disappear to some clandestine destination.
Well to be honest, not so clandestine. With six sweet-toothed hooligans scampering around a not-very-big-house, it was pretty much impossible to have a truly covert hiding place. And once one of us disccovered one of these treasured tins, it wasn't long before all six were snitching a few of the wonderful treats. Of course we'd always try to rearrange the contents, to appear like none were missing...
Guess what? The hiding part was a just ruse my mom repeated year after year. It was not until I was all grown up that she confessed one day - she was totally aware we would find the wonderful cookies and wouldn't be able to resist them. She just figured, if they seemed a bit "forbidden", that they would taste even better and enjoying them would be more of a thrill. She was right!
I wish I had the time to make a large assortment of Christmas treats, but I just don't. We also try to keep a decently healthy diet these days. So, in a nod to my time and diet restraints, I generally pick just a few special sweet treats to enjoy over the holiday season each year, and to give as gifts.
I do have a few criteria for my Christmas treats. They have to be attractive, easily made ahead and universal crowd-pleasers. Oh, and one selection each year has to have a Red Velvet theme, as I'm head-over-heels-crazy about this flavor/color combination. To me, red velvet is about as fun and festive as it gets.
Do you think red velvet is just for cake? Nope! I thought I'd share a few fun and unique options I've created in years gone by, as well as a more traditional Red Velvet Cupcake recipe from a famous cupcake shop in London. All of them would be perfect for your holiday enjoyment.
Winter White Red Velvet Fudge - A delicious, beautiful fudge that everyone seems to go crazy over! Try it for your next party - or for fun gifts to give relatives, neighbors and friends. Click on the link for the recipe as well as a picture tutorial on how to get the fun swirls.
Red Velvet Meringue Kisses - melt in your mouth meringue kisses, with a delightful touch! The stripes have the delicious essence of Red Velvet!
Red Velvet Kiss Cookies - crinkly, crackly, chewy cookies with a Hershey's Hug right in the center. They're definitely the most fun and festive cookies you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting! These are the perfect recipe to make with kids too!
Red Velvet Cupcakes - Rich, moist, decadent and delicious with a melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese buttercream. The cake recipe's from a famous London cupcake shop!
Any of these sweet treats would be delightful to serve on a holiday buffet or to give to friends, neighbors, teachers, hairdressers, etc. to say "Thanks", "I care" or "You're special". I'm having a hard time deciding which to include in my Christmas repertoire this year. How about you?
P.S. Oh, and if you find yourself singing, "I'm dreaming of a Red Velvet Christmas", I'm probably the culprit to blame!
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Susan says
Oh my, how hard for your mom to have your dad pass away at such a young age, Chris. You've certainly followed in her cookie footsteps with these delicious treats. I love that she knew you would find the cookies 🙂 I love each one of these.
Sandra says
I had to chuckle when I read this. My adult children (especially our sons) still sneak cookies. The really funny part is after all these years they think that I don't know it. Kids I tell ya!! I'm also quite sure these red velvet treats would also quickly disappear.
Liz says
Your mom was such a gem---such a fun memory! I'm loving all these red velvet goodies! Katie would be happy if I made them all this year 🙂
TheKitchenLioness says
Dear Chris, your mother sounds like she was an amzing person! And I love your array of bright red Christmas treats - one more delectable and special than the other. If I were to pick a favorite, I would be hard-pressed but I believe the Red Velvet Cookies really caught my eye!
Thanks for a great round-up of wonderful recipes and a fun post!
Andrea
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Your mom was a gem indeed! I love her motto and her reasoning behind hiding these cookies - she is right though, forbidden foods always taste better! When I was young I used to love these cupcakes from a bakery close by and my dad was my dealer - my mom forbid me to eat them and every time my dad sneaked one in, I'd hide in the bathroom and slowly savor each morsel! 🙂
By the way your red velvet collection is fantastic! My daughter wanted red velvet cupcakes for her birthday so I am gonna use your recipe! Thanks Chris!
John/Kitchen Riffs says
What a wonderful assortment! My mom was a huge Christmas baker too -- she baked tins and tins of cookies! In the past -- when we had metabolisms that were set on 11 -- we'd bake at least half a dozen different cookies for Christmas, too. But we cant do it anymore, alas. Still, have to bake something for Christmas (it's the law, isn't it?) and you have some wonderful ideas!
Denise@From Brazil To You says
What great treat recipes, Chris! Who could possibly forget those marvelous red velvet fudges from last year? A real internet hit!
Chris Scheuer says
You're right Denise, they went crazy last Christmas. We've got something new up our sleeves this season - stay tuned!
Vicki Bensinger says
I remember this post from last year. I loved it then and love it now. Great recipes to share with family and friends during the holidays. Thanks for sharing these again. Have a Happy & Healthy Holiday!
Adina says
I love your story, it must have been so great to have such a mother, I wish I had. I love the red velvet thingies, I am thinking about trying the fudge, I have admired some of your other fudge recipes, but never actually tried to make any. It would make such a nice present. 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
It's a great present Adina - and not that hard to make at all!
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
What a delightful mom you had! She sounds way smarter than me! I love these recipes and I do bake-though I shouldn't-it just seems that when the weather gets cold, I feel like warming up the kitchen! Can't wait to try some of these!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Abbe! It seems like everyone loves it when you bring, or share a baked good, doesn't it?
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
All beautiful and perfect for this wonderful holiday season. Love red velvet and that fudge is calling my name! Sharing and pinning!
Chris Scheuer says
You won't believe how easy (and delicious) it is Tricia!
Jenna says
The cookies sound so different and look so cute!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Jenna, they are moist and chewy, and the chocolate Hug takes them over the top!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Lovely collection! We used to sneak Christmas goodies from the freezer when we were little, too 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
I think that's almost universal Jennifer, don't you?
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
So beautiful and festive...I want to taste each of them!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Angie! They really do sparkle up dessert time around the holidays!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Each one of these recipes is more fabulous than the one before...I am dying to try those meringues 🙂 Your mom sounds like one smart cookie!
Chris Scheuer says
She was Sue, quite a lady!