indigo pears

I first posted this recipe in December 2006.

It is worth doing again, it is one of our family Christmas traditions.

Tasha Tudor Christmas Sugar Cookies
1 pound of (real) butter
2 eggs
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
a pinch of salt
1 T. vanilla
1 t. baking soda dissolved in 3 T. milk


Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix until a smooth dough is formed. Form into a ball, dust with flour and chill thoroughly before using.Then break into conveniently sized pieces, adding a bit more flour as needed. Roll out to a scant 1/4 " thickness...or as thin as possible. Dust with granulated sugar and nutmeg and cut into shapes. Bake until light brown in a 350 degree oven (about 12 minutes). This recipe makes 5 or 6 dozen cookies. Cookies may be made in advance and stored in an airtight container.

[The wonderful artist, Tasha Tudor, passed away on June 18th this year, but her life will not be quickly forgotten!]
****************************************************************************
I am planning to make this dough tomorrow and have it ready to make the cookies.
Mr. Pear and son Andrew should arrive late tomorrow, followed by daughter-in-law Mary on Tuesday. As the house fills up, it will be fun to do some baking together!
I also plan to make some no-bake orange coconut balls.

ORANGE COCONUT BALLS

Ingredients:
12 ounces vanilla wafer cookies, crushed
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
sifted confectioners' sugar or coconut for coating
Preparation:Combine cookie crumbs and 1 cup confectioners' sugar; blend in butter. Stir in orange juice concentrate; add vanilla and nuts. Shape mixture into balls about the size of walnuts; shake in food storage bag with sifted confectioners' sugar or coconut. Arrange orange balls in single layer on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet; store uncovered overnight in refrigerator for best flavor. Makes about 3 dozen.

I hope you have a lovely Christmas week. I'll be stopping by your blogs as time permits. [tonight I am on-line late, I'm babysitting the grandchildren and thank goodness the baby has fallen asleep. The parents are out with a party of friends in a limosine for a night on the town!]

One dream I have is to get tickets for Mr. Pear and I to take granddaughter Lilia to see the Nutcracker ballet at the Fox theater downtown. That would be fabulous!