Christmas Day is only two days away. Even in this unpredictable, masked, year of pandemic, the Christmas season remains an “All is calm, all is bright” time. It is a time when we celebrate The Hope that came to live among us. If ever we have needed hope, this is the year. My wish for you is that hope fills your heart and that you and yours have a blessed Christmas. I’m sharing with you some of my favorite “last minute” recipes for this special holiday. Try them and I think you will agree they are easy and delicious.
Humming Bird Muffins
1 cup plain flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 ¼ cup cooking oil
1 cup chopped pecans
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
1 ½ cups sugar
3 eggs (beaten)
1 cup mashed bananas
2 tsp. vanilla flavoring
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 12 jumbo or 30 miniature muffin cups (paper liners can also be used). In a large bowl combine beaten eggs, un-drained pineapple, mashed bananas and vanilla. In another bowl combine dry ingredients well. Stir the egg mixture into the dry ingredients mixture with a spoon. Fold in pecans. Spoon into prepared muffin cups until cups are ¾ full. Bake for 30 minutes for the jumbo muffins and 20 minutes for the miniature muffins. Delicious plain or frosted with cream cheese frosting. NOTE: This is a heavy batter and does not rise high as most muffins do.
“Sweet Conglomoration”
1 box graham cereal squares
1 (24 oz.) jar unsalted roasted peanuts
1 large box raisins
1 (12 oz.) chocolate chips (can use butterscotch)
1 stick margarine
2 cups peanut butter
1 box confectioners sugar
Directions: Mix cereal, peanuts and raisins in a large bowl. Set aside. Melt chips, margarine and peanut butter in microwave until smooth. Pour over cereal mixture and mix (this is a little difficult to mix so take your time and mix well). Allow mixture to cool. Pour ½ box of confectioners sugar into a gallon zip-lock bag. Pour in cereal mixture and add remainder of sugar. Shake until the mixture is separated and all pieces are coated with confectioners sugar. Left-overs can be stored in a covered container.
Cheese Wafers
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 sticks margarine, softened
2 cups flour
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper, if desired
2 cups Rice Krispie Cereal
Directions: Mix flour and cayenne pepper. Add softened margarine and cheese. Mix well. Stir in cereal. Roll into small balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork. Bake in a preheated 350 degree over for 10 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool. These travel well and are delicious.
Cinnamon Sticks
1 stick margarine
¾ cup sugar
3 Tbsp. Cinnamon
6 slices day-old bread
Directions: Trim crust from bread. Melt margarine and spread on both sides of bread. Slice bread slices into four strips. Mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle bread sticks generously on both sides with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place sticks on a cookie sheet. Place in a 200 degree oven and allow to bake for two hours. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Yield: 24 cinnamon strips.
Cousin Clara’s cooking column appears in The Red Bay News. Letters or requests to Cousin Clara can be sent to news@trbnews.net or to P.O. Box 1339, Red Bay, AL 35582.
