Writers in the Kitchen with Favorite Christmas Recipes

The holidays and food just seem to go together, don't they? Christmas foods bring back memories of  people, places, scents, of previous years. We're delighted to share some of our authors' favorite recipes with you. (Be sure to check out Elizabeth Noyes' recipe for Snickerdoodles that we posted earlier this week!)

From Betty Thomason Owens:

Christmas Oatmeal Cookies

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 cup butter (2 sticks, softened)
1 cup light brown sugar
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped, dried cranberries
3 ½ cups oatmeal
1 cup white chocolate morsels

Heat oven to 350°

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and set aside. In a separate mixing bowl, combine softened butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until well blended. Add flour mixture and mix on low (or use a spoon) to blend. Add cranberries, oatmeal, and chocolate morsels.

Drop by tablespoonsful onto a cookie sheet (sprayed with pam or lined with parchment paper), leaving about 3 inches between each one. Bake 6 to 9 minutes. Remove from oven and let cookies stand about 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies

From Fay Lamb:

"My favorite recipe on any occasion is one that I don’t have to cook."

From Jerusha Agen, when asked if she had a favorite Christmas recipe:

"I do! But it’s a coveted secret. They’re simply called Bun Bars, and they’re to-die-for!"

From Julie Arduini:

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

1 12 oz bag peanut butter chips

1 12 oz bag milk chocolate chips

1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk, divided in half

1/4 cup butter, divided.

Take the peanut butter chips, half the milk and butter and place in microwave safe bowl. Put on for two minutes, check after one minute, stirring. Sometimes it's done before two minutes. Pour into 13x9 dish.

Take the milk chocolate chips, the other half of milk and butter and place in separate microwave safe bowl. Repeat microwave directions from above. When everything is melted and stirred, pour on top of peanut butter mixture. Let set in fridge, cut into squares and enjoy!

From Sheryl Holmes:

Long tradition has been to fix an egg soufflé the day before Christmas, so that on Christmas morning, all a tired mother has to do is stick it in the oven and pout her feet up while the hustle and bustle of morning delights and excitement exude the house.  The warm cheesy aroma fills the house as it bakes, and everyone enjoys without a lot of fuss in the kitchen!

Christmas Morning  EGG SOUFFLE:

1 (8 oz.) sharp Cheddar cheese
16 slices of white bread, crust removed and cubed
6-8 eggs
3-4 c. milk
1/2 tsp. mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. cornflakes
1/2 c. melted butter
(Left over ham roast is best, deli ask for chunks).
Butter 8 slices of bread sparingly and place in well greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Layer with cheese. Butter 8 additional slices of bread and place on top of cheese. Beat eggs and add milk and mustard. Beat until well mixed. Pour over everything.

Cover with foil and place in refrigerator overnight.  In the morning, pop it in the oven, uncovered. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees until golden brown. Serves 8. (fancy add-ins would be sautéed mushrooms , chopped bacon bits, or fresh herbs of your choosing – fresh French tarragon is a favorite of mine!)

Today's the last day to get Jerusha Agen's This Dance, FREE on Kindle! The other books in the series are available in print and Kindle formats, so look for This Shadow and This Redeemer to complete the set.

Join more of the Five Golden Days of Christmas here:

Friday's Blogs:

PNP BLOG: 2014 Favorite Nonfiction Books

WIP BLOG: Writers in the Kitchen with Favorite Christmas Recipes

Sheryl Holmes: Give Hope: Weep and Laugh

PNP BLOG: Writer’s Goal to Make God Tangible

WIP BLOG: Military Influence on Writer’s Life

Tracy Ruckman: 20 Favorite Christmas Movies of Authors

Julie Arduini:  Christmas Concert Memories

Fay Lamb, On the Ledge: Ho, Ho, Help           

Thursday's Blogs:

PNP: Fictional Christmas Memories – and a Few Real Ones Too

WIP: 2014 Favorite Fiction

Betty Owens: 1920s Christmas Traditions

Sheryl Holmes: Give Hope: Send Balloons

PNP: Movie Reviews Safe for Family Viewing

WIP: Variety of a Storyteller

Tracy Ruckman: Surrender is Key to Writers

Julie Arduini: Christmas Pictures and Ugly Sweaters

Fay Lamb: On the Ledge: A Special Gathering

Sheryl Holmes: Created to Crave

Wednesday's Blogs:

PNP: Treasured Christmas Ornaments of Authors and Characters

WIP: A Writer’s Sweet Tooth: Christmas Cookies

Sheryl Holmes: Give Hope: Be His Hands, Lips, and Feet

PNP BLOG: Writing and Teaching Romance Easier than Living It

WIP BLOG: The Unstoppable Power of Words

Tracy Ruckman: Immersed in the 1920s as Historical Fiction Writer

Julie Arduini: Christmas Music

Fay Lamb: On the Ledge: Miracle at 1782 Ayshire Drive

Tuesday's Blogs:

PNP BLOG: Does Your Nativity Set Have Personality? 

WIP BLOG: Authors and Characters Dream of Christmas Vacations 

Sheryl Holmes BLOG: Give Hope: Dump an Omelet in the Trash

PNP: Cancer Survivor and Mom of Nine Offers Hope All Year Long

WIP: Romantic Suspense Author Living on Faith 

Tracy Ruckman: Christmas at Rumi Rancho

Julie Arduini: The Focus of Christmas

Betty Owens: Authorview: Elizabeth Noyes

Fay Lamb: On the Ledge: A Very Special Mom

Monday's Blogs:

PNP: Writers’ Favorite Christmas Songs

WIP: Writers Play Secret Santa on Characters

Sheryl Holmes: Give Hope: Carry!

PNP: Rare Rabbits in Bolivia

WIP: Just Don’t Take Her Chocolate!

Tracy Ruckman: Romance, Suspense, Cruises, and Retirement: An Author’s Life

Julie Arduini: Christmas Present Memories

Fay Lamb: On the Ledge: Is that All?

Debra Butterfield Interview with Elizabeth Noyes

Tonight, we're having a Facebook Party and we'd love for you to come, 7-9 PM. It's a "drop-in, stay as little or as long as you want, come as you are" party! We're giving away books, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, a Nativity, gift cards, and more - hope we'll see you there.