It's not about the presents.
It's not about the parties.
It's not even about the tinsel and lights and wreaths and ornaments.
It is a great time to sit down with your kids and read the Christmas story. Pull out the hot cocoa and marshmallows. Bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies (yes, it's okay this one time. After all, Christmas is only once a year!) And take a minute to breathe and enjoy the sound of the laughter, the feeling of joy at spending time in the moment and not in the rush and hustle.
Yes, it's okay to put up those lights. That's enjoyable for some (aggravation for most, but sometimes it can be cathartic). As you enjoy your own decorations, take a drive around the neighborhood. Enjoy everyone else's aggravation with light string tangles and staple guns that run out before they should. See the fruits of your neighbors' labors. Hearing the oohs and aahs from the kids will put a smile on your face for sure. Sure, if you've got the time and money there are lots of really nice Christmas displays you can check out. The Montgomery Zoo has a wonderful Christmas Lights display. As always, Callaway Gardens has some beautiful lights that many enjoy each year. The beautiful Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile has a stunning display.
My fondest memories of childhood and Christmas are baking in the kitchen with my mom. All those wonderful Christmas goodies really got me in the spirit of the holiday. Some for us, some to share -- it was just fun making them all. These days, I try to be a little more conscious of my recipes, but the baking is still just as fun. Now, I can engage my kids in a little cookie-making fun. It's a great time to experiment with cookie cutters and just let the kids have a little fun. Of course, we've included some healthier recipes for those of us trying to still count calories around the holidays!
Directions:
- To prepare filling: Combine dried and fresh cranberries, honey, orange zest, cinnamon and cardamom (or allspice) in a medium nonreactive saucepan (see Note) over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook, stirring, until the fresh cranberries burst and soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Let cool slightly. Transfer to a food processor and puree. If the mixture seems dry, stir in up to 2 teaspoons water. Transfer the mixture to a nonreactive container and refrigerate while preparing the dough.
- To prepare dough: Whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and cardamom (or allspice) in a large bowl. In another large bowl, combine oil, butter, sugar, honey, eggs, milk, orange zest, vanilla and almond extracts. Beat the wet ingredients with an electric mixer first on low speed, then on medium speed, until well combined. Add half the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until just incorporated. Stir in the remaining dry ingredients with a wooden spoon until evenly incorporated. If the mixture is too dry to hold together, stir in up to 1 tablespoon more milk. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 30 to 45 minutes to reduce its stickiness.
- Turn the dough out onto a work surface and divide in half. Shape each half into a 6-inch-long log. Working with one log at a time, center it on a 16-inch-long sheet of baking parchment or wax paper. Cover with a second sheet. Press and then roll into a 12-by-15-inch rectangle of even thickness, inverting the dough occasionally to roll out any wrinkles and patching it to make the sides as even as possible. Transfer the dough, in the paper, to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining log of dough and transfer to the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the dough is slightly firm, about 15 minutes.
- To prepare pinwheel rolls: Place one sheet of dough on a work surface. Peel off the top sheet of paper. Spread half the reserved filling evenly over the dough (it will be a thin layer). Working from a 15-inch-long side, tightly roll up the dough jelly-roll style, leaving the bottom sheet of paper behind. While rolling, slightly stretch out the center to yield an evenly thick roll. Wrap the roll in a clean sheet of wax paper, twisting the ends to prevent unrolling (see Tip). Place on a baking sheet. Repeat with the second piece of dough and place on the baking sheet. Freeze until firm, at least 3 to 4 hours.
- To bake cookies: Position racks in the upper third and center of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with one pinwheel roll at a time, trim the uneven ends. Cut the roll crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices using a large serrated knife; periodically turning the roll to maintain a relatively round cookie shape. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart. Bake the cookies until puffed and barely golden brown, 12 to 16 minutes, switching the pans back to front and top to middle halfway through baking. Immediately transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Cut and bake the remaining pinwheel roll.
Nutritional information is based on 1 cookie.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat peanut butter, oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until the sugars are blended. Beat in eggs, yogurt, and vanilla until combined.
- Whisk flour, cocoa, oats, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture until blended. (It will be sticky.) Stir in chocolate and peanut butter chips.
- Using a small cookie scoop or slightly rounded tablespoons of dough, place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Dip the bottom of a glass in water and then in turbinado sugar. Use the sugared glass to flatten the cookies slightly, leaving a thin layer of sugar on top, rewetting the glass as needed.
- Bake the cookies in batches until they are just set and the tops appear cracked, 8 to 10 minutes. (Do not overbake or they will be dry.) Cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
Carb Servings: 1 other carbohydrate, 1 fat. Carbohydrate Servings: 1
Most importantly, enjoy the season. Take time to smell the pine. Laugh. Be Merry. Remember what CHRISTmas is all about!!
