By Andy Bedwell
My favorite holiday memory is sitting in my rocking chair, holding my precious grandson and singing “Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree” while looking at the Christmas tree lights twinkle. We changed the words from Christmas tree to Santa Clause. “Oh, Santa Clause, Oh Santa Clause, Matthew wants a red tractor.” He would always fill in the blank with a different toy. Where has the time gone? Now that little boy is six feet tall and a senior in high school.
Frozen Christmas Salad
8 ounces cream cheese
8 ounces sour cream
16 ounces crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup sugar
2 large bananas, cubed
2 tablespoons lemon juice (sprinkle over bananas as soon as they are cubed)
2 teaspoons vanilla (clear if you can find it)
1 cup mixed candied fruit
1 cup chopped pecans
12 ounces Cool Whip
Mix all ingredients together and freeze in a mold or pan.
Millionaire Fudge
9 cups sugar
2 large cans Pet milk
20 ounces marshmallow cream
6 packages chocolate chips
2 sticks butter
2 cups chopped pecans
Mix sugar, pet milk and butter. When butter melts, add chocolate chips and boil for one minute. Pour into a buttered pan and cool before cutting into squares. Pecans can be omitted.
Christmas Jam Cake
1 cup Crisco shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup jam
1 teaspoon all-spice
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups flour (sifted before you measure)
1 teaspoon soda
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoon cocoa
3 eggs
Mix all of the spices, cocoa and flour, then sift together. Beat soda into buttermilk. After creaming Crisco and sugar, beat in one egg at a time. Do not over beat the eggs. Alternate the milk and soda mix with flour. Beat in the jam last. This makes a two layer cake. Bake at 325 degrees for about 20-25 minutes.
Butter Filling:
3 cups sugar
1 cup of heavy cream or whole milk
Cook in a heavy boiler until it forms a firm ball tested in cold water. Set aside until cool and then beat in 2/3 stick of margarine until creamy and spreading consistency.
Happy Holiday Cooking,
Andy
“Southern Cooking with Andy Bedwell” can be purchased at the Messenger on Rainbow Drive.
